20 unique beach destinations for a dream getaway in 2024

Sail with us to the four corners of the planet where we discover, by boat, what are the true wonders of the sea. North, south, west, east: the important thing is to set sail!

2024 beach destinations. Dream destinations in the 4 corners of the planet

What do you think are the most beautiful places in the world in which to go to the sea and cruise even to experience a dream boat experience? We bet many of these places we know it too, because maybe they are a bit “obvious.” Mind you, certainly not ugly or uninteresting, on the contrary. But those perhaps that are part of many (or all…) people’s dream imaginations. From the Antilles to French Polynesia from the Maldives to South Atlantic islands such as the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. That’s right, we all know these: but what if we wanted to go in search of truly mythical and still unique seaside places, in which, for example, nature is so wild that just by getting in touch with it can regenerate us from daily life in the city? With this mission in mind we went in search of as many as twenty amazing but not so impossible places to reach. Boat vacation destinations that are scattered, admittedly, to the four corners of the planet but are worth seeing (or even just dreaming about…) once in a lifetime. Each has special features that make it magical and unrepeatable, a true “place to be.” Here then, set sail with us to discover Saint-Pierre and Miquelon–Canadian France or French Canada–and even the Spanish “oceanic” islands–the Cies–or in the remote archipelago of Raja Ampat–“hidden” among the distant seas of Indonesia and New Guinea.

A guide to 20 unique places not to be missed for beach vacations in 2024

1. Suwarrow – Cook Islands
2. Pitcairn Islands – Overseas Territory Uk
3. Svalbard Islands – Norway
4. Kuriat Islands – Tunisia
5. Raja Ampat Islands – Indonesia
6. Kangaroo Island – Australia
7. Mangaratiba and Costa Verde – Brazil
8. Cayos Cochinos – Honduras
9. Islas del Rosario – Colombia
10. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon – France Overseas
11. Hoonah – Alaska
12. Vanuatu – Vanuatu
13. Islas Cies – Spain
14. Zihuatanejo – Mexico
15. Reunion – France Overseas
16. Madeira – Portugal
17. Curieuse Island – Seychelles
18. Milford Sound – New Zealand
19. Con Dao Islands – Vietnam
20. Jeju Island – South Korea

2024 beach destinations. Suwarrow – Cook Islands

Suwarrow is undoubtedly an unmissable beach destination for 2024. An atoll belonging to the Cook Islands archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, it lies about 500 miles northwest of Rarotonga, one of the group’s best-known islands. Low and coral-reefed, Suwarrow is the southernmost atoll in the northern Cook Islands and has been inhabited by Polynesian settlers since prehistoric times. Uninhabited for several centuries, however, it owes its name to the Russian ship Suvorov that “rediscovered” it in 1814. Today it is considered a sea and sailing paradise but also one of the best vacation destinations in the Pacific characterized by the presence of a spectacular coral reef that encloses a large landlocked lagoon while the pristine islets that form it are scattered along the edge. Today only two government “janitors” live in Suwarrow and intermittently, remaining a truly dream destination.

2024 beach destinations. Pitcairn Islands – Overseas Territory Uk

Another unmissable beach destination in 2024 is an archipelago composed of four truly remote volcanic islands in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, not too far from remote Easter Island; its name is derived from that of Pitcairn Island, which is also the only inhabited one. The only British overseas territory in the entire Pacific, the islands are known for becoming home to the “mutineers of the Bounty” and their Tahitian wives. This act of sedition, which took place in 1789, is surely the most famous in the history of the U.K. Navy and beyond, and several films and a short story by Jules Verne were based on it. Among the Pitcairns, the most touristically famous island is the uninhabited Henderson Island: it is completely surrounded by a magnificent coral reef that opens only on the southern side where three small sandy beaches are discovered.

Svalbard Islands – Norway

Positioned in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is slowly transforming from a remote and unreachable place into a travel destination for nature and sea lovers, partly because it is home to a still pristine Arctic environment and fascinating wildlife. The archipelago consists of three main islands-Spitsbergen, Edgeøya, and Nordaustlandet-to which a number of smaller ones are added: they are a true contemporary Eden to be visited to discover all its charms, in the sky, on land, and at sea. Suffice it to say that in summer Svalbard is reached by thousands of seabirds, thirty species of which nest on the cliffs. Its sea, on the other hand, is inhabited by seals, walruses, whales, belugas, orcas, and narwhals, while on land Arctic foxes and the small Svalbard reindeer inhabit the area year-round.

Kuriat Islands – Tunisia

Even within a few miles of Italy’s shores are marine paradises worth exploring. Like the Kuriats, an archipelago in Tunisia that consists of two small islands-Essaghira and El Kabira-located northeast of Cape Monastir and about ten miles off the coast. Because of its pristine beauty, the archipelago is one of Tunisia’s 4 protected maritime areas, but the islands also have an interesting history. Traces of human presence date back to prehistoric times: fossil fragments of ostrich eggs and flint fragments dated to the Neolithic period have been discovered there. While in July and August the islands are visited by tourists arriving from Monastir, in spring and fall the Kuriats are the almost exclusive home of Caretta Caretta turtles, which nest on the beaches and swim quietly in the emerald waters.

Raja Ampat Islands – Indonesia

An archipelago of as many as 1,500 mostly mountainous and wild islands, it is part of Indonesia but lies a few miles west of New Guinea, opposite the Doberai Peninsula, in the stretch of sea that marks the meeting of the Pacific Ocean and the China Sea. Belonging geographically to Oceania, the islands are located in the heart of that area of sea known as the “Coral Triangle”: they are almost completely covered with lush jungle and surrounded by crystal-clear waters where it is possible to admire particularly rich coral reefs on which there are so many beautiful, deserted beaches. In Raja Ampat boating is a “religion” and also a matter of life and death”: it is the least developed area of Indonesia and the only way to travel between the main islands of Waigeo, Salawati, Misool and Batanta is by sea.

Kangaroo Island – Australia

Off the coast of South Australia, southwest of Adelaide and about 5 miles from the coast, Kangaroo Island is an oasis of wilderness: suffice it to say that more than one-third is protected by nature reserves that provide refuge for sea lions, koalas and several species of birds. The most important protected area is Flinders Chase National Park, which is home to noisy penguin colonies and spectacular granite formations, such as the sculpturally shaped Remarkable Rocks and the stalactite-covered Admirals Arch. Beautiful are some of the inlets that open up in the outer coastline beginning with Emu Bay which is enclosed by a long white sand beach. Also magnificent is Vivonne Bay, whose white sandy shore is nearly 6 km long: its azure waters are always populated by dolphins that enjoy swimming close to shore.

Mangaratiba and Costa Verde – Brazil

A resort located in the center of the bay of the same name situated in the Carioca region known as Costa Verde, Mangaratiba encompasses one of the most exotic settings on the Atlantic coastline stretching before the rugged mountain peaks of the Serra do Mar. An unmissable beach destination for all sea lovers. About 150 km away from Rio de Janeiro, it is still a destination that mixes fascinating beaches and lush nature. Not to be missed by sea then is first and foremost Praia de Paciencia, one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, whose deep blue sea is joined at the shore by lush green rainforest. But the beaches not to be missed are numerous: from Praia de Águas Lindas to Praia Grande, from Praia de São Brãs to Praia do Sítio Bom. Just across finally from Praia de Paciencia is Guaiba Island on the northern coast of which is the scenic inlet of Praia de Raposa.

Cayos Cochinos – Honduras

Cayos Cochinos is a small Caribbean archipelago that is part of the state of Honduras and consists of two “large” islands-Cayo Major and Cayo Menor-and fourteen coral islets. They are located about 20 miles northeast of the village of La Ceiba and are part of a protected marine reserve, so much so that there are less than a hundred inhabitants living permanently on these lands: they are indigenous Garifuna people and are all skilled fishermen who make their living from this very activity. The Cayos Cochinos are famous for hosting a coral reef that is equally protected and magnificent from a naturalistic point of view, being today the second largest in the world. The reef then in Cayos Cochinos takes incredible shapes above and below the sea creating stacks, canyons, tunnels and caves that are also beloved by divers.

Islas del Rosario – Colombia

The Rosario Islands-so named because they are “shelled” like rosary beads in a small area of sea-are also an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, but in this case located off the coast of Colombia. Located about 13 miles from the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena, the islands number about 30 and can only be reached by sea and are protected by the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park. The first bay to reach is Playa Dulce located on the sandy coast of la Isla Grande, the largest of the group. Framed by lush tropical vegetation, it is a paradise for snorkelers and beach destinations lovers. Then on the opposite side of Isla Grande is Laguna Encantada whose name is due to the waters that glow an intense blue color at night due to the presence of phosphorescent plankton.

2024 beach destinations. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon – France Overseas

About 20 miles off the coast of Canada-facing Nova Scotia-the archipelago of St. Pierre and Miquelon is a French corner tucked away in the North American Atlantic Ocean and includes the three islands of St. Pierre, Miquelon-Langlade, and Ile aux Marins as well as a handful of uninhabited islets. The first thing one notices when arriving by sea are the colorful wooden cottages reminiscent of the views of countries such as Finland or Greenland. These brightly colored houses have a maritime origin dating back to the 1950s: that was when residents began repainting houses using leftover boat paints that were the main wealth for them being fishermen. To be discovered by sea is the Grand Barachois lagoon: it is 9 square kilometers populated by gray seals sunbathing on sandbars.

Hoonah – Alaska

On the extreme opposite coast of North America, in Alaska, lies the resort of Hoonah, which is a perfect destination for those who want to discover the Arctic nature and beauty of a “faraway” place in which the sea is the main resource. Positioned on Chichagof Island with the other settlements of Pelican, Tenakee Springs and Elfin Cove, this location is the perfect starting point for exploring the 1,100 islands that make up the Alexander Archipelago. A magical world of deserted beaches, deep fjords and lush forests: right around Hoonah is Tongass Forest National Park, which is one of the largest wilderness areas in the entire United States. Finally, Hoonah is the right place to discover the traditions of the ancient Tlingit people who have lived in Alaska for thousands of years engaging in hunting and fishing.

Vanuatu – Vanuatu

Nearly a thousand miles across from Queensland, Australia, and “halfway” between the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, the Vanuatu Archipelago is one of the lesser known but no less beautiful places in the Polynesian Coral Sea. Consisting of about 80 islands and islets stretching 1,300 km into the Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu has a common volcanic origin of its atolls that is still discovered here and there among the islands: on Tanna island, for example, is the Yasur volcano and on Ambae island is Lombenben. Both are active and truly impressive although the highest peak on the small islands is Mount Tabwemasana, on Espiritu Santo Island, which reaches 1,879 meters above sea level. The small and remote island of Epi should be reached by cruise: swimming in its waters, it is easy to encounter dolphins and especially the dugong.

Islas Cies – Spain

A Spanish archipelago of three islands, it is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Galicia and the town of Vigo. Belonging to the Atlantic Islands Nature Park, they offer beautiful hiking trails and spectacular views. In fact, the three main inhabitants of Islas Cies are wind, ocean and forests. As you approach the archipelago by boat, you slowly discover their pristine beauty: the northern island, Monteagudo, the middle island, Lighthouse Island, and the southern island, San Martiño, are home to numerous stunning coves the most famous of which is Playa Rodas. Figueiras Cove, on the other hand, is beloved as a spot for scuba diving. Also worth seeing is the lighthouse on the island of the same name: built in 1853 at 178 meters above sea level, it watches over the entrance to Vigo Bay and is reached on foot by a steep zigzag climb.

Zihuatanejo – Mexico

Located in the central part of Mexico’s Pacific coast, Zihuatanejo Bay is characterized by the presence of golden sandy beaches that are rarely visited except by locals. Starring in the famous film “The Shawshank Redemption”-this is where the two protagonists Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman escape-this is where Zihuatanejo is visited starting from the outermost cove of those that are part of the large natural inlet, that of La Majahua. Having rounded Punta San Esteban, one then encounters Playa Contramar, a narrow and well sheltered cove enclosed on land by a delightful pebble beach. In the center of the bay a well-equipped marina is surrounded by a romantic waterfront promenade. Finally, on the southern side of the inlet are the coves of Playa La Ropa and Playa La Gata, equipped ashore with kiosks and small fish restaurants.

La Reunion – France Overseas

A French department in the Indian Ocean, the island is part of the Mascarene archipelago and lies almost halfway between Madagascar and Mauritius. Uninhabited until the Middle Ages when it was reached by the first Arab navigators, La Reunion is volcanic in origin, as one quickly discovers even today when visiting it: in fact, its highest point is the Piton de la Fournaise, an active volcano as high as 2,632 meters that it is possible to climb. Higher still-exceeding 3,000 meters-is then Piton des Neiges, however, extinct, while the island’s hinterland formed by other collapsed volcanoes is covered by wild rainforest. Unique even on the sea, however, is La Reunion, an island that because of its unique location is home to as many as 11 different species of cetaceans, from dolphins to humpback whales, which can be easily encountered just by sailing along the coast.

Madeira – Portugal

Let’s continue our selection of the top 20 beach destinations for 2024. An archipelago made up of four islands positioned off the coast of Africa-formed of two major islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, three smaller uninhabited islands known as the Desertas, and two other even smaller islands, also uninhabited, called the Selvagas-but belonging to Portugal, Madeira is considered a true paradise on earth that combines the blue color of the sea with the emerald green of the vegetation and the myriad shades of hues of exotic, rainforest flowers. Even more unique, however, is Porto Santo: 11 km long and 6 km wide, it is called the “golden island” because of the long and fantastic 9 km-long sandy beach it hosts. Its mild twelve-month climate and water temperature, which fluctuates between 17 and 22°C all year round, ensure that the island never loses its “holiday” charm even in the winter months.

Curieuse Island – Seychelles

Scattered among some 1,400,000 square kilometers of Indian Ocean, the 115 islands of the Seychelles archipelago have fascinated sailors for centuries. But only in the last few decades has it finally been possible to visit them on a free cruise, enjoying a solitary route among the uninhabited atolls just as buccaneers did three hundred years ago. Of the many that would be worth exploring by sea, truly incredible is the island of Curieuse: just under 3 square kilometers wide and just a mile away from the larger Praslin-which is also one of the best known for harboring wonderful bays such as Anse Lazio-it is completely protected by a nature reserve created to preserve its flora and fauna, above and below the magnificent sea. To get to the bottom of Baie Laraire or Anse Saint Jose is to immerse oneself in a world of giant turtles and parrotfish.

Milford Sound – New Zealand

A fjord located in the southwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island, within Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound has been called the “eighth wonder” of the world by writer Rudyard Kipling. More than 15 km long, it is surrounded on both sides by very steep rock walls over 1,200 meters high behind which rise true granite peaks. The main peak is Mitre Peak, which reaches 1,692 meters. Called Piopiotahi in the ancient Kiwi language, the fjord is a veritable realm of waters: in the salty ones as deep as more than 350 meters, hundreds of waterfalls up to 1,000 meters high cascade from the rocky peaks. Cruises in the fjord can be taken by sailboat or motorboat and even by canoe.A must-see is the Harrison Cove underwater observatory where black coral and 11-legged starfish can be admired.

Con Dao Islands – Vietnam

A group comprising 16 three uninhabited islands and islets positioned in the South China Sea, east of the Vietnamese promontory of Ca Mau, Con Dao is at least 50 miles from the nearest mainland. An absolutely unmissable beach destination for 2024. Hidden beneath the archipelago’s stunning waters are long, uncontaminated coral reefs whose some 200 different species cover more than 42 percent of the surrounding sea: so much so that more than 1380 species of underwater flora and fauna proliferate in them. Among the many wonderful bays, on the other hand, not to be missed is first and foremost An Hai, located on the main island of Dao and enclosed by a long beach of white sand and tropical palms. Among the rocky, arched coastline of Bay Canh, which is the second largest island in the archipelago are two dozen unnamed coves so lonely that they are home only to sea turtle eggs and nests.

Jeju Island – South Korea

A group comprising 16 three uninhabited islands and islets positioned in the South China Sea, east of the Vietnamese promontory of Ca Mau, Con Dao is at least 50 miles from the nearest mainland. Hidden beneath the archipelago’s stunning waters are long, uncontaminated coral reefs whose some 200 different species cover more than 42 percent of the surrounding sea: so much so that more than 1380 species of underwater flora and fauna proliferate in them. Among the many wonderful bays, on the other hand, not to be missed is first and foremost An Hai, located on the main island of Dao and enclosed by a long beach of white sand and tropical palms. Among the rocky, arched coastline of Bay Canh, which is the second largest island in the archipelago are two dozen unnamed coves so lonely that they are home only to sea turtle eggs and nests.