Here comes the sun-shine
Ian Stalker
Sand is grand — at least when that sand is found on a great beach.
And those in the travel industry certainly know of some great beaches.
Here are some of their oceanside preferences:
Abdalah Castillo
Dominican Republic Tourism Board
Abdalah Castillo certainly has the luxury of choice when it comes to choosing a great beach.
Castillo, a longtime Dominican Republic Tourism Board director in this country, notes his homeland has several Caribbean-fronting destinations that have built a tourism following thanks to their great beaches.
“Believe it or not and it can sound like a cliche, but I love a lot or most of beaches in the DR,” he says. “What makes the difference is what I go for. If I go with my family, I will go to Puerto Plata, Punta Cana or La Romana because these destinations have enjoyment for every member of the family.
“If I go with the significant one only, then I will go to Samana.
“For a vacation oriented to be active with guys or with extreme sports, then I will go to Cabarete. Same if I want an ecological vacation. I will go to the southwest of the island, to Barahona and Pedernales.
“So as I always said, the DR has a vacation for every budget and every taste.”
Meanwhile, Castillo wants to make it clear that he views a beach as more than an opportunity to laze in a warm setting.
“Get lazy and be roast in the sun? No way,” says the energetic Castillo. “I’m very active when I am in the DR. I am an ex-surfer, open water diver and rider of any board or ski that I can ride. Back to the question… I’m very active in the beach.”
Ednie Rahma Rahim
Tourism Malaysia Americas
Picking a preferred beach is an understandable challenge for Ednie Rahma Rahim.
Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director for the Americas notes her homeland has a seemingly endless number of beach options.
“Wow, this got me thinking,” she said of being asked to choose. “I am a total beach person, and have traversed many a Malaysian beach, and it’s hard to pick a favourite.
Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, our go-to beach would be Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, off of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, simply for the proximity. Port Dickson was the family beach getaway, a three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. Later, I discovered Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast, all along the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor, and the many islands off of the east coast, as well as the islands off of Sabah Malaysian Borneo, and of course, Langkawi, off of the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It really is hard to pick a favourite. As clichéd as it may sound, nearly all our beaches will give you warm, crystal-clear water and white-sandy beaches.
If I have to pick a favourite, it would be Redang Island on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. At first sight, I was stunned by the expanse of beach before me. Pristine, and picture-perfect, and when I went snorkelling off the beach I was like a kid in a candy store as I found myself surrounded by a colourful array of fish even in just two feet of water. Then I was even more bowled over when I went diving off of Redang Island. My very first dive experience, and it was just absolutely stunning, the coral reef, the numerous species of fish surrounding me, totally awe-inspiring. And every night whilst I was at my perfect beach, I would find a lounger, with my favourite drink by my side, and star-gaze. As luck would have it, I have wished upon two perfect shooting stars, both at my favourite beach, and both, life-changing wishes came true…”
Rahma Rahim says outdoor spaces are always “conducive to social distancing as long as everyone is mindful of the two-meter distance required between people not in your group, and as long as you keep your own group small. Besides this, Malaysian beaches are expansive, with long stretches of beach that are not over-crowded. In the numerous times I’ve hit beaches in Malaysia, I have never once experienced over-crowding, and have always been able to find a quiet spot to enjoy the sea, or just bask on the beach.”
Meanwhile, Rahma Rahim is confident that there are plenty of other great Malaysian beaches for her to discover.
“Malaysia has more than 4,600 kms of coastline, with as many as 878 islands, many of which are still uninhabited,” she says. “In short, Malaysia does not have a shortage of pristine beaches to be explored. Malaysia also sits proudly atop the world’s coral triangle, making the waters surrounding Malaysia, home to one of the most bio-diverse marine eco-systems in the world, offering amazing snorkelling, diving, and every beach activity you can think of.”
Cover photo and beach shot courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand
Puangpen Klanwari
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Canada
Puangpen Klanwari managed to narrow down Thailand’s huge number of great beach options to make a great choice.
Klanwari is the Tourist Authority of Thailand’s director for Canada and notes that Thailand has over 2500 km of coastline that provides a diverse range of beach options and her personal favourite area is the Similan Islands, located on the west coastal region in the Andaman Sea.
“Located approximately 120 km northwest of Phuket or 50 kms west of Khao Lak, this archipelago of 9 small islands is easily accessible by speedboat,” Klanwari reports. “Most people go on a day trip, so really only have time to visit two or three of the islands. The scenery is spectacular, with beautiful clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and iconic rock formations. For those wishing to overnight, basic tents and air-conditioned bungalows are available on one of the nine islands. The many beautiful coral formations, countless species of fish and sea life also make this area a top favourite for those who wish to snorkel or dive.”
Meanwhile Klanwari reports the islands are part of a national marine park and so are only open only part of the year (generally Oct. 15-May 15) so “be sure to check before planning a day trip. And don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen.”
Pam Bassett
Oasis Hotels & Resorts
Pam Bassett’s preferred beach hasn’t exactly flown under the radar when it comes to those seeking sunspots.
“My favourite beach is the beautiful 20-km stretch of beach in Cancun. Gorgeous white sand and azure blue water — an unbeatable combination,” says Bassett, who carries the flag for Oasis Hotels & Resorts in this country.
Bassett is hopeful that she can soon revisit hugely popular Cancun, noting that the Mexican government and her company — which offers Cancun vacations — “have implemented many healthy and safety protocols to ensure our guests are safe throughout the hotel and on the beach.”
Meanwhile, Bassett says the beach is a great place to be in these days of social distancing, adding Oasis is “controlling the numbers of guests staying on the properties to ensure proper social distancing on the beach.”
Christopher Stubbs
Caribbean Castle Resorts
Chris Stubbs’ favorite beach is at his client’s doorstep.
Stubbs, with Caribbean Castle Resorts, identifies the Dominican Republic’s Minitas Beach, found at the Casa de Campo Resort and Villas in La Romana as his first choice.
“The best thing about Minitas Beach is that it’s a private, unspoiled haven with a calm and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for kicking back and relaxing, while having all the privilege of the luxurious offerings of this fine resort,” says Stubbs, whose company represents Casa de Campo in this country.
