Caribbean in the buff: Top nude resorts

The Caribbean is the perfect setting for a clothing-optional vacation. Resorts at a variety of islands feature white-sand beaches, plenty of sunshine and balmy breezes. There's a resort to match a traveler's desires, whether they're looking for a quiet moment watching the sun dip below the horizon, hand in hand au naturel; or bending backwards on the dance floor during a stark-naked limbo contest. One thing about a clothing-optional vacation on the beach – it sure makes it easy to pack.
There's an important distinction to keep in mind if a traveler is considering vacationing at a clothing optional resort in the Caribbean: there's a difference between a naturist tourist and a lifestyle tourist. A naturist will be content to enjoy the sea and sand in the nude, while a lifestyle tourist will also be interested in sexual adventures, which might include swinging. Some resorts host special lifestyle weeks, which could end up being awkward if that's not what a traveler is looking for.
Here's a selection of top nude resorts in the Caribbean.

Club Orient, St. Martin

Club Orient, a resort on the French side of the island of St. Maarten, is on one of the most famous nude beaches in the Caribbean – which isn't always a good thing. A person doesn't have to be nude to gain access to Orient Beach, and the occasional tour group from a cruise ship is known to amble by, doing their best to get an eyeful.
There are a couple of things that make the 137-room Club Orient different from many other resorts in the Caribbean. First, it's not an all-inclusive resort, which means guests pay as they go (drinks, meals, activities, etc.) The other aspect that sets it apart is that it's a kid-friendly au naturel resort; multi-generational families can be seen taking a sun bath sans clothing. The hotel is also nude-friendly throughout the property, not just in restricted areas. Seeing a nude dude dishing up a plate of meatballs in the resort's main restaurant could take some getting used to.
Guests have a choice of booking rooms in one of the chalets or upgrading to a villa, which affords an extra measure of space and privacy. Club Orient also has a spa, lots of sports and water activities, as well as the option for enjoying a massage on the beach..


Hedonism II, Jamaica

Hedonism II in Jamaica is the big daddy of nude and naughty holidays in the Caribbean. While many au naturel resorts stress the health benefits of the naturist lifestyle, it's pretty clear where Hedonism II stands on the subject: run the sexual fantasy flag up the flagpole and see who salutes.
This adults-only all-inclusive resort in Negril has a loyal crowd that returns again and again for the kind of spicy holiday Hedonism II offers. This includes two private beaches (only one is nude); unisex saunas and steam rooms; three pools, including a nude pool; five bars; dancing at Club Hurricane; live entertainment (which leans towards the raunchy side) and theme nights, which vary from Reggae Nights to a Fetish Fantasy theme.
There are 280 rooms, and suites have sexy touches like mirrored ceilings and five-head Jacuzzi showers. Guests have the option of choosing rooms in either a nude section or a clothed wing. In addition to all the provocative fun, guests can indulge in all sorts of activities, including tennis, miniature golf, snorkeling, kayaking and water skiing; there's even a rock-climbing wall.
It's safe to say that Hedonism II is a lifestyle resort that is not for the easily embarrassed.

Caliente Caribe, Dominican Republic

Caliente Caribe is the only au naturel resort in the Dominican Republic. The all-inclusive resort is clothing-optional throughout the whole property so guests might find themselves being enticed into a game of nude volleyball or adding a whole new wrinkle to the phrase, "bellying up to the bar."
Guests at Caliente Caribe shouldn't expect a particularly high quality of food or high standard of rooms. Amenities are basic. Guests come here for the obvious reasons: to shed their clothes in a beautiful beach setting and to mingle with like-minded people. The resort has hot tubs, a private nude beach, pools, a nightclub and a Friday-night beach luau complete with roasted pig. Check ahead when booking since the resort sometimes schedules "lifestyle weeks," which may or may not be to a guest's liking.
 

The Natural, Curacao

While some resorts have the distinction of being the only clothing-optional property on the island, The Natural can broaden that boast with its claim to being the only au naturel resort on the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The Natural on Curacao welcomes all types: couples, singles and GLBT guests – the only restriction is a minimum age of 16 years old. Unlike some naturist resorts, guests don't have to shed their clothes; they have the option of staying covered up, even if they're outnumbered. The Natural makes no pretenses of being five-star and guestrooms and amenities are on the modest side. The big selling point is the resort's laidback, accepting ambience.

Couples Tower Isle, Jamaica

A person taking a walk through Couples Tower Isle, in the Jamaica resort town of Ocho Rios, would figure it to be much like any other all-inclusive resort. They'd see a selection of pools, restaurants and activities on the beach. There's one difference though, a major one: those guests taking a short boat ride out to Tower Isle's namesake island had better be prepared to strip down to the buff. Tower Isle is a small au naturel island just offshore where nudity is required, not optional. Tower Isle has been established away from the resort to maintain the privacy of the bare-bum sunbathers, as well as to shield the view of nude bodies from those who might faint at the sight..


There's much to recommend the adults-only resort. Guests can snorkel among the reefs, bliss out in the Zen-inspired spa, and dine on island farm-to-table cuisine. Upgrade to a one-bedroom ocean suite and enjoy a Jacuzzi tub, personalized minibar, and enjoy sea views, including Tower Isle.
Couples Tower Isle is a good choice for au naturel newbies who might not be ready for a full-fledged clothing-optional resort.

The 12 Best Boozy, Adults-Only, All-Inclusive Hotels

One way to ensure a stress-free vacation is to head to an all-inclusive resort where you don't have to reach for your credit card every time you want a cocktail or burger with fries. And if you really want to up the relaxing vibe of a vacation, limit the possibility of kids running around the property or splashing in the pool by booking an adults-only stay. We found the best of the best adults-only and all-inclusive resorts for a booze-filled trip -- whether you're looking to party at the pool or relax on the beach.

The Caves, Jamaica

Arguably Jamaica's most romantic escape, the Caves' 12 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach). High-quality, locally focused cuisine, a top-shelf bar, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive. From the moment they arrive, guests are welcomed with the resort’s signature cocktail, the Cliffhanger, and for the remainder of their stay they’re free to indulge in one of Jamaica’s best all-inclusive liquor selections.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya

With only 90 suites, the Zoetry Paraiso offers a romantic boutique experience in the Mayan Riviera. The pool area and beach are relaxed with double-wide lounge chairs (perfect for couples), and the on-site dining keeps the resort's wellness theme alive with delicious, healthy meals. Included amenities not standard at most all-inclusive resorts -- such as "welcome" bottles of tequila, daily bottles of champagne, one-hour Catamaran sunset sails, three-times-daily maid service, and private chauffeured airport transfers -- make this resort a standout among Puerto Morelos' finest properties (though expect the price to reflect that).

El Dorado Seaside Suites, Riviera Maya

El Dorado Seaside Suites is an all-inclusive, adults-only resort located on a secluded beach halfway between Playa del Carmen and the famous Mayan ruins of Tulum. There are many spots here to relax, including three pools and a total of 12 restaurants and bars. The spacious suites have whirlpools big enough for two, terraces or balconies, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players.

Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort and Spa

Out of the four Princess properties in Punta Cana, this 263-room all-inclusive is the pricier, adults-only option. Sometimes the resort can feel like an adult party, especially considering the afternoon pool scene, lobby entertainment, and 24-hour beach bar. Those looking for a quieter experience can hit the beach, snag a day bed and have drinks delivered from a server. 

Couples Tower Isle, Jamaica

One of the island’s first resorts and a former playground for 1950s Hollywood A-listers, this 226-room, 19-acre Ocho Rios all-inclusive is still a sophisticated option. The pools are also unexceptional, though they do have ocean views, and one has a swim-up bar. The gorgeous spa, robust all-inclusive offering, beachfront location, and mellow vibe are the highlights here. Of particular note is Couples’ all-inclusive booze policy, which includes top-shelf liquors in addition to the usual beer, wine, and rum punch.

Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua

The relaxed, tranquil environment of the Galley Bay boutique resort is a major part of its appeal. This isn't Antigua's fanciest property, but it doesn't need to be: simple Caribbean style (picture thatched roofs, stone, and rattan), a truly gorgeous beach, and all-inclusive food that's better than average for the island make for a winning combo. All meals, alcoholic beverages, and water sports are included in the rate. Minibar drinks are included -- until the minibar has to be refilled.

Excellence Riviera Cancun

This adults-only resort lives up to the Excellence name, offering the standard amenities of the luxury chain: multiple attractive pools, dozens of activities like snorkeling or private yacht excursions, and a solid spa with beachside treatment huts. A big pro of the property are the 8 restaurants and 10 bars, which don't require reservations.

Casa Velas Hotel Boutique, Puerto Vallarta

There are neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta that feel like Palm Springs or Beverly Hills, and the Casa Velas inhabits one of them. Lush, manicured gardens and streets, high-priced, terra cotta tile-roofed houses and condos, and the green grass of a well-tended golf course define the locale. The 80-room adults-only hotel is perfectly situated amidst this quiet luxury. For dining, options include gourmet Mexican cuisine at Emiliano and Asian fare at the Ocean Club, or 24-hour room service. There are two bars and premium liquor is served at both.

Desire Pearl Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya

The Desire Pearl is a couples-only, clothing-optional, all-inclusive resort located on a beautiful white-sand beach right outside quiet Puerto Morelos. It draws a range of young and middle-aged couples (strictly heterosexual) looking for some adult fun in the sun. For dining, options are more limited than at other nearby resorts, but the food is more than decent and reservations aren't required. Drinks are included in the all-inclusive package, and guests can grab a cocktail from the lobby bar, two swim-up bars, or the racy nightclub that opens after dinner. In addition to a welcome drink, snacks are available throughout the day, and the minibar gets restocked daily -- but room service is not included.

Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall, Jamaica

The best of the three Iberostar resorts in Montego Bay, this 295-room all-suite hotel is light years beyond its neighbors in terms of decor, food, and features. While some elements remain shared with the lesser Iberostar Rose Hall Beach and Iberostar Rose Hall Suites -- for instance, the spa, fitness center, casino, nightclub, and shops -- guests at Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall get the pick of the litter with free access to all three resorts’ restaurants, bars, pools, and beaches. All meals (including specialty restaurants and room service), drinks, and non-motorized water sports are covered in the rates.

Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun

With a minimum guest age of 18, the 433-room Secrets Silversands Riviera allows anyone looking for a romantic getaway to book without fear of rambunctious kids or noisy families. The beach is smaller and rockier than the ones at many hotels in Cancun, but the incredible pools that sprawl the entire property offer ample swimming space. There are nine dining options and eight bars on-site, and premium wines, beers, and other top-shelf beverages are included in the rates.

Club Med Turkoise, Turks & Caicos

As the island's first resort, the 290-room, mid-range Club Med Turkoise has lost a bit of its original sex appeal. But even though its small rooms (with no balconies) are slightly dated, and have begun to show some signs of wear and tear, the hotel's bar still throws some of the island's liveliest parties. The village-sized property stays packed, thanks to the stretch of pristine beach just off the back of the hotel, the nightly live entertainment, and the huge variety of water and land activities offered (including trapeze sessions and scuba diving). All food and drinks are included in the all-inclusive rates.

The 11 Best Adults-Only All-Inclusives on the Beach

If an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink beach getaway with your honey sounds like your idea of a vacation, then we've got some great resort picks for you. These all-inclusive resorts are not only among the best in the Caribbean and Mexico, they're also adults-only -- so you can enjoy some R&R without getting interrupted by squealing tots. (And families, not to fear -- we've got recommendations for you, too!)

The Caves, Jamaica

Arguably Jamaica's most romantic escape (for adults only), the Caves' 12 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (the location is on the sea, but the "beach" is not of the traditional variety). High-quality, locally focused cuisine, a top-shelf bar, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, Mexico

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With only 90 suites, the Zoetry Paraiso offers a romantic, wellness-centric boutique experience in the Mayan Riviera. The unique layouts of the suites offers different experiences to guests, including Terrace Suites with small bath-side indoor gardens, and Plunge Pool Suites with small personal outdoor pools. Even though warm, Mediterranean style is a bit different in each room type, all are spacious with comfortable furnishings and Bulgari toiletries. The pool area and beach are relaxed with double-wide lounge chairs (perfect for couples), and the on-site dining keeps the resort's wellness theme alive with delicious, healthy meals. Included amenities not standard at most all-inclusive resorts, such as a "welcome" bottle of tequila, daily bottle of champagne, a one-hour Catamaran sunset sail, three-times-daily maid service, and private chauffeured airport transfers, make this resort a standout among Puerto Morelos' finest properties (though expect the price to reflect that).

Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, Jamaica

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The sprawling Secrets Wild Orchid is one of the more luxurious adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay, and has a laundry list of property features, including eight restaurants and five bars, and a host of activities: a theater, a spa, a water sports and dive center, a shopping center, and a casino. Note that the resort shares virtually all of its amenities with the next-door Secrets St. James, and some of the best amenities and freebies are reserved only for the VIP guests staying in the "Premiere" part of the resort.

Couples Swept Away, Jamaica

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Restricted to couples ages 18 and up, this large (though quiet) 312-room all-inclusive is on one of Jamaica's best beaches. Modern rooms with Wi-Fi and iPod docks, quality food, and a low-key atmosphere best Sandals, but Couples isn't as intimate as the Sunset at the Palms or The Caves. Still, rooms are elegant and modern, with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and iPod docks--a big step up from the rustic cottages at most Negril resorts.

Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua

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The relaxed, tranquil environment of this adults-only boutique resort is a major part of its appeal. This isn't Antigua's fanciest property, but it doesn't need to be: Simple Caribbean style (think: thatched roofs, stone, and rattan), a truly gorgeous beach, and all-inclusive food that's better than average for the island make for a winning combo. Water sports are also included in the rate, but the ocean here can get a bit rough so guests shouldn't count on being able to swim in it every day.

Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun, Mexico

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With a minimum guest age of 18, anyone looking for a romantic getaway can book the 433-room Secrets Silversands Riviera without fear of rambunctious kids or noisy families. The spacious, clean rooms and suites have crisp, modern decor with flat-screen TVs (though no iPod docks) -- but be on notice that the Swim-out Suites are actually a short walk and then swim out. The beach is smaller and rockier than many hotels in Cancun, but the incredible pools that sprawl the entire property offer ample swimming space (think lazy river meets infinity pool). Just don't plan on venturing out too much: The hotel has a fairly remote location -- which is a perk if you want to avoid the tourist-party mecca of the Hotel Zone.

Excellence Riviera Cancun, Mexico

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This adults-only resort lives up to the Excellence name, offering the standard amenities of the luxury chain: multiple attractive pools, numerous dining options, dozens of activities, and a solid spa with beachside treatment huts. The abundance of marble and columns throughout the property might be a bit too ostentatious for some, but it's definitely impressive -- as are the rooms. The rooms feature whirlpools and open bathrooms, which shouldn't be a problem for most visitors choosing an adults-only resort. All have terraces or balconies, and a gorgeous stretch of beach is right outside the door.

Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia

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Romantic? Undoubtedly. Unique? Absolutely. Expensive? For sure. Through an innovative, open fourth wall, each of Jade's 29 enormous suites overlooks the sea from its chromatherapy-lit whirlpool tub, canopied bed, and private infinity pool. Getting to Jade Mountain can be tedious, even nauseating, but its organic cuisine (available through an optional all-inclusive plan), doting service, unwavering silence (no TVs, radios, or children), and extraordinary design make the long journey worthwhile.

El Dorado Seaside Suites, Riviera Maya, Mexico

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El Dorado Seaside Suites is an all-inclusive, adults-only resort located on a secluded beach halfway between Playa del Carmen and the famous Mayan ruins of Tulum. This hotel offers 282 spacious suites with double whirlpools, terraces or balconies, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. While the location is fairly isolated, this resort has a long list of amenities including a great spa, tennis court, outdoor yoga sessions, and scuba clinics. There are many spots here to relax, including three pools and a total of 12 restaurants and bars. This resort is a great pick for relaxing days with a significant other, but travelers looking for nightlife and shopping might want to consider options closer to Cancun.

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

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The all-inclusive, adults-only Pueblo Bonitio Pacifica Resort is a tranquil, upscale resort on a gorgeous beach. It feels removed and secluded from the Cabo nightlife, though it's only about a 10-minute drive away. Amenities are plentiful; there are two beautiful pools, tennis courts, five restaurants (including sushi and Italian options), five bars (no well liquor here; they serve Absolut, Bacardi, and Cuervo 1800, along with over 50 brands of liquor), a large fitness center, and a full-service spa with a sexy Jacuzzi and a meditation labyrinth. All 154 rooms feature understated, contemporary beach decor with dark woods, Mexican accents such as local artwork and floor mosaics, and soft yellow and white bedding. All rooms also have ocean-view balconies and free Wi-Fi.

Casa Velas Hotel Boutique, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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There are neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta that feel like Palm Springs or Beverly Hills, and the all-inclusive Casa Velas inhabits one of them. Lush, manicured gardens and streets, high-priced, terra cotta tile-roofed houses and condos, and the green grass of a well-tended golf course define the locale. The 80-room adults-only hotel is perfectly situated amidst this quiet luxury. With a gated entry, a friendly, (mostly) bilingual staff, and gorgeous public spaces and rooms that more than meet the challenge posed by the posh ambience, Casa Velas is a great pick for those who like it luxe but informal.

Swell – Australia’s beach obsession

As the weather heats up, Australians start talking about where they are 'going away' for the summer holidays, and for most, it’s the beach. As an island continent, Australia is quite literally defined by its 37,000km of coast. The statistics alone can explain why Australians are so obsessed by getting some sand between their toes – around 85% of the population live within an hour’s drive of one of the 11,000 plus beaches – but the beach’s significance in Australian life goes far deeper than convenience.

The continent’s vast interior – 'the bush' – captured the first settler’s imagination, giving the colonies their mythology of shearers and miners and bushrangers. (Before 1903, a swim during daylight hours could get you arrested.) But as the 20th century dawned, the coastal cities boomed; rural life was eclipsed by the new nation’s factory jobs and suburbs. It was a simple and common pastime – beach going – that came to be a part of how Australians thought of themselves..

Spurred on by the guidebooks of the day, well-heeled English gentlemen travellers rapturously recounted the sublimity of crashing surf and rocky outcrops in their journals. Those of a less Romantic inclination were equally drawn to the beach, if not for a ‘surf bathe’, then for a picnic and a promenade, fish and chips and a flirt.

Australian Impressionists like Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin, worked en plein air to depict the lovely coastal landscapes of Sydney’s Coogee and Melbourne’s Brighton and their de rigueur tableaus of primly dressed beach goers. The locations featured in these paintings are unrecognisable today (and everyone got their gear off long ago) but the dual meaning of the beach, a place that is both semi-sacred in its natural beauty and also verging-on-the-profane with its good times, has only continued to grow more powerful.

Australia’s most urbanised beaches still represent the hedonistic, social side of beach going. Concrete clad and perennially crowded, Bondi’s well-trodden stretch of sand presents a broad slice of modern Sydney life, from the weather-beaten lap swimmers at the Icebergs sea pool, to the Negroni-swilling regulars at North Bondi Italian.

Melbourne’s St Kilda has stayed true to its Victorian pleasure palace roots, with a melancholy pier to stroll by day, and bars, restaurants and live music at pubs like The Prince (2 Acland St) and the Espy (11 The Esplanade) for after dark. Likewise, Perth’s Cottesloe (104 Marine Pde, Cottesloe), a genteel surf beach among 40km of perfect specimens, is known for its boozy Sunday sessions, sunsets and cafés. While sneered at for its theme parks and overdevelopment, Queensland’s Gold Coast is a beloved destination for many with the high rise and fast food outlets to prove it, but can also surprise even the most dedicated beach snob with its sea hazed dunes, warm waves and soft, clean sand.

It’s the beach’s other side though, its mystical allure, and the austere introversion it both soothes and engenders, that has become a stalwart feature in Australian film, literature and popular music. When Cold Chisel’s Jimmy Barnes sang about pushing surfboards through turnstiles in Misfits or Midnight Oil’s Peter Garret howled 'catch the bus to Bondi, sit on the beach and wonder', they were not only conjuring a scene familiar to their 80s pub rock audience but more importantly captured a uniquely sunlit Australian branch of angst. Likewise Tim Winton and Robert Drewe’s novels – set often along the south coast of Western Australian – vividly evoke the primal sensuality of the surf, and its ability to calm and inspire, but also destroy.

The Romantic ideal of the soul-crunching beach is not hard to find out of the capital cities, with every state having their fair share of stunning coastal strips and semi-wilderness. The awesome (in the true sense of the word) thundering power of the Southern Ocean is what makes Victoria’s Great Ocean Road truly great, and it also fuels the legendary Bells Beach (woo-woo enough a surfing spot to be the dénouement of Kathyrn Bigelow’s Point Break).

The surf of Western Australia’s Margaret River is often described as ‘epic’ while the other 12,500km of the Indian Ocean coast has surreally un-peopled reef, point and beach breaks giving way to shimmering ten metre tides up north.

Byron Bay has a foot in either camp; it heaves with hard-partying visitors during summer and can sometimes feel like a victim of its own popularity, but for most of the year its cluster of beaches and surrounding hinterland preserve an almost eerily transcendent beauty that has long inspired talk of ley lines and magic power of place.

The beach for most Australians is not just a place to cool off on a hot day, it’s a place of the tentative dips of the toes in the shallows of early childhood, a place where teenage rites of passage played out. It’s where many old Australians retire to, and where their ashes are scattered at life’s end. Australians celebrate, socialise, exercise or relax with a book on the sand. It’s also where they go to gather their thoughts in times of crisis.

It’s not an easy task to tease a national psyche out of a landscape, a geological fact. But with most of the stories of past’s hard men meaning little to 21st-century Australians, the beach in itself is about as inclusive and complex a foundation myth as any country could hope for.

Glorious Guernsey: Britain's offshore beach paradise

ust a short hop, skip and a jump away from the UK, Jane Duru discovers that beneath Guernsey's picturesque surface lies a quirky gem full of historical sights and excellent beaches.
On first impressions, this could almost be any charming countryside village in the UK. Our morning’s bus tour of Guernsey has taken us down sleepy country lanes lit in glorious sunshine and surrounded by lush green hedgerows dotted with bright yellow gorse bushes. Pastoral scenes of cows grazing peacefully in the meadows roll by, and the signs of rustic idyll are complete with every ivy-clad chocolate box cottage that comes into view.

"Look out for hedge veg," says Gill, our guide, referring to the local practice of buying vegetables by taking home-grown produce from roadside stands and leaving payment in lieu; honesty, it seems, is not an endangered commodity here. Nor is candor, as halfway through our tour, Gill pronounces: "We’re Guernsey donkeys." I shoot her a quizzical look – donkeys? But she insists that the term isn’t derogatory; locals here are proud to be as stubborn and hard-working as their animal counterparts. The term for Jersey-ites, crapaud, meaning toad, seems somewhat less redeeming.

 

Guernsey's street furniture adds continental flavour
WTG / Jane Duru

So far, so Cotswolds-charming. Still, the giveaways are there. Only an hour's plane ride away from London, here the street names are in French as well as English, and the cutesy houses are called things like ‘La Meriais’, ‘Glenwood’ and ‘Fief Le Roi’. Blue postboxes and art nouveau-esque street lamps help impart that continental flavour, whilst with a little gentle eavesdropping on local conversations it’s possible to catch some Dgèrnésiais (the French Norman patois unique to Guernsey) still being spoken – despite being part of the UK, Guernsey is only 45km (27 miles) off the Normandy coast. At one point, I make the mistake of referring to ‘the mainland’. Gill doesn’t correct me but speaks of England or the UK instead; the Channel Islands' self-governing status is an obvious source of fierce pride.
The bus makes a turning off the road, parks up in a small car park and we’re taken up a small path through grassy terrain. As we round a corner, Gill stops and motions to duck through a hole in the bushes to our right. One by one we pass through, and emerge through into a small clearing: in front of us is a grass-covered mound with a small entrance hole. This is Le Creux ès Faïs: translation – The Fairy Grotto. On the west side of the island in L’Eree Bay, one of several pre-Christian dolmens dotted around the island. The 5,000-year-old chamber is said to be the entrance to the Guernsey fairy kingdom, with the east-facing entrance to catch dawn’s first light.

 

Left, the Little Chapel; right, hedge veg
Visit Guernsey / Chris George

It’s neither our first nor last encounter with Guernsey’s eccentric history; this tiny island, at only 11km (7 miles) long and 5km (3 miles) wide, is densely packed with evidence of its eclectic past. A previous stop had taken us to the 100-year-old Little Chapel in St Andrew’s parish, a tiny chapel with its surfaces gilded in thousands of broken seashells and crockery. Further southwest, in the parish of Torteval, visitors to the cliffs can see the imposing remnants of two concrete military bunkers that the Germans built when they occupied the island between 1940 and 1945. Having been blocked up after the war – an attempt at easing painful memories – the bunkers are now in the process of being cleared out, the eventual aim being to open them up to the public
The island’s wartime ordeals are further on display the next day, when we head to the German Occupation Museum in St Andrew. The work of a private collector, it gives an excellent insight into occupied Guernsey with exhibits detailing everything from uniforms and surgical instruments, to machine guns and unexploded bombs; there’s even a reconstruction of an occupied street.
Back in Torteval, the brutalist feel of the bunkers only serves to highlight the loveliness of Guernsey. Swallows swoop above the verdant cliffs, which are carpeted in a blanket of colourful flowers. In fact, throughout the island, the natural hues just seem to ‘pop’. There's no time to attempt the 45km (28 miles) of clifftop walks but the evidence of Guernsey's natural beauty is confirmed with a later visit to the capital, St Peter’s Port. Here, a gentle amble around the restored Victorian Candie Gardens takes me through flower beds woven with blooming clematis, azaleas, rhododendron bushes and magnolia trees, whilst a large statue of Victor Hugo (who, along with Jenson Button, was one of the island’s more famous residents) dominates the park area.

 

Victor Hugo worked in his lookout room, with views across the harbour
Visit Guernsey / Chris George

Hugo came to Guernsey in 1855 after being exiled from France, and kicked off Jersey, his first choice. His well-preserved home Hauteville House, where he lived for 15 years and completed Les Misérables, is another episode of Guernsey’s history worthy of further investigation. I spend a morning touring the house, gaping in awe at the ingenuity and egotism on display in his jewel box of a house. Each room seems chock-full of symbolism (every room incorporates the initials VH within it) and interior decorating touches that would make Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen blush at the excess of it all – it’s eccentric in the extreme, but I really enjoy it nonetheless. One room is entirely covered in tapestries apart from one wall, where a ceiling height wooden mantelpiece made out of 75 chests of drawers takes centre stage. The pièce de résistance must be the lookout, a top-floor study where Hugo would work in the mornings, after having gone for a 6am swim and swallowed two raw eggs for breakfast. Up here, the views stretch out over the harbour, and even to France on a clear day.
Of course, one of Guernsey’s major attractions is its beaches – with 27 of them, the island makes a great holiday spot, not just for sunbathing and beach walks, but for activities too. The western beaches of Vazon Bay are popular with kitesurfers, whilst L’Ancresse Bay in the north is said to be the most beautiful.

 

Spend a day on Herm's beautiful Belvoir Bay
WTG / Jane Duru

An afternoon spent sea kayaking and coasteering on the southern coast with Outdoor Guernsey reveals a blue sea that’s almost Mediterranean in its intensity and clarity. We’re down at Petit Bot Bay, where a small café looks out onto the beach, surrounded by rugged green cliffs and small rocky outcrops. Ant, the group leader, is showing us how to grip the paddle correctly before we head out for a gentle kayak. From the water, the bay looks magnificent, with birds freewheeling above us, but it’s the coasteering that has me sweating with excitement. Or is it nerves? I scramble up the cliff rocks before taking an adrenaline-inducing jump off one, into the deceptively cold sea.
If your idea of beachside exertions is a stretch for the suntan lotion, then a day trip to the neighbouring island of Herm is a must. At only 2 sq km (0.8 sq miles) wide, and with cars and bikes banned, it’s a recipe for the nostalgic days of older, more innocent times, like something out of Swallows and Amazons. As the 20-minute ferry from St Peter Port pulls into shore, we watch a wedding being conducted on the beach, and later wave to the happy couple as they pass by on the back of a tractor to do a celebratory lap of the island. The coastal walk takes us through shady paths lined with bluebells, up to the highest viewpoint on the island, and past Belvoir Bay and Shell Beach where the white sandy beaches appear to have been plucked straight out of the Caribbean.
The calm, castaway feel of Herm is an unexpected pleasure, and as I wander through the long grass to catch the ferry, I begin to understand how these islands manage to weave their magic over visitors, with a captivating charm that’s neither French nor British, but all their own.

Best Beaches on Earth

There are an infinite number of beaches around the globe, but this year, to determine the best sandy spots, Travel + Leisure launched our first annual Best Beaches Survey—and asked savvy travelers to reveal their favorite places.

The list started with 54 famous beaches, grouped by type, and voters ranked the idylls they love. One point came across loud and clear: you don’t have to travel far to experience a spectacular beach. In fact, U.S. beaches won out in almost every category, from seclusion to people-watching. (You’ll have to travel the distance to reach the ultimate destination for wildlife spotting: Bahia Gardner, in the Galápagos Islands.)

Every traveler knows that the perfect family-friendly beach has to deliver more than just a picturesque scene. Beaches with wide sand, calm waves, and easily accessible amenities are what parents need when the little ones are in tow. Take Seaside Beach, FL, for instance, known for its emerald water and cruiser bike–filled streets.

Further afield, in the Caribbean, all-inclusive hotels and endless kid-friendly activities—snorkeling, bodyboarding, and sea kayaking—are some of the reasons that parents of kids and teens love Seven Mile Beach, in the Cayman Islands.

Those in search of an off-the-grid stretch of sand will want to note the beaches that T+L readers deemed best for seclusion, starting with Polihale Beach, Kauai. Its wild, seven-mile shoreline is accessible only by old farm roads. But voters also gave a nod to One Foot Island Beach in the South Pacific’s Cook Islands. Perhaps this beach is so alluring because the visit is inherently ephemeral: flip-flop-wearing travelers are not able to spend the night. Instead, drumbeats at dusk signal the last boat to nearby Aitutaki island, where a small airport welcomes four flights a day from Raratonga.
Read on for the top 30 beautiful beaches, both familiar and lesser known.