The 15 best beaches to visit this winter

The sea has washed away many famous footprints on this beach, from rock god Mick Jagger to Princess Margaret. Macaroni Beach is one of those celebrity favourite Caribbean destinations, far from the prying eyes of the press and flanked by an oasis of green. Picnic tables sit beneath the splayed fingers of palm trees where world class chefs execute artful dishes.

A smattering of millionaire villas hide in the trees and the beach is private so for those seeking to spend a night or two bobbing offshore, you'll need to know someone on the inside or sweet talk your way in.

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.

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.

Almost 18 kilometres east of Placencia (which also has miles of gorgeous beaches) is a palm-studded island and national park. Perched on the edge of a shelf atoll, or faro, it is a protected area within the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Named for birds that used to breed here (and are still present), the caye is surrounded by shallow coral reef. 

If you're discovering Belize on a superyacht, set up beach camp on its south west end and snorkel from shore, then dive the eastern side. (It is a popular day trip from Placencia, though, so your jolliest hours here will occur after other guests have returned to the mainland.)

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If you’re seeking a Caribbean beach that's one of the best toy-friendly destinations, consider Magens Bay, a large, calm anchorage in St. Thomas’ north. Surrounded by land on three sides, it’s quite sheltered, and, as it isn’t part of national park waters, it’s an ideal place for exercising Jet Skis, waterskis, wakeboards and Seabobs.

Afterwards, tender or paddle toward the small stretch of white sand before you for some land-based chill time — or, if you’re still craving movement, tackle the nature trail, which leads up to a viewpoint over the bay. Get a panoramic view of beautiful St. Thomas from this famous landmark 640 metres above sea level, the island’s highest point.