World's 50 best beaches (20-11)

World's 50 best beaches (20-11)

20. Patnem Beach, Goa, India

All the charm of India, without the chaos.

Most tourists know Goa for Anjuna beach, hippie heaven of the 1960s and now a tourist magnet.

If the cacophony of flea markets and tourist raves are not your thing, head to the lesser-known shores of Patnem, a stone’s throw from the increasingly crowded Palolem beach.
Patnem may be smaller than its famous neighbor, but it’s also less claustrophobic, with cheaper beach hut accommodations. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the sunset while congratulating yourself on ducking the Goan tourist radar.
Take a taxi from the pre-paid taxi counter outside the Madgaon Railway Station in Goa to Patnem Beach. This will cost you around Rs 700 (US$14); www.goabeachhuts.com.
Also on CNNGo: North Goa's best restaurants

 

 

19. D-Day beaches, Normandy, France

The most important beaches in modern history.

History was made at Normandy’s D-Day beaches. On the morning of June 6, 1944, tens of thousands of Allied soldiers stormed the beaches, code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. It was the largest amphibious operation in history.

The Normandy landings and subsequent Battle of Normandy eventually helped free Europe from Nazi occupation.
Visitors can retrace the fateful landings at the five D-day beaches, which are still referred to by their invasion code names. Moving cemeteries, memorials and small World War II museums dot the area.
In Caen, a nearby city that was heavily bombed during the D-Day invasion, a large museum now commemorates peace.
Normandy is easily accessible from Paris, either by car (two or three hours drive) or train (two hours from Paris St. Lazare station to Caen central station). Alternatively, a ferry across the channel takes just more than three hours from Portsmouth in England to Ouistreham, the easternmost D-Day landing zone, an ideal starting point; www.normandie-tourisme.fr.

 

 

18. Dominical Beach, Costa Rica

The vultures are there to clean up anyone who stays a little too long.

People often stay longer in this sleepy surf town than they intended to, thanks to monster waves and lush green forests. Dominical’s warm waters also make it ideal for long, lazy swims.

Dominical’s beach shacks offer great food and company, but the highly regarded Tortilla Flats is the best -- it's a surfer hotel, seaside restaurant and happening night spot rolled into one.
For details visit www.costaricatravelsite.com.
Also on CNNGo: World's best places to party

 

 

17. Canggu Beach, Bali, Indonesia

A side of Bali beach life you'll be pleased to discover.

Bali's Canggu Beach is a long stretch of surf-perfect coastline, with everything from easy waves for beginners to serious breaks for those who need a challenge.

The scene is unpretentious and the mood is laid back. Expect to rub shoulders with adventurous people who know Asia well.
Since there are hardly any bars on Canggu Beach, don’t expect much nightlife. Instead, travelers tend to chill and get to know one another and the locals who run the venues after dark.
Located in Canggu Village, Kerobokan, Denpasar, Bali. Taxis can be difficult to find in this area and most travel tends to be by private car or hired motorcycle. Consider booking a hotel that provides airport pickup, as this is the easiest way to reach Canggu. www.balistarisland.com

 

 

16. Karekare, West Auckland, New Zealand

You'd think a piano would be easy to spot.

Easily accessible from Auckland, Karekare was immortalized in 1993 film, "The Piano."

As seen in the movie, a grandiose sweep of black sand stretches as far as the eye can see, with bush-clad hills backing an isolated, wild beach.
Karekare tends to be less touristy than nearby Piha. If you prefer a quieter beach, this is the one for you.
The water can be extremely rough and swimming only “between the flags” is advised.
Karekare is popular for its annual beach race day, in which local ponies and horses race to raise money for charity. Beach race day is usually held in early April.
An hour's drive from central Auckland. Head west to the suburb of Glen Eden. Take West Coast Road and turn right onto Scenic Drive. Turn left onto Piha Road and follow it to Karekare Road. For more details visit www.auckland.nz.com.
Also on CNNGo: Best outdoor activities in New Zealand

 

 

15. Bahia Solano, Colombia

The kind of place that'll eat up two weeks before you realize it.

The beach town of Bahia Solano is a unique scene of immobile boats rusting where river meets ocean. Fishermen languidly cast nets over a huge bay.

Fashion shops, vegetable markets, cafés and bars line a vibrant main street.
US$8 beds near the beach are a godsend for budget travelers.
For details visit www.mantarayatravel.com.
Also on CNNGo: 10 mountains for every kind of climber

 

 

14. Margaret River Beach, Australia

Make your beach trip sophisticated, with wine, rather than beer.

Nature has been kind to Margaret River. Not only is the western Australian town blessed with mild climes, baby powder beaches and drop-dead gorgeous scenery, it also produces some of the country’s finest wines.

The surf at Margaret River is top notch -- head to Margaret River’s official tourism website for details on the best breaks.
Wine-tasting at Margaret River’s 60-plus wineries is a favorite tourist activity. The town’s many art galleries showcase vestiges of the hippie culture that characterized the area in the late 1960s.
For more visitwww.margaretriver.com.

 

 

13. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba

Chances are you'll have all the trees to yourself.

Cuba's finest beach island goes overkill on clear. Water like crystal, sand like sugar, there's barely even a cloud to disrupt the electric smoothness of the sky most days.

Playa Paraiso, meaning "paradise beach," is not quite as exposed to the elements as some of the other beaches on the island. The weather is usually calm and the sea here remains shallow most of the year.
Visitors will find a smattering of beach umbrellas and a small bar. But for the most part this place is about sea and sand and not much else.
A free shuttle leaves nearby hotels several times a day for the 20-minute drive to Playa Paraiso. For more details visit www.cayolargo.net.

 

 

12. Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, United States

If a storm is brewing, best head elsewhere.

Mountains in the background, ocean in front and five kilometers of sand underfoot, Hanalei Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai is one of the most picturesque in the world.

It's a surfer's and paddle boarder's dream, with a reef to the right-hand side of the bay (looking out to sea). Closer to the pier, novices and weaker swimmers can splash about without fear.
Hanalei can be a tempestuous mistress. Storms and poor weather will turn the strip into a formidable beast, with choppy ocean conditions and beach run-off that's best avoided.
From Princeville, drive down Highway 56. Take a right on Aku. Continue driving until you reach Weke Road. Take a right at the junction to reach Hanalei Bay Beach Park. For more information visit www.to-hawaii.com.
Also on CNNGo: 22 amazing travel world records

 

 

11. Sun Island Beach, Maldives

 

Need to buy some milk? Leave the car keys, grab a snorkel.

Recognized in some polls as the world's best beach, this diamond in the middle of the Indian Ocean has become a favorite with celebs and rich honeymooners drawn by the thought of sleeping over the water, literally.

Nearby resorts offer luxury bungalows on stilts in the water, where you can be sent to sleep with the sound of real water lapping at your doorstep, not the fake kind from you iPhone app.
Nearby coral reefs attract thousands of tropical fish, snorkelers and divers.
But you don't even need to be a water baby to enjoy the scenery -- parts of the reef are visible from the beach, so clear is the water.
The Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa is located on Rangali and Rangalifinolhu Islands in the South Ari Atoll, 90 kilometers southwest of the capital city, Male. For more details visit www.mal-dives.com.





http://www.cnngo.com/