World’s Best Beaches

Every now and then, the UK Telegraph has a great list on one thing or another. But you’ve really gotta sift through their sifting to find the cream that rises above the over-touristed muck. So here’s my selections from their selections of the top beaches:Fistral Beach, Cornwall
Several great surfing beaches are located near Newquay, Britain’s surfing capital, including Fistral Beach and Great Western Beach. Among several surf schools is The National Surfing Centre, based on Fistral Beach (www.nationalsurfingcentre.com).

Laguna in the Bay of Dahab, Egypt
Fifty miles north of Sharm-El-Sheik, Dahab’s natural lagoon and near-perfect year-round climate make for excellent sailing and wind surfing. The waters of the Red Sea are protected by a sandbar, with constant cross-shore and off-shore breezes, making it easy for beginners, while more advanced sailors and surfers can find stronger winds farther out.

Canggu Beach, Bali
The stunningly beautiful island is not just for honeymooners: the surf on the west coast of Bali is good enough to tempt Australians away from the Gold Coast.

Anse Source d’Argent, the Seychelles
A beach that seriously takes your breath away. Huge granite rocks fall into the translucent sea, palm trees quiver at the water’s edge and the sand slips through your toes. It’s a bit of a hike to get to, which means if you’re lucky you can be the only one there - unless it’s being used for a photographic shoot. It’s on the small island of La Digue, a short boat ride from Praslin.

Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Scotland
Rugged and isolated, the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides is renowned for its unspoilt beauty and the vastness of its beaches, particularly on the west coast. The ones to look out for include Scarista and Seilebost, which run back to back, but probably the most impressive is Luskentyre, with its endless golden white sands.

Pipeline, Hawaii
It’s every serious surfer’s dream to practise their favourite sport in Hawaii and the beaches of Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Waimea and Jaws on the North Shore are the places to go. Big swells on Pipeline can mean 10-30ft, but, if you don’t want to join the professionals, you can find smaller waves from 3-8ft on the other side of the island.