Moshup Beach captures the best of Martha’s Vineyard beaches but without the throngs of people. Visitors often unwisely overlook Moshup Beach for more popular landmarks along the vineyard, so the long stretches of sandy shore are usually free for you to peruse and admire at your liking. The beach’s flawless white sands are contrasted sharply by steely grey cliffs and baby blue skies – a great backdrop for a leisurely barefoot stroll. And for the truly adventurous (and unblushing) beachgoer, Moshup Beach has areas for sunbathing in the nude.

This gorgeous beach more than lives up to its tropical-sounding name. Its sands are clean, golden and powder-textured, the sea matches the cobalt blue sky, and the backdrop one of soaring mountains and lush forests. Renowned for its blue flag status, Playa Flamingo has clean water and is safe for swimmers, so you can spend all day snorkelling amongst the abundant marine life, enjoying a variety of watersports or fishing, and in the evening, simply sit back and gaze on one of Costa Rica’s most famously glorious sunset vistas.

For endless secluded beaches of dark volcanic sand, stretching away against a backdrop of swaying palm trees and lush tropical jungle, the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is hard to beat. There are abundant surfing and fishing possibilities. The sunsets here are among the most beautiful anywhere.

This cosy stretch of pale Corsican sand enjoys a pine forest windbreak as a backdrop – part of the Cerbicales National Park – and a crystalline bay of very swimmable water embraced by natural-harbour-like arms of rosy-coloured rock. There’s a snug terrace cafe for cold drinks and snacks, and Porto-Vecchio is a fifteen-minute drive away for lunch.