A remote, tree-lined beach situated in the picturesque Myall Lakes National Park, New South Wales, Australia, Mungo offers 20 km of sandy paradise characterised by its big surf and dramatic white sand dunes.

Canadian locals are keen to keep the delights of Thunder Cove Beach to themselves, and it’s not hard to see why. The unique sea stacks and sandstone cliffs will make you feel as if you’re in Arizona, rather than Canada.

Less than half-an-hour from Athens sits the Athens Riviera where city dwellers go to cool down at the weekends. The most glamorous of these sunny-drenched coastal spots is the recently re-launched Astir Beach, where visitors sunbathe in cabanas next to the ancient Temple Apollo Zoster.

Kill Devil Hills is the birthplace of aviation – and the location of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight in 1903. The national monument aside, its untouched beaches are worth exploring and flanked by colourful cottages that stretch on for miles.

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Jamaica postcard-worthy beaches are well-documented, but head to Frenchman’s Cove where the river meets the sea for a vibrant tropical idyll. Hire one of the few luxury villas that surround it and find yourself in secluded bliss far from the island’s towering resorts.

Ayla‘s man-made lagoons in Jordan have become an important part of the Red Sea’s coastline, acting as a protected area for marine life. A coral reef nursery has been created with the reefs then replanted in their natural habitat.

The sandy coastline of Holkham in Norfolk is well worth visiting, be it for its remote beauty or for the many rare forms of wildlife that inhabit its surrounding nature reserve. Early-risers should book a guided dawn chorus walk, where they’ll watch and listen to the local birds’ song as they wake up.

Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, boasts pink sandy beaches, made from crushed corals which have transformed into fine silk-like sand. With a population of only 104,000, its beautiful shores are often deserted.

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Taiwan isn’t commonly associated with seaside destinations, but Jibei Island – situated among the remote western islands of Taiwan – has become a popular spot among sun-loving natives. Famed for its 1.5km sandpit, which is often empty, this is untouched beach paradise at its best.

Nestled south of the western fjords of Icelands sits Rauðasandur Beach, characterised by its breathtaking orange-meets-red sand. The vast, sandy shoreline is surrounded by formidable mountains and dramatic cliffs, and travellers are almost guaranteed to have the beach to themselves, particularly as only 10 per cent of visitors to Iceland make it to the Westfjords.

Scala dei Turchi in Sicily is a chalky rocky cliff, helpfully corroded into the shape of a natural staircase which leads down into the clear waters below. Although it gained attention after its mention in Andrea Camilleri’s series of Montalbano detective stories, it is still absent from the majority of travellers’ hit-lists. On a bright day, the cliffs are so bright they’re almost impossible to look at, so don’t forget your sunglasses.

If you’re searching for a quiet huddle of tavernas and bars with beautiful seaside vistas, then Agios Ioannis Peristeron and its small, but perfectly formed little-known beach is an excellent option. The MarBella Corfu, nestled in lush gardens and perched on a wooded hillside, offers access to a particularly secluded part of the beach.

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