Is there anything better than taking a beach holiday? As sailors, whether racing or cruising, some downtime on snowy white sand is always welcome. Planning a beach holiday has its difficulties however, as you never really know what to expect – crowds, sun loungers littering the sand, or hagglers selling arbitrary fridge magnets are all enough to deter you from even the most beautiful spot. Thus we have done the work for you by sifting through some of the most popular blogs and rating platforms to come up with a less conventional list of amazing beaches worth planning your holiday around.
# 1 – Baia do Sancho, Fernando Noronha, Brazil
This incredible spot, located off of the small island of Fernando Noronha has been on TripAdvisor as the world’s best beach for ages. If you are up for something more private, and a climbing adventure to get there, then it may be a perfect addition to your South American trip. Note that it is a part of a national park, thus you need to pay a small fee to gain access, and park hours are 6am – 6pm.
Baia do Sancho, Fernando Noronha, Brazil
#2 – Varadero Beach, Varadero, Cuba
Endless white sand with water going from a deep blue to green. Varadero beach is more on the radar with a fair amount of human activity, given some of its stretch is inhabited by resorts. It is still considered one of the most beautiful in the world though, so if you are headed to Cuba, be sure to check it out!
Varadero Beach, Varadero, Cuba
#3 – Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Made up of 74 islands, the Whitsundays have an incredible selection of amazing beaches to satisfy your cravings. A good place to start would be any of the 8 palm-fringed stretches near the unspoilt seaside town of Bowen. As a cruising destination, the Whitsundays are one of our personal favorites!
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
#4 Ostriconi, Corsica, France
You would probably be successful in finding incredible and unspoilt beaches anywhere on the island of Corsica, but Ostriconi has been rated as one of the best by TripAdvisor reviewers. The island itself is a perfect getaway from the mainstream tourism scene of France, and deemed a great destination for both families and romantic couples.
Corisca, France
#5 Finolhu, Maldives
You absolutely cannot develop a list of top beach destinations without mentioning the Maldives. The very idea of the Maldives has the potential to overwhelm anyone; with so many islands and holiday styles, choosing a place to stay may seem like a real task. If you are looking at beaches however, as we are, the top-rated island is Finolhu. With its iconic sand bank melting into a bright blue lagoon, it’s not hard to see why this island holds the title of “Best Beach in the Maldives”.
Finholhu, Maldives
