20 Best Deserted Beaches

Pure white sand, aquamarine sea and you're on your own...
Unspoilt, secret beaches do still exist and may be closer to home than you think.

Luskentyre, west coast of Harris, Scotland - EUROPE
The west coast of Harris is edged with beaches of silvery and golden sand.
Try McKinlay Kidd's Hebridean Hopscotch tour which includes the isles of
Harris, Syke, Barra and Uist.
Try www.seescotlanddifferently.co.uk which arranges ferries and accommodation.

Vallee de L'Ortolo, Corsica - EUROPE
Hidden beaches and secret walking trails are located in this valley
three miles south of Sartene, just off the N196.
This used to be a wine growing area and has a wild abandoned feel.

Castrocucco, Basilicata, Italy - EUROPE
Basilicata is a rugged and unspoilt region of Italy.
The area is noted for its beaches which can be discovered when
walking the twisting coastal pathways.
Castrocucco is a short distance south of Maratea.
Try www.headwater.com which runs walking holidays in the area.

Ransvik, Sweden - EUROPE
This hidden beach is to be found in the Kullaberg nature reserve.
Kullaberg is located in the Skane area of Southern Sweden.
Fly from Stansted to Malmo with www.ryanair.com and
book a cottage with www.bookcottages.com

Fakistra, Pelion, Greece - EUROPE
This is a sandy beach with turquoise lagoon.
It's located in the Pelion peninsula, north of Athens.
Walk for 90 minutes from the village of Damouchari winding your
way through overgrown olive groves.
Stay at the Damouchari Hotel with www.sunvil.co.uk

Casperson Beach, Sarasota, Florida - AMERICA
Find shells and sharks' teeth on this windswept beach on the Gulf Island
of Sarasota. A nature trail leads from here to marshes, mangrove swamps
and tidal flats. Fly to Tampa from Heathrow.
Try www.sarasotaandfloridasgulfislands.co.uk
Stay at www.innatthebeach.com

Cooper Jack Beaches, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands - CARIBBEAN
Providenciales is one of the 49 islands which make up the T&C's.
Try the perfect sand and turquoise water of Grace Bay and hire a kayak.
Stay at the Harbour Club Villas www.harbourclubvillas.com

Kaupoa Beach, Molokai Island, Hawaii - AMERICAS
Stay in a luxury tent on Molokai Island at Molokai Ranch www.molokairanch.com
Kaupoa Beach has beautiful white coves. Visit Kahalepohaku and Kapukuwahine too.

Playon de Mismaloya, Mexico - AMERICAS
This beach is 60 miles south of Puerto Vallarta.
Use a rowing boat to cross the estuary from Hotel Desconocido.
The beach extends for forty miles and is an important sanctuary for turtles.

Chacocente wildlife refuge, Nicaragua - AMERICAS
This deserted beach is located on the Pacific coast to the east of Managua.
You'll find a campsite in this wildlife reserve which runs alongside the
Rio Escalante. Visit www.intur.gob.ni

Rio Frutilla, Bahia Arenal, Chile - AMERICAS
Fly to Santiago in Chile, then on to Puerto Montt followed by
a light aircraft to Chaiten. The final leg involves a drive to the mouth of
the Rio Palena and a boat journey.
Stay at the Bahia Arenal Lodge by booking with Cazenove and Loyd

Rocktail Bay, South Africa - AFRICA
Stay in a treehouse lodge in this Maputaland marine reserve and enjoy snorkelling
along this thirty seven mile coastline.
Fly to Johannesburg, to Richards Bay and on to KwaZulu-Natal.
Book with Rainbow Tours www.rainbowtours.co.uk

Bosluisbaii Beach, Namibia - AFRICA
The beach meets the desert here on the Skeleton Coast near the mouth of
the river Kunene. The Schoeman family will arrange a four day beach safari for you
in association with Cazenove and Loyd

Guludo Beach, Mozambique - AFRICA
This beach is situated in the Quirimbas National Park in the north of Mozambique.
Stay at the Guludo Beach Lodge to explore Ibo Island, dive on coral reefs and
join fishermen in their dugout canoes.
Fly to Pemba via Johannesburg with Rainbow Tours www.rainbowtours.co.uk

Whale Island, Vietnam - ASIA
Situated just north of Nha Trang, this beach is almost deserted and has
some of the best beaches in Vietnam.
Try snorkelling or scuba diving to sample the unbelievable number of marine
species on display. All part of a 21 day Hanoi to Saigon tour.
Book with Gecko Travel www.geckotravel.com

Koh Lone, Thailand - ASIA
Leave Phuket behind and take a twenty minute longtail journey across the water
to Koh Lone Island.
It's only two miles across and empty beaches greet the few tourists who visit.
There are a few fishermen and no vehicles. Try Coral Island or Buddha Island, too.
Stay at the Baan Mai Cottages with Travelbag www.travelbag.co.uk

Nellikunnu Beach, Kerala - ASIA
Stay at the Thapovan holistic hotel www.thapovan.com and try the traditional Keralan food.
The hotel is on the virgin Nellikunnu Beach which comes with swaying coconut
palms and the roar of the sea.
Fly to Trivandrum with Emirates

Vigan Island, Philippines - ASIA
Forty five islands make up this El Nido region of the Philippines.
Check out the fine white sandy coves between rainforest, mangroves, coral reefs
and limestone cliffs.
Stay at El Nido resort www.elnidoresorts.com on Miniloc Island.
Fly to Manila with Cathay Pacific

New Chums Beach, New Zealand - AUSTRALASIA
This beach of pale sand backed by wooded hills is normally deserted and
is located near the town of Coromandel. Also known as Whangapoua beach.
To get there, visit www.coromandeltown.co.nz
You're going to have to wade through an estuary at low tide, hike along
the shoreline and over a headland, but it will be worth it.
Make it part of a 14 day fly-drive starting in Auckland and ending in Christchurch.

Macushla Beach, Queensland - AUSTRALASIA
Get to the Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness lodge from the mainland via
a forty minute boat trip from Cardwell, the oldest town in tropical North Queensland.
This island on the Great Barrier reef is a national park with a limit on the
number of tourists.
Take a treehouse room www.hinchinbrookresort.com.au
Fly to Cairns with Trailfinders

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