World's 50 best beaches (30-21)

World's 50 best beaches (30-21)

30. Isshiki Beach, Japan

Not all great beaches are golden.

Hayama’s Imperial Villa, which faces Isshiki Beach, has been used by Japanese emperors since 1894 as a winter holiday house.

During the peak of summer, the beach’s two crescents of sand (separated by a small, grassy isthmus) buzz with windsurfers, kayakers and swimmers who all come to play in the warm, silty water and relax on ash-colored sand.
Although it can get busy here (especially on weekends), Isshiki never loses its dignity in the fashion of beaches further up the coast.
Typical with most Tokyo beaches, the metropolitan government rents beach space for vendors to erect makeshift wooden shacks housing bars, restaurants and shower units.
Operating for nearly 15 years, the Blue Moon is the most well known of these beach shacks for holding concerts on weekend evenings.
Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Zushi station and change onto a Keikyu Bus (located outside the ticket gates) bound for Hayama Isshiki via Kaigan or Hayama. Get off at Isshiki Kaigan (Shiosai Koen-mae).

 

 

29. Haad Rin, Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand

Yes, fingers are amazing.

Haad Rin's infamous full moon parties are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Mostly because once is enough.

Every full moon evening, tens of thousands of (predominately Aussie) travelers flock to the island for drunken, chemical-fueled revelry. Lining up for toilets and drinks can get annoying, and chances are you’ll lose your friends in the crowd, only to discover your phone reception is gone as well.
But for many party fiends, the buckets of cheap alcohol, great food and fun-loving crowd makes the experience worth the hassle.
Ban Tai, Ko Pha Ngan, Surat Thani, Thailand; www.phangan.info
Also on CNNGo: 15 romantic castles you can stay in

 

 

28. Beidaihe, China

The Chairman's beach of choice.

Hainan Island may be China’s beach getaway du jour, but it’s Beidaihe up north that’s been pleasing China’s upper echelons for decades.

Beidaihe is a few hours from Beijing and offers a fascinating view of China’s bygone political intrigue. Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping hashed out national policies in private villas here, and the area remains popular among Russian tourists -- a reminder of erstwhile Sino-Soviet ties.
Cloaks and daggers aside, Beidaihe's restaurants offer simpler pleasures, mostly good seafood and ice-cold beer.
Beidaihe is a five-hour train journey from Beijing. For more information visit scenery.cultural-china.com.

 

 

27. Na'ama Bay, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

There may be 25 kilometers to choose from, but this kilometer right here is best.

The beaches at Sharm el Sheikh on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula stretch for 40 kilometers along Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Bang in the middle of that coastline is Na'ama Bay.

The marine life is diverse, colorful corals can be viewed from the surface and if you’re lazy, the snorkeling is still good near the reefs on the beach. The best place to snorkel though is at the pier from the beach in front of the Jolie Ville Hotel.
With temperatures during November and December of 23-27 C and 10 hours of sunshine a day, this is the ideal place to take advantage of one of the many winter deals to Egypt on offer.
Flights are available to Sharm el Sheikh with Egyptair, while coach services from Cairo arriving at the Delta Sharm bus station take up to eight hours. Na'ama Bay is just 10 kilometers from the Sharm El Sheikh Airport. For information on Jolie Ville Hotel visit www.jolieville-hotels.com.

 

 

26. Akajima, Okinawa, Japan

One beach where you won't mind the locals approaching you.

Part of Okinawa’s Kerama Islands, the islet of Akajima is popular among Japanese day-trippers during summer, but foreign travelers are a rare sight.

For that reason, Akajima retains a blissfully sequestered charm even during peak season.
The beaches are spotless, usually dotted with just a handful of Japanese surfers. Locals are effusive and friendly. Further inland is a quaint Ryukyuan heritage house open to visitors.
Travel to Akajima from Tomari Port at Naha on Okinawa, one hour by express boat; jin.jcic.or.jp.
Also on CNNGo: Okinawa's dramatic underground caves

 

 

25. Phra Nang Beach, Railay, Thailand

World's best parking spot.

With Dali-esque limestone structures, hundreds of challenging cliff-climbing routes and Tiffany-blue waters, Railay is the seasoned rock climber's dream.

Phra Nang, the area's fine-grained main beach, offers a sweeping view of the area's rugged beauty and is flanked by stalactite-rimmed cliffs that tourists can jump from.
Although Railay is accessible only by longtail boat from Krabi and Ao Nang, it can get crowded during tourist seasons.
The spectacular Phra Nang Peninsula is cut off from the rest of Krabi by limestone headlands and steep jungle valleys; the only access is by sea; www.railay.com.
Also on CNNGo: The man who founded a religion based on 'The Big Lebowski'

 

 

24. Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island, Canada

The beach that inspired a book and a TV show.

If perfection unnerves you, avoid Prince Edward Island.

Cavendish Beach, the island's most idyllic feature, is famous for inspiring scenes in “Anne of Green Gables,” a Victorian literary blockbuster eternally beloved by preteens and Japanese readers. You’ll find them in hordes in the pretty township, visiting beaches and other landmarks to pay homage to the book.
With creamy sands flanked by sandstone cliffs and sandy dunes, the rugged loveliness of Cavendish Beach has captured the imagination of writers and tourists alike.
The entire beach is located in the Prince Edward Island National Park. To drive, follow the Trans-Canada Highway to Route 1A to Kensington, then follow Route 6 to Cavendish. For more information visit www.pc.gc.ca.
Also on CNNGo: Australia and Canada dominate most liveable cities

 

 

23. Panama City Beach, Florida, United States

Main cause of extended lunch breaks in Florida.

It's not the spring break capital of the world for no reason. Each year, more than six million college kids and sun seekers pour into Panama City Beach, lured by promises of emerald waters, blinding white sand, colorful reefs, fishing and hard-core people-watching.

Historic wrecks off Panama City Beach's shores make it a superb dive site. Goofy Golf, a mini-golf institution since 1959, has a kitschy, retro charm.
Many road routes to Panama City Beach are easily accessed from Interstate 10. For more information visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.

 

 

22. Porto da Barra, Salvador, Brazil

You'll be sick of the color gold after a week here.

In many ways, Porto da Barra is to Salvador what Bondi is to Sydney and Venice Beach is to Los Angeles.

You'll find something happening on the beach around the clock -- tiny fishing boats bringing in the day's catch, beach volleyball and bustling activity at the Fisherman Colony Manguinhos, a traditional fish market in Buizos.
Porto da Barra is surrounded by a string of bars and restaurants, so you’ll be spoilt for choice after spending the day splashing in the clear sea.
It's also one of the few beaches in Salvador that faces west, so you’ll be able to catch magnificent sunsets.
For more details visit www.bahia-online.net.

 

 

21. Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia

You won't likely get tired of the beach, but if you do there's always a karst rock face to check out.

The island cluster of Langkawi is spearheading Malaysia’s bid to become the next major resort destination in Southeast Asia. On the main isle (also called Langkawi), most tourists flock to Pantai Cenang beach, but the quieter Tanjung Rhu has an earthy beauty and serene atmosphere.

The three-kilometer Tanjung Rhu beach area is surrounded by ancient limestone caves, rippling waterways and dense mangroves.
The plush Four Seasons Resort offers boat tours around the mangrove forests.
Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia operate daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi. For more details visitwww.langkawi-info.com.




http://www.cnngo.com/