From the wild white sands of Noordhoek to the people watcher’s paradise of St Tropez, our Ultratravel top 10 covers all bases.

Anse Victorin, Seychelles: The sand is white, soft and so fine that it squeaks when you step on it Photo: Getty Images

Gardner Bay, Isla Espanola, Galapagos Islands: The only way to access this mile-and-a-quarter of white sand is with a National Parks ranger

Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa: The Atlantic here is strong and cold – but it is a magnificent stretch of sand on which to ride horses Photo: Getty Images

Mnemba Island: Of all the small islands to stay on, Mnemba is one of the most romantic Photo: Getty Images

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Set in a marine reserve 200 miles off the mainland, this island has long white beaches that are fabulous for walks Photo: Getty Images

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, Australia: The trek there and back can take three hours but It is worth it for the pure sand and the pale sapphire water Photo: Getty Images

1 Pink Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas

Most regular visitors to the Bahamas declare Pink Sands one of their favourite beaches – and our panel of Ultratravel writers and experts voted it the best in the world. The attraction, says Nina Buesing, who photographed wild horses there, is not just its colour – a soft pink that turns salmon in the setting sun, due to the thousands of shells that have been pounded into fine sand. You can also walk for miles without bumping into anyone.

Other bonuses are the water quality (“pristine, like Evian, albeit saltier,” according to Buesing), the gently sloping beach, safe snorkelling and sheltered swimming – plus the two “chic shack” hotels (one by Barbara Hulanicki , founder of Biba; and The Landing, tastefully designed by India Hicks) that pull in A-list celebrities by the boatload.

The Landing (00 242 333 2707, www.harbourisland.com ) is offering rooms from £125; Pink Sands (00 242 333 2030, www.pinksandsresort.com) has rooms from £302, based on two people sharing.

2 Anse Victorin, Fregate Island, Seychelles

The sand is white, soft and so fine that it squeaks when you step on it; the colour of the sea shimmers from aquamarine to diamond, then sinks into a deep inkiness with pockets of turquoise in which to snorkel; and the gently sloping forest behind is alive with tropical birds, including the rare Seychelles black paradise flycatcher.

Best of all, some of the most beautiful boulders on earth are scattered across the dazzling white sand: huge orbs of pink granite, framed by lush palms and tropical skies. This place is almost kitsch in its perfection, and well worth the walk through the forest from the luxury of Fregate’s 16 private villas.

Fregate Island Private (00 49 6102 50 13 21, www.fregate.com); from £950 per person per night.

3 Pampelonne, St Tropez, France

Not much has changed since the days of Colette, the French novelist who rubbed shoulders here with Matisse and the Prince of Wales. “Two hundred luxury cars driving toward the port at five in the afternoon,” she wrote in Prisons et Paradis (1932 ). “Cocktails, champagne on the yachts in the harbour…”

While still oozing sophistication, Pampelonne attracts more flash cash than blue-blooded royalty. Bill Gates anchors his superyacht offshore, while P Diddy and Beyoncé pop corks among bejewelled friends lunching at Le Club 55 . Women in crystal-studded thongs and Gucci flip-flops parade the shores. The sand is clean, the sea is blue – but Pampelonne is more about the scene, and being seen, than it is about scenery.

Hotel Byblos (00 33 4 94 56 68 00, www.byblos.com); rates from £250 per person.

4 Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa

This isn’t a swimming beach – the Atlantic here is strong and cold, with monster waves – but it is one of the most magnificent stretches of white powder sand on which to ride horses. There are more than four miles of the stuff, punctuated only by dunes and pieces of driftwood.

The Imhoff Equestrian Centre (www.horseriding.co.za ) leads two-hour rides twice a day on the beach, on which you might pass a couple of dog-walkers or hikers. For the most part, though, the sands are empty – providing perfect galloping conditions.

The most stylish place to ease aching muscles is the newly renovated Hout Bay Manor hotel, decorated with bundles of panache by the local interior design company Cécile & Boyd’s.

Hout Bay Manor (00 27 21 790 0116, www.houtbaymanor.com); rooms from £120.

5 Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, Australia

There are only two ways of getting to this beach in the Freycinet National Park : by boat and on foot – and the foot option isn’t easy. The trek there and back, through the towering Hazard Mountains, can take three hours – with a steep 40-minute climb. It is worth it, however, for the pure sand, the warm, sheltered, pale sapphire water and the birdlife – ranging from white-bellied sea eagles to New Holland honeyeaters.

Camper & Nicholsons (020 7009 1950 , www.cnconnect.com) hires out the 112ft charter yacht VvS1, sleeping eight, from £40,000 a week.

6 Vixen Point, Prickly Pear Island, BVI

Ask serious yachties where in the Caribbean they would like to moor for a day, and they will often say Prickly Pear Island – declared a National Park in 1988. The sand is pale, the natural woodland acts as a windbreak, there are no rip currents, and the gently sloping sand allows bathers to immerse themselves in the sea slowly. Vixen Point is close to Necker, Branson’s island hideaway – the ideal base for a day trip here, if money is no object.

Necker Island (0800 716 919, www.neckerisland.com) costs £24,000 per night for up to 26 guests.

7 Mnemba Island, Tanzania, East Africa

Of all the small islands to stay on, Mnemba is one of the most romantic. It is tiny, taking half an hour to walk around, but it has everything: coral gardens on one side, crashing waves on the other and creamy white sand the consistency of flour. Because the interior is pine forest, you are serenaded by the cooing of doves as soon as you walk off the beach where turtles also come to nest. The only inhabitants are the staff of Mnemba Island Lodge, plus the 20 or so guests.

Mnemba Island Lodge (020 8133 1592 , www.ccafrica.com); from £380 per person, all inclusive.

8 Gardner Bay, Isla Espanola, Galapagos Islands

The only way to access this mile-and-a-quarter of white sand is with a National Parks ranger – and for good reason. The shoreline is home to sea lions, marine iguanas, turtles, pelicans, boobies and 10,000 pairs of waved albatrosses that nest on the island between April and November.

Visitors are allowed to snorkel and swim by day – briefly – before decamping to M/Y Grace, the yacht given by Aristotle Onassis to Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier as a wedding present. It now cruises the Galapagos with up to 20 guests.

Cazenove + Loyd (020 7384 2332, www.cazloyd.com) offers seven nights on board M/Y Grace as part of a 10-day holiday in Ecuador and the Galapagos. Prices start at £3,265 per person, based on two sharing and including flights.

9 Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America

Set in a marine reserve 200 miles off the mainland, this island has a strict eco-policy: only a few hundred visitors are allowed each day. Its beaches are lively near the small villages, empty in the surrounding nature reserves. There is an extinct volcano, with cliffs plunging to the sea and sea pools formed from its craters.

The long white beaches are surrounded by waters thronging with barracudas, rays, giant turtles, 14 species of shark and pods of up to 600 dolphins. This is the place for fabulous beach walks – particularly from Praia do Cachorro to Sueste (where footballers and surfers hang out at sunset, caipirinhas in hand) and along the sands of Praia do Leão, where turtles nest.

The charming Pousada Maravilha, with eight rooms looking out to sea, has 40 staff – so you are guaranteed to be looked after.

Dehouche (0871 720 4779, www.dehouche.com) can reserve rooms at Maravilha for £500 a night.

10 Emerald Bay, Pangkor Laut, Malaysia

This island, three miles off the west coast of Malaysia, has pale aqua waters, fine golden sand and emerald-green rainforest rising behind the bay. Its 300 acres are privately owned, so the place is not overrun with tourists – and a real effort has been made at conservation.

The marine reserve nearby supports 3,000 types of sea creature, from hammerhead sharks and stingrays to parrotfish and clownfish, plus 500 species of coral. A bonus is the popular Chapman’s beach bar, for refreshing long drinks such as passionfruit smoothies and fresh coconut juice.

Pangkor Laut Resort (00800 9899 9999 , www.pangkorlautresort.com); room rates start at £163, based on two people sharing.

If you happen to have extra budget, do check out the place… the news is from telegraph.co.uk.

During my recent visit, there are many people near the chalet and around chalet area. however, there are not many people in the beach area… maybe it is noon and it is very hot, sunny day.

If you visit kelantan, and if you love beach, other than Pantai Cahaya Bulan near Kota Bharu, this place is also a good choices. It is because it only located about 7 km from Kota Bharu Town. There are few resort at this beach (located not so near to the beach) because normally during the monsoon, the wind is very strong and sometimes the beach is flooded.

From Kota Bharu town, you can take bus to this beach. The bus is Bus No 27A and also No 43. Inform the driver that you want to go to Pantai Sri Tujuh. He will able to assist you and let you know where.

In this beach, i heard that they always organise Flying Kites Competition. However, i haven’t had any chances to visit it.

During the visit, I manage to take some photo to share with all of you.

I take the Deluxe – Cik Siti Wan Kembang package. The photo above is the room that I stay.

The photo above is the chalet (outside view) that I stay. It is nice and clean.

Sunset

In my opinion, Pantai Cahaya Bulan is not the best place to watch the sunset… the main reason I say this is because, from Pantai Cahaya Bulan, we unable to see the sunset at the sea but from land… there are many trees so the view (in my opinion) is not very impressive.

Here is some photo that I take during the sunset.

(the last photo is my favorite) I take the photo at the beach nearby the chalet.

Sunrise

I think sunrise at Pantai Cahaya Bulan is interesting because the sun will rise from the sea, and it is near land… unfortunately, when I stay there, there are lots of cloud during sunrise, so I unable to take any impressive photo.

If anyone want a good shot, I would like to recommend you to visit the beach during the time that there are not many cloud especially at dawn.

Here is some sunrise photo that I take during the visit:

(I take the  photo above from the chalet)

There are too many cloud to see the sunrise clearly.

One of the rising sun that I manage to take

Another one.

The windy afternoon, watching some boats, sand and sea and flying kites… a good way to relax or spent your holiday at this place.

I post this in different posting and not in the Pantai Cahaya Bulan posting because, there are many beautiful kites photo that I take which I think it deserve to be in different post.

A kites above some food stall…

Below is some kites that is avaiable for sale:

The kites can come in different shape, size and colour…

Sometimes the seller do some ‘testing’ for the kites..

Formerly known as Pantai Cinta Berahi (PCB) meaning the Beach of passionate love, which later change to Pantai Cahaya Bulan (PCB) – meaning Moonlight beach, which they still keep the initial name of the beach. Maybe the reason they use this name because most people know this beach as PCB and not the full name.

Pantai Cahaya Bulan located just 1.2 Km from Kota Bharu. Visitor and tourist can take a bus to this place or a cab.

Some of the activity that can be done at Pantai Cahaya Bulan is relaxing, picnics, flying kites and also camping. Sun bathing is not recommend as this area most people didn’t wear any swimsuits or bikinis. One more thing that you should not missed is shooping for some of the kelantan art and craft like Batik, there are lots of batik shop at this place and the price is not so expensive.

Here below is some photo that I take during my visit to the Pantai Cahaya Bulan.

The view of the beach… they place a large rock to prevent big wave to destroy the stall during the monsoon.

Here is the view of some stall.. it is very near the beach… nice place to have some snack while watching the sea.

Above is a view of one of the stall. This stall have fried fish ball, fried prawn, fired crab, fried fish and also some local dish. For the drink, I guess coconut is the best if you come to the beach..

Here above is a view of some of the stall that sell shirt… there are lots of them just near the beach.