Sun Archives - World's Best Beaches

Grand Anse Beach - The Best Beach

Our selection of Best Beach in Grenada is based on ease of location, condition of the beach and surrounding area, and facilities. Grand Anse Beach has it all. Pure gold sand, as if you could take it away when the sun shines down. When you come to Grenada, make your way here at least one day.

You can spend some time just soaking in the Grenadian way of life by starting at one end and walking slowly to the other end. Before you begin, remind yourself that you are here to relax and that you are going to take it all in: the birds chirping, the sound of the tires on the paved street near by (well, scratch that if you’d like), the gentle Caribbean wind whispering through the palm fronds above you, the din of the local radio playing through the shops and restaurants along the beach, the smell of the ocean, the glimmer of the sun as it touches your skin, the sound of children playing… and on and on. Are you there, yet?

Grand Anse Beach is it, with dive shops complete with snorkel gear, windsurf rental (though there is not much wind on this side of the island) and water sports. And, you can arrive by water taxi. How chic!

But the facilities don’t make the beach - the view does. And Grand Anse Beach won’t let you down. Pristine sand with gentle lapping waves makes for unbelievable clear water. Hugged by the surrounding mountains and coconut palms, and a view to the sea that is breathtaking means you won’t want to pass up at least a full day at what many call the Caribbeans’ number one beach.

BEACH INDEX:

Sand - golden, clean
Facilities - full service
Shade - trees
Sports - full service rentals
Notes - highly recommended, arrive early

Trunk Bay, St. John USVI

Probably the most popular beach on the island is Trunk Bay. If you come to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands for snorkeling, this is where you want to start.

Trunk Bay has a snorkeling trail. Yes, the beach is tops on the island, but before we review it, a few notes about the more than 650 feet of underwater trails.

Come early in the day, before the sun is hot and the crowds start churning up the water to see all the markers.

Even if you’ve been in the water 100 times, this is the U.S. Virgin Islands and it’s special. Take the time to “do the trail”.

Just like a hiking trail, you can follow the markers along the bottom and see things you would not have seen before. It’s wide, you won’t run into other snorkelers. And most of all, it’s fun!

Trunk Bay is part of the U.S. National Park system and is the only beach on St. John that has an admission fee ($4.00 pp). The beach curves around Trunk Bay and is wide. There are numerous reviews on the beach in guide books, some negative. What we advise is to not miss this beach if you are on St. John.

Arrive early. Tours will come and go. Remember, the cruise ships only have an hour to get their people in and out. You can use the changing facilities/bathrooms and concessions are well stocked, though slightly expensive. Everything has to be imported.

Take the time to experience this jewel of the U.S. Virgin Islands. You won’t regret it.

BEACH INDEX

Sand - fine white grain
Shade - palms/umbrellas
Sports - rental close by
Notes - try the snorkel trail early in the day to mid-morning

St Tropez Beach Area

Girls on the beach in st. tropez

St. Tropez beach in France is mainly a public beach though there is a small area you can rent sunbeds. I’d recommend going early to get a parking space. Sunbathing, champagne and the fight for a spot in the sun always make for interesting and sometimes outrageous situations, even after the sun goes down and the music crescendos. St. Tropez’s reputation was secured as the place to sunbathe, swim, mingle and while away the summer. St. Tropez’s hottest spots during the summer season.

St Tropez - coast 1

The majority of tourists arrive at Marseille International Airport due to the convenience and frequency of flights to destinations all over the UK, Europe and beyond. Being only 70 kms from Saint Tropez in addition to the convenient selection of flights makes Marseille Provence International the preferred gateway to St Tropez for most tourists arriving by air. You can rent a bike for the day at Holiday Bikes (14, avenue du G.Leclerc) for approximatly 26 Euros ($33) or a moped for 12 Euros ($15.25).

There is decent arts and crafts shopping in the area. And hang onto your credit cards, because the shopping here is out-of-this-world! St. Tropez has chic cafes, shops and restaurants. Nearby Cannes is, of course, famed for its annual film festival, but with its location on the French Riviera it has much more to offer than that!

You already know there are the top class boutique shops and restaurants that overlook the beaches. My choice is a cafe at around 8 in the morning with cup of coffee and some delicious French pastry.

Mix it up; you have the time. Remember that parking around here can be a bear, so unless you’re staying in the vicinity, plan on catching the bus or taxi a little early.

Don’t forget that there is decent shopping in nearby Grimaud or Cogolin, a few miles away. But if you want to window shop, St. Tropez is the place. Common courtesy here - you are near the beach, but you must get into street clothes before you enter.

St Tropez beach France

Finally, the night is a wonderful time to be in St. Tropez. Yes, you can stroll the walk along the beach if you like. Some nights can get a bit breezy, but stop in an soak in the many restaurants and cafes here.

It’s worth plunking down $5 for a coffee and small pastry to sit at a table and people watch. That’s pretty cheap entertainment anywhere on the globe, and you’re sitting in St. Tropez!

Summer is big here, don’t forget. You may need to make a reservation at some places. Either call ahead, or use your concierge at the hotel. It makes great sense since they know how everything works in their city.

One of my favorites is a seafood restaurant at the Byblos Hotel on Ave Paul Signac. It is to die for, but I’ll let you be the judge. Tell me what you think when you get back, OK?

Blue Bay Beach - Mauritius

Mahebourg is a larger town in Mauritius and Blue Bay Beach is close. Because of this, Blue Bay Beach can get kind of crowded on weekends. But during the week, you may have this long beauty all to yourself - well, almost.

Blue Bay is named for the crystal-clear ice blue water. This is one of those beaches in the world where it is simply hard to get a bad picture. The contrasts are simply amazing.

To get the best shots, make sure your camera is set to “beach” or “sun” or “outdoors”. Best times are mid morning and late afternoon. You can sneak in a great shot at other times, as well. Just make sure you don’t position yourself where you’ll get too much glare.

Next, compose your shot with plenty of contrast. For beach shots here, it’s easy. Get about half sand and half sky. And make sure you get some great sky - with few clouds. The blues are amazing here (and at other beaches as well).

Blue Bay Beach is located on the southeast side of the main island and is very easily accessible. When in Mahebourg, just ask the directions to Blue Bay… and take the camera.

Blue Bay - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - medium powder, all coral based.
Facilities - full.
Shade - trees line the coast here. Nice.
Sports - snorkeling, diving, and a few others - ask at hotels - their venue changes with seasons.
Notes - will get crowded on weekends.

We make our way to a small fishing village next. Hard work as a fisherman, but what a view! Let’s visit the Cap, Next! >>