122. 6 Breathtaking Beaches Every Luxury Travel Fan Needs to Visit

Champagne on the sand, no sand in your shoes — that’s the dream. In this episode, we’re diving into the world of luxury travel with six unforgettable beaches that deserve a spot on your passport. You’ll discover three iconic bucket list destinations, three equally stunning but easier-to-reach gems, and a few simple ways to honor National Beach Day while you travel sustainably. Ready? Set? Let’s Jet!

Previous Episodes Mentioned:
Episode 78: Aloha, Maui! The Best Tips for Luxury Travel on Hawaii's Islands

Connect with Michele on IG: @jetsettingwithmichele or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/MMTinsiders

Contact Michele to plan your next vacation: www.makinmemoriestravel.co/contact or michele@makinmemoriestravel.co.

This episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Transcript

Hello jet setters and welcome back to another episode of Jet Setting with me. You guys know, because you've been listening to me for almost two full years, that my heart has always, always belong to luxury resorts. I think it goes back to when I worked at Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort and Spa.

The and spa was added after I didn't work there, but we'll use correct verbiage because that's like something I was taught as a cast member that will never lead me anyway. I digress. Back then I learned the magic behind the scenes, so that just translates into my love language, which is luxury travel. I love it for the views, the service, and those perfectly curated moments that become stories that you tell forever. And I have one for you, but it's at the end of the podcast so you have to listen to my perfectly curated moment that became a story that I will remember forever. It's such a special memory. But first, today's episode is a two act getaway. First, we're going to talk about the three absolute bucket list beaches that you have to put on your passport.

And guess what? So do I. I haven't been to any of those. And then three incredible beaches that feel like an escape but won't cost you the same amount of travel time or money as those bucket list destinations. And I've been to all all three of these. I'm going to sprinkle in a quick packing tip and one easy eco action that you can do to honor National Beach Day, which is coming up on August 30th. So think of this as a little tiny vacation while you listen, but a big nudge to make your next beach trip extra AF and earth friendly. So to dive in, pun intended, the top three most aspirational bucket list beaches worldwide. These should be on every person's passport.

Imagine stepping off your overwater deck and into water so clear that you can trace the coral shadows below. It is famous for its overwater villas. We are talking about the Maldives, where the warm breeze has a faint scent of cocon and Sea salt and a distant bell marks the slow luxurious pace of island time. It is bucket list worthy because of those overwater villas that I previously mentioned. It's private exclusivity, it's got world class snorkeling and you can even encounter a manta ray or two. Best time to visit is November to April. And of course we're going to schedule you with that underse dining, maybe some private villa butler service and of course your private arrival via seaplane. On a sustainability note, let's make sure that we find you a resort that runs coral restoration programs and also sources sustainable seafood.

Next on the list, picture a lagoon the color of crushed turtles, turquoise glass. Mount Otemanu is rising like a postcard in the background. We are talking Bora Bora in French Polynesia where the morning light is going to soften the peaks to rose gold and your private boat glides by. It is definitely bucket list worthy because again, over water bungalows with the iconic lagoon and the dramatic volcanic backdrop, your best time to go is May to October. And a luxe moment that you can have is a helicopter scenic flight or a private lagoon cruise with a gourmet picnic. Of course, as you know me, I wouldn't be able to choose. Let's do both now for sustainability in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. We want to be sure that we're supporting the community led marine protection and that we are extremely respectful of any sea wildlife encounters that we might have.

Next up on the list, think granite boulders. These are sculpted by centuries of water and powder. White sand that squeaks underfoot and frangipani scented air. A turtle is going to amble toward the sea while waves murmur against the hidden ghosts. This is the Seychelles everybody and it is bucket list worthy because of those impossibly photogenic coves like Anse, Source Darje and secluded island romance. Best time to go April to October. Definitely have to plus it up with a private island villa guided nature to meet those giant tortoises. I've seen that on below deck sunrise.

You know I love a good sunrise. And here you can have a breakfast sunrise beach picnic. Now a sustainability note for visiting the Seychelles. The islands actually have protected marine parks and they have community projects for the nesting the sea turtles and the reef protection. Now let's talk about three brilliant beaches that are easy to get to but still scream bucket list. Easier access, less jet lag. Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos. You'll be able to walk on powder fine sand and it cushions every step.

You can watch the sea Shift from mint to deep sapphire and there's always kite borders and fresh caught fish that is probably sizzling as it's frying up nearby. It is bucket list worthy because it's got really calm water. Also, Turks and Caicos is pricey and it's known for its high end villas. The best time to visit here is December to May and definitely need a private yacht day so that you can sail the uninhabited keys and bone fishing trips. If you're interested in fishing, many resorts here support the reef nurseries and we can definitely find you a reef friendly option. Okay, this one I take very personally. It is actually one of my two favorite beaches in the entire world that I've seen. It is Seven Mile beach in Grand Cayman and it is called Seven Miles because it is seven miles long.

So you've got the long palm lined sweep of shoreline beneath your feet. There is water lapping in the ribbons that are perfect for snorkeling. And Stingray city. You can go and play with the stingrays. They're going to circle you in shallow turquoise water as the sun leans toward golden hour. Definitely bucket list worthy because of the world class snorkeling and that Stingray city excursion with which by the way I have done. And this isn't the story that's coming later, this is like a mid podcast story. I went in and the first stingray that swam around me I touched felt like gummy.

Almost like what a dolphin felt like when I swam with the dolphins. But it scared the bejesus out of me and I got right out of the boat and I still love that I did this excursion. I can say I've tried it, I've done it. But even watching circle the boat and play with other people who were in the water was super fun. The best time to visit here is November to April. It's a great holiday escape to go see the holidays in Turks and Caicos. The lights and the decorations that they do for the holidays are really quite, quite cute. And it's luxury defined.

It's got a sunset catamaran, you can do private snorkeling. There are luxury hotels there like the Kempton and the Ritz Carlton, which the Ritz I mentioned on a previous episode is my favorite spa in all the world. There are beachfront suites, you can get a plunge pool. And it is an incredibly sustainable island. They have active marine conservation and they have reef restoration initiatives on the island. Awesome place to visit. And my second most favorite or they're equal in my heart is Maui in Hawaii. I talk about why Maui has my heart a lot in episode 78, which is all about the best tips for luxury travel on Hawaii's islands.

But I mean, I love it. Maui is just, it's one of my favorite cities in the entire world. Here you can breathe in that tropical flower vibe with matt volcanic minerals. There is a great sunrise down at the Haleakala Peak. It looks like the sky is painted in lavender with tangerine. And the surf rolls onto those lava edged bays. You can hear the gentle ukulele from the natives. A melody that floats up from a beachfront lanai.

It's just. Oh, it's dreamy. And last week I talked about how being burnout, this is the place I would go for my wellness immersion. My seven day wellness immersion. It is bucket list worthy because of the incredible island diversity. There's iconic beaches. There's two of them, Waialea and Kaanapali. The best time to go is April to May and then September to November.

But I'm going to plug February because that's the best time for whale watching. Of course we can plus up your visit with a private helicopter tour. Yes, please. A curated cultural experience similar to the one I had when I went where you can choose a pearl. It's $20. You choose a pearl and then somebody is going to read what that pearl means for you and turn it into either a bracelet or a necklace. And it's all done by indigenous people to the island. Of course.

They are known for their tourism, sustainability. They have regenerative tourism that is part of the culture of Hawaii and they have lots of experiences just like the one that I just mentioned about the pearl that helps you reinvest in that local community. And in case you're wondering, yes, Maui is open, they had horrible fires and the community is still healing and going to visit there is probably the best thing you can do for sustainability in the world right now is going to Maui. Now a quick heads up about all six of these fabulous places. We always want to check the tide times and the local rules before we hit the sand. Of course we want to obey signs, especially especially those roped off nesting areas. If you're not trained on helping the baby sea turtles get back in the water, then get that training before you help. We don't want to kill them by accident.

Keep your distance from the wildlife, do not feed them and don't take flash photos. Their eyes get hurt just like ours do. And be sure to pack up your trash. Small respectful choices to protect the beaches. Now we will help generations of humans and sea turtles. Now a few quick tips to pack like a pro for your beach vacation. Always be sure to take a silky mineral wreath, safe sunscreen, an SPF between 30 and 50. Be sure to reapply every two hours or after a swim in the pool or the beach.

And keep a full size at your lounger and then a travel stick in your beach bag. And just in case somebody quote unquote borrows one, you've got another. And of course you might quote unquote misplace one. It happens so you've got two One's a travel stick. For those quick touch ups, always pack a plush sand resistant towel or a packable blanket. And bonus, if it's made from recycled fibers, it's going to be oversized and Instagram ready but recycled. Bonus points for that one. Hydration is key.

Bring an insulated reusable water bottle and of course your collapsible wine tumbler. Cold water all day, bubbly when you want it, Zero disposable cups I recommend and I have one and I have talked about this on previous episodes too with packing lists, a compact zero waste toiletry kit that includes bringing your shampoo and conditioner in those minis, maybe even a body wash, a refillable sunscreen stick and a reef safe lip balm. Now I admit that my don't have these things always on hand. My favorite place is my travel well boxes and there is a link for that in the show notes. And of course a chic beach kit, a small reusable trash bag. Hear me out. Some lightweight gloves, of course, your collapsible cooler or an insulated pouch and spend 10:20 minutes picking up litter. It's an instant feel good luxury upgrade.

So if one of these beaches has you already packing in your mind, email me for a free consult. My email is in the show notes but it's Michelle with one L at Macon with no G Memories Travel Co. Michelle at Makin Memories Travel Co. Of course I will help craft that extra AF Beach Day that you will love. But availability does fill fast for peak season at all six of these beaches, so be sure to reach out early. And for those of you who listened to all the way through my very own personal beach story, which I really don't think I've ever told anyone, even the people who were with me, how much it meant to me. But when I was working at Disney definitely had a kind of a core group of friends and I kind of played Julie McCoy cruise director because if I planned things then I was always in on the plan. But four or five of us went to go visit one of our college program friends who lived in Tampa Beach.

So we drove from Orlando. We all got the same days off and we went to Orlando. And that very first night it was already dark when we got there. So we went, you know, we had a home cooked meal. It was amazing. His mom made us dinner and he's actually another travel advisor. So. See Steve, if you are out there listening by chance, this is about our visit to your home.

You were so amazing to welcome us all. So I think there were. Okay. There were five of us going to visit him and he was our sixth, basically. So the six of us went out to Tampa beach and we laid down and just listened to the water and there were a couple like three or so different kites that were flying. It was like they were practicing for a kite festival next day or something. And the sound of the kites in the wind, flapping in the wind with the tide coming up on the beach or, you know, rolling in and out on the beach and watching the kites fly. It is one of the best beach memories I have in my entire life.

It was amazing. And the moral of the story is, even though I have given you the absolute best, best, best beaches where you can really get your beach on any beach that you go to. Because you know, Tampa Bay is not necessarily famous for its beach, any beach that you go to and create memories like that one, it's 30 years old, you guys. 30 years. And it is so closely held in my heart. Anytime you can create those kind of memories, that is is the beach that we should plan your next vacation to. I mean, can you imagine if I could take my kids now and have that same exact thing happen, which of course it can, but you know what I mean. So thank you for listening.

Until next time, keep your sunscreen wreath safe and your plans unforgettable. And of course, safe and happy travels.