My top beaches around the world

Since it’s summer and the beach is on my mind, I thought I would do a recap of my favorite beaches I’ve visited over the years. I’m not really one for the crowded party beaches, or cold weather beaches, both of those seem to have made my list because of how beautiful they are. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that there’s nothing much better than walking a quite beach at sunset, reading a good book in the shade, or enjoying a tropical drink with the ocean in view. Most of these beaches took a bit of traveling to get to but they were worth it.

We’ll start with Italy, specifically the Amalfi Coast.

A friend and I made the trip here a few years ago and I was amazed at how picturesque it was. We rented a car and had to drive up along the coastal cliffs, which for me was a bit nerve-wrecking. The roads were narrow and windy and people drive insanely fast. In September we were able to find a last minute hotel for around $40 a night, with a beautiful ocean view. To get to the beach you had to follow steep switchback stairs for about half an hour through charming coastal neighborhoods. Some parts of the beach are crowded, others very secluded.

Beach number two, Gili Meno, a small island in Indonesia.

Getting here required a flight to Bali, then a flight to the island of Lombok, then a taxi to the harbor, and then a long boat to the second island in the Gili chain. My friend and I were dropped off on the beach after sunset with no hotel reservations and no plan, but as we walked the coast we easily found a hotel with friend staff right on the beach (as are all of the hotels there). You can walk the perimeter of the entire island in one hour, and the sunsets are supposedly world famous.

Next, we have the entire coast of Iceland.

This was the first time I ever saw snow capped mountains and an ocean in the same place, and it was beautiful. The water is a deep blue with black sand. Obviously this isn’t the type of beach you catch rays on, but the views are stunning and otherworldly.

One of the craziest beaches I’ve seen is Kho Phi Phi Don, Thailand.

This small island is crowded with party-goers from all over the world. You can see fire shows every night on the beach, beautiful rock formations in the ocean, and a million stars at night. Getting here took flights, ferries, and taxis.

Also worth mentioning is that you can hike to the opposite side of the chaos on the island, and find beaches with almost no one in sight. Maya Bay, despite the crowds, is worth the visit as well.

Australia’s Bronte Beach was nice,

And the last of my favorite beaches is dedicated to Hawaii, which is my personal favorite!

Kauai’s Kalalau Beach takes the cake for me. To get to this beach you have to kayak or hike 11 miles in, and you need a permit to camp. However, some people stay there somewhat permanently, and the community is very friendly. Here you can bathe in a waterfall, explore beaches and caves, and after a couple of sunsets you probably won’t want to leave.

The most secluded beach I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing was on the Island of Lanai.

I took a ferry here from Maui and rented a jeep. After driving to the Garden of the Gods you can spot a beach in the distance, which can be reached after about half an hour of slow driving down a rocky trail. My friend and I were the only two people on the beach at the time.

Hawaii is covered in lovely beaches that you can camp and relax on.

Are there any must visit beaches that you’ve been to?

 

 

Posted by | Comments (1)  | July 20, 2014
Category: General, Images from the road, On The Road


One Response to “My top beaches around the world”

  1. Stephen Says:

    I thought Crete had some really beautiful beaches, but Sweetwater Beach near Loutro stands out as a particular favorite both for scenic beauty and for beautiful empty sandiness. https://www.monkboughtlunch.com/beaches-of-crete/