7 Beaches Off the Beaten Path

Nothing is more adventurous than finding that perfect, secluded beach. You may have battled dirt roads, potholes and flat tires, but it’s worth it in the end when sunbathing on a primitive beach. From Thailand to France, these are the seven of the best off-the-beaten-path beaches. 

Koh Chang, ThailandThis tiny Thai island offers plenty of remote beaches away from the typical tourist destinations. Visit Lonely Beach, which sits south of the populated resorts. Expect to find several small white sand beaches where narrow cliffside archways blend into the ocean. The crystal clear shoreline fades into blue when gazing at the horizon. Visitors can rent inexpensive seaside bungalows located on other secluded shorelines.

Wineglass Bay, AustraliaLooks like it sounds, Wineglass Bay is a sweeping horseshoe-shaped bay located in Freycinet National Park in Tasmania. The beach is only accessible via boat or by a 3-hour hike through the dry and mountainous terrain. Frequent visitors include whales, dolphins and wallabies hanging out on the warm sand.

Gasparilla Island, FloridaGasparilla Island is wedged between Sarasota and Fort Myers. This tiny and historic island offers plenty of remote white-sand beaches with its famous 1890s lighthouse. The island’s 7-mile stretch of sand is one of the best shelling locations in Florida. Enjoy the sunset with a traditional seafood dinner at one of many seaside restaurants.

Pfeiffer Beach, CaliforniaLocated on the Big Sur coast off Highway 1, explore this tiny beach in the heart of Big Sur. The weather and water is cool year round, and it’s an ideal spot for sunset and solitude. Visitors can watch the sunset through a hole in a giant boulder where rays of light sparkle onto the sand.

Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii

Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, License CC-BY-SA 3.0

Also known as Black Sand Beach, this Big Island beach contains black sand made from basalt created by lava flowing into the ocean. Green and Hawksbill sea turtles sunbathe and rest on the beach during the day. The beach is rocky and swimming can be dangerous, but it’s one of the most unique beaches in the Hawaiian Islands.

Koh Rong Island, CambodiaTechnically two islands, one island is lost at sea and the other is a scuba diving location. These islands are one of the most primitive spaces in the region. With a lack of mass tourism, this is an ideal spot for diving and a quiet beach vacation. Some claim the postcard perfect sunsets are some of the best in Southeast Asia. 

Kuta, Lomback, IndonesiaThis laid back surfing village features quiet beaches and a lively town to keep the locals entertained. The enchanting blue waters entice surfers to search for the best waves. Although quiet, for true seclusion, rent a motorbike and drive to one of the many nearby coves.