TripAdvisor recently published its 2016 Travelers’ Choice 25 top beaches in the world. But here at HomeExchange, we know that you sometimes place value on different kinds of sands and strands: the ones loved by locals. So we asked you, our community, to share your favorite beach spots in the world. Here’s what you told us. Click on each beach name to see what HomeExchange Listings are nearby!
Angel’s Beach, NSW, Australia
Angel’s beach is not a postcard beach with white sand and coral. Actually, it is rather like any beach in the Landes (department) of southwest France, apart from the palm trees and being a bit warmer. What makes it a paradise to me is that it is three minutes from the home of our exchange partners! To a Parisian, seeing the sunrise every morning over the ocean is a big pleasure!
Magalie, Paris, France
Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia
All of Australia has been fabulous, but we were absolutely blown away when we arrived in Tasmania and discovered the beaches on the east coast, north of Hobart. Bay of Fires, with incredible sheltered sandy bays, surrounded by giant, rounded, ochre and silver rocks and wild grasses, is heaven. We’d had no idea just how beautiful Tasmania was or that it hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Elspeth, Scotland, UK
Dawesville, Western Australia, Australia
I choose the beaches in Dawesville, Australia, near Perth. Why? When we arrived, we were struck by the light and peace of this area. We have never been so close to nature as in Australia. All the beaches are beautiful, especially this. Imagine kangaroos jumping on the sand in the background! For us, from the French Riviera with its crowded beaches, the Dawesville beaches were a real haven…a paradise!
Agnès, Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur,France
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
It is amazingly beautiful, has lovely warm water and the purest soft white sand. The scenery is incredible too! The beach stretches along the coast, which is protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park, part of the Great Barrier Reef.
Sue, Devon, England, UK
Little Exuma, Bahamas
No pollution at all, just stunning sugary white-sand beaches. Perfect, crystal-clear, 80-85 degree water. Easy to find lobster, conch and fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Remote, empty beaches with complete quiet paradise. Perfect weather with a nice breeze.
Peter, Los Angeles, USA
Playa Larga, Cuba
On my trip to Cuba, I had the chance to stop at many different beaches. To me, Playa Larga represents peace and relaxation, away from massive tourism and big resorts! Calm sea, transparent waters, starfish and beautiful sunsets!
Elias, Italy
Hanko, Finland
I have lived in Guadeloupe, and been to St Barts and Martinique… and I don’t know why, but the beach in the beautiful town of Hanko in southern Finland had something truly magical about it. Superb villas line the waterfront and, at the far end, there is a small tea room where you can enjoy excellent pastry right by the sea!
Annabel, Marseille, France
Hossegor, France
Just imagine the panorama from east to west: a marine lake, a pine tree forest and a large sandy surf beach. You get to swim, hike and surf… all in the same place. That’s Hossegor. Add numerous country markets and restaurants in a region where gastronomy is part of a long tradition and you understand why it’s hard to go anywhere else for summer. That’s why I’ve been there almost each summer since…1954!
William, Geneva, Switzerland & France
Plage du Pilou, Montpellier, France
Plage du Pilou is a little secret beach that our home exchange partners recommended to us. You can access it by a small train.
Delphine, Lausanne, Switzerland
Santa Giulia, Corsica, France
Santa Giulia in Corsica — it’s a true piece of paradise! I love the colors of the water, the natural environment and the rocks in the bay.
Emilie, Paris & The Alps, France
Kedrodasos, Crete, Greece
This beach is interesting because it remained a hidden secret, even though it is near the well-known nature reserve of Elafonisi island. The sand in Kedrodasos is magical and I definitely recommend it both for swimming and camping!
Petra, Croatia
Sajkod, Lake Balaton, Hungary
Sajkod, which is tucked away on the west side of Tihanyi Penninsula, is magical – absolutely a favorite beach around Lake Balaton. The actual beach area is just a grassy green strand surrounded by overhanging trees, but it has amazing views of both shores of Balaton. As Sajkod is quite private, far from the hustle and bustle of other Balaton beaches and not easily accessible by public transport, the best way to get there is by bicycle or car. You can also walk there on the hiking trails of Tihanyi-félsziget.
Eva, Budapest, Hungary
King’s Beach (Kraljeva), Montenegro
Kraljeva plaza is my favorite beach spot. The sea is completely transparent there!
Roberta, Croatia
Favorite Beaches in Scotland
Scotland’s beaches are wonderful. And best of all, home exchange options are plentiful. Here, beaches run the length of world-class golf courses, are flanked by soaring cliffs that host nesting seabirds (including puffins!) and are adorned with picturesque castle ruins. A few of our favorite beach areas are Cruden Bay, St. Andrews, Newburgh, and Bamburgh (N. England).
Sheila and Tom, Denver, USA
Aiguablava, Begur (Costa Brava), Spain
Aiguablava, in the Costa Brava. In summer, it becomes practically impossible to find a place for your towel, but it’s incredibly beautiful! This photo was taken from the hiking path that follows the coast; you can go from one beach to the next on foot. And the color of the water is real, no Photoshop!
Roser, Girona, Spain
Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria is long and beautiful! The perfect beach for those who like sandy beaches and wild waves!
Vlatka, Croatia
Tamarit, Tarragona (Costa Dorada), Spain
Playa Tamarit on the Costa Dorada, Tarragona. It has a fantastic castle in front of the sea. This has been a wedding setting for many celebrities! This is just next to my home exchange home and, yes, we are open to all destinations for exchanges, so get in touch with us!
Elisabeth, Tarragona, Spain
Torimbia Beach, Niembru (Asturias), Spain
Our favourite beach is in our region, Asturias. It’s Torimbia beach, in a privileged and very beautiful environment. You can only access it on foot!
Tatiana, Asturias, Spain
Kendwa, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar’s wild beaches are famous. My preferred one, Kendwa, is situated on the side that looks toward the capital city of Dar es Salaam. Because it is not affected by tides, the level of the sea is always high and the color is turquoise. All along the vast stretches of white-sand beach, you can find small bungalow lodgings where you can eat and drink. When you lie down there, it is — nature, sun, sea and you. Best “farniente” ever!
Mirey, Istanbul & Bodrum, Turkey
Bang Po, Koh Samui, Thailand
Bang Po Beach is located in the northwest of Koh Samui. The beach is 4km long. The waters are calm and the beach is very clean and lined with coconut trees. There are magnificent coral reefs ideal for snorkelling. Few hotels and bars, so few tourists too! The price of land here is lower than elsewhere in Samui. The road is close to the coast and uncrowded.
Frederique, France
Iztutu (aka Turtle Beach), Turkey
Iztuzu beach is bordered by the river and by the Mediterranean. It has a beautiful emerald color from the river water and also the turquoise blue of the sea. If you are lucky, you can see the turtles that live there and deposit their eggs on the beach. Carved into the surrounding rocks also tombs from before Christ, as well as remnants of the ancient port city of Kaunos.
Ivana, Croatia
Baker Beach, San Francisco, USA
Without question, one of the most beautiful beaches I have been fortunate enough to tread is Baker Beach in San Francisco, with the Golden Gate Bridge on the horizon. Simply sublime, although it’s annoying that we weren’t able to swim because it is at the right temperature for the many sea lions! Many photographers go there to take wedding photos.
Fabrice, Provence-Côte-d’Azur, France
Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota (Florida), USA
During a wonderful home exchange in Sarasota, Florida, my husband and I discovered a huge beach with the whitest sand we had ever seen: Siesta Key Beach, located on the west coast of Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico! What impressed us most was the exceptional quality of the sand, its gentle texture and the advantage of never burning our feet. The beach is well maintained and it is easy to find a private spot there. If you have the opportunity to go, do not hesitate!
Marie-Andrée, Québec City, Canada
Not enough beaches for you? Discover more amazing beaches here!
Not seeing your favorite anywhere? Your turn then. Tell us what it is in the comments!
More Amazing Beach Getaways by HomeExchangers
Wow, everyone is getting in on the beach act. Well, make that a ‘bow-Wow’! Here are some terrific adventures shared by beach-loving HomeExchange Members…including our canine friend Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund, who’s drooling over his home exchange in St. Lucia:
Crusoe the Dachshund’s St. Lucia Home Exchange!
Unusual Beach Getaways with HomeExchange
Hawaii: Discover a Paradise Away from the Crowds on the Big Island