Sustainable beaches - True Tribe's favourite picks
There’s nothing more freeing than lying on a pristine beach, exploring, swimming or simply being. With more and more of us flocking regularly to the peace and relaxation of the sea, these beautiful landscapes are becoming slowly worn away by the effects of mass-tourism, making sustainable beach credentials a must when choosing your next vacation.
At True Tribe we believe in experiencing all the beauty and adventure of nature without damaging it, so with that in mind, we’ve rounded up our top sustainable beach picks around the world for every type of True Tribe traveller. Pack up your favourite pairs of shorts and vacation with a clear conscience.
1. Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll, Maldives
The Maldives archipelago consists of 1190 tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean.
Nestled in the world-class Baa Atoll UNESCO biosphere reserve, the paradise island of Landaa Giraavaru is the perfect place to get away from it all. The diversity of the marine life in this part of the world will satisfy the budding naturalist in all of us, while the picture-perfect crystal-clear waters are a diver’s dream. Despite being a tiny island of only 600 metres in length, Landaa Giraavaru boasts an incredible PADI 5 star dive centre, so you can spend your days spotting turtles, rays and whale sharks, safe in the knowledge that the island’s Marine Discovery Centre is busy protecting the local coral and macrofauna. Luxury can be found easily in the Four Seasons resort, comprising of fine-dining restaurants and a 3-acre spa complex. Plus, as it’s only 35 minutes away by seaplane from the area’s capital, Malé, visiting this beautiful gem has never been easier.
2. Bahia Canaveral, Tayrona National Park, Colombia
Ecohabs, Playa Grande Santa Marta, Colombia.
Colombia’s Taganga beach on its northernmost Caribbean coast is on every backpacker’s bucket list, but just across a stretch of dazzling blue water, the protected Tayrona National Park boasts several stunning beachscapes. Visitors usually arrive to Tayrona by way of Santa Marta, a 45-minute bus away, and once at the park entrance, it’s a two to three-hour hike to reach the stunning Canaveral beach on the park’s eastern side. As most visitors will head straight to the popular Cabo San Juan and La Piscina beaches, this isolated stretch of sand is exactly where you need to go to live out your best Robinson Crusoe fantasies. Due to the exposed nature of the beach and strong Caribbean winds, swimming at Bahia Canaveral is strongly advised against, however, the Nueve Piedras (nine stones) hike begins very near the beach which takes you all around the water-lined jungle. Avoid coming in January or February when the park closes for an annual eco-rest, and stay overnight in the rustic, sandy campsite to wake up to the sound of crashing waves.
3. Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef, Australia
World Heritage Site located in the remote the north west coastal region of Western Australia.
For a truly memorable luxury holiday, the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia is a must-visit destination. Hailed as a beachside safari camp, Sal Salis is truly where the rugged Australian outback meets the azure-blue waters. Spend your days exploring the Ningaloo Reef, home to over 500 species of colourful fish, humpback whales, orcas, and dolphins. The whole camp is run purely using solar energy, while the luxury bed linen is all organic and chemical free. In the nearby bush, you’ll find the perfect location to spot red kangaroos and wallabies before experiencing Australia’s finest dark sky tourism and curling up in one of the eco-luxe lodge’s wilderness tents. Equipped with comfortable beds, a full bathroom and all the creature comforts you could ever want, sleep soundly safe in the knowledge that Sal Salis has all it’s eco boxes ticked.
4. Alagadi Beach, Kyrenia, Cyprus
The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish.
If wildlife conservation is at the top of your beach-holiday wishlist, make a beeline straight to Kyrenia in Cyprus where Alagadi beach is leading the way in marine turtle conservation. A largely unspoilt part of the island, the Marine Research Turtle group accept volunteers who want to help safeguard turtle nests from predators and environmental obstacles. Bring a blanket onto the beach and watch as hundreds of turtle hatchlings make a break for the waves under the cover of darkness. Spend time exploring the beachfront Kyrenia castle, sampling traditional Cypriot food in the nearby fishing villages and lying on the Alagadi’s extraordinary red sand beach.
