Why I'd rather be on a beach right now: Beach Vacation Guide
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I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like going to the beach. Just the word beach, whispered furtively into a crowd on a miserable day on the rat race hamster wheel can be enough to ignite the eyes and get the dream machines going. Some people are thinking wistfully about the sound of the ocean waves or the smell of the salt air, some drool over the idea of the sand between their toes, some imagine shaded palms and turquoise waters and some people just want a day to themselves where they can soak up the long beach sun without needing an excuse. But why are beaches always so far away? Is it just that left over torment from being an excited kid - are we there yet? Are we there yet? Even parts of sandy coastal cities can feel a long way from a sandy beach! So I put it to you that as well as being where the ocean meets the land ‘the beach’ is made up of other things, including a beachy state of mind. Though many of our dream beaches are of ribbons of soft white sand sinking beneath water a shade of blue my paint box calls Brandeis Blue (Whitehaven Beach), a beach can be far less perfect without losing its pull. Pebbly, with light grey water and rocks below the surface, still makes a good beach, the best if you’re interested in rock pooling or snorkelling; and, its yellow sand covered in rows of red lobster bodies, Bondi is great for people watching ,and just down the hill from cafes and bars. If you want to get technical a beach not only doesn’t need to have sand, it doesn’t even need to have saltwater or the ocean. Considering that, the idea of a beachy state of mind is beginning to make more sense to you isn't it? and it centres around a feeling of freedom. The ocean sound and sandy salty smell evoke memories of relaxing and not having to do anything. ‘Cause that’s the thing with beaches: you don’t have to wear shoes or a watch, you don’t have to dress up, you don’t really have to do anything and that’s fine - no one is expecting you to. At the beach you can be as active or as inactive as you like, beach boys who like that sort of thing jog or play sport or swim, beach girls who like reading, read, for beach babes, sand is surprisingly entertaining and for those of us who just want to relax and do nothing it’s perfectly acceptable just to sit on the beach and watch other people do stuff. I can’t think of any other place with the same freedom from expectations. Having to travel to get to the beach is part of the magic. Walking out of your office block isn’t enough to set you free - travelling to a beach is. On your way the same sense of excitement you had when you were a kid builds, because you’re about to give yourself some time in the warming, cheerful sun, surrounded by nature to just do what you want. No wonder the whisper of it on a rush hour train is enough to send people round the sandy beachy bend. |
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All our best beaches » The beaches with the strongest pull for me...
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Matira BeachBeaches in Bora Bora, French Polynesia Matira Beach on Bora Bora is one of the best beaches in one of the most spectacular destinations in the world. Swimming and snorkelling are gentle in the gently sloping lagoon, and the weather is fair year round. There are many smaller, more isolated beaches nearby for romantic travellers.
Review by Photo by flickr user Jean-Sébastien Roy |
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Trunk BayBeaches in U.S. Virgin Islands Breathtaking bay, often voted the most beautiful in the Virgin Islands, with perfectly white powdery sand, swaying coconut palms, a gently shelving swimming area and great snorkelling in the St John Virgin Islands National Park. Heart shaped and a quarter mile long, with clear turquoise water, the beach was bought by Nelson Rockefeller and donated to the National Park, which he helped set up.
Review by Photo by flickr user Daquella manera |
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TapuaetaiBeaches in Aitutaki, Cook Islands 40 minutes by air, the bright white sand and swaying palms of Aitutaki makes this one of the most beautiful spots on the Cook Islands. Up to 20 miles across, the lagoon offers spectacular snorkelling amongst a vast array of fish. One of the most idyllic beaches here is Tapuaetai, (One-Foot Island), popular with day-trippers on the plane from Rartonga. There are a few upscale resorts on Aitutaki for people who relish the desert island experience after the trippers have departed.
Review by Photo by flickr user g-hat |
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Tortuga BayBeaches in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador A fabulous white sandy beach on Santa Cruz, with turquoise seas and marine turtles swimming off the rocks nearby (which gives the beach its name). There's a shallower bay just around the mangroves, perfect for kids. You might even be lucky enough to catch sight of some sealions.
Review by Photo by flickr user tortuga767 |
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Ko Tarutao National Marine Park's BeachesBeaches in Thailand One of the most beautiful of Thailand's beach destinations, the national park offers an abundance of wildlife and marine life, including sperm whale, dolphins and turtles. The park covers 48 islands, three of which offer accommodation and are reasonably easy to get to - Ko Tarutao, Ko Adang and Ko Lipe.
Review by Photo by flickr user magical-world |
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Beaches in North SardiniaBeaches in Sardinia, Italy The north of Sardinia is an absolutely beautiful destination if you're fond of walking/beaches! Fly into either Olbia or Alghero. In the north - key beaches of note are: (these are all better value than the exclusive and ultra expensive smereldas!): Oristano - Torre Grande beach very close by. Town itself is quiet and sleepy and has some key historical sites. Alghero - has a beautiful long sandy beach, shaded by pine forests. The medieval walled town was invaded by Catalan colonists in the 14th century. As a result, Alghero is a mix of Italian/Catalan - often nicknamed 'Barcelonetta'. Street signs are bilingual. The centre is exciting and buzzy - with lots of restaurants and bars. Isola Rossa - beautiful beaches -amazing sunsets which turn the landscape red - hence name of area! Santa Teresa Gallura - most northern tip of the island. The beaches and sea in the area are beautiful - esp the beach of Rena Bianca but it's via a very steep hill. From here you can see Corsica - and get a ferry across (it's daily). Island of La Maddalena - get the ferry from Palau. Absolutely stunning beaches, very quiet and relaxing. Cala Capra - really beautiful little bay
Review by Photo by claire |
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Cable BeachBeaches in Western Australia, Australia The 22km of sand of Cable Beach that stretches past Broome will be recognisable to you from photos advertising Australia. This is where you can ride a camel along pristine white sand sandwiched between bright blue ocean and red desert. For desk-bound beach fans try the ultimate dreaming tool - the Cable Beach webcam. Broome is remote, all alone on this top section of the western coast, and it’s a great place to come to enjoy a slower pace of life. Historically it’s a pearl diving town, which adds to the romance. You won’t come just for the beach but it will impress you when you get there.
Review by Photo by flickr user brogge1 |
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Hot Water BeachBeaches in North Island, New Zealand “I think we’re going to need a bigger spade.” Bring a proper gardening spade when visiting Hot Water Beach because for two hours on either side of the tide you can dig yourself a spa. After you have dug your spa sized hole it will fill from below with fresh warm water creating your own personal ocean side hot tub with a view on one side of the Pacific Ocean and on the other sharp cliffs and pohutukawa trees. The science: An underground river carrying hot water runs just under the beach, it’s mouth just off shore and at the right point in the tide you can enjoy it before it makes it out to sea. Check the tide times to make sure your not left with just a great sandy beach and beautiful view.
Review by Photo by flickr user Charlie Brewer |
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Ao Phra NangBeaches in Andaman Sea, Thailand The famous Ao Phra Nang is one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches on the planet. If you ever tire of swimming in the warm clear waters you can rockclimb the limestone walls nearby, or explore the Princess Cave which opens right onto the beach. Because it is so renowned for its beauty, this beach does get very crowded in peak season.
Review by Photo by Mike Lyvers |
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Manly BeachBeaches in Sydney, Australia The best thing about Manly is the fantastic ferry trip out there. The Manly Ferry is probably Sydney’s cheapest harbour cruise and if you get a seat outside it’s probably also one of the best. The 35 - 40 minute trip takes you past the Opera House, the central harbour bays with some of Sydney’s most expensive property , Taronga Zoo and the heads, where it can get satisfyingly rocky. People used to go to Manly for their holidays and I can see why. The ferry pulls into a relaxed, sprawling but clean looking wharf which leads onto the relaxed, sprawling Corso which links the wharf on the harbour side and the long beaches on the ocean side. So maybe the best thing about Manly is walking along the Corso seeing the ocean open out before you. On the ocean side the beach is a long scoop. To the right as you’re facing the ocean is a path and if you follow it around past a pool carved into the ocean you’ll get to Shelly Beach which hooks around to face the rest of Manly and is a good spot for scuba diving and has a truly excellent and secluded café. Which could also be the best thing about Manly. Surfers do come along here but the surf schools are mostly in the other direction up towards Queenscliff where there are less rocks in the water. There are also beach volley ball nets set up along beach next to the path that runs along the front US style with rollerbladers, cyclists and people who don’t want to get sand between their toes. You’re going to see tourists in Manly - it’s one of the most popular beaches in Sydney, but it’s not badly spoilt by the crowds and even in the peak of the Christmas school holidays there’s still enough sand and ice cream for everyone and the pub on the harbour side wharf extends out on decking above the ocean, so there’s more space to enjoy an afternoon drink Sydney style. Which could also be the best thing about Manly…
Review by Photo by flickr user stibbons |
