Best beach holidays for 2017

If 2016 was the year of the city break, 2017 is the year of the beach holiday. It's the number one type of trip that Brits are taking this year.
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In fact, travel search engine Momondo has found that almost half of British holidaymakers (48 per cent) will be travelling for a traditional holiday by the sea. And with all the bad news and talk of Brexit, we can see why Brits are packing their bucket and spades and escaping to the beach for a stress-free holiday in the sunshine.
As there are many types of beach holidays you can take (from exploring hidden beaches to taking the family on an adventure beach break), we've brought you our best places to visit in 2017, whether you're a sports-mad traveller, searching for a heavenly spot in the UK or fancy returning to a popular destination like Spain but finding a new way to relax.
In the UK, Anglesey and a gorgeous, Caribbean-esque beach in Scotland are on our radar, while the Caribbean itself is a great place this year - and not only because the peso has made Mexico an attractive long-haul location for cash-conscious Brits seeking more for their money. Belize is the new Cuba and Costa Rica, offering responsible travellers a Central American alternative which is less burdened by tourists, and the Spanish Virgin Islands provide unspoilt sands that are waiting to be explored by boat.
Travelling for an event is always exciting but for an unforgettable trip in 2017 you should consider Bermuda, where the America's Cup takes place in June, providing sailing buzz and picturesque sands (ever seen a pink beach?) for when you're ready to relax.
Explore our pick of the best beach holidays for 2017 in the slideshow below
Go off the beaten track in the Caribbean and explore the Spanish Virgin Islands for a piece of paradise on your beach getaway. The Moorings has introduced sailing holidays around the lesser-known islands for 2017 after The Discovery Channel named the island of Culebra's Flamenco Beach the second most beautiful beach in the world. Located east of Puerto Rico, the unspoilt islands allow you to enjoy a new beach every day while experiencing a yacht holiday complete with a captain, chef and host to handle everything so you can just relax and discover your surroundings by paddle board or kayak. A holiday in May costs from £2,517 per person, including seven nights on an all-inclusive basis (based on ten sharing). Flights extra.
If your plan is to holiday at home this year, you can soak up the idyllic views of Anglesey on a beach escape in North Wales, which was recently voted one of the best places for a holiday in the UK. When the sun comes out, there is mile after mile of safe sandy beaches - all completely unspoilt and with hardly anyone on them. Those in the know recommend the southern tip of the island as the place to visit and beaches don’t get much better than the sweeping golden sands at Newborough. Welsh self-catering specialist Quality Cottages offers accommodation at several properties within walking distance of Newborough Beach, including Stabal, an eco-friendly former stable which sleeps six and has contemporary, Scandi-style interiors. A seven-night stay costs from £505, based on up to six sharing on a self-catering basis.
Fresh from celebrating 50 years of Independence at the end of last year, 2017 is the 'Year of Sport' in Barbados, when the Caribbean island will host a busy calendar of world-class sporting events, as well as offer opportunities for visitors to liven up their usual beach holiday by spectating or getting involved. Highlights include exhilarating contests in sailing, polo and golf, plus international cricket - hosting England vs. West Indies in March. The adults-only SoCo Hotel provides superb ocean views and a great base for exploring, with lively St Lawrence Gap nearby. Tropical Sky offers seven-night stays from £1,229 per person on an all-inclusive basis, including flights.
An excellent alternative to popular Southeast Asian beach spots such as Bali, Malaysia and southern Thailand, which have been drawing British travellers for decades, the Philippines and its 7,000 plus islands offers a road less travelled with stunning beaches from the pink sands of Sila Island to the black sands of Dauin. Evaneos Travel offers a 21-day island hopping adventure for travellers to truly discover the must-see beaches and beautiful coastline, including stays at Bohol, Pangulasian Island and Boracay, from £5,010 per person. Flights extra.
Travelling responsibly is more important than ever and with significant concerns that increasing tourist numbers in Cuba are quite literally taking food off local people’s plates, you'd do well to consider getting your Caribbean fix from less-burdened Belize. The Central American country has an excellent model of sustainable tourism, offers stunning beaches to enjoy alongside wildlife and cultural adventures. Responsible Travel offers an active holiday in Belize that blends beach and adventure with crystal-clear Caribbean waters. Alongside the kayaking you’ll be treated to some world-class snorkelling on the world’s second largest barrier reef, with plenty of time to relax on the Caribbean beaches. A 13-day holiday costs from £1,650 per person. Flights extra.
Paradise beaches, lush scenery and vibrant cuisine make this Indian Ocean island a place for all. Tourist numbers in Mauritius are up and continue to rise in 2017. If it's the luxury spas and sandy stretches you're after, Shanti Maurice offers beach bums a true taste of Mauritian island life, with views of the Indian Ocean from each of its 17 villas and untouched beaches for a peaceful getaway. The hotel's Sleep Retreat means you can return home feeling completely refreshed and well rested after adding yoga, guided meditation and reiki to your holiday. A five-night package costs £2,750 per person. Flights extra.
Need a digital detox this year? Head for the all-inclusive, private Palm Island, a beach haven in the Grenadines which is only accessible by boat, where hammocks are scattered around the mobile-free beaches, making them perfect for switching off. Visitors can spend their days lazing around with a book or just taking in the paradise views, while picnics can be delivered straight to the beach. Blue Bay Travel offers seven nights at the Palm Island Resort from £2,099 per person on an all-inclusive basis including flights, with departures in June and September.
If affordability is key this summer, then Sicily is the ideal location for a budget-friendly beach break with the family. Flights to Comiso in May cost as little as £78 per person and while staying in a villa with direct access to the beach and a private pool can be pricey, we've found an attractive option which costs just £185 per person per week. Villa Renata offers direct access to the powder-soft sands of Fontane Bianche beach, on the south-eastern tip of Sicily. For a change of scene, the horseshoe-shaped Calamosche beach is a few miles to the south. The four-bedroom villa has a pretty Mediterranean-style garden and plenty of space for soaking up the sun. One week in May costs from £1,292 (sleeps seven) with Wish Sicily.
Providing an island escape on your doorstep, Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, is just a short flight from London and offers a unique blend of English and European influences. The island is small but big in personality, where you are never more than ten minutes from the coastline. Beach lovers can enjoy the golden sandy bays in the south, Atlantic waves on the west coast and the sheltered coves and hidden rock pooling spots on the north and east. A seven-night holiday for a family of four at the three-star Beausite Hotel including flights in the summer costs £1,444.
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