Discover some of the lesser-know beach destinations that can be incorporated into a tailor-made beach holiday with Audley.
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After time spent immersing yourself in the temples, cities and nature of a country, many people opt to spend time relaxing on or near a beach.
Here, our specialists pick out some of the lesser-known beaches from around the world, places that remain unspolit and away from the tourist crowds.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are India's secret paradise: stunning beaches, pristine coral reefs, dense forests, active volcanoes, swimming elephants, elusive dugongs and big, big fish all in one place. Enjoy their simplicity and snorkel and dive in the clear emerald seas that surround them.
Cast away on the northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, Haggerstone Island turns the fictional notion of beach paradise into reality. Two clear water lagoons just off the beach put beautiful coral gardens right on your doorstep and the utter remoteness of the location ensures that the marine life is prolific. Adjacent to the island on the Outer Barrier Reef is one of the largest green turtle rookeries in the world.
Temperatures are mild to hot year round, and the smaller and lesser visited islands of Ishigaki and Miyako are particularly attractive, with white sand beaches, coral reefs, rugged coastlines and plenty of snorkelling and water sport opportunities. The neighbouring Iriomote Island, just 40 minutes away by ferry, hosts rainforest vegetation and rare wildlife such as the elusive wildcat. Kayaking here amongst the mangroves and inlets gives you a truly unique experience of “the other Japan”.
The essence here is relaxation and the natural surroundings are spectacular. The magnificent pristine coral reefs provide fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities and there is an excellent PADI dive centre. Other activities include excursions to Ibo and Rolas Islands, sunset dhow sails, or at certain times of year – whale watching. A trip to the local village, where you can see the work of the lodge’s charitable foundation in action, is a must.
This tropical beach paradise has a backdrop of lush green rainforest and was once home to the indigenous Tayrona Indians. Covering an area of 37,000 acres of which 7,000 correspond to coastal waters, Tayrona Park has miles of unspoilt coastline. Close to the beach, or on it if you are lucky, are over 100 species of mammals, 200 species of birds and 50 species of reptiles, and is a place where nature and visitor must co-exist. Accommodation on this coast is sparse, so you can walk for miles without seeing a soul.
If you are willing to travel slightly further afield then Thailand can still reward you with some beautiful and less visited beaches. One of our favourite coastal regions is the province of Trang, home to the stunning limestone outcrops which erupt from the ocean but with the added bonus of receiving less visitors than the more high profile Phang-Nga Bay. The Anantara Si Kao makes a relaxing base with all the facilities and comfort you could ask for coupled with some of the best views in Southeast Asia.