TOP 10 BEACHES IN THE WORLD

A quick hike along a short rocky trail will bring you to the tranquil hideaway that is Tortuga Bay Beach. While you don’t need to share the beach with sunburnt tourists, you do you need to share it with a few local visitors, including seals, blue-footed boobies and iguanas.

Local wildlife, catching some sleep and sunshine

Hawaii isn’t short of heavenly beaches, but Honokalani Beach takes some beating. Due to Hawaii’s volcanic history, the rich black sand comprises tiny polished lava pebbles. The strong sea current also keeps surfers away, so the horizon is spotless. If you’re not one for sunbathing, you can also go rock climbing, visit blowholes, discover caves and go hiking in the picturesque park.

Black sand beach of Honokalani

The Philippines is renowned for gorgeous beaches, but Pamilacan island, which plays host to Amanpulo is the cream of the crop. You can walk along the pristine white beaches or scuba dive the myriad reefs. You also have Palawan island on the doorstep, which comes with two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and Puerto Princesca Subterranean River National Park.

An island all to yourself

It’s easy to guess how 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island got its name. It runs for – you’ve got it – 75 miles along the east coast of the island. This beach, cum highway, cum airstrip for private planes, features the Rainbow Gorge, Champagne Pools and Maheno Shipwreck.

Champagne Pools on Fraser Island

Don’t expect to do any sunbathing whilst on South Georgia Island – temperatures average 8C in the summer! Do however, expect to be wowed by the sheer number of king penguins that greet you when you hop off your Zodiacs. Other friendly locals include elephant seals and fur seals – definitely not your typical sort of beach!

The welcome committee at St Andrews Bay

While Copacabana may be one of the most famous beaches in the world, the true star in Brazil is Lopes Mendes beach. It takes some time to get there (a three-hour drive from Rio, followed by a ferry ride), but the effort you will put in is worth it. For you will arrive at a virtually deserted beach featuring two miles of pristine, powder-white sand and some of the most crystalline waters you will ever come across.

Getting to Lopes Mendes is a mission, but well worth the time

A short boat ride away from the main island of Mahe, will take you to the Seychelles’ worst kept secret: Anse Source d’Argent beach. The towering granite boulders and soft pink sand will make you feel as if you’re in paradise. This beach is constantly winning the coveted prize of ‘Best Beach in the World’, so it’s impossible not to include this heavenly retreat.

A unique beach

If you want to get away from it all, head to Likoma Island in the middle of Lake Malawi. This unspoilt haven comes with golden beaches, rocky promontories, impressive baobab trees and even a cathedral. Well, who wouldn’t want to thank the man upstairs once they’ve taken a peek at this?

Ready for your boat ride around the lake?

The Algarve region in Portugal is home to over 150 beaches, all spectacular. Regularly voted among the best is Praia da Marinha, accessible by a flight of stairs from the clifftop above. Once you reach the photogenic cove, a snorkelling haven awaits, where there are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Want to go further afield? Rent a boat and investigate the numerous nearby caves.

Quiet and majestic cove at Praia da Marinha

For a wild, remote and completely under-the-radar beach, Radhanagar tops the list. The waves are calm throughout the day making it perfect for snorkelling and swimming with elephants, yes we did say elephants. Not only is this stretch of beach long and mostly deserted, it is flanked by lush forest to one side and a rich underwater world waiting to be discovered.

Get away from it all at Radhanagar Beach