Club Med, Moorea, Tahiti

The secluded beach lagoon in front of my hut (I think it was No. F11) was pretty much only used by me and the people in the next hut over. To get to our side of the property required moving away from the dining areas and the disco (something most seemed reluctant to do), crossing a bridge and then going to the most unpopulated part of the property. It was always quiet and relaxing there.

The beach, itself, was flat and white with a long palm tree arching over and shading the area just a stone's throw from my front porch, where the water would lap in to meet the sand.

The water, clear and sparkling blue over white sand, was only about 3' deep and remained this depth all the way out to the ocean for about 1/6 mile. I used this lagoon as my own private, beautiful, huge bathtub aquarium every morning - I was beyond spoiled, and sunburned, like on my back, from snorkeling so much.

At night the moon would paint a trail down the lagoon beyond the palm tree - it was perfect. Along with this view, a warm breeze would come through my window shutters (there was no glass or screens on the windows, and no bugs - they would spray every morning from a truck and bugs were never a problem). I would try to stay awake looking because it was so beautiful, but I kept finding myself too content and relaxed to stay awake. No lie, I kept passing out from the view!

The Ranch, outside Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

All beaches in Mexico are public, however, the land just above them is not. So, the ability to get to some beaches is sorely restricted and one can consider certain beaches private i.e. nobody for miles - just the way I, personally, like it.

I was on such a beach in Mexico, having to hike in, then go down a cliff, even though I was staying at a private home which was, like probably most oceanfront acreage homes in Baja, called The Ranch.

Living in Huntington Beach, CA, I relish the chance to catch a buzz in such a natural environment, because I can't at home. Drinking alcohol in HB is against the law and Johnny Law wears little beach shorts, nowadays, and he rides a bicycle, so he is everywhere at the beach. Its hard to relax when you can assume you will get busted if you try.

In Mexico this is not a problem, especially when no one else is around http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

This is why I would recommend any such "private" beach in Mexico. Hike in and climb in, if you have to, as every beach seems to be its own special jewel.

Out in front of The Ranch, and a good distance hike to the left, my hiking partner and I found a private beach - it feels so good not to see footprints - that maintained its own natural bathtub!

It was perched on a rock outcropping that kept itself just above the surfline. The surf would be breaking around the rock formation, but only a bit of fresh water would flow through its cracks and, as such, into the bathtub, with each wave.

The tub had collected just enough soft sand on its bottom to be smooth and comfortable, but without being cloudy. And it seemed made to fit two people perfectly. We sat opposite each other and the tub's length enabled us to put our feet up so that our feet reached each other at about each other's chest. Also, the way the rock edge of the tub had softened, we were able to recline our heads back quite nicely.

It was my suggestion to get in and give each other footrubs like about 2 seconds after I spotted the tub and its possibilities. So it was that we found ourselves, happy and buzzed, giving each other footrubs in a natural rock bathtub, of perfect dimensions, with nobody around for days, while waves crashed around us, but couldn't touch us, instead only providing just enough cool water to refresh us over and over again.

This was my best beach day ever.

I went to an amazing beach in St. Maarten once when I was much younger, I think it was called Mullet Bay, but I could be wrong. It was the first beach that I found truly tropical. Though it wasn't the "nicest" beach I've been to (sand quality, water clarity, etc.), one of the most picturesque beaches I've ever seen was on the Italian coast-- in one of the Cinque Terre towns, Monterosso. I loved the black rock with the blue ocean.

Cupecoy Beach - St Marteen. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

The Spit in Homer, Alaska, with views from the beach of snow-capped mountains and countless glaciers!

Hidden Beach North Lake Tahoe cira 1969

I'm surprised that no FTer has mentioned Maho Beach on St. Maarten.

This is the beach located right at the end of SXM's runway. Famed by photos such as these: http://www.airliners.net/search/phot...nct_entry=true

I have never been there, although I do hope to visit!

Cheers,
FlyerBeek

I would assume that this is because as much people here like to fly and as much as they like beaches, most of us would probably be inclined to keep the two things somewhat separate http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif.

BTW, impressive pictures, though http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif.

I agree with Club Med Moorea, I think we were in the "A" bungalows, though. Nothing like walking about 10 steps out your door and snorkeling.

And Homer is truly beautiful, though it's a little cold for swimming, and I never did see any topless womenfolk there.

Club Med Bora Bora is great, too, very relaxing. Something about being on a South Pacific beach with topless honies just makes a location very attractive to me.

How about Zipolite, on the Oaxacan coast of Mexico...

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

Boracay, Philippines

I love the black sand beach on Maui. It is so gorgeous with that black sand against the turquoise water. The sand is really small black lava stones though and is not soft to walk on. It certainly gets my top vote for beauty though.

Guaduja, Brazil, just a bit south of San Sebastion. And, of couse, just about any beach in Rio de Janiero. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/cool.gif

JP

Russell in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand and Castaway Island in the Mamanucas, Fiji are the most beautiful beaches I've experienced. The snorkelling at Castaway is excellent. Clear water, great people.

[This message has been edited by beazley1 (edited 03-18-2003).]