Tim Simond, author of Dive in Style, presents his top 10 beaches worldwide. Not only are they stunning but all sit next to world-class diving so you can spend your mornings in the depths and your afternoons on the sand.
Pamalican, Philippines
Totally surprising and totally stunning. Endless soft white powder framed by waving palms and giving onto perfect tranquil turquoise sea. Better still it's totally private and can be all yours when you stay at the incomparable Amanpulo.
Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos
Here you are guaranteed an almost totally deserted mile of perfect untrammelled white powder and irresistible multi-hued water. It's stunning and the laid back Meridian Club offers the very best in Caribbean charm.
Frégate Island Private, Seychelles
Anyone can convince themselves they are a photographer here. Guaranteed privacy backed by waving palms and bookended by those iconic Seychelles Granite boulders - perfect; as is the place you will be staying, the private island of Frégate.
Peter Island, British Virgin Islands
The yachties love Deadman's Beach, but they are kept away so you can enjoy the perfect sand and palms strung with hammocks. Peter Island Resort & Spa is totally private and offers this wonderful beach and some of the best diving in the Caribbean.
Maroma, Mexico
It may be close to Cancun but you would never know it. Here you'll find a wide, powder soft white sand beach and clear waters. You can dive reefs, the cenotes, and from June to September with whale sharks. Pretty special.
Lizard Island, Australia
Lizard Island on the Outer Great Barrier Reef is home to 24 totally private and pristine beaches, amazing snorkelling with friendly turtles and 150 year old Giant Clams. Take a private boat and picnic off to any of the beaches and you'll feel like it's all yours.
Vamizi Island, Mozambique
This private island in the remote Quirimbas Archipelago is home to some of the finest beaches in Africa. Sand so fine it squeaks like icing sugar as you walk on it. Add in one of our favourite dives on Earth, Neptune's Arm and you really have it all.
Pink Beach, Komodo, Indonesia
One of just seven genuinely pink beaches worldwide set on this amazing island and with the most amazing snorkelling straight from the beach. Komodo is only accessible by liveaboard and the remote dive sites offer pristine coral, wonderful macro and the big stuff. Perfect in the summer.
Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives
When it comes to white sand beaches, nowhere does them better than the Maldives. One of our absolute favourites is this island. Conjure an image in your head of the perfect desert island and it will look like this. An incredible house reef makes it even better.
Mnemba Island, Tanzania
A totally private island and one of the most exclusive in the world. Just look at this on Google Earth to see the quality of the sand and blueness of the lagoon. Cheap it isn't but special it most definitely is making it well worth a diving trip to Tanzania.
