World's best beaches to visit

Bondi Beach, Sydney

Of Australia's many beaches, I choose Bondi. You just wouldn't expect this kind of perfect, semicircular bay framing bright-blue waters in the middle of such a major urban centre.

The lifeguards look no less than celebrities (there's even a TV series called Bondi Rescue about them) and you can't help but wonder why, with one of the world's highest ultraviolet levels, the place hardly has any umbrellas.

But when you see the crowds gathered on Bondi Beach, you realise Australians really do have it good.

Dhermi, Albania

Greece and Croatia have both achieved fame for the wonders of the Adriatic Sea, which is so brilliantly turquoise that you might think you're swimming in mineral water.

Little-known and far off the beaten track, Albania also shares the benefits of the Adriatic. I chose the village of Dhermi because, unlike Croatia and Greece, there were hardly any people on the polished pebble beach in mid-summer, the place was spectacularly cheap and had the added factor of being marked with abandoned bomb shelters.

Also, to be honest, it's pretty cool to say you have been to Albania.

Long Beach, Western Canada

No powdery sand and no clear, warm water. The 12 miles of Long Beach on Vancouver Island makes it to my list on the wings of the huge bald eagles that soar above the adjacent coastal rainforest.

Two thirds the size of England and with a population of just over one million, Vancouver Island offers pristine Canadian wilderness. And Long Beach is one of the best places to experience it.

Surrounded by forest, walking on the beach, you'll encounter giant starfish, glowing sea anemones and perhaps a seal or two. In the comfort of luxurious inns, you can watch storms blowing in from the Pacific, giving rise to a new category of ecotourism: storm-watching!

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro has the reputation of being one of the best beach cities in the world. While walking around the Copacabana is a must for visitors, the real magic is on the other side of the bay — in Ipanema.

Be warned, though: Locals love crowded beaches and just finding a clear spot of sand on a hot, sunny day is a battle. On days like these, seeing the beauty of the city and its people is a joy and you'll be left wondering if anybody actually works in the city.

El Nido, the Philippines

Known as the country's last ecological frontier, Palawan is made up of hundreds of islands, with pristine beaches and turquoise water of the shade you see only in calendars.

The El Nido Resort doesn't include the beach but does have boats that can drop you off at a private island for a day — with water sports, great food and friendly staff to ensure an unforgettable experience in relaxation. No wonder El Nido inspired the book The Beach, even though it (and the movie) was set in Thailand.

Goa, India

The former Portuguese colony of Goa is blessed with long expanses of beach — some developed, with hotels and resorts, and some not.

Red cliffs erode into the turbulent seas but given the proximity of rural villages, I didn't choose Goa for the clarity or colour of its waters. Instead, what I recall are the long walks at night, under the open skies and with warm wind rustling through the coconut trees.

I remember encountering stray cows and friendly fishermen in Arambol. The beaches are more than natural beauty — they exude an unforgettable ambience.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

On both its Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Costa Rica is renowned for its protected jungles and stunning wildlife, both of which spill on to this gorgeous strip of beach inside the Manuel Antonio National Park, an area free from commercial development.

The water is warm and clear and you can catch sight of the famous birds and sloths of the region. However, watch out for monkeys, as the cheeky creatures may make off with your bags.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

The southern beaches of Sihanoukville have powdery-white beaches: Check. Crystal-clear water: Check. Rustic inns that cost less than you can imagine: Check. Relaxing massages on the beach for Dh30 an hour: Check.

Robed monks walking along the beach: Check. I could have gone to Phi Phi or to so many of the other famous Thai beaches. But Sihanoukville has the atmosphere and sights of Thailand before the age of package tours and the sense that you've discovered something magical that is yet to fall prey to neon signs and sunburnt Scandinavians.

Iles des Pins, New Caledonia

You really don't have to look far in the South Pacific to find incredible beaches. I choose Iles des Pins, or The Island of Pines, which sits off the mainland of New Caledonia.

Governed by Paris, this French protectorate combines the joys of France with island life. The sand on the Iles des Pins beach is so fine you could be walking on talcum powder, squeaking between your toes as you stare at the calmest, clearest water you have ever seen.

It is not a place you can get to easily but it's worth the trouble.

Robin Esrock is the co-host of the Nat Geo Adventure series, Word Travels. You can read about his adventures at www.robinesrock.com