Top 5 World’s Best Beach Holidays

While most people have their own opinion as to what makes a great beaches, these five beaches have been consistently chosen by travellers for their popular appeal. If you’re a keen beachgoer, surfer, or water enthusiast, check out this list of some of the world’s top five beach holiday destinations.

1. Surfers Paradise Beach, Queensland, Australia

Surfers Paradise is the CBD of Australia’s Gold Coast, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. Surfers Paradise Beach is one of the most iconic in the world, with around three kilometres of white sand and aquamarine waters looking out on to the pacific Ocean. In Surfers Paradise, accommodation is available close to the beach in the form of luxury apartments with ocean views. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards nearly every day of the year from early in the morning to sunset.

The city of Gold Coast stretches along 70 kilometres of coast, from Stradbroke Island to Rainbow Bay. Average temperatures are warm and comfortable all year round. To make the most of this amazing stretch of glittering sand and the city’s vibrant nightlife, there’s no better option than staying at one of the centrally located Surfers Paradise apartments, just a short walk from the beach itself.

2. Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Patong beach is one of the most popular beaches in Thailand. Locate on the island of Phuket, this beach is as famous for it two-kilometre stretch of golden white sand and aquamarine waters as it is for its nightlife. Plenty of restaurants, clubs, and bars have made Patong one of the most frequented places in Thailand.

Patong is also excellent for diving and fishing. If you find Patong too crowded for your taste, there are 16 other excellent beaches on the island.

3. Nha Trang, Vietnam

Nha Trang is both the name of the coastal city in Khanh Koa province in Vietnam and the world-famous beach. With a permanent population of around 300,000 people, Nha Trang is popular not just for its stretch of pale yellow beach and green waters but also for its diving, snorkelling, and scuba diving sites. Its beautiful bay is a relaxing sea-side destination for countless international tourists every year.

4. Lanikai, Kailua, Hawaii, US

Lanikai beach is considered by many locals to be one of the top swimming beaches in the whole of Hawaii. With pure powder white sand framed by coconut palms and vivid light blue waters, this small 0.5 mile beach has consistently been voted as one of the top beaches in the world. Whether it’s kayaking, canoeing, sailing, surfing, or swimming, this beach is not to be missed on any trip to Hawaii.

Despite its high profile, the beach has not been built up for tourists. There are no facilities such as parking, public showers, restrooms, or even lifeguards on the beach. Extremely busy during tourist seasons, Lanikai is best visited during weekdays if you’re looking for quiet spot to enjoy the stunning scenery.

5. Paloma Plage, French Riviera, France

For a spot of discreet star spotting, it’s hard to go past Palma Plage on the French Rivera. The beach is reputedly a favourite of Hollywood celebrities and the jet set, who are likely to be found lounging on a superyacht on the bay.

Half the beach is open to the public, and tourist can enjoy a stroll down the tree lined stretch of beach or enjoy any of the many great diving spots along the shallow bay. Swimming a few hundred metres out to the sea and you’ll be able to catch sight of some of the spectacular villas set high on the beach.

Other great beach holidays include:

• Copacabana , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
• Cocoa Island, the Maldives; and
• Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands