Destinations of the week 8
100 under-the-radar beaches everyone should visit in their lifetime Part 8
By Alison Millington From Business Insider
Whether you’ve only spent a handful of days on the sand in your life or you’re a full-blown sunseeker, there are plenty of breathtaking beaches on this planet waiting to be discovered.
And, whether you look for a spot with an element of adventure, peace and quiet, or you simply don’t like your towel to be too close to a stranger, many of them fly under-the-radar to tourists despite their spectacular beauty.
Business Insider asked some of the most influential travel bloggers and experts, from the likes of Lonely Planet, Secret Escapes, KAYAK, British Airways, Airbnb, lastminute.com, and HolidayPirates for the most incredible under-the-radar beaches they’ve ever visited. Jet-setters in our own office also contributed. Together, their choices don’t disappoint.
Grotto Beach, Hermanus, South Africa.
Michael Mantke / Shutterstock
“It’s massive — goes on for what seems like forever,” said Fraser Moore, Research Fellow at Business Insider. “Makes it ideal for horse rides, kite flying, or just parking up and have some beers on the beach. It’s in a prime surfing location and one of the world’s great whale-watching locations too, so if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse.”
St. Catherine’s Pool, Eskdale, West Lake District, UK.
Russell Sheldrake
“St. Catherine’s pool is probably the best kept secret in all of the Lake District,” according to Russell Sheldrake, Syndication Fellow at Business Insider. “Only accessible on foot as you walk past St. Catherine’s church near Eskdale, you eventually get to a widening in the river Esk where the water comes to a standstill and a big rock protrudes out of the water. It’s perfect for a quick, refreshing dip on the occasional hot days that come fairly few and far between in this corner of northern England. The beach itself is very small yet has a hidden charm that very few places still do.”
Ravenglass Beach, West Lake District, UK.
Tom Curtis / Shutterstock
“Ravenglass Beach gives some of the best views from the west coast of the Lake District with spectacular sunsets often bathing the small village of Ravenglass in a warm red glow,” said Sheldrake. “The beach is never without a few sailing boats moored up which only go to add to its postcard-perfect charm. Thanks to it being the wrong side of Corney Fell, the beach is always quiet and perfect for long walks and a pint in the pubs overlooking it.”
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
Juhku / Shutterstock
“Manuel Antonio beach is an arch of sandy magnificence in one of Costa Rica’s best national parks,” said Tom Murray, Associate Social Media Editor at Business Insider. “A cove shelters the beach from big waves that bombard shores further down the coast, and you might see the odd sloth too.”
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California.
Purplexsu / Shutterstock
You need to hike down from the nearby road, CA Route 89, to get to this beach, in a tucked-away inlet off of the massive Lake Tahoe on the Nevada-California border. BI’s Associate News Editor Kieran Corcoran said: “There’s a Viking-style house built by a weird rich American called Vikingsholm, and an island in the lake with a stone ruin on. The beach has clear water and incredible scenery.”
Achnahaird Beach, near Achiltibuie, Scotland.
colftcl / Shutterstock
“In remote northwest Scotland, you drive there down a single-track road where so few people go that sheep just hang out in the middle of where you’re supposed to drive,” said Corcoran. “It’s near a (small) mountain called Stac Pollaidh which is a popular hiking spot. It’s probably sunny there about 10 days a year, so it’s a bit of a risky trip, but when it’s great, it’s really great.”
Tai Long Wan, Hong Kong.
Alex Ma
“Tai Long Wan is a secluded, soft-sanded beach on the outskirts of Hong Kong, away from the city centre,” said BI News Reporter Alex Ma. “One of the reasons why it’s great is because you have to hike for at least an hour to get there.”
Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York City.
Shutterstock
“Just 45 minutes from NYC, this beach is not hidden or unknown, but few outside of New York realise the city is just a short train ride from sun-soaked dunes and surfable waves,” said BI News Editor Alex Lockie. “Kowabunga!”
Budleigh Salterton, Devon, UK.
BerndBrueggemann / Shutterstock
“Budleigh is absolutely enormous and because it’s so big it very rarely feels busy, even in the middle of the summer,” said BI Finance Reporter Will Martin.
Talisker Beach, Carbost, The Isle of Skye, Scotland.
christographerowens / Shutterstock
“Talisker Beach is amazing — it’s just really cool,” according to Martin. “The sand is a sort of weird, dark grey colour.”
