Best Beaches in the World
We all love a beach holiday, but if you had limitless time and money and could go anywhere in the world where would you go? There are many places to choose from ranging from Hawaii’s black sand beaches to the white sands of St Lucia and the Andaman Islands off the coast of India. Here is a glimpse of some of the best.
Honokalani Beach
Honokalani Beach is jet-black in color and located in Wai’anapanapa State Park, Maui. Maui is in the Central Pacific, and part of the Hawaiian archipelago. The sand is in fact made up of tiny lava pebbles which give rise to its black color. If you are looking for an unspoiled beach then this is it. It has been voted the best beach by the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2018.
Things to do
Along the shore, there are sea caves carved into the cliffs which are made of lava. There are also lava tubes situated along the shore which are very interesting and worth looking at and exploring. Snorkeling and swimming are also things that the active traveler will enjoy.
Where to Stay
The nearby Montage Kapalua Bay has been rated the 19th best hotel in Hawaii by the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2018. Snorkeling and zip lines are available along with a spa and a three-tiered pool overlooking the ocean.
Honopu Beach
This is also located in Hawaii in Kauai. The name means “conch shell” and is also referred to as “Cathedral Beach”. It is quite hard to get to and you cannot hike there. The visitor must swim from an offshore boat or 1/4 mile from the neighboring Kalalau Beach. However, for the discerning traveler who just wants that something different, the beach has an exquisite charm with cumin colored sands and cliffs covered in vegetation soaring to 1200 feet above sea level. There are actually two beaches with an arch and the whole area when seen from above looks a bit like a turtle.
This has been voted the second best beach in the world by the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2018
Things to Do
Swimming and sunbathing are the number one pastimes here. Be careful, however, as strong currents can be beneath the surface.
Where to Stay
The nearby Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach has been rated the 4th best hotel in Hawaii by the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2018. It has a swimming pool tiled in a deep blue color and a restaurant with a sashimi tasting menu. It is mainly used by honeymooners.
St Lucia
If you are interested in a beach holiday look no further than St Lucia. In the south-west two volcanic peaks called The Pitons to rise majestically beside the sea. These will be seen easily from the air when landing. The beaches in this area are fine and golden and some of the best on the island and in the world. Some have also been mixed with fine white sand from Ghana to make them even more exquisite and beautiful; the most notable is Anse Cochon on the west coast. Also on the west coast of the island are more beaches, notably Anse Chastenet and the mile-long Reduit Beach. Reduit Beach is the busiest on the island and it is famous for water sports. Pigeon Island can also be seen from here.
Things to do
in the north, there are also some beautiful harbors such as Marigot Bay where some very expensive yachts can be seen and some nice restaurants in which to eat a romantic meal. Rodney Bay is another famous bay and mega yachts are often seen here. This is close to Reduit Beach which hosts Splash Island Water Park, a place for all the family.
Snorkeling or scuba diving is very popular in St Lucia. On the south of the island, when snorkeling at Anse Piton reef one might see the trumpetfish, named because of its long body and upturned mouth, or another from a list of aptly named exotic fish including the parrotfish and needlefish. Scuba diving is also popular around the southern St Lucian coast since the currents are not as strong as off the north coast, and amazingly can also be done at night enabling the traveler to see octopuses and crustaceans.
For the less adventurous, more relaxed dives from the beach can be done allowing the diver to see the coral reefs. There are various PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) available so the traveler can feel safe and secure. Make no mistake the seascape is every bit as good as the scenery above ground and exhibits a plethora of color including corals, sponges and gorgonians and even the odd shipwreck.
Where to Stay
St Lucia was voted “The World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” by the World Travel Awards, 8 years in a row. The beaches beside the Pitons host a hotel, the Sugar Beach, the perfect getaway for a special occasion. The 4.5 rating given on TripAdvisor is a respectful score for a hotel which is surrounded by luscious rainforests and boasts exquisite views of the sea. It is worth a visit for a special time of pampering and relaxation. Guests receive butler service and the hotel also boasts the Rainforest Spa where treatment rooms are situated in a tree house. The hotel also has a full PADI dive facility.
Andaman Islands
Situated in the Bay of Bengal the Andaman Islands offer some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The white-sand beaches are palm-lined and offshore the turquoise waters host corals which are beautiful and plentiful. Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island is ranked as India’s best beach and as the 7th best in the world by Time Magazine. Don’t forget if you want to visit you will need to get an India e-visa, click here to start your visa application process.
Things to do
Diving and snorkeling are popular as is game fishing and swimming. Elephant beach, also on Havelock Island, boasts a beautiful sandy shore and the waters host diverse marine life. It can be reached by a short jungle trek or by boat. Other beaches include Vijaynagar Beach or “Beach No. 5” ideal for swimming and photography and lined with the distinct Mahua vegetation.
Where to Stay
Havelock Island Beach Resort is situated near Govind Nagar Beach (Beach No 2) and is a 3.5-star hotel, rated at 4.5 on TripAdvisor. The 5 star Silver Sand is one of the best on the island situated on the Neil Kendra Beach near Neil Harbour.
