Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Travel

Here are the top beaches in the world for 2017

Dreaming of being on a beach? These are pretty nice.

IT MAY ONLY be January, but plenty of us are dreaming of being on a beach somewhere. But which one?

Luckily, National Geographic has named their top beaches for 2017.

They include beaches for snorkeling, exploring and just lying on.

Here are some of the highlights according to the magazine:

Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

05-reynisfjara-beach-iceland Ivan Pedretti Ivan Pedretti

On sunny days on Iceland’s south coast, Reynisfjara Beach’s ink black sand and basalt sea stacks are absolutely stunning.

Noordwjk Beach, The Netherlands

04-noordwijk-beach-netherlands Shutterstock Shutterstock

Past the tulip fields in south Holland, between Amsterdam and The Hague, the seaside town of Noordwijk has a separate dog beach for wild gambols by the North Sea. There are walking routes for human-canine bonding, and pooch-friendly restaurants and lodgings, including Take2 Beach & Bungalows, near the entrance to the dog beach.

Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands, Mexico

02-playa-del-amor-mexico Miguel Naranjo Miguel Naranjo

A swim through an opening nearly invisible from the sea reveals what locals call the “hidden beach,” encircled by an impressive rock ring forming a natural oculus for the sun and sky.

Shell Beach, Shark Bay, Western Australia

03-shell-beach-shark-bay-western-australia Nature Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo Nature Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo / Alamy Stock Photo

On the edge of the continent, and part of the Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage site, countless white cockleshells, up to 30 feet deep in some parts, spread for miles. Take nothing but pictures. Stop at Old Pearler Restaurant, built entirely of shells from this beach.

Cas Abao Beach, Curaçao

06-cas-abao-beach-curacao (1) Turtle & Ray Productions, Curacao Turtle & Ray Productions, Curacao

Ringed by reefs, Curaçao hides a Caribbean underwater wonderland, and this beach is one of the few sandy ones on the arid island, with a bar and a shop to rent snorkel gear. Slip straight into the shallow crystalline bay alive with sea fans and coral, tropical fish, sponges, sea turtles, and more.

Piscinas Beach, Arbus, Sardinia

07-piscinas-dunes-arbus-sardinia Riky Deiana Riky Deiana

Sculpted by the mistral wind and embellished with juniper bushes and olive trees, the Piscinas Dunes paint a mercurial backdrop on Sardinia’s southwestern Costa Verde (Green Coast). A former mining warehouse, Hotel Le Dune Piscinas sits at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea,with ample windows and lounge spots for admiring the ever changing canvas of sky, sand, and waves.

Read: This massive cruise ship will soon call Dublin home

Your Voice
Readers Comments
12
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.