Beautiful beach holidays

Whether it is an adult-only holiday to recharge the batteries, some fun in the sun and water sports at the beach, or you want to spend some time with the children building sandcastles and creating memories, there are many stunning beaches around the world to choose from.

BEST SHORT-HAUL BEACH DESTINATIONS

Corsica in France is known as the ‘Isle of Beauty.’ Only 180km long and 80km wide but its contrasts are stunning. The beautiful beaches near Porto-Veccio are superb and there are luxurious hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants to indulge in. Sicily in Italy has endless stretches of beautiful beaches framed by dramatic cliff-top villages, ancient temples, and mouth-watering cuisine. Portugal has more than 150 beaches to choose from, it is renowned as being the sunniest destination in Europe. Praia da Marinha is located in the Algarve region, and it is known steep cliffs, soft sand and calm water. Malta has beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery and colourful architect to explore. Croatia has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Zlatni Rat beach has white sands and is located in a protected area on the island of Brac, popular for kite surfing and other water activities. Navagio Beach in Zakynthos, Greece, is also known as ‘Shipwreck beach.’ It is surrounded by dramatic white cliffs making it only accessible via water taxi. Cala Mararella beach is a picturesque cove in Menorca and has some of the clearest waters in Spain and is accessible by a short boat ride from the small town of Ciutadella.

BEST LONG-HAUL BEACH DESTINATIONS

Sit back, relax and listen to the sound of the sea lapping on the shore, read a book whilst sipping your favourite cocktail and take a walk along a sun-kissed beach and feel the sand between your toes. Or perhaps you fancy something more active, such as paddle boarding, surfing or jet skiing to build up an appetite before lunch at the beach. 

For a long-haul holiday that oozes luxury look no further than the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles is an incredible archipelago made up of approximately 115 islands. There are endless stretches of white sandy beaches, crystal clears water, vibrant marine life, and lush tropical forests.  If you can't choose one beach, then a Seychelles Island-hopping tour is ideal for you.  Mauritius has dramatic volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, stunning blue lagoons, and green rich rainforests. The Maldives has untouched beauty and is made up of approximately 1190 islands but only 200 of these are inhabited by the local population and around 140 are reserved for luxury resorts. The beaches are white and soft, the sea is a kaleidoscope of blues and turquoise. The Maldives is the quintessential beach honeymoon destination.

Travelling east you can find stunning beaches in the Caribbean. The British Virgin Islands comprise of four main islands and a number of smaller islands. The soft sand and casual vibe of White Bay Beach on Jost Van Dyke are irresistible. The Bahamas offers white sand, turquoise water and you can even swim with pigs on the uninhabited isle of Big Major Cay. Grand Anse Beach in Grenada offers two and a half miles of soft white sand, aqua water and swaying green trees for shade. Jaloouise Beach in St Lucia is located between Gros Piton and Petit Piton and part of the Viceroy Sugar Beach resort. It is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches on the island. Antigua has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. Golden soft sands and lapping blue seas making this a perfect beach destination. Trunk Bay is postcard-perfect with its soft sands and excellent underwater snorkelling. Turks and Caicos offer dazzling white sands at grace bay. It has the perfect balance of upscale hotels, beachfront pools, and casual beach bars.  Mexico is a popular choice and it is not difficult to understand why when you visit Tulum beach in the Riviera Maya, with its stunning beaches, blue seas, and coastal paths.

BEST CULTURE AND BEACH HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

If you want a combination of culture and beaches, South East Asia offers plenty of choice. Malaysia and Borneo offer tropical reef lagoons and flourishing marine life, making it one of the best diving destinations in the world. Loggerhead turtles, Manta Rays and Hammerhead and Whale sharks are frequent visitors. One of the largest islands off mainland Malaysia is Redang Island and is famous for its white sand and shimmering crystal-clear water.

On land explore the tropical rainforests and get the opportunity to see orangutans in the wild. Sri Lanka offers a number of stunning beaches. Arugam Bay (Southern Province) is considered the country’s best surfing spot. Wijaya beach (in the Galle District Southern Province) boasts golden sands, crystal clear waters and coast lines fringed by palm trees. Away from the beaches, climb Sigiriya, one of Sri Lanka’s seven World Heritage sites, spot leopards in Yala National Park or rent a tuk tuk and explore Colombo. Thailand has no shortage of stunning beaches. Koh Phi Phi is heralded one of the most sublime and was made famous by the hit movie, The Beach. Railey Beach in Krabi is photogenic with its jagged cliffs and sparkling waters. Freedom beach in Phuket offers super soft white sands, jungles and hills. Inland experience the bustling city of Bangkok, visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai, or explore a night market in Chaing Mai.