Epic Beaches Off The Beaten Path [part 2 of 6]

Rhossili Bay, Swansea, UK.

 

“Venture further afield and the British Isles plays host to a range of beautiful — if somewhat windswept — coves and bays that may not get much sunshine but are no less magical for it. Rhossili Bay near Swansea is one of the best: A three-mile-long stretch of wide beach with fantastic views from atop Rhossili Down and an exposed shipwreck visible only at low tide.”

Praia da Joatinga, Brazil.

“Along the western stretches of the city, away from the main throng, lays exclusive Joa where a cove of golden beach meets emerald waves, only accessed via a steep coastal path,” Dowley said. “Praia da Joatinga has sensational views of offshore islands and is popular with surfers and a cool, young crowd.”

Sabrina Cesar, web producer at Business Insider, added: “It’s a little strip of sand surrounded by mountains, and you have to access it by going down the rocks. That makes it more private and less crowded. The energy there is so amazing that it’s quite hard to explain.”

Koh Kradan, Thailand.

“If the beach-bucket culture of Thailand’s most popular islands induces a sense of panic, head instead to Koh Kradan, south of buzzing Koh Lanta,” Dowley said. “This tiny island is part National Park, part resort island, creating the perfect blend of natural beauty and handy amenities.”

Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.

“Just as much about the journey as the destination, Baia do Sancho is found on a secluded environmentally protected archipelago,” Dowley said. “Despite repeatedly being voted one of the world’s best beaches, it is often deserted.”

“A gateway to the sea beyond, the real star of the beaches on this remote, tiny island, accessible by a 55-minute flight from mainland Tahiti, is the sheer amount of fish swimming around its crystal clear waters,” Dowley said.

Bunec, Albania.

 

“Often overlooked by travellers and tourists hitting Albanian Riveria, this is certainly not a beach for watersports or partying,” Dowley said. “With a backdrop of mountainous terrain, one of the best ways to experience the tranquillity is by camping.”

Krui, Sumatra.

Likoma Island, Malawi.

“A tiny island of 6,000 in the freshwater Lake Malawi,” McClure said. “Drive a quad bike around the island and visit a cathedral so big it can house what feels like the entire island!”

Blavand Beach, Denmark.

McClure loves this “40 km long untouched sand on the west coast of Denmark, rarely visited and loads of wildlife.”

Lake Ometepe, Nicaragua.

These volcanic black sand beaches on a lake island in Nicaragua are another favourite for McClure, who suggests: “Climb the volcano and cool off in the lake.”

Coron, Philippines.

Taketomi Island, Okinawa, Japan.

“The water is clear and bright and at first glance, the sand is the same as any other,” said King. “A closer look, however, reveals tiny star-shaped sand, the microscopic shells produced by the unicellular Foraminifera that wash up to the shore.”