Now that international travel is back, and even travelling to far flung places is becoming feasible again, beach lovers are back in droves looking for seaside holidays. Of course, if you and your family are true beach worshippers and looking for the very best holiday spots out there, you might want to go a little further than the good old Med.
Families looking to get their fix of Vitamin Sea over the summer are, of course, strongly encouraged to look up entry requirements for the country they wish to visit, in respect of passport, visa and COVID requirements, as well as local protocols or guidelines. You don’t want to travel halfway around the world, only to find beaches closed and events restricted. Thankfully, this type of information can usually be accessed online quite easily nowadays. In fact, whether you are a single parent looking for a holiday with teenagers, or a Muslim traveller wanting to observe Muslim traditions such as halal food and daily prayers on holiday – there is a website and an app for everyone, just take Muslim Pro app. If you are curious about the app’s features, you can find more information on the Muslim Pro app Facebook page.
Bucket list destinations for beach lovers
So, without further ado, here are some of the best beaches in the world with something for everyone – from stunning scenery and fun waterside activities, to relaxed island vibes. With such spectacular and diverse beaches they certainly all have a place on any self-proclaimed sea lover’s dream holiday wish list :
Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
Located on an island that sits right at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach is only accessible by helicopter, boat, or seaplane. What you’ll find at the end of that journey is a seven-kilometre stretch of white sand surrounded by crystal-clear blue water, which is known to shift and change colour as the tides rise and fall. This is just one of many stunning sights that have earned Whitehaven recognition as one of Australia’s best beaches.
Whitsunday Island, where Whitehaven Beach can be found, is the largest of 74 islands in the area. The beauty of its waters can best be appreciated from Hill Inlet, located on the beach’s northern edge, or the nearby Tongue Point, another well-loved lookout area.
Most visitors take day trips to Whitehaven from Airlie Beach, an established beach town on Australia’s mainland. Besides sightseeing, these trips may include activities like snorkelling in and around the Great Barrier Reef. Many multi-day sailing trips around the region may also include Whitehaven as a stop in their itinerary.
Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
If you go for a swim at Camps Bay, a picturesque beach located a mere ten-minute drive from downtown Cape Town, you’ll find the waiting sea surprisingly cold. These waters are fed by currents coming straight from Antarctica and remain chilly even throughout the hottest months of the year. This doesn’t stop locals and visitors alike from flocking to the public beach every summer, however, and many will gladly take a dip in the dark blue waters to cool off even for just a few moments.
Some might argue that the water at Camps Bay is more for looking at than swimming, but there’s no denying that the scenery it offers is some of the most breathtaking in the world. The stretch of pure white sand you’ll see along the coastline is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and majestic, rocky mountains on the other. As the beach faces west across the ocean, Camps Bay is also an ideal sunset spot.
Tulum, Mexico
To reach Tulum, you’ll have to drive about two hours out from Cancun to the Riviera Maya. Besides a gorgeous white-sand beach and sparkling turquoise waters, you won’t want to miss the ancient ruins that sets this coastal town apart from other Mexican beaches. These well-preserved ruins are the remains of a pre-Columbian Mayan port city and have earned Tulum recognition as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Numerous resorts and hotels dot Tulum’s coastline, so travellers to the area won’t lack comfortable accommodation options. Nature lovers may be especially interested in visiting Sian Ka’an, a rich biosphere reserve spanning half a million acres. The reserve is home to lush tropical forests, mangrove marshes, reefs, caves, and sand dunes.
Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan, Thailand
The verdant isle of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand is home to nearly three dozen beaches, of which Haad Rin Beach is undoubtedly the most famous. This island, along with its neighbours Koh Samui and Koh Tao, has long been hailed as one of Thailand’s premier island-hopping destinations.
Visitors to Haad Rin Beach will find a plethora of dining establishments located right on the sand, as well as a wide array of accommodations ranging from the budget-friendly to the high-end. The overall feel of the place is upbeat and youthful, perfect both for the most adventurous backpackers and more leisurely travellers who don’t want to do much more than relax on the beach. The water surrounding the beach is warm year-round, and activities like beach volleyball, water sports, and snorkelling are plentiful.
By far the best thing about beach holidays is that no two beaches on Earth are quite the same. Take advantage of the opportunity to travel and check a few of these premier seaside destinations off your bucket list. Dive into the sparkling water and don’t be surprised if you find yourself already planning your next summer getaway as soon as you come up for air.
