Seeking out sun, surf, and sand is an easy enough task, but is it possible to stir seclusion into the mix, too? Our editors say “shore”!
We’ve dug deep into our arsenal of secret sands to present our top picks for secluded beaches around the globe, where quiet coasts invite in-the-know sunbathers to savor their relative solitude. Sure, some of these destinations are downright remote, and require off-the-path travel to far-flung locales in Thailand, Spain, and Down Under, but some of the most isolated shores are right under beachgoers’ noses, in popular stateside spots like Florida, California, and Hawaii. We’ve also included some secluded beaches in hotpots like the Caribbean, Brazil, and the Greek Isles for good measure. You’ll just have to plan a visit soon — while these semi-private sands remain undiscovered for the moment, the cat’s officially out of the bag.
Ao Phra Nang Beach, Thailand
Often cited as “Phuket 10 years ago,” the beach resorts surrounding the Thai port town of Krabi remain, for the time being, far less trodden than those of its famous island neighbor, some 100 miles to the west. Accessible only by long-tail boat from Krabi or from the more frequented beach resort of Ao Nang, the far-flung headland of Laem Phra Nang, or Railay (also called Rai Leh) Beach, is our preferred destination, thanks to its stunning surroundings of karst cliffs (making it popular with rock climbers), lush jungle and the warm waters of the emerald Andaman Sea. Here, four neighboring white-sand beaches unfold, of which Ao Phra Nang Beach is the most secluded with its snorkeling-friendly reefs, soft sands and singular luxury hotel. Visitors are free to relax in relative solitude, or to seek out adventure with a swim to “Happy Island,” just offshore, or by poking about in Tham Prah Nang Cave at the cliff’s base. Go now before it’s discovered by the masses.
Baía de Sancho, Brazil
Red-tinged sands and turquoise-trimmed shores define this pristine bay, which unfolds on the main and only inhabited island of Fernando de Noronha, an Atlantic archipelago off of Brazil’s northeastern coast. Protected as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and a national marine park, the ecological sanctuary of the beach and its environs can be explored in near solitude, thanks to strict restrictions on commercial development and controlled visitation. The few visitors that do access the isle are thinned out even further by the precarious approach to the remote Baía de Sancho, which entails climbing down a cliff face along a series of ladders (although the faint of heart can arrange to arrive by boat on snorkeling or diving excursions). The waters here thrive with an array of marine life, from live coral to manta rays and sea turtles to dolphins. Just be sure to pack provisions, as there’ll be no bars, peddlers, or the like on these isolated shores.
The secret’s out about the beauty of Sanibel Island’s linen-white sand beaches — situated about 25 miles southwest of Fort Myers— so you won’t be alone in searching for a stretch of sand to call your own. But that’s just what you’ll get when you leave your car and make the quarter-mile walk to Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel’s most peaceful place. The island is well-known as one of the best shelling spots in the country, but you’ll find little competition here. There’s minimal development and ditto for amenities — though Bowman’s does have one perk not found on any other beach on Sanibel: barbecue grills. Enjoy the pristine sand at Casa Ybel Resort (www.casaybelresort.com) and slurp down briny oysters at The Lazy Flamingo (www.lazyflamingo.com), where staff let you bring a glass of wine to the beach to watch the sunset.
