Tag: diving

Exclusive and Extreme Adventures: 7 Adrenaline-Fuelled Activities You Have to Try

Posted on by Tina Firesheets

Whether you opt for sandboarding over the dunes in Dubai, hydrofoiling above the ocean in the Maldives or swimming with bull sharks in Los Cabos, Four Seasons offers a broad range of exclusive, adventure-packed experiences. And after a day of exploring some of the world’s most intriguing natural wonders, unwind over a multi-course gourmet meal and your favourite beverage in a setting straight out of a magazine. Here are seven ways to explore the boundaries of your comfort zone and have the kind of epic adventures you’ll only find at Four Seasons.

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Soar above the ocean in the Maldives

What if you could actually glide above the ocean? Imagine your feet hovering just over the water’s surface, your ankles damp with salty spray. Get your adrenaline pumping with the exclusive eFoil Extreme experience at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. This adventure sport – also known as hydrofoiling – combines surfing, skateboarding, flying and snowboarding, and Four Seasons was the first resort in the Maldives to offer hydrofoiling experiences. On a hydrofoil board, a hydrodynamically powered fin with wings, you can soar thrillingly close to the water’s surface without needing to be as skilled as a pro surfer. The friendly experts at the Resort’s in-house Water Sports Centre will be on hand to guide you through it all.

Ride the waves in the Maldives

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Raft down Bali’s longest river

Expand your appreciation of the natural wonders of Bali with a stay at either Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay or Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Both offer a private voyage along Bali’s longest river.

Your adventure begins with a scenic drive through rice farming villages where you can marvel at the Subak irrigation network (rice terraces), a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Following your private two-hour guided rafting excursion, embark on a journey over Class II and III rapids through a lush jungle and past majestic gorges. There’s even a chance to get out of your raft and into the water to float through a natural tunnel formed by a canopy of trees. Your journey concludes back at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, where you’ll disembark by the scenic riverside. Come nightfall, unwind with a private meal on your villa’s terrace or head to Riverside to enjoy grilled fresh fish or ceviche next to beautiful open-air views of the jungle at night.

Go on a river adventure in Bali

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A sea lion sits on top of a large rock in the ocean, next to an image of a woman scuba diving through a coral reef

Dive into the world’s aquarium in Los Cabos

See why legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called Cabo Pulmo, the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America, the “aquarium of the world.” Depart from Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas – the only Four Seasons property with a private marina – on a diving expedition to Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, available only to Four Seasons guests. Led by expert guides, you’ll swim alongside hundreds of schooling jacks, mobula rays, sea lions, turtles, whales and bull sharks. The creatures there make up 39% of the world’s total number of species of marine mammals and a third of its marine cetacean species – and you’ll get to experience them all up close.

Dive into nature in Los Cabos

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Off-road adventures in Costa Rica

Leave the road on a private UTV tour through the wilderness of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo. The expert team of naturalist guides at Papagayo Explorers, the in-house adventure outfitter at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, will design a custom immersive experience just for you. Zip around the Palmares Estuary and then over to the northern shore to explore the secluded beaches of Zapotillal and breathtaking ocean views. This is one of the best ways to experience the diverse ecosystems found only in Costa Rica.

Veer off the beaten path in Costa Rica

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A hot air balloon soars over a desert landscape, next to an image of two giraffes standing in tall grass

Seven days in the Serengeti

“Safari” may be synonymous with the Serengeti, but did you know that it means “journey” in Swahili? And a journey is exactly what you can expect when you escape to Tanzania. Trek across the same land as the earliest humans at Olduvai Gorge, where archaeologists found evidence of their existence, observe wild game while walking through the savannah, or glide across Serengeti skies in a hot-air balloon at sunrise. The Seven Days in Serengeti experience at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti lets you add these extraordinary activities and more to your adventure-of-a-lifetime checklist. Curated by the experts at the Lodge, each itinerary can be fully customized, creating an unforgettable experience that is completely tailored to you.

Go on safari in the Serengeti

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Man leads three people on camels through the Arabian Desert

Discover the magic of the desert in Dubai

When you stay at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, you’ll find many ways to take in all that the city holds, including its markets, museums and famous landmarks. But if it’s adventure you seek, then go with a desert safari. There are two options: The Platinum Desert Safari, which includes a falconry performance, camel rides, six-course dinner and a fire show. Or opt for the Desert Thrills Safari and get ready for a thrilling ride on the dunes. Drive in a dune buggy, climb onto a camel or test your balance sandboarding – like snowboarding, but on sand. At the end of the day, unwind over an international dinner complete with entertainment.

Explore the desert in Dubai

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Sunset over Grand Canyon rocks, cliffs, next to an image of a hand holding a glass of white wine

Embark on a customized adventure in Scottsdale

Absorb the beauty of the Sonoran Desert’s water landscape from the deck of a giant stand-up paddleboard as you float on Saguaro Lake. Or dig deep and rappel into some of Arizona’s most intricate and breathtaking canyons. At Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, a partnership with REI helps you customize your own adventure. The Sip, Soar and Explore experience – offered only to Four Seasons guests – starts in the air with an aerial tour over the dramatic landscape of Sedona. Then, experience the stunning rock formations up close on a guided hike, followed by lunch and wine tasting at Page Springs Cellars. Whether you choose to take it all in via hot-air balloon, jeep, ATV or mountain bike, your great canyon adventures await.

Hike to wine in Scottsdale

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

How far will you go on your next adventure?

Serengeti sky

Follow the Sun This Winter

Posted on by Lucy Maher

If your winter landscape of choice is a white-sand beach, your perfect beach holiday may include a full day spent with toes tucked in the sand – just add a good book and ice-cold frothy drinks. Or perhaps it’s thrill-inducing water sports you seek or luxury lodging for yourself and a dozen friends and family.

Whatever your objective, here are our favourite beach destinations for this time of year, with ideas for taking your seaside stay to the next level.


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Punta Mita: Call of the waves

Find your own eternal summer at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, México, where surfers of all skill levels can catch a good break. November to March is peak season at this Mexican Riviera hideaway, says TropicSurf Program Manager Donna Scherer, who oversees the property’s surfing excursions from a beachside surf shack. The rest of the year, the waves are less steep and longer.

The Resort’s Manzanilla Beach, a three-minute walk from The Surf Shack lounge on Las Cuevas Beach, offers calmer waves so beginners can feel at ease. The Cove, five minutes from the property by boat, is more suitable for experienced surfers, as is La Lancha, a 15-minute boat ride from the Resort.

“The sought-after El Faro is probably the most advanced wave we take guests to,” Scherer says of the cove within walking distance. “El Anclote, 10 minutes away and known as the Mexican Malibu, offers very gentle longboarding that runs for ages and is named after the classic world-class Malibu wave. Burros is about 20 minutes away by boat and can be great if conditions suit.”

All guests who book guided tours or surf lessons with TropicSurf can rent board if they don’t have their own, says Scherer. And “depending on what’s best for the day and guests’ surfing levels,” car trips can be arranged to breaks up to 45 minutes away.

If you’d rather observe the waves than ride them, set out on the Four Seasons Explorer for a sunset cruise, keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins and whales as you sip your champagne and take it all in.

Surf the waves in Punta Mita

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Hualalai: The ultimate winter wedding destination

There are many reasons to love Hawaii: its Kona coffee, its traditional luau celebrations, its white-sand beaches and island greenery. It’s also home to the spectacular Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, where couples can tie the knot and extend the celebration across the property’s 800 acres.

“If you are picturing a wedding with a backdrop of lush island foliage, crystal-clear waters and unrivalled beauty by day and illuminated tiki torches, stellar sunsets and sparkly evening stars by evening, there is no destination more perfect than Four Seasons Resort Hualalai,” says Director of Special Events Melina Manchester. “Set on the exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast, it is what Hawaiian wedding dreams are made of.” Think ceremonies atop a black lava bluff and all-night receptions surrounded by royal poinciana trees, plumeria and red hibiscus.

“Hualalai is a little slice of paradise year round, but it’s especially magical during the winter due to warm temperatures and less crowded beaches on the Big Island,” says Manchester. “The quiet of the winter months makes the Resort feel intimate and worlds away from civilization – the perfect time to say ‘I do.’”

Say ‘I do’ in Hualalai

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Nevis: From sea to table

Experienced divers can easily rattle off a list of destinations where they’ve taken to the sea in search of the bluest waters and most exotic schools of fish.

The wise ones have spent time at Four Seasons Resort Nevis. “The calm waters of the Caribbean are perfect for a day on the water,” says Kishandra Williams, assistant pool and beach manager. “The turquoise blue waters right off our Resort’s shoreline are like having your own private aquarium. Pinney’s Beach is home to an abundance of colourful fish and sea life waiting to be explored, with everything from starfish, sea turtles and stingrays to colourful schools of tropical fish. It’s truly awe-inspiring.”

Head to the water-sports desk to borrow some complimentary snorkel gear and walk just a few short steps from the beach into the water, where you’ll experience a variegated world of undersea marine life.

Back on land, sample some authentic local cuisine at On the Dune. The beachfront restaurant’s revamped menu features 95% local Nevisian ingredients, including fresh seafood caught straight from the Resort’s shores, plus homegrown vegetables, fruits and other provisions from local partner Indian Castle Farm.

Snorkel and dine in Nevis

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Seychelles, Desroches Island: Sweet seclusion

If you’re really looking to unplug this winter, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island is prime territory for a relaxing vacation. It’s the only resort on the island, which boasts 14 kilometres (9 miles) of white-sand beaches, and each guest suite and villa features a private swimming pool and daybed pavilion.

You’ll also have access to bicycles throughout your stay, meaning each day you can explore a new stretch of the coastline and find your very own beach. In addition to the two restaurants on-site, the Resort also offers The Deli, where takeaway picnic baskets can be prepared for each castaway day. Choose from cold cuts, pastries, sandwiches and desserts – and perhaps a bottle of wine.

Enjoy privacy in the Seychelles

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The Ocean Club: A romantic winter hideaway

Sometimes all you need is a little time for just the two of you.

Enter The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas. “Our property is made for private celebrations; intimate vow renewals and proposals are very popular here, especially on the beach while the sun is setting,” says General Manager John Conway. During the winter months, he says, couples can still count on 75-degrees F weather and warm ocean waters to swim in.

Enjoy a couple’s massage overlooking the ocean, a private yoga session on the beach or your private balcony, or paddleboarding on the water. Relax together at the adults-only Versailles Pool. Later in the evening, be sure to savour a martini at the legendary Martini Bar and Lounge before beginning your romantic dinner at DUNE by Jean-Georges.

Whether you’re commemorating a special occasion or simply celebrating your time together, a private dinner for two in either the Versailles Gardens or directly on the beach offers a truly unforgettable evening. “It’s a beautiful dinner, set up with many candles and fresh-cut flowers, a four-course meal, a bottle of champagne, dedicated servers, and tiki torches and lanterns surrounding the area,” says Conway. “Whenever guests walk up to their dinner they are always in awe of the beauty of their surroundings – it’s an amazing experience.”

Reconnect at The Ocean Club

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Maui: Celebrate in paradise

In Maui, you can enjoy sunshine and temperatures that hover in the 80s year round, making Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea a picture-perfect winter retreat. “Our island paradise truly provides a welcome warm break,” says Margaux Pfeiffer, director of Concierge and guest experience.

And while Maui is magical all year, the Resort elevates its offerings for the holiday season. From mid-December through early January, you can expect nightly Hanukkah festivities, Christmas tree room deliveries, Santa arriving via outrigger canoe, Kids For All Seasons themed night events and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party complete with fireworks, all bound to make lifelong memories with loved ones.

“Beyond our perennial sunny shores, the winter months mark the peak season for humpback whale watching on Maui,” notes Pfeiffer. These majestic creatures return every year to Maui’s warm tropical waters to breed and give birth, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to watch their awe-inspiring displays of breaching, tail-slapping and singing. “Whale watching is a not-to-be-missed winter activity on Maui, and we make personalized recommendations for our guests to experience the whales in whichever way best fits them,” says Pfeiffer. Whether it’s a luxury catamaran for smooth sailing with delicious food and drinks or a private kayak off the shores of Wailea Beach with Maui Undersea Adventures – Pfeiffer’s personal favourite – there is a perfect excursion for every whale watcher.

Spend the holidays in Maui

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Come spend your winter with us.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

The Water Sports to Conquer on Your Next Trip

Posted on by Alison Miller



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Deep Impact in Maldives

In this private submarine experience, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru gives you and a guest a first-class ticket to the bustling underworld of Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Piloted excursions in DeepFlight’s first three-person submarine – the Super Falcon 3S – allow you to explore the reefs in the comfort of a pressurized, climate-controlled cabin with individual viewing domes affording 360-degree views.

You’ll cruise past coral and through kaleidoscopic schools of fish – and maybe even alongside sharks, turtles, stingrays or dolphins – while your knowledgeable pilot dispenses facts about the plants and animals that call this fascinating ecosystem home.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

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Dave Scott triathlon experience

Dave Scott triathlon experience

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger in Hualalai

Triathlon training is tough. So why not do it in one of the most beautiful places on earth, under the tutelage of a six-time Ironman World Champion? Four times a year, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai offers the rare opportunity to train with Ironman Hall of Famer and master coach Dave Scott. Each five-day clinic includes intensive training in swimming, cycling, running, nutrition, strength and flexibility, plus video analysis and a personal consultation.

The 28,000-square-foot Hualalai Spa is at the ready with massage, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges. But the greatest perk is your training ground. “Kona is such a beautiful place, and it makes training here all the more memorable,” Scott says. “We bike on roads that run between the green mountains and the sparkling blue ocean, run next to black lava rock fields and swim in the crystal-clear ocean alongside Hawaiian sea life. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is unique in that it has some of the most beautiful open-water swimming areas in the world, as well as an amazing 25-metre lap pool, so I can diversify my coaching in the two swimming environments.”

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Paddleboarding in San Diego

Balancing Act in San Diego

Freshwater mingles with saltwater at Agua Hedionda Lagoon, an aquatic sanctuary teeming with wildlife just 15 minutes from Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara. These brackish waters are an irresistible environment for some 70 species of fish and 192 species of birds, from red-tailed hawks to hummingbirds. Experience this robust nature preserve via the Residence Club’s paddleboard adventure. You’ll take a Beau Lake paddleboard – a gel-coated mahogany masterpiece, essentially the Mercedes S-Class of paddleboards – that’s as comfortable for a beginner as it is for the accomplished rider.

“The adventure begins on the shore, where we get an orientation of the lagoon and a quick paddleboarding lesson,” says Resort Assistant Manager Joanna George. “We start early in the morning, when the water is the smoothest. It’s a calm and soothing ride. We often see fish jumping out of the water.” 

Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, North San Diego

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Bora Bora snorkelling

Coral-Friendly Snorkelling in Bora Bora

At Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, it’s easy to find a lagoon teeming with tropical sea life – there’s one within the confines of the Resort. Sign up for a guided snorkel, or help biologists at the on-site research centre as they work to build and restore the ecosystem in and around the property. “Our main duty is to take care of the coral colonies, so we start by explaining to guests the importance of coral to the ecosystem,” says marine biologist Sylvain Lenoir. “We also tell them about the technology we use to help the coral grow, then we go snorkelling with them to show them the different techniques.

“Guests can adopt a GPS-enabled coral nubbin and track it as it grows on our artificial reef,” Lenoir says. “They can also be part of a worldwide study by documenting levels of coral bleaching as they explore the waters around the Resort.”

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

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Kayaking in Costa Rica

Bay Watch in Costa Rica

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo fronts the Bay of Culebra in Costa Rica’s northwestern corner, and its calm, cerulean waters are ripe for exploring. The best way to get up close with local sea life? A guided kayak ride with the Resort’s on-site adventure staff. In your self-propelled vessel, you can paddle out to gain the best vantage of the island and its volcanic Guanacaste mountain range and tropical rainforest beyond. Humpback whales arrive to deliver their babies between August and December.

“We normally take guests to Nacascolo Beach, and on the way we sometimes have the humpback whales swimming beside us,” says Recreation Supervisor Alonso Rodríguez. “You might also see dolphins, spotted eagle rays, sting rays, devil rays and lots of fish. When we get to the beach we show you some of the animals we see in that area, like howler monkeys. Kayaking is very relaxing, and it allows people to disconnect.”

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

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Swimming with sharks

Swim Meet in O‘ahu

If anyone has the right name for a career in marine biology, it’s Ocean Ramsey. A certified scuba instructor and professional free diver, the Hawaii native has made it her life’s work to foster understanding and appreciation of the ocean as a whole, but especially sharks. In Ramsey’s day job – running her own marine research and conservation company, One Ocean Research and Diving – she studies shark behaviour by swimming alongside them, and promotes their intelligence and important role in shaping ecosystems. (Photographs of her freediving with great whites are eye candy for her half-million Instagram followers.)

Guests of Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina can join Ocean, or one of her crew, in a research trip to swim with sandbar or Galápagos sharks. You’ll get the low-down on shark biology, physiology and behaviour, then don a snorkel and climb down the swim ladder. “I find that no matter how much I talk to people about sharks, they don’t truly believe me until they see for themselves,” Ramsey says. “After experiencing the program, participants have a much more realistic perspective on how sharks behave and how we can adapt our behavior to peacefully coexist – both in the water and in the global community through conservation.”

Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina

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Jetblades in Langkawi

Photography courtesy of iStock

Up and Away in Langkawi

You may have heard of jetpacks – high-tech backpacks that send you skyward with a hose full of rapidly moving water. Now behold Jetblades, small-scale wakeboards of sorts that use the same technology but allow you to spin, swoop, flip and swirl through the sky with more control. Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is the first resort in Malaysia to offer this thrilling experience. Strap into your boots and prepare for a wild ride over the Andaman Sea.

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

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Your Journey Begins Here

Discover your next immersive experience.

mountain views at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

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Go Deeper: Our Top Diving Destinations

Posted on by Erin Biba

Avid scuba divers Charles and Verena Lasvigne have spent the past decade travelling the world and exploring a bevy of exotic undersea spots along the way. Charles is the Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, and Verena manages the Resort’s spa, as well as several others in the Middle East and Africa region. The couple achieved their diving certifications during sojourns to different
Four Seasons properties (Charles in Bali and Verena in the Maldives), and they’ve been hooked ever since.

They view scuba diving as an essential escape from the challenges of everyday life. “When you’re starting to dive, you learn about control and a world of silence,” Charles says. “You can connect with yourself, and you discover so much life that you had no clue existed.” Here, Charles and Verena take us on an exclusive diving tour, sharing their favourite sites around the globe and what to do when you’re back on land.

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UNDERWATER: A WORLD WAR II SHIPWRECK


Divers explore a WWII shipwreck of the coast of Bali

Charles made his first official dive in Bali. Today, the site of the USS Liberty shipwreck is still one of his favourite places to get under the water. (The Liberty was sunk by a torpedo during World War II and is considered one of the top dive spots in the country.) “I was very spoiled that that was my first dive,” he says, citing the array of amazing corals. When swimming in and out of the ship, which is only about 16 feet (5 metres) below the surface at its shallowest point, you can also expect to see mola, a rare species of giant sunfish that weigh an average of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms).

ON LAND: LOTUS PONDS AND WATER TEMPLES


Guests explore the rooftop Lily Pond at Four Seasons Bali

Above sea level, Charles and Verena recommend a romantic dinner amid the water lilies and lotus flowers of the Rooftop Lotus Pond at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Charles proposed to Verena there on the day he received his dive certification. Verena also suggests a day trip to one of Bali’s many water temples, specifically Tirta Empul, the holy spring water temple. “It’s a beautiful place,” Verena says. “Amazing and full of spirituality.”

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UNDERWATER: WHALE SHARKS AND MANTA RAYS


Divers swim alongside a whale shark in the waters of the Maldives

“For us, if there was only one place in the world to go diving, it would be the Maldives,” Charles says. The unforgettable highlight: visiting a manta ray cleaning station. Manta rays come to areas with strong currents and rocks to clean themselves off. Here, it’s possible to see up to 40 rays at once. And you don’t have to be a strong swimmer – simply sit on the ocean floor, hold onto a rock and watch the party go by. “The mantas are very gracious and elegant in their movements,” Verena says. And if you’re interested in seeing more ocean life while staying at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, the Resort provides beepers to alert you when mantas and whale sharks are within view.

ON LAND: TRANSPORTIVE SPA EXPERIENCES


A spa expert at the Four Seasons Maldives provides sound therapy.

For Verena, a spa aficionado, the best land-based attraction in the Maldives is the Resort’s Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat. Stretching from the heart of the island to the middle of the lagoon, the spa has four glass-floor treatment rooms so you have a window into the sea life below as you unwind. At the Ayurvedic Retreat, you’ll meet with expert physicians who design custom treatments to address your particular needs. “The energy in the spa is just incredible,” Verena says. “It’s a healing experience.”

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UNDERWATER: ST PIERRE ISLAND


The waters of Seychelles are filled with vibrant reefs.

As Seychelles residents, Charles and Verena recommend taking a day trip from the Resort to go island-hopping — the area is home to more than 100 islands where you can dive and sightsee at the same time. Make time to go underwater at St Pierre Island. “It’s essentially a little rock with two coconut trees,” Charles says, “but the water around it is like an aquarium.” In addition to the vibrant corals, expect to catch a glimpse of hawksbill and green turtles.

ON LAND: COCONUTS AND GIANT TORTOISES


A giant tortoise near the Four Seasons Seychelles

From the capital city of Victoria, take a ferry to Praslin Island. There, at the UNESCO World Heritage site Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, you can see coco de mer trees, which produce the uniquely shaped coconuts that are the national symbol of Seychelles. Next, head to Curieuse Island where you can have a barbecue picnic and spot giant tortoises in the wild.

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UNDERWATER: CATALINA ISLAND


Divers swim near a hammerhead shark in Costa Rica

A one-hour boat ride from the beach at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo will take you to Catalina Island, another of the Lasvignes’ favourite dive spots. You may even see a whale on the trip over – Charles and Verena saw a whale and her calf pass by on their most recent trip. Once you get underwater, you’ll see large devil rays and hammerhead sharks. But there’s no need to be afraid, Charles says. “Our dive instructor told us they would pretty much ignore us, and there were no problems.”

ON LAND: ZIP LINES AND HOT SPRINGS


A woman zip-lines in Costa Rica

Though there are plenty of great activities to keep you busy in Costa Rica, the Lasvignes say it’s best to soak up the natural surroundings as much as possible. Their recommendation: Take a car to the nearby Arenal Volcano. “On the way, you’ll travel through a coffee field where you can get a taste of the local brew,” Verena says. Once you’re sufficiently caffeinated, zoom among the treetops via a series of zip lines, the longest of which is almost 2,500 feet (760 metres). Charles and Verena suggest making time for relaxation in the warmth of the area’s volcanic natural hot springs.

Your Journey Begins Here

Dive into your next adventure.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

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Where Are Best Beach Vacations In the World?

Posted on by Lenise Willis

Whether you prefer an aquatic adventure, the most colourful sunset or the tranquillity that comes from serene crystal waters, the world is full of opportunities to revel in paradise.

In seeking the best beach vacations in the world, we’ve compared your favourite stretches of sand, as displayed on social media, with our own beloved picks, from Bora Bora to Vietnam. These 12 beaches, selected from six regions around the world, are ideal for your next tropical getaway.

Best Beaches in the Pacific Islands

Amid away-from-it-all volcanic islands, the beaches of Indonesia and French Polynesia boast sapphire waters surrounded by emerald mountains.

Traveller’s Pick: Bora Bora

 

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On Instagram, Bora Bora is repeatedly deemed a favourite escape, even called the land of “50 shades of blue.” In addition to the seemingly endless waters, guests can soak in the sight of Mount Otemanu. The recently enhanced overwater bungalow suites at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora take the beach vacation to the next level, offering 360-degree views and complete immersion in the aquatic life.

Editor’s Pick: Bali at Jimbaran Bay


Sundara, Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Sundara, lauded as the best beach club in Bali, sets this escape apart from the rest. Enjoy live music, sundown cocktails and fresh Jimbaran seafood while you lounge beachside.

The lure of the exotic leads us to another one of our favourite tropical escapes: the beach of Jimbaran Bay. With volcanic mountains visible in the distance, soft white sand and year-round warm temperatures characterize the Bali beach.

After relaxing in the sun, get active with catamaran spilling, stand-up paddle boarding and surfing Bali’s famous breaks. Linger for Jimbaran’s magical sunsets with a drink at Sundara beach club and fresh seafood at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay.

Best Beaches in Latin America

Though typically known for its vivid rain forests, South America and Central America can also claim some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Traveller’s Pick: Costa Rica

 

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No setting sun is more gorgeous than one dozily sinking behind the ocean, which is why Costa Rica is one of your favourite beaches at day’s end. With warm gulf waters, pristine white sands and tropical trees swaying inland, the Gulf of Papagayo is a premier setting for beach photos – day and night.

Editor’s Pick: Punta Mita


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The Marieta Islands just off the coast of Mexico have hidden beaches perfect for a secluded escape.

With nearby golf courses and opportunities for surfing, Punta Mita is one of our favourite beaches for those who want to do more than just relax.

For a day excursion, visit Islas Marietas National Park, just a few miles west of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita and relax on one of the world’s most unusual beaches. The islands, formed by volcanic activity, are rich in natural wildlife. From December to March, marvel at the power and grace of humpback whales during their migration through the bay.

Best African Beaches

Home to some of the best lesser-known snorkelling and diving spots, the islands off Africa are excellent options for your next beach getaway.

Traveller’s Pick: Seychelles

Just off the coast of East Africa lie Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, home to numerous beaches and nature reserves. Nature is awe-inspiring here. You may even catch a glimpse of a rare giant Aldabra tortoise.

“Nothing can beat Seychelles sunsets,” says traveller Tania Gae Mllitello. Besides the beautiful close of the day, she also loves the relaxed atmosphere and the great surfing waves. “On a Sunday afternoon you can go there and find many Seychellois and tourists together catching waves or having a picnic by the beach.

Editor’s Pick: Mauritius


Hidden enclave by ocean

Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and basking in nearly year-round sunshine, Mauritius is an island paradise.

The island of Mauritius, blissfully stranded in the Indian Ocean, beckons travellers who seek the serenity of being one with nature. At Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita guests can enjoy three private beaches, with their choice of a beach sofa, palm tree hammock or sun lounger on Ile aux Cerfs, the Resort’s exclusive private island.

Sail the turquoise sea, marvel at giant tortoises on the beach, play golf on a championship course, or just gaze at the glinting water outlined by the Bambou Mountains in the distance.

Best Beaches in Southeast Asia

With some of the world’s most varied coral reefs and year-round tropical climate, the “East Indies” offer travellers some of the most picturesque scenes for their beach vacation.

Traveller’s Pick: The Maldives

Guests seeking stillness and tranquillity often turn to the beaches of the Maldives, a nation made up of more than 1,000 coral islands known for their blue lagoons and underwater scenery. Katharina Horstmann claims the Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru as her favourite beach because “it reveals the perfect beauty of nature.”

“For me, [true happiness] is when I walk alone on the beach through the coral sand, while the shallow turquoise water tickles my toes.”

For the ultimate in peaceful seclusion, escape to Maldives Private Island Voavah at Baa Atoll.

Editor’s Pick: Hoi An, Vietnam


Beach at Hoi An, Vietnam

Enjoy direct access to Ha My Beach from your suite at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Lying in Vietnam’s cultural heartland, the tranquil kilometre-long stretch of beach in Hoi An has been deemed one of the world’s best beaches, and it’s also a relaxing perch from which to explore the country’s rich history.

In between bouts of lazing in the sun, take an excursion to any of the three UNESCO heritage sites nearby: Hue’s imperial city, the temple sanctuary of My Son and Hoi An’s enchanting lantern-lit streets.

Best Beaches in the United States

Whether you’re looking to ride a gnarly wave, sail the Atlantic or escape to the peaceful exotic, the United States of America has a beach for you.

Traveller’s Pick: Lanai, Hawaii

Though Lanai begs to be photographed for its Hawaiian sunsets, swaying palms and sweeping views of the Pacific, its starry night sky is what moved Mark Edward Harris to share the beauty of what has been long celebrated by guests as a favourite American beach destination.

Spend the day playing in the white sands of the secluded “Shipwreck Beach,” accessible only by 4×4 jeep, and snorkelling in the waters of Hulopoe Bay, a protected marine preserve. Then hike to Pu’uPehe (Sweetheart Rock), 20 minutes from Four Seasons Resort Lanai, and stare into the glittering nighttime.

Editor’s Pick: Palm Beach, Florida


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Make Palm Beach, Florida your perch to enjoy natural views and beach tranquillity.

With 47 miles of pristine golden beaches, Palm Beach, Florida, has a setting for everyone – from romantically private stretches of sand to family-friendly beaches with playgrounds, nature centres and beach parks that offer snorkelling, windsailing, fishing or paddleboarding. Catch a gleeful glimpse of a loggerhead turtle, or relax in a cabana with the complimentary service of personal beach staff at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach.

Best Caribbean Getaways

Southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, the tropical Caribbean is home to more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs and cays. How do you choose the best?

Traveller’s Pick: Nevis

 

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Called a “hidden gem” by guests, Nevis offers lovely beaches that are almost never crowded. “We spent every evening on this beach watching the beautiful sun set into the ocean,” says Anna Ng, who selected Nevis as her favourite beach getaway. “You truly feel like you’re on a quiet, remote island away from the rest of the world.”

On the north side of the island is a sweet spot, Lovers Beach, virtually hidden from the road. Its secluded location ensures guests optimal privacy. Locals agree that the best beaches on the island are on the northern and western shores. A more popular spot is Pinney’s Beach, running for about three miles near Four Seasons Resort Nevis.

Editor’s Pick: Anguilla


Anguilla hammock

Relax in your choice of a hammock or beach lounger while enjoying the laid-back atmosphere in Anguilla.

From hidden coves to long stretches of powdery sand, Anguilla is home to 33 breathtaking beaches. And with no cruise ships or casinos allowed, you’re promised a relaxing scene for unwinding. Bask in the low-key spirit of the British Overseas Territory while locals share their passion for boat racing, Caribbean music – and food.

Its impeccable scenery combined with a coastal dining scene like no other, Anguilla easily makes it to the top of our list of best beach vacations in the world. Its silky sand is highlighted by more than 100 restaurants, from rustic to luxurious, several of them right on the water. Enjoy a rum punch, a local lobster delicacy and the everlasting allure of the sea at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla.

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