Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Islands Queensland Australia

Whitehaven Beach is a definite "must-see" in the Whitsundays. The crystal clear aqua waters and pristine silica sand of Whitehaven stretch over seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island , the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. It defines nature at its best and provides the greatest sense of relaxation and escape.

As soon as you arrive it’s easy to see why it is the most photographed beach in Australia and has been named "Queensland's Most Beautiful Beach" by 'Keep Australia Beautiful' and Queensland’s Friendliest Beach more than once. cnn.com recently named Whitehaven Beach the 'world's top eco-friendly beach 2010'.

At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, a stunning cove where the tide shifts the sand and water to create a beautiful fusion of colours.  As the tide shifts, the white silica sand and turquoise shades of the inlet blend seamlessly to create a breathtaking view of swirling Whitsunday colours.

Arambol, Goa, India

6. Arambol, Goa, India

"There ain't nothing worse than some fool lying on some third world beach wearing spandex, psychedelic trousers, smoking damn dope pretending he's gettin' consciousness expansion," sang Alabama 3 on their hilarious Ain't Going to Goa. Indeed Goa certainly divides opinion. For some it is the holy grail of hippy hedonism for others it represents the worst excesses of modern travel. Arambol, the state's northernmost beach has its share of ageing hippies and seasonal expats, but the spectacular, sweeping stretch of sand is so beautiful it wins over even the most jaded and cynical of travellers. It is so vast that it´s easy to find your own private corner of sand. Around the rocky headland there is another beach where you can walk for miles without coming across a soul, or hang out at the freshwater lake backed by a small jungle. Old-timers will tell you the original hippies would sometimes get a nasty surprise here from the odd wild tiger.