A Lovely Planet's Top Beaches

While I still have many beaches left to visit, I have been to some spectacular places during my travels.

So here are my top beaches:

1. Nungwi, Zanzibar

Nungwi Beach

This really is paradise. White sand, clear blue water, hardly any tourists! Nungwi, is on the northern side of Unguja in Zanzibar, in the Indian Ocean and is absolutely stunning. There are a few high-end hotels, but also some very affordable beach hut accommodation options. It has a very relaxed feel, with some lovely restaurants and a few dive schools, as well as some more local style bars.

Nungwi Beach

2. Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island, Australia

Lake McKenzie

Wow! Lake Mckenzie is special. Not only is it insanely beautiful, it’s also a lake, which means fresh water, which makes it even more special. It’s not the most accessible beach (a ferry to Fraser Island, and then a drive through the forest), but totally worth it. There isn’t any accommodation at Lake McKenzie, but there are a few hotels on Fraser island. Though most people chose to camp, as I did, and it’s a great experience.

Lake McKenzie

3. Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande, Brazil

Lopes Mendes

Ilha Grande has 100 beautiful beaches, but the most well known (and for good reason) is Lopes Mendes. It’s a two-hour trek from the main town on the island, but it’s definitely worth it. The sand is so fine, that it squeaks beneath your feet.

Lopes Mendes

4. Huntington Beach, California, USA

Huntington Beach

California has so many great beaches, its hard to choose just one for this list, but I really do love Huntington beach. It’s a huge beach in terms of depth, with golden sand and a cool surfer crowd. Hanging out by the pier, it feels as though you have walked onto the set of the OC.

Huntington Beach

5. Kaafu Atoll, Maldives, Maldives

Maldives

To be honest, any of the beaches in the Maldives could make this list. But I stayed on the Kaafu atoll, also known as the Paradise Island and it’s easy to see why. It also has the most amazing marine life, even knee deep in the water, we saw sharks, eels and a huge variety of fish.

Maldives

6. Railey Beach, Thailand

Railey Beach

Railey Beach

This beach can only be reached by boat as it is surrounded by huge cliffs, which really add it’s beauty. It’s also a great place to for rock climbing if you want to try something a bit more active.

Railey Beach

7. Monuriki, Fiji

Monuriki, Fiji

This tiny island in Fiji was the set for the film Castaway, is has a white sand beach that stretches out from the island, and is surrounded by a coral reef. It’s uninhabited and you can’t stay on the island but you can take a boat there for a day trip.