By Jenny Brewer
This region of Western Australia, from Exmouth down to past Geraldton, encompasses some of the bluest, most beautiful national parks in the world. It is known not only for the natural attractions on the land but the aquatic under water world drawing visitors from all over the globe.
The wildlife is diverse and awe inspiring, with giant whale sharks, friendly dolphins, turtles, whales and manta rays some of the more common residents. It is perfect for your driving adventure, with plenty of camping spots and ideal hideaways to stop and enjoy the views.
Exploring Exmouth is a dream coming true for marine lovers. There is fantastic snorkelling and diving here, with brilliant coral colours, and every type of fish imaginable. It is the crystal clear waters that attract so many visitors. Although this region is remote, it is well worth the effort to stay and enjoy the attractions.
There is so much to see close to town. Drive to the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse for some incredible views. The Muiron Islands are fantastic for a day trip with plenty of birdlife and diving spots. South from town is the Charles Knife Canyon, which rewards you with amazing views of the Exmouth Gulf and surrounding gorges. If you head to the Thomas Carter Lookout you can see the endless stretches of the great marine park. Further down is brilliant Turquoise Bay, an ideal destination for a day trip and picnic lunch.
The Cape Range National Park is only thirty minutes drive inland, with amazing gorges, an abundance of wildflowers and incredible scenery. It is worth a day trip at least to see this unique part of the state, and enjoy some of the bushwalking trails. There are wilderness tours that leave from Exmouth, which will take you to places only accessible by four wheel drive. This is some of the most incredible landscapes you could see in Australia, and being so close to the coast it is an ideal holiday spot.
Another attraction is the Ningaloo Reef which basically is right in front of you as you step off the beach. There are glass bottom boat tours for those who want to see the reef in style. For the more adventurous you can't miss the chance to scuba dive, or why not join a special tour swimming with the local whale shark? Although this is the world's biggest fish it is still safe enough to get up close and personal. This reef is a fisherman's paradise, with plenty of game fishing available, or enough isolated spots along the coastline to set up for the day.
With all the activity it is nice to return to civilization for some comfort, and there are plenty of restaurants, shops and cafés to choose from in the heart of Exmouth. There is a wide range of accommodation available, with the Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort a popular choice. It has a massive pool, play gym, and even an aquarium.
Further down the coast, Monkey Mia is known for its friendly bottle nosed dolphins, which swim to the shallows of Shark Bay to play with the families that come to visit, an experience you could never forget. This is a pristine, beautiful part of world heritage coastline, with so much wildlife, picnic spots and bays to visit and enjoy.
There is plenty of accommodation here, with The Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort a great base for exploring the surrounding natural attractions. For the water lover, travel north to nearby Denham for some great fishing, boating, beach activities and water skiing.
Geraldton is one of the last main stops, which is also an excellent base to see attractions such as the Abrolhos Islands, Chapman Valley and the Live Lobster Factory. With panoramic ocean views, miles of beach, wineries and delicate wildflowers at your doorstep it is worth a longer stay.
This entire region is magnificent, with the shimmering blue waters of the Ningaloo Reef a wonderful contrast to the neighbouring national parks. If you opt for driving from Perth to Exmouth you will be enriched by the incredible coastlines, friendly locals and stunning scenery. This is an ideal location for a driving holiday, with everything you need at your doorstep, and nothing but open space and natural beauty before you.
Showing posts with label beaches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beaches. Show all posts
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
The Top 5 Beaches in the World
By William Brister
The lure of the bronze sun, vast azure skies and the endless blue-green oceans on a tropical paradise beach resort make for a perfect holiday destination. With hundreds of beautiful beaches to choose from, some have been given the distinction of being the best beaches in the world. Some of these resorts are listed below.
1) Ka’anapali, Hawaii
One of the most populated, popular best beaches in Maui, Hawaii, Ka’napali is a paradise on earth. It is located in West Maui, two miles north of the historic whaling town of Lahaina and is surrounded by numerous elegant hotels and condominiums. The beach is three miles long and is full of fun-filled activities where you can snorkel, windsurf, jet-ski, parasail and even kayak. It is divided into two separate long stretches by a massive 300 foot cinder cone Pu’u Keka’ known as the Black Rock. The rock divides the sand into two and swimmers find themselves bathing in deep water. The rugged lava coastline around the Rock is also an outstanding snorkeling spot, one of the best on the island. Swimming in the crystal clear waters is safe throughout the year but best outside the season of high winter surfs.
2) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
With 60 miles of pristine beach, Myrtle Beach water sports and Myrtle Beach fishing are the finest among the different beaches in America. Besides lazing and tanning in the tropical sun, the soft wide beach provides ample opportunities for swimming, surfing, parasailing, shell collecting and volleyball.
Although your fun begins at the beach, the best attraction always, there is plenty more to do at Myrtle Beach. Besides beautiful beaches, it has delectable food, amusement parks, variety of shopping malls, lively nightlife and adventure sports. With hundreds of attractions, both indoors and outdoors, Myrtle Beach offers fun and excitement for all ages to enjoy.
This beautiful beach resort has more than 100 professional golf courses, a NASCAR sanctioned track, minor league baseball as well as tennis. You can take a deep sea fishing adventure from eight different piers or fish the backwaters and creeks all the way from Little River to Pawley’s Island on the South Carolina coast. Moreover, there is a wildlife sanctuary where you are likely to spot alligators and deer combined with several boat tours to give you a real feel of the place.
3) Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is truly known as the vacation haven of the 21st century with gorgeous beaches of white sands and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Having started off as a fishing village of only 120 people, Cancun is now a bustling beach resort with a population of half a million and a tourist onslaught of more than two million a year. One of Mexico’s popular and best beaches it features world class resorts, hotels, clubs and malls. It offers something for people of all ages whether it an all-day fun at the beach or an isolated, tranquil island. It is close to Miami and has a number of activities to choose from like parachuting, jet-skiing, scuba-diving and golf. Topless bathing is an accepted activity in and around the surrounding areas of Cancun.
With striking modern hotels along the beach front and a lively nightlife, it is a fantastic getaway for the weary traveler. It encloses a huge lagoon, with water on both sides. Also, much of the Yucatan is easily accessible from here. There are two quite separate parts to Cancún: the zona commercial downtown which houses the shopping and residential centre and the zona hotelera - a string of hotels and tourist amenities around the Cancún Island. This is a narrow strip of sandy beach connected to the mainland at each end by causeways.
4) Montego Bay, Jamaica
Montego Bay is known for its long sandy stretch of bay with miles of coral reef and some of the most beautiful and best beaches in the world. Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second largest city and rests between the gently sloping hills of Bogue, Kempshot and Salem. It extends approximately ten miles from the suburban rich area of Reading at its western edge to the plush villas and resort hotels of Ironshore and Rose Hall to the east.
Montego Bay is made up of two distinct parts – The Gloucester Avenue now called the Hip Strip and the city proper or the downtown.
All along the coastline are beautiful luxury hotels with three main public beaches which offer all amenities and several water sports. For a quieter and tranquil atmosphere you can head to the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean Beach Park, east of the town of Ironshore.
Montego Bay offers a wide variety of entertainment and sporting activities. From fun on the beach to the delicious food served at the waterfront, white water rafting and adventure sports, catamaran rides and fishing charters, it has it all.
5) Phuket, Thailand
Sand between your toes, stunning tropical sunsets, cold drink in your hand and warm blue inviting seas – this is picture perfect Phuket. This island is known for its silky soft beaches, superb oriental hospitality and great value accommodation. You can go diving in the Andaman Sea, golfing at championship courses or indulge in exciting eco-adventures in the tropical forest of Phuket. Take an exhilarating speedboat trip to surrounding islands or a serene cruise around mystical Phang Nga Bay, or simply enjoy Phuket’s vibrant nightlife in Patong Beach.
Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket is a large island in the Indian Ocean. The surrounding waters contain much varied marine life and the town is known for its quaint Sino-Portuguese architecture. It is a very attractive island for sightseeing with lovely seashores and forested hillsides.
The lure of the bronze sun, vast azure skies and the endless blue-green oceans on a tropical paradise beach resort make for a perfect holiday destination. With hundreds of beautiful beaches to choose from, some have been given the distinction of being the best beaches in the world. Some of these resorts are listed below.
1) Ka’anapali, HawaiiOne of the most populated, popular best beaches in Maui, Hawaii, Ka’napali is a paradise on earth. It is located in West Maui, two miles north of the historic whaling town of Lahaina and is surrounded by numerous elegant hotels and condominiums. The beach is three miles long and is full of fun-filled activities where you can snorkel, windsurf, jet-ski, parasail and even kayak. It is divided into two separate long stretches by a massive 300 foot cinder cone Pu’u Keka’ known as the Black Rock. The rock divides the sand into two and swimmers find themselves bathing in deep water. The rugged lava coastline around the Rock is also an outstanding snorkeling spot, one of the best on the island. Swimming in the crystal clear waters is safe throughout the year but best outside the season of high winter surfs.
2) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USAWith 60 miles of pristine beach, Myrtle Beach water sports and Myrtle Beach fishing are the finest among the different beaches in America. Besides lazing and tanning in the tropical sun, the soft wide beach provides ample opportunities for swimming, surfing, parasailing, shell collecting and volleyball.
Although your fun begins at the beach, the best attraction always, there is plenty more to do at Myrtle Beach. Besides beautiful beaches, it has delectable food, amusement parks, variety of shopping malls, lively nightlife and adventure sports. With hundreds of attractions, both indoors and outdoors, Myrtle Beach offers fun and excitement for all ages to enjoy.
This beautiful beach resort has more than 100 professional golf courses, a NASCAR sanctioned track, minor league baseball as well as tennis. You can take a deep sea fishing adventure from eight different piers or fish the backwaters and creeks all the way from Little River to Pawley’s Island on the South Carolina coast. Moreover, there is a wildlife sanctuary where you are likely to spot alligators and deer combined with several boat tours to give you a real feel of the place.
3) Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is truly known as the vacation haven of the 21st century with gorgeous beaches of white sands and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Having started off as a fishing village of only 120 people, Cancun is now a bustling beach resort with a population of half a million and a tourist onslaught of more than two million a year. One of Mexico’s popular and best beaches it features world class resorts, hotels, clubs and malls. It offers something for people of all ages whether it an all-day fun at the beach or an isolated, tranquil island. It is close to Miami and has a number of activities to choose from like parachuting, jet-skiing, scuba-diving and golf. Topless bathing is an accepted activity in and around the surrounding areas of Cancun.
With striking modern hotels along the beach front and a lively nightlife, it is a fantastic getaway for the weary traveler. It encloses a huge lagoon, with water on both sides. Also, much of the Yucatan is easily accessible from here. There are two quite separate parts to Cancún: the zona commercial downtown which houses the shopping and residential centre and the zona hotelera - a string of hotels and tourist amenities around the Cancún Island. This is a narrow strip of sandy beach connected to the mainland at each end by causeways.
4) Montego Bay, JamaicaMontego Bay is known for its long sandy stretch of bay with miles of coral reef and some of the most beautiful and best beaches in the world. Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second largest city and rests between the gently sloping hills of Bogue, Kempshot and Salem. It extends approximately ten miles from the suburban rich area of Reading at its western edge to the plush villas and resort hotels of Ironshore and Rose Hall to the east.
Montego Bay is made up of two distinct parts – The Gloucester Avenue now called the Hip Strip and the city proper or the downtown.
All along the coastline are beautiful luxury hotels with three main public beaches which offer all amenities and several water sports. For a quieter and tranquil atmosphere you can head to the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean Beach Park, east of the town of Ironshore.
Montego Bay offers a wide variety of entertainment and sporting activities. From fun on the beach to the delicious food served at the waterfront, white water rafting and adventure sports, catamaran rides and fishing charters, it has it all.
5) Phuket, Thailand
Sand between your toes, stunning tropical sunsets, cold drink in your hand and warm blue inviting seas – this is picture perfect Phuket. This island is known for its silky soft beaches, superb oriental hospitality and great value accommodation. You can go diving in the Andaman Sea, golfing at championship courses or indulge in exciting eco-adventures in the tropical forest of Phuket. Take an exhilarating speedboat trip to surrounding islands or a serene cruise around mystical Phang Nga Bay, or simply enjoy Phuket’s vibrant nightlife in Patong Beach.
Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket is a large island in the Indian Ocean. The surrounding waters contain much varied marine life and the town is known for its quaint Sino-Portuguese architecture. It is a very attractive island for sightseeing with lovely seashores and forested hillsides.
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