The world is full of beaches—some packed with tourists and beach umbrellas, others so hidden you’ll wonder if you’ve stepped into a dream. For those looking to trade in the all-inclusive crowds for something a little more magical, we scoured the globe for 10 of the best-kept secret beaches. These aren’t just stretches of sand; they’re entire experiences: tucked-away coves with ancient ruins nearby, sleepy towns where the fish is caught an hour before it’s served, and sunsets you’ll tell stories about for years.
We’re big fans of The 50 World’s Best Beaches so we at Cerca thought we’d discover some of the hidden gems of the coastline, one undiscovered paradise at a time.
1. Praia da Ursa, Portugal
Nearest town: Sintra
Tucked along Portugal’s rugged western coast, just north of Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of mainland Europe), Praia da Ursa is not for the faint of heart—or for flip-flops. The descent to this beach is steep and wild, but once you reach the golden sand and otherworldly rock formations, you’ll realize why locals have tried to keep it a secret.
History & Culture: Just 20 minutes away, the fairytale town of Sintra is brimming with romantic palaces and secret gardens, including the famous Quinta da Regaleira. It’s a great contrast to Ursa’s raw, unpolished beauty.
What to Eat Nearby: Try the “pastel de nata” at Piriquita and fresh seafood at Tascantiga. Local fishermen still pull in the day’s catch from these Atlantic waters.
2. Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach), Marieta Islands, Mexico
Nearest town: Punta Mita / Puerto Vallarta
Playa del Amor, known as the Hidden Beach, is literally tucked inside a crater-like cave on the uninhabited Marieta Islands. You can only reach it by swimming or kayaking through a tunnel during low tide—and yes, it’s as jaw-droppingly cool as it sounds.
History & Culture: Formed by volcanic activity and possibly even military testing (the islands were used by the Mexican government for target practice in the early 1900s), this secluded beach is now protected as part of a national park.
What to Eat Nearby: Dine beachside in Punta Mita at Tuna Blanca, where local ingredients meet refined technique.
3. Anse Georgette, Praslin Island, Seychelles
Nearest town: Grand Anse
Often overshadowed by its more popular cousin Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette is a stunning slice of white sand surrounded by dense forest and granite boulders. Access is limited, which keeps the crowds away.
History & Culture: The nearby Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the rare coco de mer palm. This area is steeped in legends, including tales that it was the original Garden of Eden.
What to Eat Nearby: Enjoy Creole-style grilled fish with rice and mango chutney at local beach shacks.
4. Kynance Cove, Cornwall, UK
Nearest town: Lizard
While Cornwall has its share of well-known beaches, Kynance Cove remains a spectacularly quiet corner, especially if you come early in the morning or at dusk. With its turquoise waters and red-green serpentine cliffs, it looks like a painter’s fever dream.
History & Culture: This region has seen pirates, poets, and prehistoric settlers. Nearby, you can visit the Lizard Lighthouse and the Marconi Centre, where the first transatlantic radio signal was sent.
What to Eat Nearby: Try a traditional Cornish pasty from Ann’s Pasties or fresh seafood at Polpeor Cafe.
5. Shelly Beach, Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii
Nearest town: Kilauea
Even in a place like Hawaii, where stunning beaches are the norm, Shelly Beach stands out for its seclusion. It’s not marked on most maps, and the journey involves a bit of hiking through lava rock fields. But once you arrive, the soft sands and tide pools make it feel like you’ve discovered your own private island.
History & Culture: Kilauea is home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse and wildlife refuge, a haven for seabirds and native Hawaiian plants.
What to Eat Nearby: The Kilauea Fish Market is beloved for its poke bowls and fish tacos. Don’t miss the macadamia nut pie.
6. Whitehaven Beach (Hill Inlet Side), Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Nearest town: Airlie Beach
Most people go to Whitehaven Beach and stop at the main 7km stretch. Few venture to the northern end at Hill Inlet, where shifting sands and crystal-clear water create hypnotic swirl patterns best seen from the air.
History & Culture: These islands are part of the traditional lands of the Ngaro people, one of the earliest Indigenous Australian groups to navigate the open sea.
What to Eat Nearby: After your boat ride back to Airlie Beach, head to Fish D’Vine for rum cocktails and a taste of the catch of the day.
7. Caleta Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina
Nearest town: Puerto Pirámides
Located in the Valdés Peninsula, this secluded beach is not only beautiful but teeming with wildlife—expect to spot elephant seals lounging on the sand and orcas patrolling the waves. It’s not a sunbathing kind of beach; it’s a nature-lover’s paradise.
History & Culture: The entire Valdés Peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its importance to marine mammal conservation. The nearby town of Puerto Pirámides offers charming eco-lodges and whale-watching tours.
What to Eat Nearby: Sample Patagonian lamb or fresh calamari at El Viento Viene.
8. Ao Sane Beach, Phuket, Thailand
Nearest town: Rawai
While Phuket is known for its mega-tourism, Ao Sane remains blissfully off the radar. Accessible only by a winding road through a resort and a bit of a scramble, it rewards the adventurous with calm waters and excellent snorkeling.
History & Culture: Close to Nai Harn Temple and the windmill viewpoint, this area blends quiet spiritual retreat with rugged coastline charm.
What to Eat Nearby: Beachfront Ao Sane Bungalows serves up spicy Thai curries and grilled fish that taste even better with your toes in the sand.
9. Playa Cocolito, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Nearest town: Montezuma
Accessible only by boat or a 2-hour jungle hike, Playa Cocolito is where rainforest meets ocean. It’s home to one of the only waterfalls in Costa Rica that spills directly into the sea: El Chorro Waterfall.
History & Culture: The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world’s five Blue Zones, where people live significantly longer thanks to lifestyle, diet, and community values.
What to Eat Nearby: Grab a jungle-shaded meal at Soda Tipica Las Palmeras in Montezuma—fresh casado with fish, plantains, and beans.
10. Sancho Bay, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Nearest town: Vila dos Remedios
You need a permit to visit this island, and a climb down metal ladders wedged into a cliffside to access Sancho Bay—but the payoff is immense. Voted the best beach in the world multiple times by TripAdvisor, it remains under the radar due to its remoteness.
History & Culture: This former penal colony is now one of Brazil’s top eco-tourism destinations, protected as a UNESCO site for its marine biodiversity. Expect to snorkel with sea turtles and reef sharks.
What to Eat Nearby: Don’t miss the moqueca (Brazilian seafood stew) at Restaurante do Zé Maria, a favorite with visiting celebs and conservationists alike.
Final Tip: Keep Them Secret, Keep Them Safe
These hidden beaches have remained magical precisely because they’ve been spared the wear and tear of over-tourism. Their charm lies in their untouched landscapes, local traditions, and fragile ecosystems. So if you’re lucky enough to discover them, consider yourself a steward, not just a visitor.
Practice the golden rule of sustainable travel: take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. Don’t bring plastic, avoid disturbing wildlife, and stick to designated trails—even if the temptation to forge your own path is strong. Many of these beaches are protected areas or lie within communities that rely on the natural environment for their livelihood.
Support the small, family-run businesses. Eat local, stay small-scale, and engage respectfully with the people who call these places home. Ask questions. Learn the stories behind the land. And when it comes to posting on social media, consider keeping the exact location vague or tagging responsibly, so these beaches stay wild and wonderful for generations to come.
At Cerca, we believe the best way to experience the world is to leave it better than you found it. So go—chase the hidden waves, find your own secret paradise. Just don’t forget to tread lightly. Happy beach hunting!
