Travel + Leisure

TRAVEL + LEISURE / MARCH 2016

FROM TOP: SHUTTERSTOCK; GUIZIOU FRANCK/GETTYIMAGES; JOHN S LANDER/GETTYIMAGES

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL

PARK, COSTA RICA

A stunning national park on the

Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio has it

all: non-stop beautiful beaches, lush

tropical rainforest, and oh, the wildlife

and flowers, everywhere you look.

Monkeys abound on these beaches,

and they are not timid around people.

The Viewpoint Trail hike is an uphill

climb to this lookout (mirador) with

outstanding views of the coastline.

Anse Source d’Argent La Digue, Seychelles

If you’re looking for an unspoiled and exotic beach vacation

destination, La Digue is one of the most popular islands in

the Seychelles, and Anse Source d’Argent is the reason why.

This amazingly beautiful beach features giant boulders on

its shores. Dark granite boulders on a white sand beach is the

most dramatic vision you could imagine for a tropical setting!

The pathway to the beach runs through an old coconut

plantation, which is fascinating in and of itself.

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK, NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand’s smallest national park certainly packs a punch. Abel

Tasman curves along the north coast of the South Island, peppered

with golden sand beaches and steep cliffs that fall away to crystal-blue

waters. There are many options for exploring the park—by water taxi and

boat, kayak, walking, or a combination of all three. Normally taking four

to five days to hike the whole coastal track, you can split up the journey

at many of the campsites, cabins, or even boat hostels along the way.

One of the most interesting features of Abel Tasman is the high and low

tide extremes, which affect the paths you take on the hike. Sometimes

at low tide you might be able to cross a long beach while at high tide you

have to go the long way around, making your exploration of this national

park much more exciting.

Railay Beach, Krabi Town, Thailand

Not only is Krabi home to the beautiful town of

Ao Nang, just south is the small peninsula known as

Railay Beach, a dazzling stretch of sand surrounded

by towering limestone cliff s on both sides. Its isolation

from the mainland combined with the complete

absence of cars and roads make Railay feel like an

island all its own. Adventurers can explore a ragged

jungle path from the beach to discover a hidden

lagoon with the most beautiful emerald-green waters.

It’s worth hanging around at Railay after the sun has

gone down and you've tucked your kids in, with lively

reggae-style bars that stay open late. You might even

catch one of the area’s notorious fi re shows.

Malibu, California, USA

There are lots of little inlets along the SoCal

(South California) coast, some specifically

geared towards surfing and lacking in the

sandy beach element, and some with plenty

of sand for the non-surfers to sit and admire

the people slicing through the waves. Driving

up the Pacific Coast Highway, you just pull

off into the shoulder to park, walk down to

the beach (sometimes there are pathways,

other times you have to navigate down the

rocks), and just sit and enjoy.