Best beach???

[thedelbwa]

I'm a sucker for great beaches....where in your opinion is the best one you have visited? Mine is a toss-up between Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands, Australia (deserted island, softest sand I've ever touched - it squeaks when you walk on it!) and Phi Phi Leh in Thailand...I was lucky enough to go there and belive it or not, there was no-one else on it. Surprising really, given its popularity after being 'The Beach' in the film. Take away all the tourists (OK, I know I was one) and it really is paradise ( I reckon anyway) - another deserted island, surrounded by huge limestone cliffs and crystal waters - bliss. Newcastle, today in the rain...??....or either of those beaches.....??.....hmmmm...!!
Although a late entry for the UK (in my opinion) would be Embleton beach in Northumberland.....deserted, great view of Dunstanburgh castle and clear waters too. Not very tempting on a day like today, but great all the same....bit cold for swimming in September too, but a great place to camp in the sand dunes (naughty naughty!!)

[annavc]

The best one I know is in France - on the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy - its about 2 miles long, 1 mile wide at low tide, sandy, practically deserted and you can see the channel islands in the distance. Behind the beach is lovely rolling French countryside.

I'm not going to tell you all where it is though as I want to keep it to myself!!!

[sunflower71]

Paradise in Mykonos, Greece

[missmoore]

Lopez Mendes in Ilha Grande, in Brazil.

The sand is so clean you can feel it squeaking beneath your feet. Also, on the walk through the jungle to get to it, you get to see monkeys.

And also it's (A LOT) less glamourous, South Wales has some cracking beaches.

[dannydingbat]

Sunset Beach, Hawaii and Magen's Bay St Thomas, Virgin Islands

[NORMANTHEDOG]

margate municipal beach is the best in the world,my mum told me i was conceived on it.

[Gef]

Just off the West coast of Scotland but I'm not saying exactly where.

[greenrook]

Hayle beach in West Cornwall, perfect golden sands, (3 miles of it) and never so crowded you can't arrange a full-scale cricket match. Big pools of warm water left by the tides for kids to safely play in. Big healthy Cornish ladies disporting themselves in their cossies. Big healthy Cornish lads etc., etc. Come and join us.....!

[Dassie]

Orient Beach, St. Maarten or Reduit Beach, St Lucia. Also Noodhoek Beach, Cape Town ( seen in a lot of tv adverts )

[vehelpfulguy]

There are some great beaches in the UK.

Aberdaron on the Lynn Peninsula in North Wales in one.

Not just the beach but the setting with a small village behind, and even a church and graveyard.

http://www.gwyneddonline.com/images/aberdaron. jpg

Lots of rock pools, never crowded, and nestled by cliffs either end of the beach.

[matt_london]

I agree. Phi Phi islands have the best beaches that I have ever seen. Followed closley by the Mamanuca islands (Treasure Island in particular) in Fiji. Perfect beaches and the best snorkelling ever as soon as you get in the water. Going back to Thailand again in spring and can't wait to find some more!!

[NORMANTHEDOG]

show off

[genius101]

I would have to say one of the best beaches has got to be at Lake Mackenzie on Frasier Island in Oz! Not quite a beach like some of you are talking about but it has the whitest sand which is so soft to touch and the clearest blue water - the fact that it's a lake means the water is freshwater so it's awesome to swim in too!

[thedelbwa]

I agree with you genius101...Lake McKenzie is real picture postcard stuff...after hiking around the island, 4WD getting stuck in sand dunes, there really was nothing better than the sight of Lake McKenzie....great for swimming in, and like you say, the water being fresh, you can fill your bottles up and drink it....!! Nice.

[Keeprockin]

Koukanaris on Skiathos is usually in top 10. There are some lovely beaches around Donegal. Southport is vast

[amberwilson]

DEFINATELY the beach on the deserted island of Koh Similan. This is in Thailand kind of opposite Kao Lak. I have recently travelled around the world and found this place to be absolute perfection! The sand was like dust, the sea overflowing with wildlife (swam with turtles and sharks everyday) and I managed to find a deserted beach on the other side of the island (there are several but only two you can stay on) equiped with a swing and hammock....oh my god wish I was there now!

[moogman]

bennaras beach in ibiza for the sunsets.hard to get to but worth it.

[thugulike]

Hourtin Plage on SW coast of France. 40k of white beach with the wickedest surf ever. I've been going to the same campsite for 34 years on and off. It's the one place where I can really switch off and relax.

Great beach in Costa Rica called Playa Junquillal.

[minimonkey]

i agree phi phi leh - amazing soft sand like flour. Also some great looking ones in and around capetown but water is too cold!

[flipflop104]

On Mayreau there;s a great beach over the (very steep) hill.

[HairyBum3]

The best by far beach I have stayed on was Phi Phi Leh, amazing views across the Bay and the sand was like talcum powder.....Sadly not such a similar storynow, having just revisited the island after the Tsunami. Much of it's natuaral beuaty has been obliterated, althought the locals were still as amazingly hospitable and welcoming returning tourists.

2nd to that, I have had the pleasure at the Sandy Lane on Barbados west coast. The beach is pure white and so soft to walk on. Better still are the catamaran's waiting on the shore, ready to take off a cruising round the carribean, champagne included!