The world’s most crowded beaches and how to avoid them

A shore thing

Postcard-perfect sand, boulder-strewn coves and forest-backed bays; those who wander a little off the tourist trail can find lesser-known, secluded spots that are just as spectacular as some of the world's busier and better-known beaches. Think about swapping these popular beaches for some alternative bays this summer.

Read on to elevate your holiday beach experience...

Swap: Bondi Beach, Australia

Australia’s most famous beach, Bondi is up there with the Sydney Harbour and Uluru when it comes to must-see destinations Down Under. This urban white-sand sweep is beloved by both locals and tourists alike, and hence very busy. At the southern end sits the striking ocean pool Icebergs and the start of the cliffside trail that runs to Coogee Beach, past many more belters. The north end is slightly quieter and popular with families due to its children’s ocean pool. Paddle or sit and watch the waves crash on Ben Buckler Point where rock anglers and surfers congregate.

For: Maroubra, Australia

Keen surfers looking to eschew Bondi's busy waves go to Maroubra Beach instead, a few beaches south. The first ever NSW National Surfing Reserve, this beauty of a golden sand beach is known for its powerful and consistent surf. Even if you’re not a seasoned surfer, it’s a lovely spot for a beach day. You could sign up for the surf school, watch the skaters at the skate park or settle into the sands. At just less than a mile (1.6km), the 'Bra (as locals know it) is the longest beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and rarely crowded. The swells and strong rips can be intimidating, though, so opt for a swim in Mahon Pool on the north headland instead.

Swap: Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands

Acclaimed as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, Cayman Islands’ Seven Mile Beach’s signature platinum sand and lapping milk-blue water live up to its reputation. The stunning strip lies on the west coast of Grand Cayman, the largest of the three isles, and is also where you’ll find many of the island's grandest hotels and restaurants, which means things can get a little busy and built-up in parts. Water sports enthusiasts, swimmers, sunbathers and beach volleyball players all make for this scenic stretch, which is backed by palms, resorts and condos.

For: Rum Point, Cayman Islands

If you’re not keen on hotel-backed beaches, set your sights to Grand Cayman’s North Side instead and Rum Point. While it’s popular with locals and tourists too, its palm-shaded sands offer a lovely low-key vibe where you’ll feel a world away from the swank of Seven Mile Beach. Cool off with a dip in the clear and enticing waters and snack on plates of chilli-spiked conch croquettes washed down with an icy Caybrew. Or take a boat out from the picturesque jetty to cruise around the sheltered North Sound. This is also where tours leave to visit Stingray City, a sandbar where super-friendly stingrays circulate.

Swap: Santa Monica Beach, California, USA

California is home to countless cracking beaches where swimmers, surfers and sun-seekers come to splash, surf and see and be seen. Santa Monica Beach is one of its busiest – a large urban stretch of golden sand famed for its iconic pier complete with fairground rides, epic sunsets and surfing culture. But you don’t come to this urban bay for a serene seaside experience. Santa Monica Beach also lays claim to the original Muscle Beach and, as you’d expect for a beach in LaLa Land, the people-watching is first class.

For: Torrance Beach, California, USA

With over 840 miles (1,352km) of coast to choose from, there’s no need to feel crowded in this state. Still within Los Angeles County, Torrance Beach is a low-key local favourite, where swimmers and surfers bob in the waves and beachgoers stretch out and enjoy the views of the Pacific Ocean and wooded headland of Palos Verdes Peninsula. Set between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove, Torrance Beach is also a popular meeting spot for cyclists as the start of The Strand, a paved bike path that runs along the coastline.

Swap: Bournemouth Beach, England, UK

One of Victorian Britain’s pre-eminent health resorts, Bournemouth has lured city dwellers to bask in the rejuvenating powers of its sea air and seawaters since the early 19th century. Home to seven miles (11km) of glorious golden sand, the seaside resort opened its (now demolished) Winter Gardens in 1875 and cast-iron pier in 1880, cementing its position as a top holiday destination for wealthy Victorians. While the wide sandy stretch is undeniably beautiful and understandably busy, the town itself has a faded seaside resort feel and parts of the beach are all a bit bucket-and-spade compared to some of Dorset’s other beautiful bays.

For: Worbarrow Bay, England, UK

Just west of the bright lights of Bournemouth’s amusement pier, lies the start of the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coastline with its pretty and peaceful coves. Some of these are well known, others less so. Worbarrow Bay is the latter. Follow the Southwest Coast Path to find this arc of shingle-and-sand between Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge Bay. You can also walk from Tyneham, an abandoned village, although as part of a MOD firing range, access to the beach is restricted to certain times. Pack provisions so you can linger in this rocky cove, with its layered rocks that contain fossil and geological evidence from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Swap: Copacabana Beach, Brazil

Up there with the world’s best-known beaches, Copacabana is a cracker of an urban stretch of sand with the Serra da Carioca mountain range providing a stunning backdrop to its flawless sands. Along with Ipanema Beach next door, it’s one of Rio de Janeiro’s many fine beaches. While it’d be amiss not to spend some time on Copacabana when in Rio, it’s not somewhere you go to relax. The sands are thronged with locals and tourists that come to sunbathe, surf, play football and volleyball and skate along the promenade by day and drink and dance by the sands at night. The sunsets are an event.

For: Azeda Beach, Brazil

Flip-flop beyond Rio’s scenic sands to Buzios, a one-time fishing village turned seaside resort set on a peninsula a few hours south of the city. Here yet more stunning sandy swathes beckon for beachgoers looking for a buzzy but more laid-back beachy feel. Azeda Beach is one of the standout options: think glistening, calm waters that'll soon lure you in for a dip and sugary sand edged by trees. Head to the right side of this bay and you’ll hit Azedinha (small Azeda), which is separated by rocks that create a natural rock pool for paddling in. Snorkel, snooze or seek out the beach bar for a caipirinha.

Swap: Patong Beach, Thailand

Set on the west coast of the island of Phuket, Patong has become marred by the reputation of its seedy nightlife scene. It's easy to see why the resort became popular with backpackers and later mass market tourism, with the eponymous beach all greenery-backed, powder-soft sands and bath-warm aquamarine waters. But if you’re envisioning an idyllic tropical beach for kicking back on, this is not the stretch of Phuket coastline to set down your sarong. Hordes of tourists head to Patong, which makes its two-mile (3.2km) beach one of the busiest and most hectic in Thailand.

For: Ya Nui, Thailand

At 30 miles (48km) long and 13 miles (21km) wide, Phuket has plenty of quieter spots where you can lean into the laid-back tropical idyll, including Ya Nui, a small picture-perfect sandy cove in the south with azure-coloured waters and a lovely low-key vibe. There is great snorkelling to be done just off Koh Man, a little island offshore. Whatever you do, be sure to stick around for sunset. Watching the sun slip down over the Promthep Cape as you sink your toes in the sand or wallow in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea are what blissful beach days are all about. If you're missing those crowds head to the Promthep Cape viewpoint, a popular gathering spot at sunset.

Swap: Koukounaries Beach, Greece

A lush green Sporadic isle, fringed with a string of sandy beaches, Skiathos is the Greek island of choice for people that prefer sand over rocky bays. One of its most popular gold-sand beauties is Koukounaries, a showstopper on the southwestern tip. Backed by forest (that is part of a nature reserve), it's a spectacular stretch with plenty of beach bars and watersports activities on offer. For all its forest-edged beauty, though, in the peak of the summer Koukounaries is thronged and you'll be jostling to find an empty patch of sand to sit on.

For: Lalaria Beach, Greece

It’ll take mere seconds before you’re leaping off the boat and into the searing blue sea at this heart-stopping cove, backed by towering sun-bleached cliffs in Skiathos’ secluded northeast. Though well-known for its ethereal beauty, the cove is only accessible by boat, which keeps the crowds at bay. There's a narrow strip of beach made of smooth white pebbles (lalarias) for stretching out on but it's the cooling waters you'll spend most of your time bobbing around in. Take a boat tour from Skiathos Old Port or, better still, charter a private excursion to avoid other beachgoers altogether.

Swap: Main Beach, Australia

Australia has more than its fair share of unblemished sandy beaches and surfing mecca Byron Bay in the far north of New South Wales is studded with some standout natural beauties. Just in front of the town, Main Beach is where surfers sit and wait for waves while backpackers sunbathe and play beach ball. As the nearest beach to the bustling surfing town, this part of the coastline gets busy – and noisy with music from nearby bars and groups with guitars. Fortunately, you don’t need to wander far on the lush and rugged peninsula to find some (often) footprint-free spots for chilling on.

For: Tallow Beach, Australia

For a more low-key vibe, head to Tallow Beach where there is ample room to stretch your legs. This long stretch of flawless sand lies just south of the lighthouse on Cape Byron. It’s more exposed than the beaches on the other side, with strong rips best left to experienced surfers. The beach is patrolled though so look out for the red and yellow flags if you fancy going in for a swim. Plan your visit between late May and November and you have a good chance of spotting humpbacks passing by on their migration. Dolphins, however, can be seen leaping about the waves all year round.

Swap: Playa Delfines, Mexico

As Mexico’s most famous beach resort, Cancun isn’t short of knockout beaches – all silky sand, palm trees, dazzling lagoons and cabanas for toes-in-the-sand tacos, ceviche and margaritas. The scenic sands that stretch for 14 miles (22.5km) along the so-called Cancun Hotel Zone, which curves along the Nichupte Lagoon and Caribbean Sea, are however also lined with high-rise hotels, sprawling luxurious resorts and developments. Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach) is one of the prettiest and most popular beaches, although it can be crammed with tourists from December to April. March tends to get especially lively as US teens descend during Spring Break.

For: Akumal Bay, Mexico

Steer a course south of Cancun to Akumal, another beach resort in the state of Quintana Roo, instead for an altogether different feel. You’ll still have the brilliant-blue waters, swaying palms and icing-sugar sands but Akumal, which grew into a beach resort organically rather than being a planned tourist destination like Cancun, is far less developed and busy. Set between bustling Playa del Carmen and the hotspot Tulum on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Akumal means 'place of the turtles' in Mayan and so you're likely to see these adorable sea creatures in the clear waters here. You can go on self-guided snorkelling tours to spot the green sea turtle and hawksbill turtle.

Swap: Magaluf Beach, Spain

Soft sand edged with palm trees, a gentle slope down into warm Med waters and lapping azure waves, there’s a reason Magaluf became one of Spain’s most popular beach resorts. The tourist-choked town sprung up around this striking sweep of sand on Mallorca’s southwest coast with bars, clubs and restaurants now lining its crown jewel, Playa de Magaluf. Beachgoers here can enjoy all the facilities, from loungers (for a fee, of course) and water sports to places to eat. What it doesn’t have, however – unless you visit in low season – is tranquillity.

For: Cala Varques, Spain

If a tucked away cove with a whiff of wildness about it is more your scene, Mallorca has plenty of these too. Cala Varques on the island’s east coast is definitely one such place to have on your radar. Stroll down the pine-scented path through the forest (alive with the chirrup of cicadas) here and you’ll pop out in a rocky bay with enticing sandy shores and twinkling waters. Lay your towel on the sun-warmed sand and soak up the smug feeling of seclusion. A far cry from Magaluf's built-up beachfront, you won’t be alone on this idyllic bay in peak season. You will feel a world away from the island's party side though.

Swap: Cannes beaches, France

Home to some of the most famous and busiest beaches on the French Riviera, Cannes’ famous palm-fringed beach boulevard, the Croisette runs past some seriously sensational fine sand beaches – including both public and private areas (where well-heeled tourists have flocked to spend the summer months since the turn of the century). The public Zamenhof beach and the Mace beach are always bustling and popular with families, while the beaches towards Palm Beach and the port of Moure Rouge tend to be more local. Wherever you decide to plonk yourself, you'll need to get down there early in the peak season to get a prime spot.

For: Lerins Islands, France

It's hard to avoid the crowds wherever you go in the French Riviera in the summer, as people flock to frolic in its turquoise seas and stretch out on its sandy shores. For a different beach day experience altogether, catch a boat from Cannes over the sun-spangled bay to the wooded Lerins Islands. If you do, it won't be long before you stumble upon some wild and near-empty coves with waters beckoning for a cool off. Sainte-Marguerite Island and Saint-Honorat Island will reward you with a gorgeous (and very often solitary) swim in gin-clear waters. Rock shoes are advisable.

Swap: Seminyak Beach, Indonesia

With its black sands, white sands, big waves, sheltered bays and brilliant diving on offer, Bali is a beach lover's bliss. You'll find beaches of all shapes and shades, as well as a variety of activities to experience, on the coastline here. The party crowd pick Seminyak Beach – part of the popular Kuta–Legian–Seminyak strip on the south coast – for enjoying beats while they sink their feet in the sands. Home to some of the best hotels and beach bars, in addition to consistent surf, Seminyak is a gorgeous spot for a fun day by the waves. Sunset sees things get even busier at this go-to sundowner spot.

For: Geger Beach, Indonesia

OK, so this beach isn’t exactly a secret. For those seeking a more secluded spot for a swim though, soft-sand Geger Beach in Nusa Dua, the upmarket resort in Bali's southeastern corner, is perfect. There is a nominal entrance fee but you'll have no regrets about paying it as you skip in and out of the calm waters (it’s protected by an offshore reef) and flop on clean, fine sands. Energy permitting you can follow the trail to the Pura Geger Temple which sits on the verdant cliffs above.

Swap: Camps Bay, South Africa

Cape Town is one of the world’s best cities for its proximity to gorgeous sandy shores and great surf. Edged by a promenade lined with restaurants, clubs and hotels, Camps Bay is the city’s liveliest beach and it’s a beauty with white sand, dazzling blue waters and the rippling form of the Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head behind. Set in a wealthy residential area, this is the place to see glamorous people at play while you sip sundowners. Things can get busy on the beach with the tidal pools a popular spot for a dip from dawn to dusk.

For: Oudekraal Beach, South Africa

For a calm but cold swim in a wild, boulder-backed bay, follow the scenic coastal route from Camps Bay towards Llandudno and look out for signs to Oudekraal about halfway – you’ll have to pay an entrance fee to access this tucked away beach which sits below the Twelve Apostles and is part of Table Mountain national park. Its marine life-rich waters are protected from waves, and it’s used as a launch spot by scuba divers. If you’re planning to snorkel pack a wetsuit. Or just enjoy the sense of seclusion as you watch the water under Milkwood trees.

Swap: La Pelosa, Italy

Licked by the cobalt Mediterranean, the white shores of Sardinia are among the most stunning and exclusive beaches in the Med. La Pelosa at the northwestern tip is among the prettiest and most popular thanks to its near-perfect sand and scenery. It sits beneath the brooding rocks of Cape Falcone and overlooks the islands of Piana and Asinara with a rock-top 17th-century watch tower for added spectacle. Clear, calm waters make it dreamy for families. Because it's so beautiful, visitors are ticketed and restricted to 1,500 a day.

For: Porto sa Ruxi, Italy

There’s no need to feel overcrowded on the Med’s second largest island however, with numerous hidden coves and quieter sandy stretches to be found. Strike a route southeast to Porto sa Ruxi and you’ll have four crescents of luminous white sand for the price of one, meaning there is ample space for a peaceful patch of paradise. Backed by rocky Mediterranean scrub, this jewel of a bay is part of the protected marine area of Capo Carbonara with fish spotting in the shallows guaranteed.

Swap: Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, USA

Oahu in Hawaii is home to one of the world’s most famous surf beaches, Waikiki Beach. While its wide, sun-soaked golden sands must be laid upon and its breaks are on the bucket-list of all surfers, this bustling stretch can get extremely busy, drawing coach loads of tourists to splash in its aquamarine waters. There’s no denying it’s a looker, though, with its crescent-shaped sweep of sand backed by the verdant peak of Diamond Head, a dormant volcano. Head down to the sands early for a less crowded swim, snorkel or surf then mosey on up to a beachfront bar for a poke bowl or mai tai.

For: Waimea Bay, Hawaii, USA

If it’s big waves you’re after without the bustle, look to set your towel down on Waimea Bay on Oahu’s north shore instead. While it’s not exactly a hidden gem – Waimea Bay is considered the birthplace of big wave surfing and plays host to some of Hawaii's top surfing competitions during its huge winter swells – it is a quieter spot than Waikiki for watching the surfers and settling into the powdery sand. In summer, though, the waters are calm and ideal for a swim and snorkel. You may even see cliff jumpers in action, another reason daredevils love this beach.

Now see the world's best beaches (and what to do there)