Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania

No 5. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania

The beaches of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania are the only ones I've ever walked on where the powder-white sand is so fine it literally squeaks between your toes. The island of Zanzibar is the jewel of the east-African coast, with its spice trade, labyrinthine old Stone Town and, of course, around 30 beaches, nearly all of which are to die for. One of the best is Nungwi, near the northern tip of the island. The coastline has a shallow slope so the sapphire water, white sand and coral build-ups forming a calm sea which stretches for miles and is home to thousands of marine animals. Dotted with tiny fishing villages that have barely changed in centuries, the Zanzibar coastline has a dreamy timeless air.

Millions of people travel to Africa on a yearly basis, but going to a beach is usually not on the list of things to do when you are in Africa. In Zanzibar, there are around 30 wonderful beaches, all which are fitting of a place on this top ten list. For many, Nungwi is the pick of the 30 beaches, with terrific water quality alongside wonderful sands. On top of what you would expect, you will also find wonderful fish and marine life, which make this breathtaking beach ideal.

Nearby Hotel

Double Tree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar - Nungwi - Nungwi

Location:

This Zanzibar hotel is close to Nungwi Beach and Kendwa Beach.

Sunset Beach Resort

Distance : Under 1 Mile Away

Anywhere on Palawan, the Philippines

Top Ten Beaches

No # 4. Anywhere on Palawan, the philippines

Although Alex Garland's backpacker odyssey The Beach is set in Thailand, he took much of the inspiration for the location from the Philippines. The reason? As anyone who has been to Thailand in the last decade will tell you, the chances of finding your very own deserted island paradise in a country that has become synonymous with the backpacker superhighway are close to nil. The Philippines, on the other hand, has over 7,000 islands, a fraction of the tourists and so many deserted beaches that it's easy to hire a fishing boat, sail off into the sun and create your very own "Beach".

The western island group of Palawan, which even Filipinos describe as their country's last frontier, is inconceivably exotic and tropical. It's an archipelago of jagged limestone islands with underground rivers, rocky coves, virgin rainforest and, of course, sugar-white sandy beaches. Honda Bay, which has several islets including Cannon Island, Bat Island and Starfish Island, is one of the most popular but the fun in Palawan is in discovering your own deserted stretch of sand.

Porto da Barra, Salvador, Brazil

Top Ten Beaches

No #3. Porto da Barra, Salvador, Brazil

Brazil is the home of the Samba, and the home of the carnival. Even though we all know there are probably some wonderful beaches in Brazil we never hear much about any of them. The Porto De Barra beach is arguably Brazil’s number one beach. The beach always has something going on, sometimes it’s just a couple of fishing boats, other times there are volleyball, football or tennis beach tournaments. The waters are clear and nearly flawless so they are always good for a dip. Also, a little known fact is the Porto De Barra beach is one of the only beaches in Brazil that has a west facing beach, therefore, you often get some of the best sunsets in Brazil at this beach.

Sydney has Bondi, LA has Venice, Rio has Copacabana and Ipanema - town beaches that are both world famous and a microcosm of their city itself. I lived in Salvador, Brazil's oldest city, for several years and Porto da Barra was where I would come for an early morning swim or a cold beer in the late afternoon. The location is stunning, at the entrance of the magnificent Bahia de Todos os Santos, with a small, white colonial fort at one end and a whitewashed church sitting up on a hill at the other. There's always something going on here: small fishing boats unloading their catch, young lads diving into the sea off the old stone harbour walls, older boys eyeing up girls, beach volleyball, football and tennis. As the beach is in a bay the water is calm and also (given that it is right in the heart of Brazil's third-largest city) incredibly clean and clear, so it's perfect for swimming. And in a country with over 7,000km of east-facing coastline, the Porto is one of the few facing west, so you can watch some fabulous sunsets.

One of the first beaches that most people get to know in Salvador is Porto da Barra. This is a stunning location that never tires, where something is always going on – from the small fishing businesses to sports and, sometimes, just with people looking at the fabulous sunsets.

Map of Porto da Barra, Salvador, Brazil

Nearby hotel

:

Monte Pascoal Hotel in Salvador - The Monte Pascoal Hotel is located in Salvador making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All 77 guestrooms at the hotel provide all the comforts and conveniences guests would expect in a hotel in this class. Each of the hotel's guestrooms offers air conditioning, hair dryer, internet access (wireless).

Distance: 0.21km from the Porto da Barra Beach

San Marino Hotel and Suites in Salvador - The San Marino Hotel & Suites is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Salvador. This 3-star property offers travelers a choice of 60 pleasant rooms that are equipped with the standard amenities of hotels in its class. Each guestroom is fully equipped with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, desk, hair dryer, internet.

Distance: 0.32km from the Porto da Barra Beach

Porto Farol Hotel in Salvador - With its central location, Porto Farol Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Salvador. The Porto Farol Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each guestroom features amenities such as air conditioning, daily newspaper, in room safe, television.

Distance: 0.42km from the Porto da Barra Beach

Pousada Estrela do Mar in Salvador - With its central location, Pousada Estrela do Mar is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Salvador. The Pousada Estrela do Mar boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each guestroom features amenities such as air conditioning, television, mini bar.

Distance: 0.58km from the Porto da Barra Beach

Marazul Hotel in Salvador - Discover all that Salvador has to offer with Marazul Hotel as a base. This 4-star hotel offers 124 guestrooms, each presenting guests with all the comforts expected from a hotel in its class. Each guestroom features amenities such as air conditioning, bathrobes, hair dryer, internet access, in room safe, mini bar, satellite/cable TV.

Distance: 0.73km from the Porto da Barra Beach

Nearby Restaurant

 

Fábrica de Sucos (Juice bar) 

Address: Rua Miguel Burnier, 114

Distance: 0.08km from the Porto da Barra Beach

Açaí da Barra (Juice bar) 

Address: Rua Miguel Burnier, 126

Distance: 0.08km from the Porto da Barra Beach

Nova Alameda Delicatessen (Bakery) 

Address: Rua Marquês de Caravelas, 586

Distance: 0.11km from the Porto da Barra Beach

Tayrona National Park, Colombia

no# 2 Tayrona national park, Colombia

I've never been as instantly impressed by a beach as I was the moment I set eyes on Tayrona. After a 40-minute hike through the forest, I was expecting to see a classic Caribbean beach, all white sand and calm turquoise water, perhaps a few cabanas for the tourists. Instead I was greeted with a wild sea crashing on to rocks the size of houses that are dotted along the untamed and semi-deserted beach. In a country with a "healthier" tourist industry Tayrona would undoubtedly be a major resort, but as it's in Colombia the virgin rainforest cascades down the mountainside right on to the sand. And there was no one on it save a small community of backpackers who sleep in open-air hammocks.

On arrival I wandered along it, marvelling at the raw beauty and remoteness of the place but after just 10 minutes I quite literally walked into my friend Jim! It was the unlikeliest spot for a "you'll never guess who I bumped into" travel story, and made for the best beach holiday I've ever had. I gather it's become more popular in the ten years since I was there, but thanks to its national park status the developers have been kept at bay.

Where to stay: Under the stars in a hammock strung between two palm trees.

Las Islas Cíes, Galicia, Spain

No #1 Beach in Top 10

Mention Spanish beaches and most people instinctively think of the Mediterranean. Yet the wilder, stunning Atlantic coastline of Galicia, just north of Portugal, has far more dramatic praias – with far fewer people on them. One of the jewels of this coast is on Las Islas Cíes, a 40-minute boat trip from the pretty town of Baiona. Once a pirates' haunt, Cíes is now an uninhabited and pristine national park, open to the public only in summer. Galegos come here to spend long, lazy summer days on the Praia das Rodas, a perfect crescent of soft, pale sand backed by small dunes sheltering a calm lagoon of crystal-clear sea.




Locals call this their "Caribbean beach", and the water is turquoise enough, the sand white enough to believe the comparison … until you dip your toe in the water. Then it feels more like Skegness. You can sleep in an idyllic campsite, shaded by tall pine trees, with a view over the ocean. And, this being Spain, there's even a proper restaurant serving great seafood.