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Indian Sunset with boys running © Dan Brady
For a great guide over beaches, beach resorts and exlusive tour packages in India, check out India Beach Holidays. You can search for beaches by region or themes as romantic beaches, family beaches, water sports and exotic beaches.
Pier in Coney Island
Saturday afternoon. We stand by Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island’s main station. Most people living on Coney Island, located in southernmost Brooklyn with its famous beach on the Atlantic Ocean, are Hispanic or African-American. Previously the area was a major resort and home of amusements parks as the Steeplechase Park, the heart of Coney between 1897 and 1964. Its founder George Tilyou once said: “If Paris is France, Coney Island, between June and September, is the world.”
Above the beach is the Riegelmann boardwalk, named from Borough President Riegelmann and reputed to be the world’s longest. On the crowded boardwalk we see a teenage girl in the middle of a crowd. She sings with a clear, powerful voice resembling of Beyonce and receives lots of whistles after her performance. On Coney Island, it’s the mixture of people that contribute to the special atmosphere.
Before you leave New York City, visit Coney Island at least once. The D-line from Bronx in north passes through Manhattan and over the East River on Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn. The ride with the subway from Midtown Manhattan takes about an hour.
Beach, Corsica © Christophe Libert
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, France offers plenty of beach destinations for everyone from families and pensioners to pro surfers and fussy celebrities.
THE ATLANTIC COAST
While the north and west coasts have long isolated beaches, family resorts, and splendid surfing, the water is not as warm or as clear as on the Mediterranean coast or Corsica.
Arcachon
This small resort on Cote d’Argent near Bordeaux is encircled by France’s largest pine wood and offers small and delectable beaches. A couple of kilometres south is the Dune du Pyla, the largest sand dune in Europe.
Saint-Jean de Luz
A cozy seaside resort a few minutes from the Spanish side in the heart of the Basque Country. Saint-Jean de Luz has stunning beaches, good surfing, and lots of shops, cafes and markets.
Biarritz
During the Surf Festival each July, surfers from France, Hawaii, Australia and California come here to celebrate the birth of surfing in Biarritz. Aside from great waves, this posh town offers popular beaches, superb cooking, golf courses, several sporting facilities and a nearly constant breeze.
THE FRENCH RIVIERA
In Cote d’Azur’s beach destinations you tend to face more crowds and higher prices, but don’t let this put you off. The French Riviera has a fantastic climate, terrific shopping, first-class dining and nice, but packed, beaches.
St Tropez
The most attractive spot on Cote dAzur is the place for beautiful people, million dollar yachts, expensive Ferraris, and chic designer shops lining the cobbled streets. The town has a balance of modern luxury and charming fishing village look. Sit at a sidewalk cafe, sip a coffee and watch the jet-setters saunter by. Don’t forget to spend a day at Bouillabaisee Beach near the town.
Cannes
In May, Cannes turns to the hottest location in the world - at least within the film business - when actors, directors, producers, journalists, wannabes, gonnabes and fascinated tourists gather in town. The traffic and parking is a nightmare. Wait a few weeks if you prefer a less busy atmosphere.
Opt for the beaches Graniers or Port Grimaud, and the free public beach in front of the Palais des Festivals. Don’t miss the fireworks show on the main beach during the summer, a stroll along the famous walk La Croisette, gambling at Casino Croisette or a taste of Cannes’ exquisite cuisine.
CORSICA
Corsica is accessible by ferry from Marseille, Toulon, or Nice, or a 40-minute flight from Nice. Aside from some of France’s best beaches, Corsica has diverse scenery with a mild climate - perfect for outdoor sports. Travel here between May and June when the weather is sunnier and the tourists are fewer. The most well-liked beach destination is Calvi in north-west Corsica. Its shallow and warm water makes it a terrific vacation site for families.
Lalaria Beach
My favourite beach so far is Lalaria Beach on Skiathos in the Greek Sporades Island. Lalaria consists of white pebbles and limestone and is only approachable by boat because of the high cliffs on both sides of the beach. A rock to the west of the bay forms a natural bridge between the sea and the beach.
Another peaceful beach is Agios Elenis located on the southern part of the island. Paraskevi and Kolios are shallow and suitable for children. The busiest beaches are Vromolimnos beach, 8 km from Skiathos town, and Koukounaries, once rated the 7th best beach in the world. A five minutes walk south from bus stop 26 leads to Koukounaries. But make sure to check the signs. We were about to take the wrong path leading to Little Banana Beach, west of Koukounaries, a popular beach among naturists from all over Europe.
What I love about Skiathos is the island’s terrific coast. With 66 different beaches everyone can find something in their taste, whether it’s a secluded romantic beach or a crowded tourist spot with a water sports centre offering water skiing, wakeboarding and parachute after boat. The best beach in terms of water sports is Megali Ammos, the longest beach on Skiathos located 1 km from Skiathos town below the street leading to Koukounaries, by bus stop 4 or 5. Megali Ammos Watersports offers water skiing, wakeboard, parachute, flyfish, banana, kneeboard, family rings and extreme rings where you lie down on your stomach. My sister and I opted for the normal rings and couldn’t stop laughing as the driver Thanasis drove us in high speed. Halfway through the ride when Thanasis made a few quick turns, we clasped to the handles to avoid falling off as the rings bounced on the waves. The couple who went before us were not as lucky. Both of them fell off during a set of higher waves.
Aside from boasting some of the best beaches in Greece, Skiathos is known for its great nightlife. You will never risk getting bored here. In Skiathos town, try BBC if you fancy techno, Arena for Greek music or Roof Top Bar for a romantic evening. Avoid the restaurants (tourist traps) along the harbour and the main street Papadiamantis where they charge excessive prices for mediocre food. Instead, head to the old part of the town where you will find real Greek food in cozy taverns.
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
Ithaka outside the Greek west coast is known to attract the rich and famous. I once read Madonna and Guy Ritchie, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have spent their vacations here, but we didn’t spot anyone of them during our stay on this pretty Ionian island. But we did visit the world’s largest natural harbour in Vathy, hoping to catch a glimpse of the owner to some of the luxurious yachts anchored along the waterside.
Even though the capital Vathy has a few bars and nightclubs it is thanks to the nature and culture, people visit Ithaka. Because of the island’s small size and rather poor accessibility - ferry and fast boats depart from Kefalonia, Lefkas and Meganisi though - you will not find any crowds of tourists here as on the neighboring island Lefkas. As a result, many celebrities see the Ithaka as a perfect hideaway.
Stroll around the village center, past whitewashed houses, taverns, cafés and shops where local artists sell their work. Spend the afternoon at Vathy’s own beach or join a boat tour to discover the more secluded beaches on the island. Don’t forget a diving-mask. The water around Ithaka is perfect for snorkeling. Lunch at one of the taverns serving traditional Greek food and try Rovani, the island’s special sweet rice, for dessert.
A 45-minutes boat ride took us to the neighboring island Kefalonia, known from the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” starring Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz. In hope to attract more tourists a few restaurants on the island have names as Captain Corelli’s Bar or Captain Corelli’s Restaurant. But skip those and head for Kiani Akti, in Kefalonia’s main city Argostoli instead. The tasty meze dishes are satisfying, but most guests probably opt for Kiani Akti because of its terrific location on the pier.
Wherever you choose to lunch, don’t miss the island’s own produced wine Rompola or the flavoursome honey-and ewe’s milk cheese.
We spent most of the time in the village Fiscardo - visited by Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Bruce Springsteen and the Italian fashion family Prada - on the northern tip of Kefalonia, and on the attractive Myrthos Beach five minutes from the village Agia Efimia. Check out the small cave at the end of the beach. And don’t hurry. There is a reason why Myrthos is the most photographed and visited beach on Kefalonia.
Our base for the trips to Ithaka and Kefalonia was Nidra on Lefkas, a tourist resort on the island’s east coast, easy accessible from Preveza Airport thanks to the bridge from the mainland. Apart from Ithaka and Kefalonia, we enjoyed the excursion to Skorpios, a private island owned by the shipmaster Ari Onassis.
Island Hopping Tips
For information on ferry schedules in the Greek archipelago, visit Greek Travel Pages, Greek Islands and Ferries.gr. Island-hopping is a terrific introduction to Greece. Despite the increasing tourism you can find empty beaches and quiet surroundings - for example at Paxos - and people in search of the opposite have lots of islands with busy nightlife to choose between. A good idea is to focus on one island group and have your base on any of these islands or, if appropriate, on the mainland. You can either book your island-hopping holiday with a set itinerary through a travel agent, use the regular ferry services as the locals, or take small boats with only a handful of passengers. If you are a skilled sailor and prefer ultimate freedom, why not rent your own boat?
We focused on the Ionian Islands and because of their proximity to the coast, we opted for a hotel in Parga (the first week) and on Lefkas (the second week). By living on the mainland we could hop back and forth between the nearby islands and didn’t need to worry about accommodation. Boat connections are best during high season, July and August, but at the same time hotels and B&Bs charge less before and after the busiest months.
Quiet Beach in Cabo San Lucas © Heather Sorenson
Did you know the Mexican Caribbean and Golf of Mexico have over 5,000 beaches? A wide variety of everything from serene and empty stretches of sand to overcrowded sites near popular tourist resorts. Whatever you seek, you will not face any problems when searching after your favourite beach in Mexico.
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Compared with other resort destinations in Mexico, Cancun offers most luxury hotels, restaurants, nightlife and activities. The white-sand beaches in Cancun and along the Yacatan’s Quintana Roo coast, extending south almost all the way to the Belizean border are the country’s best in terms of pure beauty. Don’t forget to admire the coral reef when you swim in the clear water.
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo
This beautiful island, located offshore from Cancun, is a must visit. From Playa Norte - the only beach on the island - you can take diving lessons in El Garrafon reef, snorkel or join a boat tour to the close by Isla Contoy National Wildlife Reserve.
Tulum, Quintana Roo
Set below the Mayan ruins this is one of the most scenic beaches in the world. Tulum village, around 130 km south of Cancun, has a car park, restaurants, motels and souvenir shops, but its sandy cove is far from crowded and perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Don’t miss a tour of the ruins and the vast nearby nature preserve.
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
“Playa” on the Caribbean coast is a popular beach destination, attracting tourists from all over the world. An unpretentious and relaxing place located quite near the ruins of Tulum and a 45-minute boat ride to the island Cozumel. With soft sand beaches, clear azure water and plenty of accommodation, bars and restaurants in “Playa” town, you’re set for a pleasant and sociable vacation.
Puerto Escondido, Baja California
In Spanish, Puerto Escondido means “hidden port” and the village surely lives up to its name. Consisting of several beaches with their own appeal, the town offers inexpensive rooms, great budget dining and a laid back atmosphere. Puerto Escondido is also named Mexico’s surfing Mecca. Playa Zicatela or “the Mexican Pipeline” boasts waves reaching 22-26 feet August through November.
Puerto Angel, Oaxaca
The best beach in the calm Puerto Angel area on the Pacific coast is Zipolite Beach, located about 37 miles from Puerto Escondido. Favoured among hikers and backpackers Zipolite gives you simplicity and relaxation. Visiting in August to November? Watch out for the high surf and strong currents in deep water.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Start your day at Puerto Vallarta’s popular public beach Playa los Muertos. After a beach volleyball game and some swimming, rent a car and explore the rest of the wide Banderas Bay offering 26 miles of beaches. Don’t forget to bring a map.
Yelapa, Jalisco
Located south of Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa has remarkable surroundings, unscathed shores and their own view of modern amenities (Yelapa doesn’t have electricity or cars). To reach the fishing village of Yalapa meaning “gathering place”, board a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan or Los Muertos beach. But leave early to avoid the tourists arriving on the large boat around noon. The last water taxi returns to Boca at 5pm and to Puerto Vallarta at 4.30pm.
Pie de la Cuesta, Guerrero
This quiet village, below Sierra Mountains, between the ocean and a fresh water lagoon is located 6 miles northwest of Acapulco. Translated the “Foot of the Sunset”, Pie de la Cuesta makes a perfect setting for wedding ceremonies and couples seeking a romantic retreat. Beware of the big waves to avoid getting caught in the undertow.
Los Cabos, Baja California
With miles of amazing beaches, Cabo San Lucas and San Jos del Cabo, are major American tourist destinations, especially popular among golfers, fishers and young people in search of booze and party. Begin at Pueblo la Playa, north of San Jos del Cabo, and continue to Playa de Amor (Lover’s Beach). Don’t miss taking pictures of the dramatic rock formations along the shoreline and, at some beaches, the heavy waves. If the water is too rough, rather watch than swim.
Whether you seek an exceptional spot for sunbathing, pleasant swimming, terrific diving possibilities or thrilling surf, you will find it in Mexico. And remember, the best time for a Mexican beach vacation is November to May.
Each summer from I was born to the year I turned 18 I’ve spent at least a few weeks in the village Frösakull outside Halmstad on the Swedish west coast. My parents has a small summer cottage there, and with small I mean really small. One room is combined kitchen and bedroom, the other room is living room/bedroom. But you don’t spend much time indoors anyway, especially not when it’s hot and sunny, and the beach is only 200 meters away. I love walking or jogging along the water, especially in the morning, and I rather choose that instead of treadmills in the gym.
Frösakull Beach is a beautiful sandy shallow beach a few hundred meters from the more known Tylösand Beach. The difference is that the water is clearer in Frösakull and the beach is less crowded.
The picture below was taken during the winter.
I have spent a lot of summers on the beach outside the Swedish city Halmstad. I remember we used to make sandcastles, play in the sand dunes, swim to the sandbar and snorkel to a small reef a bit outside the shore. Those great memories and my early love for the ocean are probably the reasons to why I want to live near the water.
Sometimes we cycled to the close by summer resort Tylosand and watched the live band at the after beach in Solgarden. Every day at 4pm people gather at the after beach to listen to music, eat, drink and have fun, only a stone’s throw from the beach. At Life’s Lounge, the Swedish artist Per Gessle’s own nightclub, you can dance into the wee hours.
A lot of travellers and tourists choose to stay at Hotel Tylösand. For more information on Halmstad and the surrounding areas, visit Halmstad Tourist Office
Photos by Frida Johansson
Tylosand’s Beach with the lifeguard tower to the right.
The nearby small island Tylon.
People flock to the after beach.
The after beach is usually crowded when the weather is nice.
Shot from the pier in Caleta de Famara.
View to the nearby island La Graciosa
After a tasty dinner at a Spanish restaurant my sister and I strolled through the center of Caleta de Famara, past the pier and took a photo of these few houses outside the village.
One day we took a taxi to the other side of the island. I asked the taxi driver after “una buena playa”. He dropped us off by this stretch of sand cluttered with black stones outside the village of Lanzarote’s northernmost village Orzola. When we walked towards the ocean (which we couldn’t see for all the rocks) we realised that it wasn’t really a beach, but an inlet with a pond where a few children played with their toys.
While my sister laid down on her towel near the pond I followed the narrowing inlet towards the ocean. Lots of corals covered the sandy ground, so I went out of the water and balanced on the stones instead. Soon I reached the open water and stopped to savor the peaceful atmosphere. Not an island in sight.
As I went back to my sister I asked a Spanish family about the best beach on the island. The teenage son answered at once.
“This is the best beach. Mostly locals come here, not many tourists know about this place.”
“What is it called?”
“The white beach, but as you can see it isn’t really a beach. In south Lanzarote you can find the islands real white beach, Playa Blanca. A lot of tourists go there.”
After a couple more minutes at the white beach, my sister and I continued to the nearest village Orzola.
View from the road towards Orzola
Orzola Harbour
Orzola Harbour
Caleta de Famara is an old fishing village located on the northwestern tip of Lanzarote. This Spanish island west of Africa is sometimes called Europe’s Hawaii.
My sister and I went there in July 2005 for a five-day surfing course with Surf School Lanzarote. The director Tim Jones and his team are all British Surfing Association Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 qualified instructors and professional beach lifeguards.
Because of a minor accident involving me, a wet stone and a fall backwards I could only surf the first day, but I can really recommend Surf School Lanzarote if you want to get the whole picture of surfing. Famara is a quiet village, but it’s possible to book your own accommodation in the resorts of Puerto del Carmen or Costa de Teguise if you prefer to stay in a more busy place.
Evening on Famara Beach
Frida looks towards the island La Graciosa.
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