Leaving the Caribbean and the European beaches behind us, this week we are heading to the Americas to find the best sand and surf in North and South Americas.
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ipanema Beach is where the summer happens in Rio. Hardly undiscovered or unheard of - but the impressive city backdrop, clean sand and wild waves provide a suitably gorgeous setting for the bronzed Cariocas who flock here to frolic and pose in the sun.
Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
How lucky is Hawaii? Here’s how lucky: you don’t even need to leave the state capital to visit the top beach in America.
A shallow offshore reef protects this beach from the big waves, making it a great swimming area and it's flanked by boat and catamaran piers offering awesome photography moments.
Ovahe Beach, Easter Island, Chile
It is more than 2,300 miles west of continental Chile, but the pink sands of Ovahe Beach are among the most beautiful in the world. Better known for the moai (the monolithic stone statues carved in the shape of human heads) it’s unspoilt delight Ovahe Beach is the perfect place to work your tan or looking to do some exploring there is a famed cave in Ovahe you can check out and spot the pacific ocean from.
St. George Island State Park, Florida
Florida's Panhandle is sometimes called the Forgotten Coast as snowbirds flock to the southern part of the state, but this state park near Apalachicola, southwest of Tallahassee, offers great rewards for birders, dune-walkers, anglers, seashell hunters, swimmers and sunbathers on the powdery white sands of a barrier island.
Tulum Beach, Mexico
The flour-white sands, unlike those of its built-up neighbour, Cancun, are rarely. This once sleepy beach outpost has become a fashionable, yet low-key, escape boasting long stretches of uninterrupted beach, chill beach clubs or small pieces of paradise in this heavenly location.
Oh and we can’t not mention that Tulum beach hosts the only archaeological site located along the shores of Riviera Maya; the Tulum Ruins offering a simply stunning backdrop.
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
This beach is located inside an almost perfectly U-shaped bay and with no shortage of activities from surfing and sailing to deep-sea fishing — this beach is set against lush rainforest and lagoons offering tons of play time and stunning views. We hear that if you arrive at the right time, you can see turtles nesting in the sands.
Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
If you're one of those folks who believe that the journey is part of the adventure, this is the beach for you. Getting to this beach is a trek and a half but well worth it once you make it to the crescent beach, which is a mixture of coral and lava sand, complete with palms and flowering plants. Interesting fact: The lava comes from its geological history as a volcanic crater.
Punta del Este, Uruguay
South America’s answer to the Riviera: vast expanses of golden sand and beautiful people soaking up the rays by day before returning at night for decadent parties. Punta del Este is divided into two parts. Though they are totally contrasting, they are part of the same place: Playa Mansa (Quiet beach) and Playa Brava (Rough Beach).
La Mansa has quiet waters and is protected from the oceanic winds that create rough waves on the shores of La Brava. The famous sculpture known as “The Hand on the Sand” may be seen on this beach and is rumoured to be the dividend between the two beaches. So feeling calm or up for some fierce waves - Punta del Este has you covered.
Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Golf, tennis, birdwatching, kayaking and canoeing are all popular outdoor activities at this public beach. Kiawah Island, south of Charleston, has both ocean and river views, meaning you can enjoy the best and most diverse views.
Cayo Sombrero Beach, Venezuela
Visit Venezuela and check out the Morrocoy National Park, located part in land and part in the sea – offering a large number of small islands or keys as they are called including Sombrero which you can get to by jumping on a boat aka a cayo.
Sample the local coconut ice cream beneath the shade of a palm tree on this crescent of white sand, or grab your mask to snorkel around its fine coral reefs.
