With summer well and truly here, it’s time to plan that much needed vacay and hit the beach with sunscreen, drinks and a good book in hand.

Promising stunning turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, these four spectacular beach escapes capture everything from warm and wonderful to tropical and exotic. Explore our pick of the best beach holidays this summer.

BORACAY, PHILIPPINES

You’ve probably seen the photos and thought it’s an Instagram filter. That pristine white sand – the kind that almost hurts to look at in direct sun – stretching along a curve of stunning turquoise water. The truth is, Boracay actually looks like that. It went through a major restoration in 2018 and has been genuinely transformed – cleaner, calmer and with a vibe that’s somewhere between lively and laid-back.

Regularly ranked among Asia’s best, White Beach’s four kilometres of flour-fine sand is so soft it squeaks underfoot, with waters that still only reach your knees 20 metres out. Divided into distinct zones, Station 1 at the northern end offers quiet luxury and a wide shoreline, while further south, the livelier Station 2 has restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. Sunsets are built into the itinerary, and half the island shows up to watch the sky turn bruised purple and gold over the South China Sea.

Bulabog Beach on the eastern side is a favourite among kitesurfers and windsurfers. Puka Shell Beach to the north is quieter, with a coarser, rockier feel. For snorkelling, the coral gardens around Crocodile Island are a short boat ride and worth every minute, while Ariel’s Point has become the go-to for cliff jumping. Paraw sailing (traditional outrigger boats with two sails) can be arranged in an hour, giving you the best view of the coastline.

Accommodation ranges from budget backpacker guesthouses behind the beach to upscale hotel resorts. Seafood dominates most menus – grilled prawns, crab, squid and fresh mango with practically everything. Don’t leave without trying the iconic calamansi muffins or a Chori burger from a street stall.

Go once and you’ll spend the flight home already planning a trip back.

MALTA

The Mediterranean gets busy in summer, but Malta still surprises with how much it packs into so little space. Sea, history, food, late evenings, more sea – it’s all within easy reach and is brilliant for travellers who want beach weather mixed with a bit of city energy.

June is hard to beat. The sea is the perfect swimming temperature and the festa season is in full swing, with towns and villages honouring their local patron saints with lit-up streets, brass bands and spectacular fireworks.

Valletta deserves a day or two. One of the EU’s smallest capitals and a UNESCO World Heritage city, it rewards getting mildly lost – Baroque churches, harbour views, colourful balconies and narrow limestone streets that glow in late afternoon. Restaurants spill onto the pavements serving fresh lampuki fish, rabbit stew, pastizzi (flaky savoury pastries) and Kinnie, a bittersweet soft drink that’s become a cult favourite.

But the coast is where Malta shines in summer. With no rivers causing sediment runoff, the water is among the clearest in the Mediterranean. The famous Blue Lagoon on tiny Comino is picture-perfect, with vivid azure waters sheltered by pale rock – arrive early before it gets busy!

For something quieter, St Peter’s Pool in the southeast is flat limestone above a natural swimming hole, with a 20-foot jump for the adrenaline junkies! The Red Tower coastline in Mellieħa is equally beautiful, while Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa in the northwest are the best proper sandy beaches. Don’t miss Gozo (Malta’s quieter sister island), with its rolling hills, clifftop walks and Ramla Bay’s burnt-orange sand.

Small enough to explore in a week, Malta is a great Mediterranean option for those who like beach holidays with a little culture.

ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA

Step off the plane in Zanzibar and the scent of cloves, cinnamon and cardamom arrives before anything else. The Spice Island lives up to its name.

The main island, Unguja, is a former Omani sultanate turned Swahili cultural hub, giving it historical character that most beach destinations rarely have. June is one of the best times to visit – the long rains have just cleared, humidity has dropped and the island is left lush and cool by the Kusi trade winds.

The northern beaches at Nungwi and Kendwa are where Zanzibar does its best impression of paradise – powdery white sand, a tide that barely moves, water you can float in for hours. You’ll find lively beach bars, sunset dhow cruises and snorkelling trips to coral reefs – Mnemba Atoll ranks among the best in East Africa and sea turtle sightings are practically a given. Resorts range from simple bungalows to polished luxury, but even the fancy ones tend to feel low-key.

On the east coast, Paje and Jambiani are quieter, with wider beaches and tides that pull back miles to reveal seaweed farms and tidal pools. They’re also some of the world’s most popular kitesurfing spots.

Stone Town is unavoidable. The old quarter is a maze of carved wooden doors, spice stalls and coral-stone walls with centuries of Swahili, Arab, Indian and Portuguese history. Forodhani Gardens night market is where you go for the legendary Zanzibar Pizza – a street food favourite that has very little to do with Italy and everything to do with being delicious! Don’t leave without a spice farm tour, where you can hold, smell and cook with local spices.

Most people come to Zanzibar for the beaches and leave surprised by everything else.

HAWAII, USA

Hawaii needs no introduction, yet still manages to exceed expectations. It’s one of the most isolated populated landmasses on Earth and nowhere else is quite like it.

Each of the main islands has a different character. Oahu gets the crowds, and fairly so. Waikiki and Honolulu have real city energy and surf culture is built into everyday life. But drive the Kamehameha Highway along Windward Coast and things calm down quickly: small towns, roadside trucks selling garlic shrimp and shave ice drizzled with lilikoi (passion fruit) syrup. Lanikai Beach sits quietly east of Kailua with its turquoise water and two small offshore islands that most travellers never quite make it to.

Maui is a calmer, polished resort experience – Kaanapali and Wailea for those who want beautiful golden sand and a sun lounger sorted by 9am. The scenic Road to Hana is absolutely worth the drive, especially for the waterfall pools. Kauai is dramatically different again: wilder, greener, with cliffs and rainforest that look like somewhere prehistoric.

The Big Island is for travellers who want a slice of adventure with their beach holiday. Hike through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, night snorkel with manta rays off Kona, or drive up Mauna Kea on a clear night for spectacular stargazing. Hāpuna Beach offers a long arc of white sand on the west coast; Papakōlea is one of the few green sand beaches on Earth; and at Punalu’u, green sea turtles lie around on jet-black sand as though they own the place.

The flight from Bahrain is the longest on this list but Hawaii has a way of making it all feel worth it. ✤