Page 38 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

206 44 MORE STUNNING BEACHES

BEACHES

ABOVE Aerial view of the bright-turquoise Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands
RIGHT The smooth gray rocks and calm water of Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles

AITUTAKI, COOK ISLANDS At one corner of a triangular lagoon in the South Pacific sits ANSE SOURCE D’ARGENT, LA DIGUE, SEYCHELLES Probably the most photographed
Aitutaki, the most idyllic of the Cook Islands. The lagoon is peppered with 14 motu – small beach in the world, Anse Source d’Argent is the stuff of tropical-island fantasy. A series of
volcanic and coral islets – which offer some great snorkeling and diving opportunities. small, crescent-shaped, pink-sand beaches are separated by huge, smooth granite boulders
There’s plenty to do away from the beaches, too. Attempt the spectacular climb up Munga worn into weird and wonderful shapes by the waves and the wind. The water is turquoise
Poo, Aitutaki’s highest point, enjoying the renowned local hula dancing and local grilled and shallow and protected by an offshore reef, so it is safe for children and non-swimmers.
fish at villages along the way. There are plenty of affordable accommodations next to the A ferry takes you from the main island, Mahé, to a nearby jetty, and from here a 10-minute
pristine beaches on the island, and a boat tour around the lagoon is a must. bike or ox-cart ride will bring you to the start of a short footpath leading to the beach.

ANSE LA ROCHE, GRENADA, ARAMBOL BEACH, GOA, INDIA BAAN MAI, KOH LONE, THAILAND Traditional long-tail boats cross the water south from
CARIBBEAN An unspoiled curve of sand The atmosphere at Arambol is distinctly Phuket to Koh Lone Island (the trip takes 15–20 minutes), where a small boutique hotel is
with wooded hills rising up behind it, Anse laid back: wake up in a bamboo hut just nestled within dense tropical foliage. There are also wooden bungalows a stone’s throw
la Roche is an idyllic place. Here, your only footsteps from the shore and share the from the shore, with verandas from which you can watch spellbinding sunsets. The
company will be the pelicans that sit on a sunrise with a few scuttling crabs. Don’t atmosphere at Baan Mai is quiet and relaxing. Should you want to rouse yourself into
rocky outcrop offshore, diving elegantly miss the beach’s freshwater lake and mud some activity, there are kayaks for rent and snorkeling trips to a nearby coral island. There
every now and then in search of fish. baths with purported healing properties. is also a boat service to an adjacent beach, which is very good for swimming.

BARLEYCOVE BEACH, CORK, IRELAND BANGARAM BEACH, LAKSHADWEEP QUEEN’S BEACH, MONTENEGRO
Between two craggy headlands on the ISLANDS, INDIA This teardrop of lush Queen Milena of Montenegro so loved
Mizen Peninsula, Barleycove is a remote green coconut palms fringed by creamy this beach that it was named for her.
horseshoe of golden sand. A bracing walk sand in the warm waters of the Indian Sheltered by pine-clad cliffs and lapped
in the fresh Atlantic air takes you to nearby Ocean is uninhabited, with the exception by the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea,
Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southwesterly of one low-key resort. Bangaram Island is the beach affords the ultimate rose-
point. The region has some of the country’s surrounded by a lagoon, and its main tinted view every evening as the sun sets
best weather, but the beach is rarely busy, beach boasts wonderful snorkeling, with on its pink-sand shores. Unspoiled and
though the sea is sometimes flecked abundant puffer, parrot, angel, and clown relatively inaccessible, this is one of the
with surfers enjoying the large waves. fish, as well as manta rays and moray eels. Mediterranean’s more appealing refuges.

CATHEDRAL COVE, NEW ZEALAND WHITE BEACH, BORACAY, THE BIG BUDDHA BEACH, KO SAMUI,
North Island’s Coromandel Peninsula is PHILIPPINES This 3-mile (5-km) stretch THAILAND This 2-mile (3-km) stretch of
an ecological paradise renowned for its of pristine sand lined with swaying palms beach gets its name from the 12-ft- (4-m-)
marine wildlife and beaches, the most is frequently voted one of the world’s best tall statue that watches over it from the
beautiful of which is Cathedral Cove. beaches. Boracay, which is 4 miles (6 km) east. The temple here is a pilgrimage site,
Whether taking the coastal path from long and half-a-mile (1 km) at its narrowest but most visitors come for the sand, sea,
Hahei or arriving by boat or kayak, time point, has many other bays scattered along and nightlife. Big Buddha Beach slips down
a visit here with low tide for the essential its shores. There are fantastic views of the into clear, protected waters and is backed
photo opportunity under the spectacular beaches and the deep ocean beyond from by low palms and hotels, restaurants, and
limestone archway that divides the beach. Mount Luho, the island’s highest point. bars, which come alive at night.

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