Even here, where it would seem every beach with white fine sand, you need to know all the nuances. After all, VIP tourists – the most frequent guests on the Indian Ocean islands – do not tolerate mistakes of the travel agent. We found out how white sand is here, what is the beach infrastructure and when the tide comes in.
The beaches of the Indian Ocean attract tourists with their postcard views: white sand, turquoise water, lush greenery. However, when choosing a resort for recreation, the tourist should be careful: somewhere it is not safe to swim, and somewhere the client will not find the depth because of the constant tides.
We figured out where to go for beach relaxation, where to go for surfing, and where to go for a rich underwater world.
Australia
It is hard to call the green continent a destination for a beach holiday: although it has plenty of snow-white beaches, this country attracts mainly lovers of water sports. Australia is a world leader in surfing, and you can find both smooth surfaces for beginners and high waves for professionals (mainly on the west coast). It will be interesting to divers.
It is worth noting that all the beaches – with white sand and developed infrastructures. We look at those where you can send a tourist and sunbathing, and entertainment.
Carrambin Beach is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast suburb of the same name. It borders Bilinga and Tagan beaches. Together they make up the famous beach complex – Surfers Coast – the second most popular shoreline for surfers after Surfers Paradise (a wide beach in the east of the mainland, suitable for surfers).
Carrambin is quieter, more secluded (since the shore there is hilly) and not as big. The waves can be quite high. The shore is liked by those families looking for solitude away from the bustling variety of some of the Gold Coast’s northern beach neighbors. The beach is suitable for picnics and fishing at the point where the river flows into the ocean. For hikers along the edge of the hilly shores above the sea, there is a convenient trail that offers wonderful views.
Port Douglas Beach is located near the town of Kenrs, North Queenslede. It is a popular spot among beach lovers and surfers alike.
The northern beaches (Port Douglas, Palm Cove and others) do not have strong waves, but swimming there can be a risk of meeting dangerous inhabitants of the Coral Sea, so swimming on the sandy northern beaches of Queensland is better in special restrictive nets, located along the coast.
On the northern edge lies Manly Beach, often called a mini version of Bondi Beach.
Bornda Beach is part of Bornda National Park, located about 440 km from Sydney. In addition to being very popular with surfers, this beach is surrounded by lush rainforests. There are salt and fresh water lakes as well. A 6-kilometer trail leads deep into the forest where you can see gray kangaroos.
Famous surf beaches are Bells and Margaret River, where world surfing competitions are held. Here in Western Australia, there is a beach which fans of windsurfing will appreciate – Lancelin, it is located 100 km north of Perth.
The waters off the coast of Australia are of interest to divers. From time to time diving is prohibited because of the infestation of jellyfish, so you need to watch the announcements on the beach. The only place where there is almost never a problem with jellyfish are the islands of Uitsandace and Hinchinbrook.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an autonomy within Tanzania. A quiet beach holiday prevails here. All beaches are municipal and sandy, but not very wide, even at low tide. Tides are big enough: in different areas of the island, the water can “step back” from a couple of hundred meters to 2.5 km, depending on the bottom.
The island is surrounded by atolls, which protect the shores of large or dangerous marine life. Interesting diving.
South coast – Kizimkazi – beaches are municipal, but a number of expensive hotels do not allow strangers. The entrance to the ocean is sandy. Sometimes dolphins come to the shore. The tides are pronounced, during which the water is shallow and the water is heated very strongly, so it is not refreshing. It is recommended to use rubber shoes for swimming.
The north coast – Nungwi and Kendwa – are the most visited by tourists. Here you can relax in a bungalow or wait out the evening tide in one of the bars, singing mantras among the palm trees or relaxing in a hammock. The main attractions are the coral reef, one of the best places for diving in Zanzibar, the lighthouse, where you can go inside for a small fee to the keeper, and an aquarium with sea turtles at the northern tip of the Cape. The tides are not pronounced, the water and seabed are clear.
On the coasts of Matemwe, Kivengwa, Mapenzi and Oroa, the tides are most pronounced. Suitable for fans of kite-surfing. It is recommended to swim in rubber shoes, as there are sea urchins in the water. It is still shallow at high tide.
New Zealand
New Zealand can not boast a beach holiday, the waters here are quite cool, there are strong waves. The island is recommended for snorkeling, there are many caves around the coast. Warm water can be sought in geothermal areas, such as Hot Water Beach.
The beaches of Piha and Maryway, unlike all the beaches of the Indian Ocean countries under consideration, are covered with black sand.
Omaha Beach is covered with white fine sand, the entrance to the water is gentle.