The 15 best beaches to visit this winter

Tahiti Beach, Abacos Islands

The Bahamas

On the southern tip of the The Bahamas' Abacos Islands lies Elbow Cay, which is home to the secluded white sands of coconut tree-lined Tahiti Beach. This idyllic spot can only be reached by foot, bike or boat, making it ultra exclusive and very much off-the-grid. Laze away a few hours indulging in a cup of rum punch, swimming its shallow waters, collecting shells, starfish and sand dollars, and, at low tide, wandering along its sandbar.

Picture courtesy of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Pink Sands

Harbour Island, Bahamas

Don’t just think pink — contemplate nearly five kilometres of it. Harbour Island’s famous beaches stretch along its entire eastern side, and “many clients consider them the most pristine in the world,” says Barbara Dawson, senior charter broker at Camper & Nicholsons. “Pale-pink hues, with warm, balmy breezes and crystal-clear blue waters, invite you back every time!”

One for your Caribbean bucket list, the beaches get their colour from tiny microscopic bright-pink or red-shelled animals called Foraminifera, which live on the underside of reefs, beneath rocks and on the sea floor before they get washed up on shore. The coral reef offshore adds to the area’s magnificence, creating dreamy, calm waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Enjoy the hue view with conch fritters and a cocktail from Blue Bar & Restaurant at Pink Sands Resort, then rent a golf cart and explore Dunmore Town, one of the Bahamas’ oldest settlements.

Picture courtesy of the Bahamas Tourism Board

Stocking Island

Exumas

About 1.5 kilometres east of Great Exuma Island’s capital George Town is Stocking Island and its bounty of beaches, including one on its eastern side that is eight kilometres long and Sand Dollar Beach and Starfish Beach on its western side. While here, snorkel the coral gardens offshore or the island’s blue hole, known as “Mystery Cave,” which drops down about 30 metres and then runs under the island out to the ocean. On land, hike an hour from St. Francis Resort to Monument Hill’s 360-degree views over the island, then pop in to Chat ‘N’ Chill beach bar and grill at The Point for a conch burger or conch salad and a Goombay Smash.

Picture courtesy of iStock.com / Pjphoto69

Landaa Giraavaru

Maldives

The 178,062 square metre island of Landaa Giraavaru, in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, exudes beach glamour — and its luxury resort, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, doesn’t hurt. Tender to the main jetty and walk west along the beach to open-air Blu restaurant, which features delicacies such as hand-cut Maldivian white snapper Carpaccio. Later, check out the coral propagation project happening just off the beach, in the 19 kilometre lagoon, meet the turtles in the turtle rehabilitation centre and test your adrenaline-threshold during a jet-blading session.

And, if you’re here between June and November, during a full or new moon, don’t miss nearby Hanifaru Bay, a Marine Protected Area where aggregations of up to 200 manta rays are sometimes observed.

Picture courtesy of Four Seasons / Ken Seet

Labi Bay

Lampi Island, Mergui Archipelago

The 800 predominantly limestone islands in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago offer plenty of choices for a day in the sun; however, the approximately three kilometre beach at Labi Bay, on the southwestern end of seahorse-shaped Lampi Island is particularly enticing.

From your yacht, paddleboard or kayak to its southern end, then tender through the nearby mangrove forests, part of Lampi Marine National Park. By the time you return to the sand, your crew will have set up beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers full of icy Myanmar beer. Before you relax, though, take a long walk toward the sand spit and small islet at the beach’s northern end. The beer will taste better afterwards anyway.

Picture courtesy of iStock.com / edenexposed

Grace Bay Beach

Turks and Caicos

On the north coast of 61 kilometre Providenciales (or Provo) is the 19 kilometre long Grace Bay Beach, gateway to Princess Alexandra Marine Park and a must-see for anyone exploring the Turks and Caicos Islands on a superyacht.

“With its powdery-soft white sand, calm turquoise waters and snorkel spots, it’s one of my favourite beaches,” says Lara-Jo Houghting, charter fleet manager at Churchill Yacht Partners. “You have views of gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, perfect for morning or evening strolls, and a wonderful private tiki for couple’s massages. And you are never far from great hospitality!”

After snorkelling Smith’s Reef and Bight Reef and engaging in a SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) yoga session, amble or tender along shore in search of a sexy cocktail — the 27 metre long Infiniti Bar at Grace Bay Club, the longest bar in the Caribbean, is a worthy choice, says Houghting.

Picture courtesy of Brilliant Studios for TCI Tourist Board

Hazard Bay

Orpheus Island, Australia

The slender, sandy beach rimming secluded Hazard Bay, on the western side of 12.9 square kilometre Orpheus Island National Park, isn’t the sort of place you’d go for a casual picnic. Why? The beach borders 14-room Orpheus Island Resort, where the locally sourced fusion cuisine — think seared scallop with sweet corn cromesquis, sweet corn salsa, mango and chili gel, curried caramel and squid ink crisp — is tempting enough to merit a meal off the yacht.

After lunch, snorkel in Hazard Bay’s giant clam garden and the nearby fringing reefs, a short tender ride away and part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. (The outer reef, about 75 minutes away, can wait for tomorrow.)

Later, amble to one of two lookouts and peer out over Orpheus Island’s eastern side, toward other islands in the Palm Group. Then, returning to Hazard Bay, pour a chilled glass of Australian wine and settle into a beach chair for sunset.

James Walshe Photography

Cayo Largo del Sur, Isla de la Juventud

Cuba

“Cuba is surrounded by beautiful beaches,” says Plácido Sánchez Vega of Mega Yacht Services. And, he continues, the most interesting ones for people traveling via yacht are on the easternmost tip of Archipelago de los Canarreos, on Cayo Largo del Sur (Cayo Largo), on Cuba’s south coast.

This 23.3-square-kilometre mangrove-covered island’s white-sand beaches stretch for almost 26 kilometres along its south coast. Wander its eastern beaches to spot iguanas. For swimming, Vega recommends two of the western ones: Playa Paraiso, which is clothing optional, and busier Playa Sirena.

Following a stroll and dip, tender to nearby Cayo Largo coral reef for snorkeling or diving or, suggests Vega, embark on a sportfishing or fly-fishing excursion.

Picture courtesy of Michael Green/Unsplash.com

Wayag Islands

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

If harmless reef sharks sound like a perfect beach addition to your days spent in the Raja Ampat Archipelago on a luxury yacht, head for the Wayag Islands in the northernmost section of 1,500-island Raja Ampat, off Indonesia’s West Papua province, particularly the ranger station beach in Wayag’s northeast. This white-sand beach and its clear waters offer something for the whole family, says Mark Robba, owner of traditional Indonesian luxury yacht Dunia Baru. “You can snorkel off the beach or dock, see schools of fish, giant clams, sharks. It’s the one place we always have to go when we visit Wayag.”

Courtney Robba, Dunia Baru’s operations manager, agrees, also noting another memorable Wayag beach: the slender “secret beach” in the northern reaches of Wayag’s lagoon, invisible at high tide and only accessible at mid-tide, which offers an amazing drift snorkel.

Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com / Ihamarch

Pinney's Beach

Nevis

Five kilometre long Pinney’s Beach, just north of capital Charlestown, is directly west of 985 metre Nevis Peak. “On a clear day, you can see the peak [while] approaching Pinney’s Beach,” says Merry Persichetti of B&B Yacht Charters. “It’s breathtaking. Once there, find a secluded area to enjoy to yourself or join the fun at Sunshine’s Beach Bar and Grill [on the beach’s southern end],” she suggests. Daring guests should try the Killer Bee, Sunshine’s signature cocktail, which, according to the bar’s website, is a mix of “some rum, then some passion fruit juice, then some more rum.”

Picture courtesy of iStock.com / Tillsonburg

Read more

Sponsored listings