North Shore Oahu, Hawaii: marvel at surf masters
Each December, surfers compete for the coveted Pipeline Masters surf title. All the action takes place in cavernous barrelling waves that come close to shore. Oahu’s north coast also sees the world’s best big-wave competition: theQuiksilver Big Wave Invitational, in memory of local surfer Eddie Aikau. It’s held only when the waves are more than six metres high. There’s an opening ceremony on 1 December each year, but the actual contest has run just nine times in 31 years.
• The Garden Bungalow at Chuns Reef Beach House costs from $199 a night for two, hawaiibeachfronts.com
Druidstone Wales: horseriding
Ever dreamed of galloping across the sand with your horse splashing in the waves? Head to Pembrokeshire with Nolton Stables, which will match your ability (beginner through to Dothraki) to one of its 60 horses and ponies, and take you riding on the brilliantly named Druidstone beach on the St David’s peninsula. Sugar cubes not included.
• Nolton Stables charges £47 for a 90-minute beach ride and £135 for a full-day experience; doubles are £97 B&B, self-catering cottage for two from £230 for two nights
Los Lances Tarifa, Spain: kitesurfing
This beach on Andalucia’s Atlantic coast is perfect for those who want to kitesurf by day and party by night. Home to the World Kitesurf Championships, the seven-kilometre stretch of white sand gets constant, year-round winds. By night, beach bars, clubs and restaurants offer a laid-back surfer vibe – with those same trade winds blowdrying your post-surf Patrick Swayze hairstyle.
• Kite Worldwide runs courses for all levels, from €625pp for a week, including accommodation, equipment hire and guide
Saint Agnes Cornwall: fish for your supper
Ben Quinn is a Cornwall-based chef who will take visitors out on his fishing boat, foraging in rock pools for oysters, mussels and crab, or line-fishing off a cliff for the ultimate beach barbecue. Think Poldark meets Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall. Ben’s HQ is Nancarrow Farm in Zelah, but he’ll go anywhere in north Cornwall and work out a menu based on how adventurous – physically and gastronomically – guests want to be.
• From £50pp, benedictquinn.co.uk. The Primrose Valley Hotel down the coast in St Ives has doubles from £130B&B
Freights Bay, Barbados: surfing
With its warm water and hazard-free beach bottom, Freights, on the south coast of Barbados, has some of the world’s best beginner-friendly waves, though clearly it will cost you a bit more to learn there than back home in Croyde. When the swell hits, the long peeling, left-hand waves break at under a metre high, making it the ideal place to master surfing along the open face of a wave rather than straightlining back to the beach. The vibe is super-chilled, with friendly locals and some of the world’s best rum punch.
• Moonraker Beach Hotel has studios for two from £65 a night
Durdle Door Dorset: open water swimming
If you’ve been training hard in the pool and are looking for a debut plunge in the big blue, a three-kilometre swim along the Jurassic coast is the perfect test. It’s a Unesco heritage site and offers one of the most picturesque tidally assisted swims in the world.
• Sussex-based Swim Trek runs guided swims with support boat throughout August for £100pp. There are lots of B&Bs in nearby West Lulworth; try Cove House, with doubles from £100
Ses Salines Ibiza: party in beach bars
Although set within a nature reserve, this small haven of sun and sand comes with a soundtrack of gently thudding bass drums, because it is licensed to party until just after sunset. As the sun dips towards the horizon, bikini-clad dancers mingle with sunbathers on the ticklishly soft sand. (Those in search of something quieter will be happy to know that the secret beaches of Punta de Ses Portes are a short stroll along a footpath from the far end of the beach.) For an afternoon of classic, bouncy house, try Melon Bomb DJs’ secret parties at the Jockey Club.
• Hostal Mar Y Sal is right by the sand at Platja de Ses Salines. Open April to September, it has doubles from €70 B&B
Hoddevik Norway: surf deserted waves
Pristine water, jaw-dropping scenery, intermediate waves and no crowds. This is a typical day at Hoddevik beach in Norway’s Fjordlands, which is still tantalisingly under the radar. A friendly local surf camp run by champion snowboarder JP Solberg offers guiding, all-in accommodation and board hire. Is it cold? Take three degrees off Cornwall’s water and air temperature and you’ll be about right.
[Source:- gurdian]
