Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Time Magazine named Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island (officially Swaraj Island) located in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands the best beach in Asia, and the world’s seventh best beach. Yet despite these glowing accolades it remains wonderfully quiet and secluded, no doubt due to its remoteness. Radhanagar ticks every secluded beach lover’s box thanks to its vast expanse of immaculate white sand, and sapphire blue waves that gently caress the shoreline fringed with lush tropical vegetation (think King Kong!). 

In the hottest part of the day, visitors can cool down in the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Bengal or enjoy a snooze in the shade of a tropical palm. The beach also has toilets, changing rooms and a lifeguard. Most visitors stay until late afternoon to watch the amazing sunsets while enjoying a sundowner or two (or three!).

Radhanagar Beach is the best beach in Asia, and the world’s seventh best beach due to Time Magazine.
Photo: Ashish_wassup6730 / Shutterstock.com

Getting there

Government-operated buses run daily (every hour) from the main Jetty to Radhanagar Beach (around 12 kilometres), or visitors can hire a scooter/bicycle and follow the SH4 road, which goes straight to the Radhanagar Beach (around 20- 30 minutes).

Tanjung Aan, Lombok, Indonesia

Lombok is not short on beaches but not all of them offer the perfect blend of pristine white sand, turquoise water, safe swimming, and tranquillity. One exception is Tanjung Aan Beach, one of the best of all the secluded beaches in Lombok. Located around five kilometres east of Kuta, Tanjung Aan is a sight for sore eyes with its giant horseshoe bay with two sweeping curves of fine white sand punctuated at each end with waves crashing onto rocks, and not a building in sight. 

Located around five kilometres east of Kuta, Tanjung Aan is a sight for sore eyes with its giant horseshoe bay with two sweeping curves of fine white sand punctuated at each end with waves crashing onto rocks, and not a building in sight.
Photo: vornaza/ Shutterstock.com

The waves break well in the distance, making the shallow lagoon ideal for swimming, and even better there are no nasty rocks or stones to hurt feet. In the hottest part of the day, most visitors head to a warung, a simple beach shack, to enjoy a fresh coconut, cool Bintang beer or plate of nasi goreng (fried rice with a fried egg). Another popular feature of the beach is the wooden swings erected along the shoreline that provide the perfect Instagram opportunity!

Getting there

Around 15-20 minutes from Kuta by taxi, bemo (shared minibus) or scooter.

Tanjung Aan is a sight for sore eyes with its giant horseshoe bay with two sweeping curves of fine white sand.
Photo: Ibenk_88 / Shutterstock.com

Praia do Carro Quebrado, Brazil

While most Carro Quebrado beaches are packed with bronzed sunworshippers, the six-kilometre gently curving Praia do Carro Quebrado on the Alagoas coastline in northern Brazil remains wonderfully secluded, probably because it involves a little effort to get there. But it’s well worth it! The enjoyment begins even before visitors reach the beach as they bump along the winding track flanked with swaying coconut palms. 

 Most people stop at the Praia do Carro Quebrado lookout point to admire the breathtaking views and get their first glimpse of the shimmering blue ocean and soft white sand. 

People stop at the Praia do Carro Quebrado lookout point to admire the breathtaking views.
Photo: Caio Pederneiras / Shutterstock.com

What with the impressive cliffs, fallen palm trees, and abandoned Volkswagen Beetles turned into amazing sculptures (Praia do Carro Quebrado means ‘abandoned car beach’ in Brazilian Portuguese), there are plenty of excellent photo opportunities. And as the tide goes out, natural pools are created that are perfect for bathing. Visitors can bring a picnic or enjoy drinks, snacks and seafood dishes at one of the beach shacks, many of which have hammocks for admiring the breathtaking scenery.

Getting there

Praia do Carro Quebrado is located to the north of Crôa Island in the municipality of Barra de Santo Antônio. It takes about an hour from Maceió by car. Buggy and quad rentals are also available in Barra de Santo Antônio, as well as organised day tours departing from Maceió.

Visitors can bring a picnic or enjoy drinks, snacks and seafood dishes at one of the beach.
Photo: Caio Pederneiras / Shutterstock.com

Trou d’Argent, Rodrigues Island, Mauritius

While everyone has heard of Mauritius, few have heard of — and even fewer have visited — Rodrigues, its tiny sister island located in the middle of the Indian Ocean some 560 kilometres to the east of Mauritius. Named after the Portuguese explorer Diogo Rodrigues, the smallest and most remote of the Mascarene Islands boasts one of the top secluded beaches in the world. And the Trou d’Argent beach in the east of the island is considered one of the most beautiful with its crystal clear water. 

Trou d’Argent beach is one of the top secluded beaches in the world.
Photo: Ricardo Stephan / Shutterstock.com

Sandwiched between two cliffs, the deep grey of the rocks, the sparkling white sand and the intense blue of the lagoon create a striking interplay of colours. According to local legend, on certain sunny days it is possible to see a chain under the water that leads to hidden treasure.

Who knows? Maybe it will be someone’s lucky day! If not, there’s always relaxing, swimming and dozing to the sound of the gently lapping sea and the grazing goats on the bluffs above.

Getting there

The Trou d’Argent cove can only be reached on foot (twenty minutes) by following the well-marked (painted rocks) stony paths next to the Fumier, Anse Ally and Saint François beaches. If in doubt, the very friendly locals will point out the way!

Sandwiched between two cliffs, the deep grey of the rocks, the sparkling white sand and the intense blue of the lagoon create a striking interplay of colours.
Photo: arlequin / Shutterstock.com

Ao Chong Lom Beach (AKA Sunset Beach), Koh Kradan, Thailand

A secluded beach in Thailand? No way! While it’s true that they are becoming harder to find, holidaymakers looking for peace and quiet far from the madding crowds won’t be disappointed with Sunset Beach on the tiny, protected island of Koh Kradan in Thailand’s Trang Province.

Koh Kradan, nestled in the Andaman Sea, is just four kilometres long and remains relatively unknown. There are no shops, no nightlife or even any roads to speak of – just lush tropical jungles and beautiful secluded white sandy beaches offering excellent and safe swimming, as well as amazing snorkelling – the perfect travel experience for your clients. 

Koh Kradan is just a lush tropical jungle and beautiful secluded white sandy beaches.
Photo: Arnon Polin / Shutterstock.com

A favourite secluded beach is Ao Chong Lom Beach, also known as Sunset Beach, on the west coast of the island, and although it is a bit of a walk up the island’s only hill, the views of Koh Rok and the truly awesome sunsets make it well worth the stroll along the jungle trail. Get there before sunset, cool off in the water, and press relax… 

Getting there

Ferries to Koh Kradan leave daily from Trang at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in high season. Sunset Beach is located directly across from the main beach on the western side of the island. Simply follow the well-marked jungle trail (15 minutes) from Paradise Beach to Sunset Beach. It is impossible to get lost on this tiny jewel of an island!

The truly awesome sunsets make Ao Chong Lom Beach well worth the stroll along the jungle trail.
Photo: TheJim999 / Shutterstock.com

La Sagesse Beach, Grenada

La Sagesse Beach is an unbelievably beautiful, secluded beach forming a perfect crescent of pale and dark marbled sand, fringed with tropical palms and sea grape trees. It is located in the sleepy parish of St. David in the south east of the island, and is a world away from the cruise ship crowds and busy resorts. The beach is situated in the La Sagesse Nature Centre and is popular among birdwatchers and beachcombers. The water is warm, shallow and calm, making it perfect for families. 

La Sagesse Beach is unbelievably beautiful.
Photo: Hugh O’Connor / Shutterstock.com

Beach chairs are available for rent. Many visitors bring a picnic lunch but there is an excellent small restaurant serving snacks and incredibly fresh seafood. It also makes a mean piña colada! Visitors won’t find a more secluded beach anywhere on the island!

Getting there

Public bus #2 departs from the Bus Terminal and stops where passengers tell the driver to stop. The bus journey takes about 40 minutes. Once at the La Sagesse Nature Centre, leave the main road and follow the paved path that leads to the beach. To get back, simply stand by the main road and flag down a passing bus. Taxis are another option.

Many visitors make a picnic lunch on La Sagesse Beach.
Photo: Pawel Kazmierczakr / Shutterstock.com

Patara Beach, Turkey

Patara often takes top place in the ‘Best Beaches in Turkey’ poll and is one of the best top secluded beaches in the world thanks to its impressive twenty kilometres of ridiculously soft white sand. Holidaymakers looking to get away from the crowds, will not be disappointed as all development is strictly forbidden due to its National Park status, and its proximity to archaeological ruins dating back to the Roman and Byzantium times. Legend has it that St Nicolas (AKA Father Christmas) was born in Patara! 

Patara is one of the best top secluded beaches in the world thanks to its impressive twenty kilometres of ridiculously soft white sand.
Photo: proslgn / Shutterstock.com

Patara Beach is also an important breeding ground for endangered Loggerhead turtles. These amazing creatures visit the beach between May and October and it is now one of the few

remaining breeding grounds in the Mediterranean. For convenience, there is a small beach shack about 100 metres from the car park which rents sunbeds and umbrellas.

Getting there

Patara Beach is around a 20 minute drive from Kalkan. Many buses stop at the Patara junction on the Fethiye–Kaşhighway at Ovaköy, and from there it is about a 3.5-kilometre taxi ride to the village of Gelemiş (although most people call it Patara). Alternatively, inexpensive dolmuses (shared minibuses) leave from 10:00 a.m. and take about 15-20 mins. Free parking is available. 

The beach is open from 8.00 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. due to the nesting turtles.

Photo: muratart / Shutterstock.com 

While it’s true that the world is getting busier and it’s becoming harder to find top secluded beaches, there are still plenty of unspoilt destinations around the world.

This selection of the top secluded beaches in the world is sure to please even the most demanding – and peace-seeking – travellers and holidaymakers.

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