Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Karma Beach; Cathedral Cove; Waikiki; Elafonisi Beach This page: Venice Beach
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand Wave-carved caves and crystal waters Best because: You get two beaches for the price of one here. Separated by a jut of cliff as smooth and white as a slab of tofu, twin stretches of eggshell sand slope into luminous blue water. The star of the show, though, is the cavernous, wave-carved tunnel that links the two beaches at low tide. It’s a gentle 45-minute hike here from the seaside town of Hahei, but it’s far more fun to skid ashore in a kayak.
Venice, California, USA The movie icon Best because: This is California on steroids. Literally. Buzzy Venice is
where you’ll find the beefcakes of Muscle Beach pumping iron for the crowds, acrobatic teens doing tricks at the beachfront skatepark, hippies tight-roping between the palms, and bikini-clad blondes rollerskating along the promenade. Stop for Baywatchinspired selfies by the lifeguard stations, but to do Venice like a local by taking a swing on the monkey rings (no excuses — the boardwalk is lined with outdoor gyms).
Cala Mitjana, Menorca, Spain Secluded, idyllic wooded cove Best because: Its beauty is all the more pristine for the effort it takes to get there — half an hour from Ciutadella on the south coast, it’s accessible only
by boat or a 20-minute hike through pine trees. The reward: white, sugarsoft sand, transparent turquoise water (bring your snorkel) and the chance to dive off the low, white cliffs that hug the cove. Bring all supplies, although fruit-sellers are on hand in summer. And if the beach gets too busy, swim over to its little sister, Cala Mitjaneta.
Karma Beach, Bali, Indonesia A beach to reach Best because: At the bottom of a cliff in Bali’s rugged Uluwatu district and reached only via open-air cable car, this exclusive private beach club offers a 007-worthy entrance. The beach is ideal for paddleboarding and snorkelling, but it’s all about that descent. worldtravellermagazine.com 35
