Pack your beach towel and head for one of these great beach-ey holiday options across the globe. We've surely missed a few, so post your suggestions below!

Nosy Be, Madagascar
Nosy Be, meaning 'big island' in Malagasy, is located of the northwest coast of Madagascar and is a must for all visitors to Madagascar. Featuring spectacular beaches such as Madirokely, Belle Vue and Andilana, Nosy Be is also known for its verdant tropical forest which is teeming with a diversity of wildlife, namely Lokobe Natural Reserve, where fantastic bird watching opportunities abound as well as views of volcanic lakes. Outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling are also on offer, or sign up for an island-hopping dhow safari with nights spent sleeping on deserted beaches.

? Visit our Madagascar travel guide.

Eleuthera Island, Bahamas
You are never far from the beach on the most popular of the Bahama's Out Islands, which stretches for almost 161 kilometres, but is never wider than three kilometers!. Eleuthera, and especially its satellite island, Harbour Island (just a short water-taxi ride away) have long been the holiday haunts of the fashionable set, sporting luxury hotels and fine restaurants that cater for trendy and wealthy visitors.

The main entertainment here is sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling, shell-collecting and fishing. The scenery can be enjoyed through a meander along the coast, passing scenic headlands and wandering through villages dotted between dozens of pristine beaches.

? Visit our Bahamas travel guide.

Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai? It?s more than a healthy fast-food chain! It's also one of Hawaii's most beautiful island destinations!

The main attraction on the Hawaiian island of Kauai is its natural beauty and unassuming lifestyle of the people. The wettest spot on earth is said to be Kauai's Mount Waialeale with an average rainfall of 485 inches per year ? this has resulted in the Alakai Swamp, the highest swamp in the world, and the Waimea River, the longest river in the Hawaiian Islands. It also causes an abundance of rainbows and lush vegetation that has earned it the title of 'the Garden Island'.

Today Kauai is popular with visitors, but tourism development is concentrated in just a few prime locations such as the Princeville resort on the north coast. Holidaymakers who opt for Kauai's raw wilderness are rewarded with some of the most secluded, pristine beaches in the Hawaiian Islands and marvellous natural wonders like Waimea Canyon. There are also some restored historic sites to explore, like the Alekoko Fishpond near Nawiliwili Harbour on the southeast coast, regarded as an engineering wonder of ancient times.

? Visit our Hawaii travel guide.

Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Immortalised in a popular song, 'The Girl from Ipanema', this suburb of Rio offers not only its legendary beach, but numerous excellent hotels, bustling nightlife, sophisticated shopping opportunities and quality restaurants, all within walking distance of each other.

Ipanema (the name, incongruously, means 'bad water') is famous for setting fashion trends, particularly in the line of skimpy swimwear, and fashion fundis should look out for the famous bikini boutiques like Salinas, Blue Man and Bum-Bum.

Also do not miss exploring the Rua Garcia D'Avila to shop for designer fashion, jewellery and furniture. There are numerous other streets in Ipanema to explore as well, including the attractive commercial street Visconde de Piraja that is lined with speciality shops, bars, restaurants and some of Rio's best boutiques. Visit the hippie fair at General Osorio Square on Sundays for wooden sculptures, handcrafts, exotic musical instruments and artworks.

? Visit our Rio de Janeiro travel guide.

Gold Coast
Australia's Gold Coast stretches south from Queensland's capital, Brisbane, along 70 kilometres of coastline into northern New South Wales. The stunning array of beaches along this coast are a major drawcard, and where once only the surf graced the shoreline today there is a plethora of high-rise accommodation, giant theme parks, exotic nightlife and countless restaurants. The sun shines here 300 days out of the year, and the beach resort towns with their alluring names all offer soft golden sand, rolling waves and the chance to gain a perfect suntan.

One of the most popular destinations is Surfer's Paradise, which has blossomed into the pulsating heart of the Queensland Gold Coast. Set on a Peninsula, about 78km from Brisbane, with the warm Pacific Ocean on one side and the deep blue Nerang River on the other, Surfer's Paradise is considered to be the holiday capital of Australia. Visitors throng here to holiday among the bright lights, shops, high rise resort hotels and attractions squeezed onto the finger of land that is surrounded by a 150m wide beach that stretches for almost 10km in each direction.

? Visit our Queensland travel guide.

Where have we missed? Post your best beaches below?