The World’s Best Sustainable Beaches

We all know that life’s better at the beach. And on the topic of a better life, some pretty wonderful people out there are doing their best to make sure that beach life is doing good for everyone – from cleaning up and protecting marine life, to helping local beach-side communities. These trips to the beach will not only soothe your soul, but help improve the world to boot. Here are five of our favourite sustainable beach destinations in the world…

Tropical Fjord Beach, Brazil

Leave the hustle and bustle of Rio behind and head to idyllic Paraty for chilled out vibes and a slice of coastal paradise. Guests at luxury eco-hotel Pousada Literaria, part of new sustainable travel association Bee + Hive, can explore the area’s secret beaches before setting sail along the only tropical fjord on the Brazilian coast. After spots of snorkelling and paddle boarding within the bay’s stunning selection of over 30 beaches, a sustainably sourced lunch (including fresh pickings from the hotel’s very own kitchen garden) is served on board the luxury schooner.

An island beach, Maldives

If you like your beach to be an entire (jaw-droppingly beautiful) island, this is the place for you. The guys at Soneva Fushi, in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, are seriously committed to sustainability. This Indian Ocean gem is barefoot luxury at its very best, and their vast strides into sustainability only make it even better. Think community outreach programmes, a charitable foundation and even an in-house island Marine Biologist.

Diani Beach, Kenya

Welcome to tropical paradise. Diana Beach has all the picture-postcard traits you want: footprint-free white sands, crystal clear Indian Ocean water and coconut palms swaying gently in the breeze. But there’s something extra special about this stretch of coast. The elusive whale shark, the world’s largest fish, has taken a liking to these waters. Satellite tagging expeditions help support research and conservation, while divers and snorkelers can swim with this gentle giant in the wild for a truly incredible experience.

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Australia

“Where the outback meets the reef” is how this beach-side safari camp describes itself. Perched way up Australia’s western coast, it doesn’t get much more remote than this. There’s no mobile coverage or internet access, so embrace that digital detox and spend time on the pristine beach. Make some new underwater friends in the coral reef, sea kayak to secret spots along the coast, or sample the seasonal, local produce with hints of bush food and fresh fish. With only 16 ocean-facing luxury tents, the impact on the environment is minimal. Almost 100% of the camp’s power is generated by solar panels, and 5% of their turnover goes to conservation work across Western Australia.

A turtle spotting beach, Oman

With extravagant luxury hotels and a coastline of over 1700 kilometres, you can see how this country is cementing its place as the must-visit destination of the Middle East. If you’re after a dose of heady heat and secluded beaches off the tourist trail, bring Oman to the top of your beach bucket list. We love the eco-tourism project at Ras AI Jinz beach, where a turtle sanctuary protects the nesting of the endangered green turtle. On this most easterly tip where the Gulf of Oman meets the Arabian Sea, visitors can watch turtles hatch in their natural environment.