If your ideal holiday includes beautiful beaches and exotic islands, discover perfect beach holidays with Travelstart! Some of the top beaches in the world can be found in the Caribbean and Indonesia, while the best islands to visit include those around Thailand and Sri Lanka. Here is a guide on the best places in the world for whatever beach adventure you’re looking for.
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With a coastline stretching more than 500 kilometres, it should be no surprise that Croatia offers some of the best beach holidays across the world. Zlatni Rat Beach, situated on Brač Island, is especially popular, best visited during September when the crowds are gone.
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Go for thrilling kiteboarding adventures
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Enjoy boat tours out to the Adriatic Sea
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Hop on a yacht and cruise the coastline of Dubrovnik
There are many top beaches throughout the country, but let’s focus on Cabbage Beach. It’s located in the capital, Nassau, and stretches almost the entire length of the northern edge of Paradise Island. Visit between November and February.
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Relax at the beach bars serving up the freshest Caribbean cuisine
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Treat yourself to exciting jet-ski rides
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Go snorkelling in the sparkling, clear waters
Have an unforgettable beach holiday on any of the 115 islands! Among the best beaches are Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue, and Beau Vallon Beach on Mahé. Fall in love with the scene featuring white sands and crystal-clear tropical waters. If you don’t mind the crowds, June to September is the best time to visit.
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Go for scenic adventures along Praslin Island
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Explore the hiking trails around La Digue
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Swim with whale sharks off Mahé
Aside from Bali There are more than 18,000 islands throughout Indonesia. This is one of those beach holiday destinations offering a stunning selection of spectacular coastlines. Some of the amazing beaches are Ora Beach on Seram Island and Pantai Sendiki in East Java. June to September is the best time to visit.
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Wander through Bali’s temples and rainforests
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Enjoy a yoga retreat under the coconut palm trees
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Scuba dive off the vibrant coral reefs
Grenada lives up to the Caribbean’s fame with its own gorgeous beaches, making it among the best islands to visit. The most famous include Grand Anse Beach , situated on the southwestern edge, and the beaches of Sandy Island, found off the coast of the northeastern edge. Visit between January and April.
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Have a relaxing swim through the calm waters
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Satisfy your appetite at Umbrellas Beach Bar
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Take a beach stroll early in the morning when it’s quiet
The 137 islands that make up Hawaii are synonymous with many travellers’ ideas of beach holidays. Discover them for yourself with some of its best locales, such as Waimea Bay Beach Park on the shore of Oahu, and Lahaina Beach on the western edge of Maui. Visit between April and May, and between September and October.
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Go rock jumping when the surf is small or flat
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Hike Waimea Valley and swim under the waterfall
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Snorkel off the coast of Maui
The Maldives offers some of the best island holidays in the world. Some of its most popular beaches include those off the coastline of Kanuhura, situated in the Lhaviyani Atoll, and Bikini Beach on the southern tip of Rasdhoo. Visit between December and February.
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Indulge in a picnic on one of the deserted islands
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Enjoy a movie at an outdoor cinema under the stars
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Spot dolphins and manta rays with speed boat tours
With more than 7,000 islands, you’ll never be far from a white sand beach in the Philippines. Some of the most fantastic beach holiday destinations are White Beach on the southwestern coast of Boracay, and Sandira Beach on the southern coast of Bantayan Island. Visit between November and April.
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Treat yourself to an unforgettable thrill with parasailing
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Explore the lush jungles of Boracay
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Enjoy some exhilarating kitesurfing
The picturesque coastlines of New Zealand make time spent at this destination one of the best beach holidays in the world! Among the most breathtaking is Awaroa in the Abel Tasman National Park, and Piha Beach in Auckland. Visit during November, March and April when the weather is still pleasant.
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Go kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park
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Try the amazing experience of skydiving over the incredible landscapes
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Climb a volcanic island
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You’ll find some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling spots in Indonesia! Making up one of the top locations are the Komodo and Rinca Islands in the south, and the Gili Islands near the coast of Lombok Island. Visit between October and June.
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Meet the majestic manta rays in Manta Alley
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Spot the sea turtles around Trawangan
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Let your eyes be dazzled by the bright colours at Yellow Wall
Surprisingly, some of the best islands to visit for diving are in Ecuador. Among the most outstanding places to check out are the Galápagos Islands and Darwin Island. The best time to visit these fantastic islands is between December and June for warm and wet conditions.
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Discover the amazing collection of sea life at Darwin’s Arch
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Swim with the dolphins at Punta Espinosa
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Dive alongside huge whale sharks at Shark Point
You’ll find amazing creatures in the turquoise waters surrounding Mozambique’s islands! Enjoy some of the best island holidays in the Bazaruto Archipelago, less than 20 kilometres off the coast of mainland Mozambique, north of the Quirimbas Archipelago. Visit between May and November.
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Snorkel in the breathtaking Two Mile Reef
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Experience refreshing serenity at Ponta Mamoli
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Have an unforgettable snorkelling experience at Paradise Island
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If you want breathtaking views, head to Santorini in Greece. Book a hotel room on the coast and you’ll have the Mediterranean Ocean a stone’s throw from your window. For a more cosmopolitan feel, book a beach resort in Mykonos. Visit Greece between June and September for the best beach weather.
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Soak up the sun at Kamari Beach
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Discover sunset bliss at Platys Gialos Beach
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Sample Greek wines with stunning sea views at Venetsanos Winery
Looking for complete seclusion for your romantic beach holiday? French Polynesia offers the castaway experience in Tetiaroa, an atoll 50 kilometres north of Tahiti. If you prefer to be close to crowds, catch stunning views of Mount Otemanu in Bora Bora. Visit between April and October.
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Relax to the sound of waves crashing against a distant reef
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Take 4x4 or helicopter tours around Mount Otemanu
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Bird lovers can enjoy fantastic tours of the local birdlife
Treat yourself to an exotic, romantic getaway on the coast of White House, Jamaica. Or get closer to nature in Port Antonio, the gateway to tropical jungles, mountains and waterfalls. Visiting between November and mid-December.
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Relax at the Bluefields beach park
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Enjoy the views of the horizon at Frenchman’s Cove
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Indulge in a romantic sunset cruise for two
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The Caribbean is one of the beach holiday destinations that makes it easy to go on island-hopping adventures! Planes and boats link all the main islands. The best time to go island-hopping falls between May and June.
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Hike the Waitukubuli National Trail in Dominica
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Swim with the stingrays in the Cayman Islands
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Catch sight of whales off the Samaná Peninsula
The small landmasses off the northern tip of Sri Lanka are ideal for island-hopping. Some of the islands are home to fascinating wildlife. Most don’t feature any accommodation, making them the perfect place for a rustic solo adventure. Visit between April and September.
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Explore the serene island of Neduntheevu
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Admire the colourful coral walls in the villages of Analaitivu
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Visit the Nagadipa Temple on Nainativu
There are hundreds of islands between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, so it’s no surprise that Thailand offers one of the best island holidays in the world! Most island-hopping tours start in Phuket. Some of the top islands to explore are the Phi Phi Islands and Koh Tao. Visit between November and April.
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Relax with a coconut and a massage along the beach
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Go scuba diving around the Phi Phi Islands
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Experience a Full Moon Party on Koh PhaNgan
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Since you don’t have to worry about a visa for 90 days, what’s stopping you from heading to Rio de Janeiro to witness the spectacular Carnival, or laze on the popular beaches of Ipanema and Praia do Espelho in Bahia? Visit Brazil between December and March for the best beach weather.
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Ride the waves at the 42 beaches of Florianópolis
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Snorkel with the sea turtles at Fernando de Noronha
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Soak up the sun and watch beach soccer at Copacabana Beach
There are perfect beach holidays to experience on Réunion Island. Some of its most famous beaches include Saint-Gilles-Bain, Plage de Boucan Canot and Plage des Roches Noires. The best time to visit Réunion Island for cooler and drier weather is between late-April until November.
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Go whale and dolphin watching in the deep blue Indian Ocean
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Sunbathe on any one of Réunion’s many beautiful islands
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Take a walk along the cliffs of Cap Méchant and watch the waves come crashing in
Much-loved Zanzibar is among many travellers’ favourite beach holiday destinations. There are numerous coastal beauties along the island’s shore. Top locations include Nungwi Beach in the north, and Bwejju on the southeast corner. Visit between June and October.
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Sail in a traditional dhow
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Kitesurf and snorkel to your heart’s content
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Admire the beautiful sunset at Kendwa Beach
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With an agreeable exchange rate and many dreamy coastal locations, Thailand offers some of the most ideal beach holidays to suit your pocket! Some of the best locations for a beach getaway is Patong in Phuket, Railay in Krabi, and Bophut in Koh Samui. Visit between December and May (the dry season).
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Try flyboarding in Koh Samui
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Enjoy the watersports on Patong Beach
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Visit a spa for some luxurious pampering
Indonesia is yet another popular budget-friendly destination. One of its highlights is Bali. Discover cheap island holidays with this locale’s incredible beaches, like Seminyak, Sanur and Kuta Beach. Visit between April and October.
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Try out the waves at Kuta Beach
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Experience muck diving in Pang Bai
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Enjoy a thrilling jetpack ride at Tanjung Benoa
Since Mauritius is a budget-friendly option with many resorts offering all-inclusive packages, you have one of the most ideal beach holiday destinations only a 5-hour flight away! Discover many gorgeous beaches, including Grand Baie and Belle Mare. Visit between May and December for optimal beach conditions.
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Spend all day swimming in the warm, clear water
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Feel the refreshing wind in your hair on a speedboat tour
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Go for snorkelling adventures off the coast of Pereybere Beach
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