13 World-Famous Beaches That Will Leave You Disappointed

World famous beaches are usually a paradise of pristine sand, crystal clear water and ultimate relaxation. Despite being global hits for tourists and vacationers everywhere, overcrowding, pollution, or just not living up to their picture perfect reputation have become a problem.

Your picture of paradise is probably not the reality of going to these popular vacation spots. Here are some things that might leave you disappointed.

Bondi Beach, Australia

Ah, Bondi…It’s famous for its surfing culture, and the lifeguards of Bondi Rescue make this iconic Australian beach a magnet for travelers. When you arrive though, you might find yourself battling for towel space with hundreds of sun seekers. In the summer, the beach can get so crowded that it’s hard to enjoy the beauty of it. Then throw in the frequent strong currents and every so often, a shark sighting and Bondi suddenly doesn’t feel like such a dream spot.

Copacabana Beach, Brazil

Rio’s vibrant culture has its roots in Copacabana, but the beach itself can be a disappointment. It’s got history and a famous name, sure, but it’s also got a reputation for being overcrowded and, at times, not the cleanest. The views from the surrounding area are wonderful, with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, but the beach itself isn’t quite as tropical as you’d expect.

Mykonos Beaches, Greece

It is famous especially for its glamorous parties, famous candidates and white washed buildings, but the beaches themselves? Most are rocky, not sandy, and are crammed full of beach chairs (which you’ll probably have to pay for). These beaches are not for you if you don’t like the high energy, party all day atmosphere. You will also have to part with quite a bit of money to get sunbeds, drinks, or anything really.

Miami Beach, USA

Miami Beach is a partygoer’s dream, but if you’re looking for relaxation, you might want to head elsewhere. Yes, the beach is famous, but it’s also loud, crowded, and full of high rise hotels. The ocean is so beautiful here but with all the noise, tourists, cars, and night life it’s hard to enjoy the natural beauty. Plus, it can sometimes feel more like a runway than a beach destination.

Maya Bay, Thailand

Maya Bay, in Thailand, was turned into an instant bucket list date because of the movie ‘The Beach’. The bay is not at all what you might expect. It used to be pristine, but influx of visitors caused environmental damage, which caused authorities to close the beach for a few years, so it could be recovered.

Venice Beach, USA

Venice Beach in Los Angeles is famous for its unique boardwalk, street performers and general vibe. Venice won’t deliver if you’re expecting a tranquil beach day, however. The Pacific Ocean here isn’t exactly the warm, inviting water you’d expect from Southern California, and the sand is littered with trash. This isn’t a beach where you can lie out and sunbathe, it’s more about people watching, and the constant hustle of the boardwalk can be exhausting.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora might come to mind when you think of a luxury destination, although it might cost you quite a lot. Most of the beachfront is owned by the resorts, so you’ll have to pay through the nose for a hotel to get the best spots. Bora Bora’s beaches may be more like an exclusive club than a natural wonder if you’re looking for an authentic Polynesian experience.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

The Phi Phi Islands are another Thai beach destination that made it to the top of the Hollywood hit list and became victims of their own success. The sheer number of tourists that visit these islands has taken its toll on the environment and has left many visitors underwhelmed. The once bright, clear waters are often cloudy with pollution and the beach feels more like a theme park than a tropical escape.

Saint-Tropez, France

For the average beachgoer, Saint Tropez might conjure up images of glamorous yachts and celebrities lounging on sunbeds, but the beaches are usually thin strips and crammed with rented sunbeds; but in the more spectacular places the sand is strewn with litter. Everything from drinks to beach clubs are so expensive that you feel like you’re paying more for the name than the actual experience.

Patong Beach, Thailand

Patong Beach in Phuket is famous for its nightlife but that’s all it has to offer. The once clear waters aren’t exactly pristine anymore and the beach is packed with tourists during the day. Patong has a constant stream of hawkers selling you everything from sunglasses to jet ski rides, and if you’re looking for peace and quiet, Patong won’t deliver.

Pattaya Beach, Thailand

Pattaya used to be one of northeastern India’s quiet fishing villages, but today it’s a bustling tourist area — and not one that benefits everyone. The beach itself is a crowded, noisy, bar and club-lined place. Over the years the water quality has gotten worse and the constant stream of boats and jet skis makes swimming less than ideal. Pattaya will probably disappoint if what you are after is a peaceful beach experience.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Famous worldwide, Waikiki Beach in Honolulu is anything but quiet or picturesque if you’re looking for a quiet, picturesque spot to unwind. High rise hotels line the beach, and the waves are full of novice surfers trying to catch their first break. The view of Diamond Head in the distance is fantastic, but you’ll quickly become overwhelmed by the number of tourists if you think this is a tropical retreat.

Palolem Beach, India

Once a hidden gem, Palolem Beach in Goa is anything but now. This once tranquil spot has become busy and commercialized because of overdevelopment and increasing tourism. The palm trees, and the shallow water are still just as inviting, but overcrowding, influx of tourists, and loud music will send you running.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.

But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.

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