Beach vacations with friends can be epic, especially if you’re heading somewhere beautiful. After the pandemic, more and more friends have been travelling together since they realised the value of spending quality time with loved ones. But deciding where to go can be a challenge since not everyone may agree on a destination of your choice. If you need help in this aspect, refer to this list of the best beaches for travelling friends.
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1. The Maldives
When people hear of the Maldives, they immediately associate it with romantic escapes, a destination well-suited for honeymooners. But the Maldives is also a fantastic destination for groups of friends. It offers many fun activities to bond with your friends and has several luxury resorts where you can indulge in some R&R.
The Maldives is the perfect place to laugh, scream, and go crazy with your friends. There are plenty of options for water sports, from kayaking to jet skiing, flyboarding, banana boat rides, and more! For a unique way to bond, go for a submarine tour to explore the underwater world. Boating is also a fun activity for groups of friends in the Maldives. Book an entire boat and hop from one island to another while enjoying a spot of snorkelling and diving.
After all the fun activities, bond over massage or spa treatment. Many resorts in the Maldives have world-class spa facilities that offer pampering packages for groups, so take advantage of these. Dining is a one-of-a-kind affair in the Maldives. Here, you’ll have plenty of options to indulge in delicious food, from underwater restaurants to beachfront eateries.
2. Croatia
Croatia is an incredible country home to numerous national parks and nature reserves occupying about 10% of the country. If you and your friends are fond of outdoor adventures, Croatia will make for a perfect destination to bond. In addition, cruising Croatia on a small ship allows you to explore the many beautiful islands in the country.
Dubrovnik is a great city to explore with friends, especially if you’re a Game of Thrones fan. It’s the filming location of the King’s Landing and home to outstanding medieval architecture that are a joy to explore. Take a cruise from Dubrovnik to Split and stop by the stunning Peljesac Peninsula. It’s the country’s wine-producing region and where you can sample delectable local wines.
After your wine-tasting tour, make your way to the charming town of Split, where you’ll find the famous Diocletian Palace, an ancient palace built in honour of the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 4th Century AD. The massive palace complex consists of four sections and has two main streets. After exploring the Diocletian’s Palace, relax at one of Split’s beautiful beaches, such as the Bačvice Beach, a sandy beach sitting right in the heart of the city. It is also worth visiting and enjoying the beaches of the nearby Hvar Island.
3. Spain
Boasting sea, sun, and sand, Spain has long been a popular destination for group holidays. It’s home to many beautiful islands with unspoiled beaches and all-inclusive resorts that cater to groups of friends. Aside from the gorgeous islands, you’ll also find bustling cities rich in culture and history.
For friends who love to party, Ibiza is the perfect destination. Home to world-class bars and clubs, Ibiza has a vibrant nightlife where you and your friends can have a blast. Ibiza is also home to many fantastic beaches, offering opportunities for fun water sports. If you prefer a quieter alternative to Ibiza, head to Formentera, a picturesque island just south of Ibiza. It has a more relaxing atmosphere. The beaches are less crowded, allowing you to bond without distractions.
While the islands of Spain are the perfect destinations for a fun getaway with friends, the vibrant cities of Barcelona or Madrid are also fun to visit with friends. Here, you can bond over tapas, explore fascinating museums and architectural sites, and wander around busy streets.
4. The Caribbean
The Caribbean is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and powdery white sands. There are also several stunning rental villas in the Caribbean, making it an ideal choice for your getaway with friends. Perhaps, the biggest challenge to planning a group holiday here is deciding which island to visit.
The British Virgin Islands are perfect for group holidays with friends. It has sixty different islands, so there’s no shortage of places to explore, reefs to dive, and white sand beaches to relax and bond with everyone. The islands also offer many fun activities that you can enjoy as a group, such as windsurfing, sailing, and more. The tropical island of St. Lucia is another fantastic destination for friends travelling to the Caribbean. It’s home to many beautiful beaches where you can swim and have fun. The best beaches to visit are Plantation Beach and Anse Des Sables Beach.
As the second largest country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic offers plenty of fun attractions to explore with your friends. But if you’re here for the beach, you will be spoilt for choice. The country has 250 miles of coastline with many gorgeous beaches, especially in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. There are also fun excursions to enjoy, such as diving and snorkelling.
5. The UK
The UK may not be a popular destination for beach holidays, but it has a glorious coastline with stunning swathes of golden sands. You will find that the best beaches in the UK are incredibly diverse, offering endless opportunities for friends looking to enjoy a fun time by the sea. These beaches have numerous water sports facilities for a more enjoyable bonding moment with friends.
When it comes to a beach holiday in the UK, head to Cornwall, where you’ll find hundreds of beautiful sandy beaches. One of these is Fistral Beach in Newquay, a popular spot for surfing. If you and your friends are into surfing, Fistral would be the perfect destination, as it has all the amenities you need for a fun surfing trip.
The bustling town of Brighton is another fun destination for a beach holiday in the UK. Aside from frolicking at its fabulous beach, you can explore the iconic Brighton Pier, a lovely theme park with fairground rides, bars, and restaurants.
*This article has been contributed to Owl Over The World.
