Falstaff Magazine (International)
BEST FOR WILDLIFE LOVERS
COSTA RICA
Manuel Antonio National Park has some of the most beautiful beaches in this Central American country, with excellent coral-reef snorkelling. But the real treat for animal aficionados lies on land. The lush rain forest lining the coast is home to an extraordinary collection of wildlife – three fingered sloths, iguanas and squirrel monkeys for starters. You’ll be an expert after an official guided tour along easy access trails. Then make for Arenas Del Mar Beach & Rainforest Resort. Why? It’s the only luxury hotel in the area that’s genuinely on the beach.
NEW ZEALAND
Pristine beaches abound in New Zealand and Kiwis like to joke that unlike Australia, you won’t have to worry about the wildlife finishing you off. Seabird seekers should make straight for Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay, home to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony. Travel in a red tractor along Clifton Beach (or 4x4 across farmland) and soak up the full beauty of the majestic, rugged coastline. Golf fans need to tee off afterwards at the stunning Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, where cliff-edge fairways are perched
140 metres above the ocean.
SOUTH AFRICA
What makes Boulders Beach in Cape Town stand out from the crowd? African Penguins. A whole colony of them in fact. It’s the only place in the world where you can get up close and personal with these waddling crowd-pleasers.
But not too close…three boardwalks for visitors ensure the endangered birds and their chicks are protected. Boulders is part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area so it’s a super family-friendly beach to take a dip but canoes and kayaks are off the activity menu.