Hidden Beaches – Three secret hideaways for the curious traveler
A hidden beach. On a deserted beach A secluded beach. Sounds like the opening scene of a romance novel, doesn’t it? I’m not a big reader of romance novels, but I do love peace and quiet and have spent many years searching for the best beaches to occasionally escape from the world. These years of painstaking research have led me to some general conclusions about the characteristics of a truly great hidden beach.
First of all, it must be very far from everywhere or difficult to reach; ideally both. No motorized vehicles of any kind will be allowed on the beach. You will be completely out of range of cell phones of any kind. There will be no boardwalk, no rides, no chairs for rent, and no hot dog vendors. However, a beachside shack selling cold beer is allowed and actually preferable.
With these guidelines in mind, and aware of the risk of losing my favorite hideaways to the madding crowd, I’d like to share three of my most treasured beach hideaway discoveries.
Fakistra beach in Pelion, Greece
The Pelion Peninsula, north of Athens, is an extraordinarily beautiful region of mountains and valleys that slopes down to the Aegean coast. The tiny village of Damouchari, where cars are not allowed to spoil the tranquility, is one of six in this region famous for its hospitality. As unspoiled as this village is, it is a bustling metropolis compared to the small turquoise lagoon of Fakistra beach, a 90-minute walk from Damouchari.
Nestled between two rocky outcrops, this beautiful white-sand beach fronts a waterfall and natural pool. At the northern end of Fakistra you should explore the two caves, rich in history. One has a magnificent display of stalactites, while the other once housed a secret school that taught Greek language and culture during the region’s despised Ottoman occupation.
Macushla Beach on Hinchinbrook Island, Australia
Sometimes you have to travel a long way to discover a secluded beach. Macushla may not be the end of the world, but you can almost see the end from there. Australia’s largest island national park, Hinchinbrook Island, has just one settlement, an ecotourism gem called Wilderness Lodge. The rooms include finely designed treehouses, nestled in the rainforest and accessed by a boardwalk, which are comfortably furnished but deliberately free of telephone and television. You go to Hinchinbrook to forget the world, not to let it intrude on you.
The walk from the resort to Macushla beach will take the better part of a morning, taking you through ancient rainforests and completely deserted beaches. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and trying to spot ghost crabs as they scuttle across the sand; a ferry will stop to take you back to the resort. And deciding to spend time so far from home doesn’t necessarily mean forgoing anything: you can end the day with a surprisingly good meal at the resort, finished off with a drink at the bar.
Kaupoa Beach on the island of Molokai, Hawaii
Molokai Ranch was formerly owned by King Kamehameha V, so you’re immersed in a royal heritage when you visit Kaupoa Beach. Since Her Majesty turned to other pursuits, Kaupoa became a fishing village and is now home to Beach Village, a small resort directly on the beach. Forty two-room tents, small canvas-roofed cabins on platforms, are nestled among the trees that line the beach. Each is very well equipped with a terrace, seating, picnic table and an outdoor bathroom with all the amenities. Solar power accounts for much of the electricity and hot water in the tentalows, a touch that will appeal to green travelers.
The white sands of Kaupoa beach have a steep slope and the water gets deep quickly. Rocky outcrops form two natural coves and the one on the right offers the best bathing. Equipment for snorkeling, body-surfing, volleyball and other beach activities is available at the Beach Village, and the Kaupoa Dining Pavilion is a lovely place to relax and chat with colleagues in the evening.
The three beaches will offer the weary traveler a wonderful break from the world of work. Yes, they’re a bit harder to reach than some more popular resorts, but that’s what makes them so perfect: it should take a bit of effort to find the perfect hidden beach. Oh, and while you’re there… have a beer for me.