What makes the best beach?

Hello to all my friends on the lovely Pacific Islands branch.

As many of you know, I just returned from quite an epic journey that took me from the South Pacific to South East Asia.

I got to see a lot of beaches.

To be frank, I was very disappointed with the beaches in Thailand. I'm sure at one time, before they were overwhelmed by tourism, that many of them were lovely. I saw many that were ruined. I saw many that I didn't think were that nice but visitors there thought they were in paradise. (spoiled from the ones we all know in our beloved islands)

So what makes a great beach? What are your criteria for a perfect one?

(I know one thing, I sure don't like those Causarina trees that line the beaches in Thailands.... prickly.)

To me, they should have pure white, powdery soft sand, clear blue waters, and no crowds. The quieter the better.

Colorful coral reefs and jungly backcountry are added bonuses.

Coconut palms are nice, but not essential - other trees can be good, too.

Some of my favourites are these ones from Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

IMO beaches are overrated-people in the tropics often use the beach for a toilet.

Of all of Lazlo's photos I like New Caledonia best.

I'm not a sand person. To me it's all about the water though I do like a tiny little sliver of beach (so I can walk into the water) and I LOVE sandbars. First there shouldn't be anything nasty in it, no crocodiles or sea snakes (I don't mind reef sharks) and no boa constrictors in the jungle next to the beach.
The water should be as calm as possible. It should range from a pale clear to a vivid turquoise blue. Warm bathwater temperature. Lots of colorful fish to see.
I'd like a backdrop (another island, some motu). It should be accessible by my own power (not via an excursion). I prefer that there be no man-made structures and no other people on it. I don't want to ask anyones permission to walk on the beach or swim in the water. I want the freedom of swimming in my bathing suit (though I usually wear a long sleeved rash guard as sun protection) not in a sarong or shorts and t-shirt.

I am not a beach person either (hope my other posts testify that) but this Q was about beaches, so I aded my 2 cents'.
Indeed, beaches are often used as toilets, and that obviously rules out their being in the top league.
None of those in my list were used that way, of course!
To me length is not that much of an issue, so my fave among those four may just be the Solomons or the Vanuatu one.
Of the latter, I linked a less well-shot pic first - this one is better.

Thats a nice picture Las- and your description pretty much covers it. Although coconut palms are a pretty strong need for me.

Waaaaa- I really want to go to the beach. I'd even settle for a not very perfect beach. As long as it was good and warm and the ocean was lapping in and out. And here I sit in Colorado, nearly as far as possible from any kind of beach, in mid April with a snow storm, possibly a big one, rolling in for the weekend.

Laszlo: I love the New Caledonia one.... Those Caledonian "pine trees" along with the flat sandy beach is reminiscent of many beaches here in Saskatchewan at one of our many lakes. (The water, I suspect, would be somewhat warmer! ;)

It's pretty tough to rate a beach. I found Muri Beach to be wonderfully romantic, as there seemed to be hardly any other tourists and we had a full moon! The fact that we could walk for kilometres without meeting another person was incredible. But, it was only ok for snorkeling. Aitutaki was another wonderful surprise, in that virtually nobody walked the beach. Better snorkeling.

Some of the beaches along the Mayan Riviera were very cool. I recall the public one - at Tulum - as being particularly impressive. Nonetheless, I'm very fond of a couple of our Canadian beaches. There's a surprisingly nice, high mountain one located in the southern interior of British Columbia. The fact that you can find this lovely, sandy beach coupled with crystal clear, deep water...surrounded by mountains and pine trees...not bad!

Hello!

I love beaches!
The perfect beach should have fine white sand with no other footprints than my own. (or my occational travel companion) The sea should be transparent turqoise, calm and clean. It should have a colourful coral reef not to close to shore, maybe with an occational coral head for variation. The backdrop should be green, wild jungel-clad mountains shrouded in mist. The only sound would be the distant roar of waves hitting the reef and the singing of exotic birds. But there should be no sandflies, mosquitos or other annoying insects.

I have been to lots and lots of beaches worldwide, but I still haven't found that one. (But some are pretty close)
Here are some of those I have found so far.

Regards
eflatjan
http://www.pbase.com/bolla49</a>

Rate a beach?
1. Any motu in Aitutaki Lagoon.

sunny regards,
shully

A personal favourite-Pacific coast of Colombia-a very remote and wild place

After having watched a great travel program, on the Seychelles, I've got to say that there sure seems to be some fantastic beaches there. Anse Boileau looks awesome!

For the last 25 years I have been in search of the perfect beach. I have sand samples from all over the world.

I agree with Shully, any Motu in Aitutaki Lagoon.

Judging from the comments by copperspoon and islandboi, the French might find it worthwhile to promote New Caledonia to Canadians more heavily.
It might just have what they want (well, except for... certain things).

You two can go before the rest - hopefully not at the same time 'tho! ;-)

BTW, here is a MUCH longer "best beaches" thread, started way back on the previous Thorn Tree...

"You two can go before the rest - hopefully not at the same time 'tho! ;-)
"
Indeed!
The one drawback for both of us is that neither speaks French-not a popular language where we live.