Fine Grain Archives - World's Best Beaches

Caneel Bay, St. John USVI

The beaches along St. John’s north shore are simply spectacular. Imagine soft white powder extending into the clear turquoise waters. Coral extends from the nearby rocks and beautifully colored fish can be seen from the surface. When you look out from the beach you are met with the stark beauty of the coastline and other islands with mountains shooting up out of the ocean.

If you are looking for calm and crystal clear, Caneel Bay is your beach. The white powder lined with rich, green tropical foliage is awesome. There is a resort here, the Caneel Bay Resort and you can access the beach right through the resort’s entrance. You’ll need to check-in at the front desk of the resort where they will give you a day-visitor pass and guide.

Caneel Bay St John USVI

Set on 170 lush peninsular acres, originally part of the Danish West India Company’s Durloo Plantation, you can snorkel the seven beautiful beaches. The snorkeling is outstanding! If you’re a good swimmer, you can snorkel around the points of each beach. You’ll feel like you’re on your own Island - magnificent! You will spot turtles swimming beneath you.

You can also reach Caneel Bay by hiking from Cruz Bay using the Lind Point Trail.

A word about this fantastic resort; there are no TV’s, no phones (although your cell phone from the States will work). They really want you to disconnect. Can you? Worth trying, no?

BEACH INDEX

Sand - fine grain white
Facilities - full service
Shade - sea grape and umbrellas for rent
Sports - see resort complex on site
Notes - clear, calm water; recommended

Flamenco Beach Culebra - Puerto Rico

If you want to get exotic, check out Isla Culebra. This is a small island which is really closer to St. Thomas than to Puerto Rico, but Puerto Rico calls it its own. Now there’s a ferry which is really inexpensive - $2.25 one-way, and sails three times a day from Fajardo. So why check out this out of the way island? Flamenco Beach!

Flamenco Beach is a Blue Flag Beach. Divers rent the B and B’s and small apartments here on Culebra, but otherwise this island would probably sink into obscurity if it weren’t for Flamenco Beach. Take my advice and select one of the B and B’s. You’ll have an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. Who knew this island was here and a part of a U.S. Territory?

But the balneario at Flamenco on the west shore is first class. Fine, white-sand greets you and goes gently around to a pleasant picnic area. Here you’ll find some vendors and the beginning of the campground area.

We found the bottom here relatively rock free. And when you try snorkeling out towards the rock outcroppings, there are some nice brain coral with plenty of parrot fish, blue tang, and wrasse to see.

If you’re curious, there’s an old World War II tank, half-buried and rusting as a reminder that Culebra was once a firing range for the military.

Your calmest water will be on the east side. It does get a little rough in the middle of the beach because this is the area that is more exposed to the open sea. You’re not going to find a bad spot on the beach. Trust us.

Puerto Rico sits with the Caribbean Sea on the south coast and the mighty Atlantic on the north coast. Culebra basks in the Caribbean and the waters are warm.

Flamenco Beach Culebra - Beach Index:

Sand - fine grain and white/tan
Facilities - a Blue Flag beach, full facilities
Shade - available, trees, beach huts
Sports - fishing, swimming, snorkeling, diving
Notes - recommended

Another wonderful island, steeped in controversy is up next. Vieques has some of the best beaches of Puerto Rico! >>

Belle Mare Beach - Mauritius

When we heard about Belle Mare, we also heard about the urbanization. Some were quite adamant about it, saying that the old Mauritius was now gone and that in its place will be high rises and blacktop that will forever change the beauty and innocence of this place.

Belle Mare is one of those places that you hear about. Everyone rushing to cash in on the real estate explosion. And although its been going on for a few years, now, Belle Mare still has a lot to offer if you don’t mind getting an earful from one of the locals. In our opinion, we leave best alone. If it’s a paradise without the condos, why change things?

Belle Mare Beach, Mauritius

Affected by build-out is Belle Mare. City sprawl; with mortgage rates as high as the market will bear - residences are popping up in places affecting the natural lay of the land. Could this beauty go the way of the dodo bird?

This beauty lies on Mauritius’ east coast. It’s known for calm waters as there is a great, deep lagoon that runs between the shoreline and the beach. Quite possibly the reason for new mortgage offers here is because the deep water affords homeowners the ability to port a boat.

In addition to the lovely beach, Belle Mare has perhaps the best golf course on the island. There are two courses close by - one 18 hole, especially for the guests of the Belle Mare Plage Hotel and another 9 hole with some respectable greens.

The sand is pristine, and very white. This beach lies vacant for most of the week. Weekends bring residents from the surrounding homes and neighborhood. Get here early in the day and spend the whole time along the strand. Pictures don’t do justice. It’s simply breathtaking.

Belle Mare - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - fine grain powder, coral based.
Facilities - close, but must walk a bit.
Shade - hundreds of coconut palms.
Sports - none offered.
Notes - locals love this beach; can get crowded on weekends.

There’s a reason they call the next bay “blue”. It’s that hue you see and have no words to describe. One of those world class postcard beaches is our next stop! >>

Mont Choisy Beach - Mauritius

Back along the northern coast of island nation Mauritius is Mont Choisy Beach. It’s located on the northwest tip, just north of Trou aux Biches and is the longest beach in Mauritius. The resort area here is also named Mont Choisy.

What makes this special is the gentle way the strand of white sand bends around the coast creating a bay of beautiful, turquoise water, lined with casuarina trees. These trees provide shade and a perfect backdrop for the ocean. A word about the casuarina tree: it’s nice and shady, but has a thorny pine-cone-like seed pod that can be found under the branches. They don’t feel good when you step on them.

Since this beach is very accessible, it’s a favorite among both tourists and locals. And, little wonder. There’s the beach and also a nice soccer field close by. Relax, people watch, enjoy, repeat.

The entrance to Mont Choisy Beach is guarded by a monument which commemorates the very first manned flight between Mauritius and Reunion Island. The competition took place on September 10, 1933 in the early days of aviation, between a Frenchman named Sutel and a Mauritian named Jean Hily. The record books do not show who won, however, Hily lost his life when attempting the second round, held October 4, 1934.

Mont Choisy - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - white, coral based. Medium to fine grain. Some debris.
Facilities - near by.
Shade - mature trees.
Sports - snorkeling, swimming.
Notes - gets crowded on the weekends.

The happin’ beach is Next - Pereybere! >>

Pereybere Beach - Mauritius

Along the coast (of course), between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux is spectacular Pereybere Beach. The waters here are deeper than most of the lagoons that surround Mauritius. Because of that, there is a deeper blue hue to enjoy.

Pereybere Beach is a favorite among the young people. Because of this, it’s a “happin'” beach. Noted as the fun beach, Pereybere is fuller during school holidays and weekends. Sand soccer games and kite surfing along with some great swimming keeps everyone in shape on Pereybere. And this is perfect for small children. The sand slopes slowing into the water and the offshore coral reef protects this shore from anything bigger than a light wave. Indeed, you’re in paradise -even the ocean agrees and makes way for the majestic beach.

Because the water here is deep and crystal clear, it makes for great snorkeling. Make sure you stay along the rocky outcroppings as that is where the coral begins and fish hang out.

Most of the area close to the sandy beach will have a sandy bottom and pretty much nothing hangs out there. Also remember that there may be a little sea grass in the area. Nothing to worry about; just slightly creepy to walk through and can have some smaller species of fish if you want to venture there with your snorkel gear.

Again, Pereybere Beach is also excellent for families because the surf is normally calm. Take a gentle stroll down the long stretch of very white sand with your kids and enjoy the beauty of the deep blue ocean, puffy clouds, nice rush of gentle waves lapping at your feet, the crunching of silky sand under your toes, and the shimmering noise of the slow breeze snuggling the tropical palm trees the line the properties up to the beach area. Certainly Mark Twain was right in saying Mauritius is heaven on earth. And it’s true - yes, take the sunscreen, but explore, enjoy, breathe in the ocean air and thank God you made it to see on of His creations!

Things to think about when taking an outing to the beach when you’re with kids: Well, our experience is that they will let you know if you’re not taking the beach toys. Make sure you have some things they can dig in the sand with and form shapes on the beach. If one of the the resorts is having a kid’s day - it wouldn’t be a bad investment to let them have their fun in the sun, too. It just makes sense.

Above all, and we can’t seem to caution enough, take sunscreen and make sure you follow label directions. Don’t burn! It’s easy to do here because of the winds that blow along the beach area.

Pereybere Beach, Mauritius - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - medium to fine grain, coral based, some debris.
Facilities - close by.
Shade - casuarina and palm trees.
Sports - you’ll find lots going on here. Swim, snorkel, dive, kite boarding.
Notes - can get crowded

The Cerfs beach is next, and no, no “surf”ing here. Just ultimate paradise! >>

Maldives Best Beach - Veligandu Island

This best beach is nestled in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, about 700 Km south-west of Sri Lanka. Theory states a volcano may have pushed the ocean bottom near the surface, nature took over creating over 1190 small islands, 200 which are inhabited by the people of the Republic of Maldives.

Veligandu Island is our choice for best beach, and best overall resort. It is accessible from the airport at Male (capital) by plane - a short 15 minute breath taking flight. You’ll fly over many Maldivian islands and reefs, most uninhabited, and land right at the beach.

And what a beach! 80 meters to be precise, of the cleanest sand found in these parts. It’s white with a tinge of gold to give it a warm look. Just offshore you will find the atoll with a spectacular reef full of the most colorful fish. So your choice is to swim in the lagoon, or snorkel out to the inner reef and watch the beauty. Just remember to take one of those waterproof cameras - you’ll want to remember every nuance.

We gave Veligandu our highest honor because it is wonderful for both beachside activities such as relaxation and tanning, and has all the amenities of water sports - probably the best diving available in the Maldives. And the resorts are first class. Overwater bungalows are air-conditioned, family friendly, and spacious. You’ll find no complaints.

Book your visit early as Veligandu is popular year-round - however you will have problems finding many people on the beach.

It’s big enough to make you feel you have your own piece of paradise. Expect warm weather and humidity in the slightly damp range - tropical. Gentle breezes will keep you comfortable. Remember to use plenty of sunscreen.

Beach Index

Sand - white with a touch of gold, medium/fine grain, no debris
Shade - plenty near palms, watch for falling coconuts
Sports - full service at the resort, snorkel/dive gear rentals
Notes - no crowds - recommended

Love far away and romantic? Make sure you visit our beaches at Bora Bora! Simply breathtaking!

Playa San Juan

One would think palm trees and turquoise water would mean world’s best beaches, but that’s not what you’ll find in Cozumel. There are fine strips of white sand, but not many.

Cozumel developed on the side of the island with reefs, and the best beaches, we might add. That coast is sheltered by its proximity to mainland Mexico (12 miles to the west).

There are beaches on the eastern side of the island, but you’ll need a rental car to get there.

Playa (meaning “beach�? in Spanish) San Juan runs along the northern hotel strip and is rock along with sand. It’s just to the north of the Melia Mayan Hotel. Loved by families, this favorite has plenty of shade, calm water, excellent windsurfing, and restaurants.

What this means is that there is full-service here. So even if you forget something, chances are one of the shops will have it.

Snorkeling is good off the beach along the rocky areas. Because of the sand runoff, coral does not grow except near the rocks.

You can rent snorkel gear at the beach.

There are some retaining walls built by the hotels in the area, but remember, in Mexico all beaches are public. Feel free to walk around the walls if the sand is better there.

BEACH INDEX

Sand - fine grain white/gold powder, some coral pieces
Facilities - full service, restaurants close by
Shade - mature palms trees, huts, umbrellas
Sports - all water sports
Notes - not too crowded

Next, the lagoon visited by more people than any on Earth. Here >>