6 Dream Beaches For Whatever Mood You’re In

From the playful to the adventurous, the serene to the refined, beaches are a bit like food—with so many tastes to choose from, it all depends on what you’re in the mood for, your personality, and the occasion. If you’re looking to get pampered, a rustic beach is not for you. And just as there is scant nightlife in Big Sur, there certainly isn’t much wildlife along the shores of Rio De Janiero (unless you count the people).

So even if you have a favorite beach destination, here are six more that should be on your radar, for you to turn to the next time a certain fancy strikes.

For Pure, White Sand

The Guinness Book of Records winner for the world’s whitest sands, Hyams Beach is a powdery beach in the sleepy seaside village of Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Visitors are drawn in by the sand, but have plenty to do once they arrive. You can spot seals, kangaroos, and other native wildlife at the Jervis Bay Marine Park or Booderee National Park and Botanic Gardens. If you’re adventurous, take a charter to go whale watching or dolphin scouting, do some scuba diving, or go adventure kayaking. And if you want to stay drier, there are plenty of unique wineries and Aussie seafood shacks and bistros on shore.

For Surfing (or Scoping Surfers)

Surfers Paradise Beach on the Gold Coast of Australia is a popular world surfer destination, and with waves rising above 10 feet, it’s easy to understand why. But there’s more to this paradise than the swells of the Pacific—sophisticated world cuisines, ample shopping, and a sweltering Aussie-style nightlife make this destination a teeming social scene for visitors from around the globe.

For Exploring Unique Natural Wonders

Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, California is an ordinary Northern California beach in almost every respect: chilly breeze off the coast, rough waters, and rugged surrounding terrain. But what makes it stand out is the sand: It’s purple. The mineral Manganese garnet, which is present on the rocky formations around the beach, has forever tainted the sands a lovely lavender hue. This isn’t a beach for swimming, but for standing in awe of the ferocity of the ocean, exploring caves and rock formations, and gawking at sand the color of your bedroom when you were six.

For Being a Kid Again

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is lined with kids of all ages scarfing down cotton candy, popcorn, and foot-long hot dogs while they wait in line for the rickety roller coasters and thrill rides along the sandy shores of Santa Cruz. Think Coney Island, with the added bonus of the deep blue Pacific and the refined touches of the modern age. Throw in plentiful shore-side shopping, fun hotels on the beach, and live music, and you’ve painted this surfer’s paradise into quite the playful destination. Santa Cruz is the perfect place to cut loose with the kids (or act like a kid) and still get plenty of quality beach time.

For the Nightlife

From Ipanema to Copacabana, even the tamest beaches in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil are anything but low-key. Bronze yourself by day on trendsetting Ipanema Beach, then hit the nightlife in Rio where the real action is. You can Samba the night away in the gafieiras (dance halls), enjoy swanky meals and cocktails in Leme, or explore the bars, clubs, live music, and theatre performances that keep Rio pumping around the clock. Rio never stops, so the rule is: beach by day, party by night, and nap often to keep up.

For the Refined Side of Life

Head to Nice, France, where the mix of French culture and the Mediterranean Sea can only mean one thing: the stunning French Riviera. This is a refined experience, so be willing to shell out some extra cash for the more posh amenities: Spend a few euros on a luxurious chaise lounge and parasol on the shore before you dive into the incredibly bright blue water of the Mediterranean. When you’re ready to get off the beach, the French coast has a variety of options, including incredible art museums, spas, and casinos.

Tell us! What is your favorite beach and why? 

Photos corteousy of Alex E. Proimos,  evilhayama, HerryLawford, jurvetson, ⌘N, over_kind_man, and Artur Staszewski.

About the Author

A lifelong world traveler, Kristin Logan first flew at 6 months old (and was an angel, she might add), and has been in love with travel ever since! Kristin is a creative and determined traveler. From last minute road trips on a budget of $300, to transcontinental nightmare with a 3-year old jacked up on sugar, Kristin doesn't sugar coat the ugly but offers a bevy of advice and plenty of travel inspiration for the Musing Travelers. Check out her blog at skirted.wordpress.com.