Get Off The Beaten Path

Have a client looking for a side of adventure on their next beach trip? If so, the experts at Cheapflights.ca have unveiled their “10 Trek-Worthy Beaches” around the world – idyllic spots far from your average day at the beach.

The following are five “off the beaten path” beaches located in the Americas where the reward is worth the journey:

• Kalalau Beach, Kauai, Hawaii – Rugged and majestic, Kauai’s Na Pali Coast will steal anyone’s breath. And getting a glimpse of it is no easy feat. After all, this sweeping coastline is largely inaccessible by land; most will only gaze upon it from a helicopter, catamaran or movie theatre seat. But there is one way to make the trek on foot – an 18-km hike along the Kalalau Trail, which crosses cliffs and traverses five valleys before dipping to sea level and ending at Kalalau Beach. The trail is known for being treacherous, but those who conquer it will arrive at this hard-to-reach beach and get a chance to feast their eyes on some truly stunning scenery from a rare vantage point. Hikers can camp behind the beach, but a permit is necessary, and timing is key as the beach typically gets swept away with the winter surf.
• The beaches of Cabo Polonio, Uruguay – No official roads lead to Cabo Polonio; a horseback ride, a healthy walk or a cruise in a four-wheel-drive vehicle are the only modes of transportation that will bring you over the dunes to this village and its beaches. That is, after you first take a four-hour bus ride from Montevideo. Largely devoid of electricity and running water, Cabo Polonio has fewer than 100 residents and sits on a sandy peninsula that serves up different beach experiences on either side – one side features serious waves, while the other is more sheltered and offers calm waters ideal for swimming. In the off-season, you may even be the only one on these beaches. Don’t miss the lighthouse, which was built in the late 1800s, and the colony of sea lions that call Cabo Polonio home.
• Chesterman Beach, Tofino, BC – Surrounded by pretty houses and bed and breakfasts, Chesterman Beach is one of the top beaches in Tofino – a district situated along Vancouver Island’s western coast. Once you’re in the area, Chesterman isn’t difficult to access, but getting to Tofino is where the adventure lies. Visitors have a few travel options from mainland BC: fly into Tofino on a local jet or seaplane, take the Tofino Bus, book a shuttle, or take a ferry (departing from either Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen) to Nanaimo then drive. Once you make your way to this beach, you’ll be treated to three kilometres of white sand, tidepools full of marine life, an ideal place to learn to surf (surf schools offer up lessons), and a chance to walk out to Frank Island at low tide to get a panoramic view of the beach backed by snow-topped mountains.
• Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands – Quick, but chock full of adventure, the 15-minute trek to Devil’s Bay begins at the parking lot at the top of The Baths and passes through vegetation and giant boulders before arriving at the bay and its beach. Crawling, climbing ladders and wading through water are all requisite activities along the way, but at the end of this boulder-filled path is arguably one of Virgin Gorda’s most stunning beaches. This geological wonder is a popular tourist spot, so it’s best to go early or late to avoid crowds and take full advantage of what’s often described as some of the best snorkelling you can find.
• Playa Cocalito, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica – If you’re looking to make like a castaway, Playa Cocalito is the place to do it. You won’t see any crowds on this Costa Rican beach – largely because it’s difficult to get here. If you can’t get a boat ride from a local fisherman or guide (who will reportedly sometimes barbecue fish on the beach for you), you’ll walk at least an hour and a half through jungle from Montezuma. A suspension bridge and plenty of local flora and fauna are all part of the journey. If you’d rather take a horseback tour from Montezuma, that’s also an option. Peppered with driftwood and palm trees, Playa Cocalito is deserted and beautiful with smooth sand and calm waters that are great for swimming. Don’t miss the El Chorro waterfall (to the north of the beach) with its lava rock swimming pools.

The other beautiful, but remote beaches to make our list are: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia; Beach on the other side of Emerald Cave, Koh Mook, Thailand; New Chums Beach, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand; Kynance Cove Beach, Lizard, Cornwall, England and Rauðisandur Beach (Red Sands Beach), Westfjords, Iceland.

To read the adventurous details on these and see Cheapflights.ca’s complete list of 10 Trek-Worthy Beaches around the World, visit http://www.cheapflights.ca/news/10-trek-worthy-beaches-around-world .