stopovers
Top 7 Best Beach Stopovers
Whether you're flying from New York to Sydney or Auckland to London, breaking up your long flights on a stopover can be an ideal way to make the journey much more enjoyable. But you don't have to spend time amongst the concrete jungle. Here are our top 7 best beach stopovers when travelling long haul:
1. Dubai
As far as stopovers go, Dubai is a really good all-rounder with so much on offer, but the beaches here are fabulous too. From La Mer Beach near Jumeirah Mosque, all the way down past the JBR to Jebel Ali, the beach options here seem to be endless.
Try Kite Beach for lots going on and plenty of sports to enjoy, while Marina Beach and JBR Beach offer beach bars and is often the place to be seen.
Nearest beach to Dubai International Airport: Dubai Islands Beach (16km / 25 minutes drive)
If you're travelling between Europe and Asia, Africa or Australia & New Zealand, Abu Dhabi is a brilliant city to enjoy. There's plenty to experience and the beaches here are soft white sand with turquoise water.
If you like to be near the beach, take a look at places like Centro on Yas Island which is a budget friendly hotel and just a short walk to Yas Beach. Or check out the Saadiyat Rotana Resort or Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island for that true beach holiday experience. But for the ultimate beach stopover experience, splash out at the gorgeous Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel which has it's own private beach near The Corniche.
Nearest public beach to Abu Dhabi International Airport: Yas Beach (9km / 15 minutes drive)
3. Los Angeles
If you're heading from the US over to Asia, Australiasia or the Pacific, you might very well have to stopover in Los Angeles. And the beach cities here are a must.
Whether you've got a lengthy 10 hours to wait, or you want to spend a few days enjoying the huge golden sand beaches, getting out of LAX and exploring is great way to kill some time.
The nearest beaches to LAX are Dockweiler Beach, El Segundo Beach and Playa Del Rey Beach, which are great for a few hours in the sunshine. But if you're planning on spending a few days in LA, areas like Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach and even Long Beach offer plenty of hotel and accommodation options.
Nearest beach to LAX International Airport: Dockweiler Beach (4 miles / 10 minutes drive (depending on traffic))
4. Sentosa Island, Singapore
'Beach' might not be the first thing you think about Singapore, but if you head out of the skyscrapers to the very south of the city, you'll hit Sentosa Island.
Although there are much smaller beaches closer to Singapore airport, Sentosa is a fun-loving island, with attractions like Universal Studios and Adventure Cove Waterpark offering more to your city break in Singapore, but the beaches here are fabulous too.
Resorts like the Sofitel and Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa offer great accommodation within easy reach of the beach.
Singapore Airport to Sentosa Island: 25km / 30 minutes drive
Nearest beach to Singapore Changi International Airport: NSRCC Beach (5km / 10 minutes drive)
5. Hua Hin, Thailand
Although there are closer beaches to Bangkok, both Pattaya and Hua Hin offer more of a resort feel, and we absolutely love Hua Hin, and so does the Thai Royal Family.
It's about a 3 hour drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin, so you'll want to spend at least a few days in this beach city, with various hotels and resorts dotted along the coastline. Hua Hin is also home to Maruekhathaiyawan Summer Palace, the place where the Royal Family enjoying holidaying.
The Hilton Hua Hin Resort is in the heart of town and also on the beachfront, while places like the Intercontinental Resort and Hyatt Regency Hua Hin are further south, where you'll need to take a taxi or tuk tuk into town.
Distance from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin: (230km / 3 hours drive)
6. Fiji
If you're travelling between West Coast USA and Australia or New Zealand, a stopover in Fiji is very achievable, allowing you to enjoy a little bit of paradise before your onward flight.
Hotels close to the airport and the beach include the Ramada Suites by Wyndham and Smugglers Cove Beach Resort, both on Wailoaloa Beach, however, some of the best beaches on the island are drive away, like Natadola Beach on the south side of the island (about an hour from Nadi International Airport).
Nearest beaches to Nadi International Airport:
Naisoso Island - 4km / 8 minute drive
Wailoaloa Beach - 9km / 15 minute drive
7. Miami
What do you get when you cross the bright lights of a vibrant city, and soft, sandy beaches and turquoise waters? Miami, of course!
Both South Beach and Miami Beach are about the same distance from Miami International Airport with hotels like Nikki Beach, Marriott Stanton South Beach and The Edition Miami Beach all offering easy access to the popular beachside hangouts here.
Nearest beaches to Miami International Airport:
South Beach - 13 miles / 30 minutes drive
Miami Beach - 13 miles / 30 minutes drive
Which Is Your Favourite?
When you're flying long-haul, who wouldn't want to enjoy a few days (or even a few hours), enjoying the sun, sea and sand of one of the incredible destinations above. To book, it depends on where you are flying and who you are flying with. Sometimes it's often better to book your flight and hotel separately, but make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance, as it's your responsibility to get back to the airport on time!
Which is your favourite beach stopover?
