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.

  1. Luskentyre, west coast of Harris, Scotland - EUROPE
  2. 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.
  3. Vallee de L'Ortolo, Corsica - EUROPE
  4. 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.
  5. Castrocucco, Basilicata, Italy - EUROPE
  6. 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.
  7. Ransvik, Sweden - EUROPE
  8. 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
  9. Fakistra, Pelion, Greece - EUROPE
  10. 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
  11. Casperson Beach, Sarasota, Florida - AMERICA
  12. 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
  13. Cooper Jack Beaches, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands - CARIBBEAN
  14. 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
  15. Kaupoa Beach, Molokai Island, Hawaii - AMERICAS
  16. 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.
  17. Playon de Mismaloya, Mexico - AMERICAS
  18. 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.
  19. Chacocente wildlife refuge, Nicaragua - AMERICAS
  20. 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
  21. Rio Frutilla, Bahia Arenal, Chile - AMERICAS
  22. 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
  23. Rocktail Bay, South Africa - AFRICA
  24. 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
  25. Bosluisbaii Beach, Namibia - AFRICA
  26. 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
  27. Guludo Beach, Mozambique - AFRICA
  28. 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
  29. Whale Island, Vietnam - ASIA
  30. 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
  31. Koh Lone, Thailand - ASIA
  32. 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
  33. Nellikunnu Beach, Kerala - ASIA
  34. 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
  35. Vigan Island, Philippines - ASIA
  36. 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
  37. New Chums Beach, New Zealand - AUSTRALASIA
  38. 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.
  39. Macushla Beach, Queensland - AUSTRALASIA
  40. 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 Print article  ©2006 Travel Tapestry www.traveltapestry.com