Lonely Planet’s Best Beaches reveals a captivating collection of the world’s most breathtaking and unexpected coastal gems, including some of Australia’s most famous and loved destinations. Photo: Supplied.
Lonely Planet’s Best Beaches is more than a travel guide, it’s an immersive journey into the allure of the world’s most extraordinary beaches.
Sky above, sand below, peace within … some of the many reasons why a beach vacation is better than any other. Water sports. More encouraging factors include getting in touch with nature, plenty of vitamin D, staring at the twinkling stars at night and being mesmerised by magical sunsets. Free fun, enjoying outdoor beach activities and having a good dose of vitamin sea!
With their warm sand and gentle waves, beaches have a soothing ambience that nothing can beat. There’s no time like summer to grab a towel, a sunhat and a sense of adventure as Lonely Planet names the world’s most unexpected top 100 beaches.
For those who dream of beachside bliss or love to indulge in seaside fantasies from the comfort of an armchair, Lonely Planet’s latest release, Best Beaches, reveals a captivating collection of the world’s most breathtaking and unexpected coastal gems. Bells Beach, Cable Beach, Wineglass Bay, Squeaky Beach, Tangalooma Beach, Lucky Bay, Bondi Beach and Whitehaven Beach are named as Australia’s best.
This brilliantly illustrated book showcases every conceivable type of beach experience. Whether it’s a secluded cove, an Instagram-worthy urban shoreline, an off-the-beaten-path locale, a rocky and forested Pacific Northwest coastline, a distant expanse of orange sands in Iceland, or a mesmerising palm-fringed island oasis, this book guides you through a sandy odyssey.
Each entry provides practical insights on how to reach these idyllic shores and delves into the unique reasons that earned it the prestigious title of the best. We get a glimpse into the characteristics that set these beaches apart as the book combines striking photography that vividly captures the colours, formations and perspectives, transforming each location into a visual masterpiece.
The world’s most extraordinary shorelines are inside this dazzling display of diverse beaches – caves, coves and arches; mystical fog and sprawling coastlines; shores where elephants roam and flamingos flock; urban, sprawling and surfing beaches; unique formations, coastlines, colours and perspectives. From Mozambique to Miami, these beaches are spectacular.
Lonely Planet’s senior director, trade sales and marketing, Chris Zeiher, loves that this book ”challenges what we might define as a ‘best beach”’.
“There’s such diversity here, and hidden, unexpected beaches you might otherwise not have known about in places you may not have expected,” he said.
”They’re all beautiful and magical and almost unbelievable and lets you see beyond the beachy beach — though those are in here too!
“Each beach has a sort of identified characteristic, too, so you know why we chose it for the book. Ultimately, we wanted to show the vast diversity of beaches, from Antarctica to Madagascar, from swirling sand to wild horses.”
Highlights include the 98 per cent pure silica sands and swirling aquamarine waters of Whitehaven Beach in Australia, hailed as one of the country’s most phenomenal and photogenic natural icons.
Or Brazil’s Baia dos Porcos, with its golden sand, azure waters, and volcanic rock backdrop. Discover the secrets of Radhanagar Beach, nestled in one of India’s most secluded corners, and uncover what makes it so exceptional.
See Gardner Bay on the Galapagos Islands or the famous Venice Beach in Los Angeles. Each beach is a feast for the senses and a unique getaway for ”beach bums” and coastal adventurers.
In addition to the 100 breathtaking beaches featured in the book, you can dive into specialised categories, each designed to cater to a specific interest, including Top 5 Best Family-Friendly Beaches, Best Beaches to Watch the Sunset, Best Beaches to See Wildlife, Best Beaches to See Nature, and Best Beaches to People Watch. There are also Most Remote Beaches, Best Beaches to Snorkel, Most Unexpected Beaches and Beaches Worth the Crowds.
Wherever you go, remember to follow Cancer Council Australia’s SunSmart ”Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide” slogan. This campaign was widely credited with playing a key role in the dramatic shift in sun protection attitudes and behaviour over the past four decades.
Subsequently … “the sand may brush off, the salt may wash clean, the tans may fade, but the memories will last forever”.
Lonely Planet Best Beaches, $49.99
