snorkeling travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Tunnel Beach is located along the Dunedin to Brighton coastal road. Here you will find sea-carved sandstone cliffs, rock arches and caves a mere 15 minutes walk from the road. Tunnel Beach is 2 kilometres south of Dunedin, draws its name from a passage that was hand carved in the 1870s through a rock promontory to allow access to a secluded and sheltered beach at the base of the cliffs.
Tunnels gets its name from both the lava tunnels and the shape of the surfing break, which surfers compare to a tunnel.

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Ko Racha Yai is a small island, forty minutes drive by speedboat from Phuket. It has a small local population, buffalo in the fields, soldier lines of coconut trees, 2 little shops, a couple of beachside bars and a few impromptu massage huts. The hotel is sited over a hillside, offering 69 villas. The resort has a secluded feel, and its 2 gorgeous pools, 3 bar areas, roomy library, veritable temple of a spa and 4 very different restaurants keep guests nicely spread out.

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This Thai-inspired resort is kilometres of soft, powdery-white beach contrasting with cobalt seas; a relaxed Zen atmosphere without cares and fuss; and Buddhist-inspired decor, including bright orange fluttering flags everywhere. There are ten villas, each sited in a horseshoe facing the ocean, between coconut palms. The position is perfect for swimming, strolling and kayaking, and there are opportunities for chilling out on day beds under white parasols, in hammocks and on cloud nine. 

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Mumbo Island is a pristine deserted tropical island floating on the blue waters of Lake Malawi National Park, the first park in the world set aside for the protection of freshwater fish. The National Park offers the best freshwater scuba diving in the world and the best snorkeling on the lake. The camp is perched high on the rocks above the water and blends in perfectly to create a place of rustic charm and minimal impact. Each tent is fully furnished with its own shaded view-deck and hammock.

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Considered by many as the finest villas on the East African Coast of Kenya, Alfajiri Villas overlook the Indian Ocean and their elevated positions ensure privacy and stunning views. In these African style villas the theme is high Makuti roofs, ivory Danish floors, wooden beams, Lamu doors and impressive African and Far Eastern Artefacts. Most of the furniture is made on the property in the villa’s workshop. The gardens are meticulously maintained and include many palms from the villa’s nursery. Large verandas with huge hand carved sofas dominate the front of the villas where a stretch swimming pool sits on the edge of a small cliff merging into the sea and the horizon. The Garden and Beach Villa share a swimming pool and bar.

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Matemwe Retreat is located on an amazing stretch of private land, just north of Matemwe‘s main lodge and right opposite the Mnemba Atoll. The Retreat consists of 3 fabulous, separate villas, full of atmosphere, inspiration and personal touches. The private service in the Retreat is the major highlight. Breakfast is served on the private veranda of your room. Lunch and dinner are served in the privacy of your garden or roof terrace or a dinner at Matemwe’s main lodge, where you can enjoy the company of other guests. Drinks are served in the room or on the beach and you can have massages and beauty treatments in the comfort of your roof terrace, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

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Rosewood Hotels & Resorts made a big splash in Mexico with Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos which is a stunning beachfront resort that in the decade since has become an icon in the world of luxury hotels. In December, the company finally “soft opened” its second property in the country, Rosewood Mayakoba on the Riviera Maya.

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Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, 700km north-east of Sydney, Australia. Lord Howe Island is a small, breathtakingly beautiful island, just 11 km long and 2.8 km at its widest point. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982, the island is bordered by a reef-fringed lagoon, rolling surf, and the world’s southern most coral reef. Capella Lodge is the only Lord Howe Island accommodation with lagoon, mountain and ocean views.

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Fregate Island is one of the privatest islands in the world. Pirates are nowhere to be seen on this idyllic Indian Ocean paradise. From the tropical forest, white-sand beaches to crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. With no more than forty guests on the island, this tiny granite world is one of the area’s most secluded and desirable destinations.

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Situated on an island so remote that eighty percent of its indigenous wildlife does not exist anywhere else on the planet, the Anjajavy luxury resort on Madagascar‘s sunny northwest coast takes isolation to a different level. The area surrounding the hotel can be reached only by low-altitude airplanes that offer superb views. The Anjajavy is classified as a four-star and few hotels around the world can rival its location. Photo by: avaltat

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