Samantha Hoopes got some tanning in at the beach and made sure to stay hydrated ... and we've learned her boyfriend might just have the best damn job in the world.
The Sports Illustrated and Carl's Jr. model hit the sand in Miami Saturday with her tech guru BF Salvatore Palella ... and glistened in her tiny maroon bikini. It looks like she applied plenty of sun tan lotion -- with Sal's help ... and we're not complaining.
Last time we saw Samantha she told us she needed to pack on some lbs. to land the next SI cover ... clearly it was just a joke.