The world's 10 most beautiful beaches
Is it feasible to list the greatest beaches in
the world? Obviously not, since tourist choices will vary based on facilities,
accessibility, swimming and water sports alternatives, safety, feeling of
place, relaxation, and scenery. Nonetheless, as a well-traveled individual who
has walked on the sand of various beaches throughout the world, I submit my
choice of the ten most stunning beaches in the world. It should come as no
surprise that the majority of these beaches, which range from sandy to coral,
are located among the world's top beach locations. Unfortunately, these beaches
are no longer a secret, so you will have to share their magnificent beauty with
a large number of other tourists. If tranquillity is a requirement, consider
exchanging the beaches listed below for a stay at one of the world's most
stunning (semi-)private hotel beaches or one of the world's most exclusive
private island resorts.
Additional information follows the slide
presentation. Think I overlooked one? Share your favourite beach in the
comments section or vote in my poll.
1.
MAYA
BAY, KOH PHI PHI, THAILAND
Maya Bay is a breathtakingly gorgeous, protected cove on the Thai
island of Koh Phi Phi. With a ring of white sand bordered by mangroves and
towering limestone walls covered in lush vegetation, it's simple to understand
why The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed on this beach. The
primary beach inside the bay is around 200 metres (650 feet) in length and has
silky smooth white sand, as well as beautiful coral and exotic species in water
of outstanding clarity.
2. CAMPS BAY, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town tops my list of the most beautiful
cities in the world, not least because of its proximity to spectacular beaches.
Camps Bay is not only the most popular beach in Cape Town, but it is also the
only urban beach to reach my top 10 list. Camps Bay features dazzling white
sand set against the majesty of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and Table
Mountain. The water is a touch chilly due to currents in the Atlantic Ocean,
but that will not detract from the breathtaking beauty and world-famous sunsets.
3. POLIHALE BEACH, HAWAII, USA
Polihale is without a doubt the most stunningly
gorgeous beach in the Hawaiian islands. This seemingly desolate 11 km (7 km)
stretch on the western end of Kauai, one of the most beautiful islands in the
world, is many miles from the nearest town and exudes an aura of magic and
mysticism that is still present in Hawaii. The beach is only accessible through
a poorly signposted, unpaved sugarcane road, thus a four-wheel drive vehicle is
recommended (check with your rental car company for restrictions before heading
out).
4. ANSE SOURCE D’ARGENT, SEYCHELLES
Anse
Source d'Argent, one of the most photographed beaches in the world, stretches
across La Digue, one of the 115 islands that make up this paradisiacal
archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The beach shines against a backdrop of
gigantic granite rocks, weathered by time and weather. An offshore reef gives
protection from ocean waves, making the turquoise sea a great area for
swimming. Keep a look out for birds on the verge of extinction and huge
tortoises!
5. TULUM, RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO
Tulum is distinguished by its closeness to some
of the most breathtaking Mayan ruins in all of Mexico; here, one of the finest
cultural attractions in the world meets one of the best beaches in the world.
The ruin of Tulum is an old walled city perched on a high ledge overlooking a
magnificent beach. The region is not quite secluded due to the daily influx of
tourists, but the expansive expanse of white sand and captivating Caribbean
waves more than make up for it.
6. NAVAGIO BEACH, ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE
On the Greek island of Zakynthos, Navagio beach
is a secluded yet stunningly beautiful sand cove. It is commonly known as
Shipwreck Beach due to the shipwreck of the Panagiotis, which is believed to
have been a smuggler's vessel. The area's sheer limestone cliffs, white sand
beaches, and clear blue water attract tens of thousands of visitors annually.
The strip of beach can only be reached by boat, but it is visible from the
surrounding cliffs.
7. GRACE BAY, TURKS & CAICOS
The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of forty
islands and cays, the largest of which being Providenciales. Here, on the
northern coast, you'll discover Grace Bay, a 19-kilometer (12-mile) stretch of
paradise-like beach and sea, surrounded by a coral reef system with excellent
snorkelling and diving. In recent years, a growing number of resorts and condo
hotels have cropped up along the coast, so you may be better off these days at
the more secluded Amanyara or Parrot Cay hotel beaches.
8. WHITEHAVEN BEACH, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Whitehaven Beach is located in the centre of the
Great Barrier Reef and is protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park.
The most renowned beach in Australia is 4,4 miles (7 km) long and is bathed by
swirls of turquoise, blue, and green sea. The sand is composed of 98 percent
pure white silica, giving it a beautiful, almost luminous hue. You may access
Whitehaven Beach via helicopter or aircraft, or you can sail there on one of
the area's many boat excursions.
9. BAIA DO SANCHO, FERNANDO DE NORONHO, BRAZIL
Baio Do Sancho is located on the lonely island
of Fernando de Noronha, an active volcanic archipelago of 21 islands in the
Atlantic Ocean, some 220 miles (350 kilometres) off the northeastern Brazil
coast. 250-foot-tall (75-meter-tall) vegetation-covered cliffs around a beach
of green water and white sand. The beach is only accessible by boat or on foot
by a dirt path through a fissure in a rock wall and a few dozen uneven,
sand-covered stairs. The beach is ideal for snorkelling and observing
stingrays.
10. LONG BEACH, VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA
It is not simply the splendour of tropical
beaches that can leave one awestruck. The finest example is Long Beach, the
longest sandy beach on Canada's Vancouver Island, which provides breathtaking
views and a marine wildness that is unparalleled. Within the Pacific Rim
National Park Reserve, between Tofino and Ucluelet, its 10 miles (16 km) of
pure sand are bordered by verdant rainforests and pounded by a chilly, pounding
surf. Each spring and summer, around 20,000 grey whales travel along this
coast.
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