The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are bathed by the Pacific Ocean, and are part of the Republic of Ecuador. The archipelago is comprised of 19 islands and more than 200 islets, covering an area of more than 70,000 square km. The surface area is about 8,000 square km, of which almost 97% is a national park, and the other 3% belongs to the urban and rural zones. 

The archipelago has been declared a human patrimony because of its biological wealth, evolutionary process of its flora and fauna and the minmum alteration that it has received from men. It's known that in there live more than 2,500 marine species and many of them are being studied. This archipelago is unique in the world because it has a self sufficient ecological system. 

The Galápagos islands are a living laboratory where we can appreciate the beauty of nature. and it's also an attraction for people who study evolution and life. The water is an intense green due to the great amount of algae. Algae that live in those island there, where we can find hundreds of species of fish, whales, sharks, sea lions, penguins, turtles, and of course coral reefs. 

Diving is one of the most practiced sports but due to the complexity of the archipelago it's not for beginners though ideal for divers with an intermediate level at least because the current is very strong. 

The diving that's practiced here is deep, more than 20 meters down. Night diving can be practiced in less deep places with no current, kayak navigation snorkling and hiking are also preferred activities when visiting the Galapagos. Cruise ships arrive with many tourists and go around the whole archipelago. 

From the international airport at Quito there are direct flights to the most important island of Baltra.

Cartagena Beach, Colombia

Cartagena Beach, Colombia

At the very north of  South America, in Colombia, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, is Cartagena de Indias. Founded in the sixteenth century during the Spanish dominion, the walls surrounding the city were built. It was one of the most powerful ports of America. 

Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful cities of the world, a jewel of colonial architecture that's been declared a patrimony of humanity. Walking through the old part of the city is to discover history.  

The best beaches of Cartagena are in Bocagrande, which is the most important tourist area. The archipelago that surrounds its coast, as well as the Rosario islands, with transparent water that softly touch the white sand coasts and coral reefs, form a landscape comparable to paradise. 

Its ports welcome thousands of tourists arriving in cruise ships, who come to this land to enjoy the historical, cultural and tourist attractions of this beautiful Caribbean city. 

Cartagena is the ideal place for diving, snorkling, and all types of water sports. The variety offered by Cartagena allows us to alternate visits to historical places with walks to the beaches and visits to the islands. 

At night, you can enjoy a good walk through the old city, illuminated by colonial lanterns, stop by the bars, cafés, restaurants, or try your luck at the casinos on Arsenal Street or on Corralito de Piedra street.

From Bogota to Cartagena de Indias the flight lasts 1.4 hours. The Rafael Núñez International Airport is located 10 minutes from the city center, and 15 minutes from the Bocagrande hotels.

Samara-Beach, Costa-Rica

 Samara-Beach, Costa-Rica

Playa Samara, North Pacific, is a pretty and user-friendly beach with regular surf.

Costa Rica has year-round warm water and plenty of broad, deserted beaches on both Pacific and Caribbean coasts - but don't expect them all to be coated in soft, manicured sand, nor gently lapped by azure waters. 

For starters many beaches wear hard, black volcanic sand coats which reach magma temperatures in the midday sun.

Next, even beaches bordered by hotels aren't in the habit of clearing up the flotsam on their beach - and if it's near a village locals can be depressingly thoughtless with their trash - so watch where you step.

And finally the waters on both sides of the country can conceal wild rips [currents] and are often rough.

On the plus side the climate is hot, the hotels are often appealing yet low cost, the beaches are bereft of pay-parasols, the surfing is excellent and the waters are not crammed with curl-hoggers. Locals are pleasant, food is reasonable and non-marine activities abundant: jungle walks, horse riding, canopy tours, wildlife safaris to national parks, mountain biking, quad biking, white-water rafting, hot springs, volcano explorations and more...

Surfing:

A world-class surf hotspot, Costa Rica's two coasts both offers terrific point breaks, beach breaks and perfect lefts and rights. The Caribbean side's surf season is short and limited mainly to after-effects of tropical storms between August and December, but swells can be huge. The Pacific side, however, offers more consistent waves with the big stuff appearing April-October and smaller but cleaner waves for the rest of the year.

Costa Rica's top surf beaches are arguably: Hermosa Beach, Playa Grande, Pavones, Witches Rock, Salsa Brava, Dominical, Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, Negra Beach, Junquillal Beach and Avellana Beach.

Surf board transport: 

Some domestic airlines do not accept boards as baggage due to weight or size so check beforehand. Many surfers hire cars [tough ones as some roads are in seriously bad shape!] instead but bring their own soft racks and straps as these are not supplied.

Boards are usually rentable in towns adjacent to good surf, though many visitors bring their own.

Kauapea Beach, Hawaii

Kauapea Beach, Island of Kauai in Hawaii

Thousands and thousands of tourists come habitually to the beaches of Hawaii, because it really is a paradise where the nature of the landscape sometimes comes in the shape of nude beaches. Its shores on the Pacific Ocean are of indescribable beauty, the golden color of the sand touched by the warm and crystalline water accompanied by the green foliage and cliffs form a beautiful landscape.

Kauapea is a secret beach because it is not easy to find, but all lovers of the exotic, will surely find it. If you want to enjoy a different world, you will have to take a hike through the jungle, and luckily it is not a very long journey, so you can quietly enjoy the scenery.

It's possible to practice any outdoors activity you want, the sea invites you to go diving, snorkeling, spear fishing, swimming, sailing, kayaking and even the air invites you to go for a helicopter ride. Another major attraction is getting into a boat or a catamaran to explore the different islands, you can go to sea to watch cetaceans, dolphins and whales.

You can get there by plane at Lihue Airport, located on the island of Kauai, which receives flights from several airlines. 

The climate is subtropical, there are two seasons: one that goes from May to October of around 20 degrees, which is often rainy so it is advisable to go from November to April, when temperatures are 30 degrees on average.

Rhode Island, North America

Rhode Island, USA 

With Rhode Island's 411 miles of rugged coastline and stunning beaches it makes perfect sense to call the place the 'Ocean State'. 

South County [the southern part of the state] has fine sandy beaches, many of them with protective dunes, as well as the stony and rocky kind shores that are the province of walkers.

Some of Rhode Island's best beaches are: Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, with half a mile of soft sand; Napatree Point with grassy dunes and the Victorian resort of Watch Hill in Washington; the local's favourite swimming spot East Matunuck State Beach, has a glorious view over the dunes of the Succotash Salt Marsh at South Kingstown in Washington; the Ninigret Conservation Area in Charlestown with 1,700-acre saltwater pond is great for both swimming and walking.

Getting there: Drive via Interstate 95, the main east coast major highway from Maine to Florida. Interstate Routes 95 and 195 offer access to most of Rhode Island's major cities from Westerly to Providence to Pawtucket to East Providence.

Sorrento

Sorrento, Italy

Sorrento is a traditional tourist destination. It's a small tourist town close to Napoli, with medieval churches and castles, as well as beaches. It's got views to the Vesuvio Mount and Napoli, and an area enclosed by walls where the Saint Francis of Assisi is.

Within its main beaches is Bagni della Regina Giovanna, where there are archeological ruins of an ancient maritime village. It's one of the most visited by tourists. La Spiaggia di Puolo is often visited by locals and tourists, as well as the Marina della Lobra beach, where marvelous shows are presented at night.

The water is ideal for diving, or taking diving classes, because classes for all levels are offered. A great amount of shipyards are always at the commercial port, because it has a pier ready to accomodate big ships.

The floats are luxurious yachts that have an excellent and expert crew on board.

One of the must-do visits in Sorrento is to the Valles dei Mulini, which are part of a five valley system that surround the Sorrento peninsula.

The main access points are the Fiumicino Airport, in Rome, or the Sea Aeroporti, from Milan, as well as many boat, ferry and steam boat transportation services to the island of the Napoli bay and the Sorrento peninsula, and by bus or automobile from Napoli, through the highways.

Sardinia

Sardinia, Italy

Classic Sardinia water: clear, with occasional limestone rocks and minimal waves

The coastline of Sardinia, not unlike neighbouring French Corsica, is pocked with gorgeous little white sand bays lapped by crystal turquoise waters, not only the pricey bit of the island, north-east Costa Smeralda. Recently the Sardinian President prohibited any further building within two kms [1.25m] of the sea, so hopefully this glorious coastline will continue unspoilt for a long time [or at least until a more corrupt politician gets into power].

Waters are crystal clear, the sun shines a lot, the coast is almost 2,000kms of fish-friendly rocks and the island has a lot of dive centres. Sardinia is an island surrounded by clear, azur water and welcoming white-sand bays separated by spectacularly jagged rock formations and reliable winds. Sail boat charter, lessons, crewed tours and more are popular so book ahead.