What's your favourite beach?

[Prawn_86]

MRC gave me the idea for this in the Isle of Pines (http://www.aussietravellersforum.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=105) thread.

What is your favourite beach in the world?

For me i would have to say Whitehaven beach in the Whitsundays, accesible via Airlie Beach in Queensland, Australia.

[MRC & Co]

Pick one: http://www.isle-of-pines.com/pictures/idp.jpg

ha ha, I can't promote this place enough!

[kennas]

Yes, Whitehaven Beach is very nice. I was there pre digital cameras, so no photos ...:(

I've mentioned Perhentian Islands before, a couple of great beaches there, with really nice backdrops.

In fact, I think the overall setting makes the beach, not just the sandy bits.

My criteria for the perfect beach would be:

Soft powdery white sand, at least 10m wide and never covered at high tide.
Set in a U shaped cove with rocky outcrops at both ends.
A sand covered floor in the cove so the water is perfectly clear.
Very small lapping waves.
Coral reef on either side of the cove.
Water 28 + degrees.
Coconut palms along the shore line spaced nicely apart for hammocks.
Behind the beach a tropical mountain side, covered in thick vegetation, and maybe a waterfall somewhere back there.
A quiet beach bar with swing chairs selling rum.
All last years Miss Universe contestants wandering about getting an all over tan.

Now that's a beach I'd like to see! :)

The closest I've seen to that is Perhentians, and Oarsman's Bay on Nakula Island in Fiji. Will find a picture of that...

Hmm, can't find a decent picture, but the Lodge I sayed at was this place. http://www.oarsmansbay.com/resort.asp

Not bad....

[EverNothing]

Tough question. Main Beach is perhaps the most sophicated beach i've been too. Surfers Paradise is rather glamorous, and Bondi Beach isn't as bad as people say, just ignore the asian tourists asking you to take a photo of them. Locally - Grange Beach or Largs Bay. Oh, and because I live 5 minutes away, Semaphore as well.

But 1st prize is awarded to Bells Beach, off the Great Ocean Road. When I last went a few years back all the locals were so chilled out and friendly. It was an awesome atmosphere. I hope to travel back over there soon, maybe at chrissy or early next year.

[Topplaces]

at the moment it would be Hervey Bay for me but that's only because i live here & walk the beach every day:) lol

[Philip P]

I'm going to have to pick Whitehaven Beach too, it's absolutely stunning. Bondi is cool for a city-beach too.

[kennas]

Having lived in Bondi Beach for the last couple of years I may have to add Bondi to my list. It's very unique in the world.

[Nothing But Adventure]

I actually really like Seven Mile Beach just passed Kiama on NSW South Coast. It's beautiful and best of all it has no crowds :)

[Aaron Schubert]

I am a big fan of the beaches in north west WA. Coral Bay and Broome are amazing, but Cottesloe is awesome for a local beach in Perth

Aaron

[Gabriel11]

The word beaches reminds of Australia. There are some of the worlds best beaches.Places like apollo bay are just amazing and one could forget the normal life completely and get lost in the natures beauty..One needs to plan the trip well in advance in order to get the rooms in the accommodations.

[JohnW]

I am a big fan of the beaches in north west WA. Coral Bay and Broome are amazing, but Cottesloe is awesome for a local beach in Perth


Growing up on the east coast of Australia (Gold Coast) I always scoffed at WA folk who told me they had better beaches than the east coast. After seeing some of the beaches just south of Margeret River (can't remember the name of one particular isolated spot that just had a camp ground behing the dunes, near offshore islands, crystal blue water, pure white sand, boat launch ramp) I have to conceed that WA has by far the best beaches in the world.

P.S. Spent a lot of time on southern NSW beaches, lived in Victoria for many years eg. Phillip Island, travelled overseas extensively. WA beaches wins hands down.

[Double Holiday]

It is hard to go past the French Riviera - so close for a trip into Monaco or off to Cannes, great bars, great restaurants, absolutely stunning coastline. The beach along the stunning Promenade des Anglais at Nice is full of life.

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Double Holiday Travel Art

[Eyewitness]

I do myself the favor and drive the coast line next to Clifton & Campsbay absolutely beautiful!

[Terra]

It is impossible to pick just one. Thistle Cove in Cape Le Grande NP, Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island, North Cable Beach in Broome, Wallagoot Gap near Tathra, Kanidal Beach near Eyre Bird Observatory and Butterfly Bay on Hook Island. All faves for different reasons as well as being beautiful.

[Travelling]

I agree it's too hard just to pick one. I do love the beaches along the Great Ocean Road - great places for surfing too. Whitsundays also lovely, as are Mission Beach and Port Douglas in Qld.

[lemonlimebitter]

Well we are certainly lucky because Australia is spoilt for choice. Whitsunday Islands, Byron Bay etc. It's funny that you mention WA braches, because a lot of travellers tend to stick to EA (seeing as the country is so huge). But I mean perhaps they are so lovely because they are not so packed out as EA (http://www.theiconic.com.au/) beaches.

Jumping over the ditch, the beach at Golden Bay in Nelson were breathtaking. As were the ones at Abel Tasmen National Park (New Zealand).

[Travelling]

If anybody is traveling along the Great Ocean Road this weekend, the world's largest competitive ocean swim is happening at Lorne on 7 January. More than 5000 swimmers will swim from the 1.2 km from the Lorne pier to the pub (front beach). It's very busy but a great festival atmosphere and awesome to watch or participate in!

[victoria stiles]

The best surf beaches in Australia can be found on the Australian East Coast.