I LOVE spending time at the beach, but I can be quite the snob when it comes to the quality of the water and shoreline. There are tons of other beautiful beaches aside from the five I’ve listed below, but sadly I have yet to visit them. A post about my beach wish-list to follow shortly, so keep an eye out for it! Below are the spots I’ve been and loved, in no particular order:
1. Playa Es Pujols (Formentera, Spain)
Essentially it’s like being in a giant swimming pool. The water is warm and crystal clear with fine white sand on the shore. The depth of water gradually gets deeper and it’s an easy swim to the small island shown in the picture. While it’s clearly not the most secluded or romantic place to relax, it makes a great get-away from the party-enthused island of Ibiza.
2. Zatni Rat (Bol, Croatia)
Zatni Rat is one of Croatia’s most infamous beaches for its unique shape and a great spot for kite surfing. Shaped like a protruding tongue, the beach will vary in size depending on winds and tides. It’s a pebble beach so I highly encourage you to wear water shoes or crocs to head into the water. As you can tell in the above photo, the water is a beautiful shade of blue and perfect for swimming, floating, or playing around with kids. While Zatni Rat is the main draw on Bol, really any place in along the Croatian coastline is perfect for a swim. That probably explains why I am such a fan of this country!
3. One hour drive through thick forest from Managua (Pacific Ocean, Nicaragua)
Can I be any more obscure as to it’s location? That’s the beauty of this beach, unspoiled nature at its best. I discovered this beach during my stay in Nicaragua almost ten years ago. It was a recommendation of a local and it made for a long, bumpy drive through a dense forest before emerging on a quiet coastline. The water was clear with fun waves and plenty of trees to provide shade in the midday heat. Sometimes you just need to be adventurous and head on the road less travelled.
4. Kuta Beach (Bali, Indonesia)
Kuta beach in Bali is mythic for it’s surfing and partying. During my time in Bali I couldn’t resist discovering this beach and engage in a surf lesson (read about my experience here). I loved Kuta beach for it’s intense energy and fun waves. If you are uncomfortable in the water, this is probably not the best beach for you (head to Sanur Beach instead). Another plus, is the proximity of Kuta Beach to restaurants, shopping, and hotels. No need to waste time commuting long distances to get here, it’s literally just a throw from the main road.
5. Lake Bled (Bled, Slovenia)
Ok I am cheating here as it isn’t so much of a beach as a lakeside. But Lake Bled is every bit as dreamy as the pictures suggest. The turquoise water, amidst green forest and towering mountains are worth the escape from Ljubljana. There is a walking path that allows you to walk around the lake, with a number of places that lead you directly into the water for a quick dip. Strong swimmers can even take the challenge to swim to the church located on a small island in the middle of the Lake. Definitely add this place to your must-see places in Europe!
