10 of the most picturesque secret beaches best reached by yacht

Longing for a secluded island getaway? On your next sailing trip, get away from the crowds and visit one of the world’s finest and most exclusive secret beaches, only accessible by yacht.

One of the great benefits of yachting and sailing is the access to the most pristine and intimate corners of the world. Whether by motorboat or sailboat, these secret beaches welcome those who are ready to go the extra mile to find paradise. Get away from the crowds, take advantage of the expertise of your skipper, and visit and anchor at these amazing secret beaches around the world, best visited by yacht.

Here Are the Best Secret Beaches to Visit by Yacht

1. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia

The 7-kilometer-long Whitehaven Beach is located on Whitsunday Island in the Queensland region of Australia. This is the prime vantage point for stunning views of Hill Inlet’s changing tides, which create swirls of stunning turquoise water and white sand. As one of a string of uninhabited atolls bordering the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays is naturally unique and only accessible by boat. This is a must-see place for tourists who take a yacht tour to explore the bottom of the sea.

2. Banana Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Phuket, Thailand is known the world over for its combination of pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also popular with yachtsmen as it has some of the most developed marina infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Banana Beach is a little-known stretch of white sand that’s easily accessible by boat, but less so from land—hence the lack of tourists. It is located north of the west coast of the island. The crystal-clear waters and palm-fringed backdrop are complemented by a small restaurant where you can enjoy local snacks during your visit.

3. Cala Luna, Sardinia, Italy

Cala Luna is a stunning Italian beach that can only be reached by boat or a dangerous and strenuous hike, making it a unique spot not easily accessible by the tourist crowds. Towering limestone cliffs, 800 meters of pure white sand, sparkling waters, impressive caves and mysterious grottoes characterize this stunning beach off the beaten track. Cala Luna is located along the Gulf of Orosei on the east coast of Sardinia.

4. Punta Cocos, Holbox Island, Mexico

Mexico is home to many beautiful beaches, but Punta Cocos offers the perfect combination of peaceful solitude and abundant wildlife. Located on the westernmost tip of Holbox Island in the state of Quintana Roo, it is only accessible by boat and has far fewer tourists than the other beaches on the island. So you can enjoy crystal clear waters and powdery sand in relative privacy. It’s also the best place on the island to see the bioluminescent nighttime spectacle that sparkles after dark, plus pelicans, flamingos, dolphins, whale sharks and manta rays can be spotted prowling here.

5. Kauapea Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

The fact that Kaua Pia Beach is also known as “Secret Beach” is enough to show how remote the destination is. It’s located on the northern edge of the Hawaiian island of Kauai and is only accessible by boat or via a hidden trail known only to insiders. The 900-metre strip’s fine sand complements the forested backdrop, with romantic waterfalls, dramatic rocky outcrops and azure waters lapping the shore.

6. Stocking Island, Exuma Islands, Bahamas

Stocking Island’s stunning beaches are surrounded by protected anchorages, making it the perfect day trip from a yacht. The powdery sand, kissed by the blue Bahamian waters, is perfect for divers, snorkelers and swimmers to enjoy – a particular highlight is the nearby underwater caves that once fascinated the legendary Jacques Cousteau, and the friendly of local stingrays. Stocking Island also features Chat ‘N’ Chill Restaurant, a well-known meeting place for yachtsmen and crews, serving local cuisine and cocktails.

7. Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Indonesia

Komodo Island in Indonesia is protected by UNESCO and can only be reached by boat. The unique marine life that surrounds this scenic island turns the sand a soft pink, a stark contrast to the turquoise waters of the Sea of ​​Flores. Visitors can walk along the colorful beaches and admire the stunning cliff backdrop. Don’t worry about meeting the famous resident – the Komodo dragon – as they don’t usually venture over the hills.

8. Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue Island, Seychelles

Anse Source d’Argent, on the west coast of La Digue and only accessible by boat, is one of the most photogenic beaches in the world. The white-sand beaches are characterized by verdant jungle and unique granite boulders, and the turquoise waters teeming with tropical fish lap the shore. The only way to access the beach from land is via the L’Union Estate coconut plantation, but if you anchor off the protected reef, you can hop off your yacht and swim right in. The beach is also a prime sunset viewing spot.

9. Navagio Beach, Zakynthos Island, Greece

Lined by towering cliffs on the northwestern corner of the Greek island of Zakynthos, Navagio Beach is notoriously difficult to reach on foot, so taking a yacht is usually the preferred (and safer) option. Visitors will find dazzling waters and a pristine beach, home to a smugglers shipwreck that ran aground in the 1980s, earning the beach its nickname “Smuggler’s Cove.”

10. Cast Away Beach, Monuriki Island, Fiji

If you really want to experience the Robinson Crusoe feeling on your next beach landing, head to Fiji’s uninhabited Maunuriki Island. With its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and towering mountains, the island has become a prime location for filming. abandon Movie starring Tom Hanks. Since the beach is only accessible by boat and there are no facilities on the island, there are very few tourists. However, you can enjoy snorkelling and sunbathing in this piece of paradise, and you might even spot some harmless blacktip reef sharks swimming around the shoreline.

(Main and featured image: Fajruddin Mudzakkir/Unsplash)

This story first appeared here.