A beach can be perfect for a long walk and unsuitable for swimming on the very same day. Another may offer convenient facilities but little solitude. Choosing well starts with the experience you want, rather than a photograph promising everything at once.

These ten settings offer different kinds of days beside the water. Use them as a shortlist, then check local access and conditions for the time you actually plan to visit.

Waves meeting pale sand and granite boulders in the La Digue archive gallery
Waves meeting pale sand and granite boulders in the La Digue archive gallery.

1. Anse Cocos, La Digue, Seychelles

Granite, vegetation and pale sand create a wonderfully distinctive setting. The approach on foot is part of the outing, so carry what you need for the walk back as well as the beach. Coastal vegetation does not guarantee protection from currents; follow local signs and advice before entering the water.

2. Boorangoora, Lake McKenzie, K’gari, Australia

This is a freshwater lake beach, not an ocean shore. The Queensland Parks walk information helps explain the visit. Plan island transport and current access carefully, use designated eating areas and follow wongari (dingo) guidance. Clear water is not evidence that an ecosystem contains no life.

3. Elafonisi, Crete, Greece

The lagoon, islet and pink-tinted sand form a protected coastal setting in southwestern Crete. It is a popular outing, so “unknown island” is a poor description. Our Greek beach-access guide helps place the day in context. Leave sand and shells where they belong and respect marked habitat areas.

4. Scala dei Turchi, Sicily, Italy

The white marl formation is the defining sight, with beaches nearby. Visit Sicily introduces the setting. Check current permitted access and viewing arrangements instead of assuming the rock is an unrestricted walking surface. It is not a place to collect marl, cover your skin with it or improvise cliff jumps.

5. Saline, Saint Barthélemy

The approach through the coastal landscape is part of Saline’s appeal. Plan shade, water and the return walk according to the facilities actually available. A quiet-looking photograph does not establish the crowds or sea conditions you will find.

6. Poʻipū, Kauaʻi, Hawaii

Poʻipū offers a beach-park setting on Kauaʻi’s south shore. Check Hawaiʻi’s ocean-safety information and ask lifeguards about the day’s conditions. The coast is not guaranteed calm throughout winter or summer. Give resting monk seals and turtles space and follow any temporary wildlife boundaries.

7. Playa Paraíso, Cayo Largo, Cuba

The pale sand and shallow-looking colours make this a classic beach image. For an actual trip, verify current transport, accommodation and local services before committing to an island stay. The colour of the water alone tells you little about the practical arrangements.

8. Hollywood Beach, Florida, United States

The beachfront Broadwalk gives this Florida destination a lively walking and cycling setting beside the sand. It is Hollywood in Florida, rather than California. Choose it if nearby places to eat and a promenade matter more to you than a remote-coast feeling.

9. Hamoa, Maui, Hawaii

Hamoa belongs to the Hāna area, so the wider journey deserves time of its own. Do not build a visit around promises of an empty beach or uniformly gentle surf. A coastal pause can still be rewarding when entering the water is not appropriate.

10. Tanjung Bira, Sulawesi, Indonesia

This coastal area in South Sulawesi offers a different setting from Bali. Consider the overland journey, your accommodation base and the specific beach access near it. Give yourself time to enjoy the destination beyond the arrival photograph.

For another Greek beach with a dramatic landscape and changing conditions, see our Myrtos guide. The best beach day is the one planned for the people and conditions actually present.