The quiet beaches our guides keep for themselves

Ask any local guide where they swim on their day off and the answer is rarely the famous cove. We share five stretches of coast that still feel unhurried.

Why the famous beach is not always the best

Postcard beaches fill up early. A short drive or boat ride often leads to calmer water, fewer crowds and better food.

Postcard beaches fill up early.

How to find your own quiet cove

Go early, ask the people who live there and be willing to walk the last stretch. Weekdays and shoulder seasons help too.

Leave it as you found it

Quiet beaches stay quiet when visitors respect them. Take your rubbish with you and follow local guidance on reefs and wildlife.