Think of it as a beach a day even on Leap Year. That's right, 366 beautiful beaches encircle this tropical island paradise, the focus of centuries of battles between Spain, France, Great Britain and Denmark. The Dane's influence has been the strongest.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park stretches along the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast from Maphelane to the Mozambique border. It brings together beaches, coral reefs, coastal forests, dunes, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, grasslands, and savanna within one protected landscape. The park is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes several separate conservation areas linked by their ecological systems. Its name, iSimangaliso, is an isiZulu word associated with miracles and wonders.
Nyerere National Park is a vast protected area in southern Tanzania, centered on the Rufiji River and the surrounding miombo woodlands, floodplains, grasslands, and wetlands. It forms part of the wider Selous ecosystem and is one of Tanzania’s largest national parks, covering more than 30,000 square kilometres.
King Island was discovered in 1798, and was a preferred breeding area for sea elephants and seals. Around the island are many shipwrecks, caused by the rough seas of the Bass Strait.
Wailea is a coastal resort community on the southwestern shore of Maui, Hawaiʻi, set between the slopes of Haleakalā and the Pacific Ocean. Its dry climate, landscaped grounds, sandy beaches, and views across the ʻAuʻau Channel toward neighboring islands give it a distinct setting within South Maui. The area is known for several major beaches, including Wailea Beach, Ulua Beach, and Polo Beach, as well as a network of walking paths connecting resorts, beaches, parks, and shopping areas.
Photo Credit: Image by Erick Salas Agudelo from Pixabay
Photo Credit: Photo by Levi Ari Pronk on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Zane Bolen on Unsplash
Barranquilla sits near the mouth of the Magdalena River on Columbia's Caribbean side. It is a major seaport and a center of commerce, but everyone breaks loose for four days in February for one of the liveliest carnivals outside of Rio. It is centered between Cartagena and Santa Marta, and a good highway connects the three cities.
Other Popular Destinations in Colombia
Cartagena
A true gem on the Caribbean coast, the port city of Cartagena (Cartagena de Indias) welcomes visitors with its charming old town, colonial buildings, and exceptional beaches. A popular cruise ship stop, many seafarers find themselves honorary Cartagenans, as they stroll shady, cobblestone lanes and gaze upon impressive churches.
Medellín
Nestled in the Aburrá Valley and surrounded by the Andes mountains, Medellín offers a stunning backdrop for visitors and boasts a pleasant climate year-round, earning it the nickname "City of Eternal Spring."