Tag: Beaches

There is trouble in paradise. Unchecked tourism has damaged Southeast Asia’s pristine beaches

Loknath Das

Hordes of tourists clamber across the white sand with selfie sticks as Thai park rangers wade into turquoise waters to direct boats charging into the cliff-ringed cove. Made famous by the 2000 movie, The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay on the western Thai island of Koh Phi Phi Ley is now a case study in the ruinous costs of runaway tourism, swamped by up to 4,000 daily visitors. “There is too many people here, it’s bad,” lamented Saad Lazrak, a 61-year-old from Morocco, as crowds around him swallowed the…

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Beyond cherry blossoms: Japan has some of the most underrated beaches

Loknath Das

Known for its rich culture, Japan is also popular for its amazing beaches. Japan is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean with dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks and thousands of shrines and temples. Here are four most underrated and must visit beaches in the country: Goshiki-hama Beach A famous spot for a sunset view Goshikihama is a beach of colourful pebbles. The name Goshiki (meaning five colours) comes from the fact that the pebbles filling the beach shine in five different colours like gems when washed in…

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Do you think Goa is only about beaches? The tiny state also has a serene countryside

Loknath Das

Goa is known for its beaches, churches, temples and the carnival among other things. But, the state also has a beautiful countryside that is never explored by tourists. For starters, the structure of an average Goan village is lined with huge Portuguese style villas that will simple leave you in awe. A large percentage of Goans work and stay abroad. So, more often than not, you will find just one or two people staying in these massive residences. Therefore, finding someone who can rent out a room in one of…

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Best beaches for action and activities

subhadip

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…

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Thousands of sharks teem off Florida beaches

subhadip

If you were wanting to escape the winter weather by hitting the warm beaches in Florida, you might want to steer clear of the water. Thousands of sharks are migrating right off the coast of some popular beach towns. Florida Atlantic University biological sciences professor Stephen Kajiura, captured video Friday morning of blacktip sharks invading the waters of Palm Beach, on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The majority of shark bites that occur in Florida are attributed to this species, but there has never been a fatal attack credited to the blacktip…

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Five of the world’s best wild beaches

subhadip

Chesterman Beach, Vancouver Island You could almost pick any beach off the ocean side of Vancouver Island, but Chesterman has the edge. It’s the kind of place where you might see kids pedalling along barefoot with a surfboard under one arm. With a bit of luck, and keen eyesight, you might spot orcas out beyond the breakers. Easier to find is the Carving Shed, where local craftsmen turn out exquisite sculptures and traditional canoes. At low tide a sandspit, the Tombolo, gets you out to Frank Island, with great views…

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Best places to visit Maldives Beaches

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The Maldives are a perfect destination whether your dream beach trip consists of spending a few pampered nights in a four-star resort or swimming among tropical fish some 80 feet underwater. Whether your dream beach trip consists of spending a few pampered nights in a four-star resort or swimming among tropical fish some 80 feet (24 meters) underwater, the Maldives are the sort of islands where either—or both—can come true. Straddling the Equator southwest of Sri Lanka, the 1,102 islands that make up the Maldives form 26 atolls. The soft…

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