Plan a trip to your favourite beach destinations once we get to travel again.
With COVID-19 having put the world on pause, now is the time to dream. Whether you are planning a quick getaway or the trip of a lifetime, the beach is sure to please. Here are a few recommendations to get you inspired.
SANTORINI, GREECE
Located in the southernmost part of the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is known for its jaw-dropping sunsets and whitewashed villas that cascade down the sides of the island’s caldera. The beaches are invariably bustling with tourists, but there’s plenty to explore on the island, from an open-air cinema to a microbrewery and wine caverns adorned with artwork, as well as cooking classes and demonstrations that celebrate Santorini’s growing foodie culture.
BORACAY, PHILIPPINES
Boracay White Beach is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in the Philippines. Its soft, immaculate sands are dotted with resorts, hotels and lounge chairs where you can plonk yourself down and sip a Pina Colada after a day spent kitesurfing, jet skiing or diving. A bonus — there are direct flights from Singapore to the island.
THE MALDIVES
A chain of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean clustered into atolls, the Maldives — with its stunning white beaches and crystal-clear azure lagoons — is well-loved among honeymooners as well as those simply looking to unwind from the stresses of city living. With a choice of lavish resorts with their own private islands to dreamy overwater bungalows, holidaying here is bound to be a magical experience.
WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, AUSTRALIA
If the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, the Whitsunday Islands are the perfect place to go so you can sail, dive, snorkel or fly around it. The Whitsundays are home to a group of 74 idyllic islands. Prominent landmarks include the Great Barrier Reef and the iconic Whitehaven Beach, a 7km stretch of swirling silica sand. Apart from water sports, golf, archaeological sites and bushwalking are also popular among visitors.
UNAWATUNA, SRI LANKA
Unawatuna town, located near the southern city of Galle, is known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. A banana-shaped golden sandy beach with turquoise waters, Unawatuna beach is popular with both locals and tourists. There are sunbeds for rent and guesthouses bordering the beach. Behind it is a road bustling with vendors selling all manner of souvenirs, clothes and jewellery.
BLACK SAND BEACH, ICELAND
Iceland may not be the first country that comes to mind when planning a beach holiday, but Reynisfjara — a world-famous black-sand beach in its southernmost town, Vik — is worth exploring. Located 180km from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, it was voted one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on the planet by National Geographic. The rocky sea stacks jutting off the shoreline are so mesmerising they were featured in Season 7 of the HBO Series Game of Thrones. The sea stacks are home to thousands of nesting seabirds, including puffins, fulmars and guillemots.
As the current worldwide situation regarding COVID-19 is preventing sun worshippers from making pilgrimages to these gorgeous beachside destinations, do note that Singapore does have a couple of sandy stretches for your enjoyment. Consider hopping over to the getaway isle of Sentosa, where there are many opportunities for you to make use of your SingapoRediscovers vouchers, if you’ve not used them already.
