Page 39 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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BEACHES

ABOVE Sixteenth-century Lindisfarne Castle, romantically perched atop a rocky bluff known as Beblowe
Crag at Holy Island, Northumberland, UK

HOLY ISLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND, UK Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, lies off LLANDUDNO BEACH, CAPE TOWN, MAJAHUITAS, MEXICO Majahuitas is just
the coast of northeast England and is accessible only via a paved causeway at low tide. It’s SOUTH AFRICA Shy neighbor of glitzy a short boat ride off Mexico’s coast, but it
a wild, remote place, fringed by miles of golden beaches with fascinating rock pools and Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, Llandudno feels like another world. This palm-fringed
rolling dunes. The main beach is lined with upturned fishing vessels, which were once is the local in-the-know choice for post- beach is backed by wooded hills and
part of a 19th-century herring fleet and now serve as work sheds. Also on the island are work sundowners. The picturesque sandy accessible only by boat. Here, manta rays
the ruins of a 7th-century Benedictine priory and a 16th-century castle, built in defense sweep is heaven for surfers and the perfect and dolphins swim gracefully, pelicans dive
of England against the Scots. Only 160 people live here, and the pace of life is slow. spot for a cold beer as the sun sets. for food, and parakeets sit in mango trees.

LOPES MENDEZ, ILHA GRANDE, BRAZIL MONKEY BAY, TIOMAN ISLAND, MALAYSIA Tioman, the largest of the volcanic islands
Lopes Mendez, a stunning 2-mile (3-km) off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, comprises 44 sq miles (115 sq km) of dense
stretch of white sand that is so bright you jungle and three towering peaks. A hike through the rain forest from the main tourist
have to squint as you make your way across hub at Salang will lead you to Monkey Bay; you’re likely to see the eponymous monkeys,
it, is the highlight of this lush island. The who can get a little territorial, along the way. This secluded yellow-sand beach is a great
beach is buffeted by the Atlantic, but the place to spend the day snorkeling or picnicking. Many visitors choose to arrive by ferry
water is shallow and safe for bathing. from Mersing on the mainland, a 1–2 hour journey, depending on the boat.

INGONISH BEACH, CANADA Ingonish Beach on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is JOST VAN DYKE ISLAND, BRITISH NOIRMOUTIER, FRANCE The west coast
not your average beach, but a temporary bank of sand that is swept away every winter VIRGIN ISLANDS The south of this island of this island is dominated by great curves
by waves and redeposited in the spring, creating a barrier between the sea and a lake. is home to coconut-fringed White Beach of golden sand, while its northern Atlantic
Time your trip right (Mar–Apr), and expect both salt- and fresh-water swimming, and and the Soggy Dollar Bar – the perfect shores are home to craggy cliffs, secluded
access to a wealth of marine life, including lobsters, salmon, and trout – rich pickings for place to sip a rum cocktail at sunset. The bays, and creeks. This small island lies
anyone keen on fishing. The unusual beach is part of Cape Breton Highlands National north is craggy and deep and great 3 miles (5 km) from the mainland and can
Park, a wilderness area that provides opportunities for many outdoor pursuits, such as snorkeling territory. Just 200 people live be reached by the Passage du Gois, which
hiking, canoeing, and whale-watching. And it goes without saying that this majestic on the island, principally in Great becomes submerged at high tide. Don’t
place is a camper’s dream – Cape Breton Island sits on the dramatic eastern seaboard Harbour, where smells of freshly baked miss the island’s 12th-century castle and
and offers visitors a surprising amount to do for somewhere so far off the beaten track. banana bread waft down the streets. church, once a Benedictine priory.

KUATA ISLAND, FIJI Southernmost in BOSLUISBAII, NAMIBIA It’s sand upon PLAYA DE CABO DE GATA, ALMEÍRA
the Yasawa archipelago, tiny Kuata Island sand as beach meets desert in the north In contrast to much of Spain’s overcrowded
is technically the easiest one to reach corner of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, so- coastline, the southeast coast of Almería
from Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. However, called because of its treacherous currents remains relatively neglected by tourists.
most maps of the Yasawas don’t even and resultant shipwrecks (see also p115). The region has volcanic terrain, and many
feature Kuata and it certainly isn’t what As you’d imagine, swimming is impossible undiscovered beaches lie tucked beneath
you’d call overcrowded. The best beach is here, and because special permission is its craggy cliffs. Most impressive is Playa
at Likunivisawa Point, but the whole required to access Bosluisbaii, your party de Cabo de Gata, a 3-mile (5-km) beach
island is enchanting, with its fine-white will be the only one there. This is a beach that is buffeted by open sea. You’re unlikely
sand, dramatic volcanic ridges, and caves. for fans of rugged, raw beauty. to see many other people here.

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