When you think of beaches, you always imagine the relaxing waves of the sea, the sweet breeze of the wind, the warm comfort of the sand under your feet, and the beautiful scenery before your eyes. With beaches, you see calmness and peace.
But most of the time, your expectation doesn’t match reality. When you come to the beach, you see screaming children looking for their mom, noisy groups of friends laughing out loud, and annoying locals who keep trying to convince you to take a boat ride. Not to mention that some of the most popular beaches are too commercialized — too many high-rise hotels and shops that line the beachfront — that have caused them to lose much of their natural beauty and serenity.
If you want a serene place, the most popular beaches aren’t always the nicest. Here are some of the best secret beaches around the world you might want to visit someday:
1. Fraser Island, Australia
Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. The 75-mile beach boasts of uninterrupted oceanfront, wherein you can easily find a private area to swim. The island’s most popular attraction for visitors is the Champagne Pools, which are swimming holes among the rocks that foam with each wave and crashes along the rocks that border the pools. To get to the island, you need to take a short ferry ride; and the best way to explore it is with a vehicle.
2. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Another one of the largest islands, this time, in the Gulf of Thailand, is Phu Quoc, which is nearer to Cambodia than mainland Vietnam. It remains a secluded place despite its size, so it’s a great destination for people looking for peaceful places in the southeast. Locals boast of their fish sauce – which is the country’s best. While still underdeveloped as a tourist spot, the beach has guesthouses lining the shore for tourists.
3. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
Located in the third most-populated island in Seychelles, Anse Source d’Argent remains a secluded and remote beach because it is tedious to reach. The place is perhaps one of the most beautifully photographed beaches in the world because of its enormous granite boulders and pink-sand beach on a steep shore. It also has an offshore reef that is perfect for swimming.
4. Wildcat Beach, California
4. Wildcat Beach, CaliforniaThe saying, “You have to work hard to get what you want” is true and literal for this place. To reach Wildcat Beach, you need to take a six-mile hike by foot or by bike. Once you reach the secluded beach, you’ll encounter two miles of amazing natural shoreline. Your efforts will also be rewarded with the lovely Alamere Falls, a 40-feet high waterfall that drops down by the beach, and the beautiful Wildcat Lake. Campsites are also located near the beach for people who want to stay the night before going the long way back.
5. Smuggler’s Cove, Greece
The Smuggler’s Cove, also known as Navagio Beach or Shipwreck Cover, provides you an amazing cliff-top view of the Mediterranean. It can only be reached through a boat or by BASE jumping off the cliff. The inaccessibility of the beach makes the trip expensive, but the intimate, isolated and memorable feel of the Smuggler’s Cove, will make it worthwhile.
6. Rocktail Bay, South Africa
To get to this secluded beach, you need to take a plane to Johannesburg, then to Richards Bay and a final flight via single-engine aircraft to KwaZulu-Natal. The Rocktail Bay is underdeveloped, with only one resort available that is limited to only eleven tree house chalets. It also offers an incredible diving experience that will allow you to see the colorful marine creatures in the sea, but only one boat is allowed to cross the water at a time. However, the restrictions just aim to protect its seclusion and you will surely be completely rewarded with the ultimate private experience that comes along exploring the beauty of nature.
7. Playa del Amor, Mexico
Hidden in the Marietas Islands of Mexico, Playa del Amor is an awesome private beach wherein only six visitors can enter at a time. A huge ring of rock that surrounds it makes the beach invisible from the outside. It is accessible through kayaking or swimming. It’s definitely one of the top beaches to choose from for a very private getaway.
8. Lord Howe Island, Australia
The Lord Howe Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean two hours away from Sydney via plane. The UNESCO World Heritage site, which was born out of a volcanic eruption million years ago, accommodates only 400 tourists at a time. The site is a great place for snorkeling to see the vibrant coral reefs underneath and for mountain climbing as well.
9. Alagoas, Brazil
Brazil has a bustling tourism industry because of its beautiful coastlines, but Alagoas remained relatively secluded. There is no single hotel or high-rise resort in sight – its long stretch of coastline is full of palm trees and pristine beaches. Public transport is also almost non-existent, so it retained its rural charm and serenity.
10. Happy Bay, St. Martin
Happy Bay is the place to be if you want to have your own private Caribbean paradise. You need to take a 15-minute hike to get to the underpopulated beach lined with coconut trees. Because it is so private, it’s popular with nudists. You also need to stock up on supplies because no vendors are selling food or stuff in the area. You can also catch some tropical fish through snorkeling.