Channel some nautical naughtiness and turn the heat up a notch with one of these spectacular sailing trips
By Helen Warwick, Deputy Editor, National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Belize Reef
Belize
Barbecued lobster by candlelight? Bottomless panty rippers (ooh er, the cocktail)? Lazy, languid days bathing in Caribbean sun? If they don’t get your heart racing, nothing will. Pack your suncream and stamina — you’ll need it — and climb aboard a private catamaran on the Belizean Barrier Reef. By day, glide eyeball to eyeball with nurse sharks, manta rays, turtles and a kaleidoscopic clutch of tropical fish. And as evening descends, strip off for steamy sundowners beneath cracking starry skies. All-inclusive rates with Belize Sailing Vacationsstart at $995 (£634) per night for two people. belizesailingvacations.com.
Thailand Beach
Thailand
With its dreamy beaches, coconut shakes and spectacular sunsets, Thailand is an eternal crowd-pleaser, whether you follow the banana pancake trail or go all out with a super lux resort. From padding about its white sands hand-in-hand, to shimmying up and close at beach parties, it can’t help pull in the crowds with a devil-may-care attitude — all harem pants, anklets and beads. Escape prying eyes and set sail from Ko Samui to Ang Thong Marine National Park — where deserted beaches await for some serious sensual sessions. If it’s good enough for Leo Dicaprio and Virginie Ledoyen in The Beach… Seven days from £756 per person. intrepidtravel.com.
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Ibiza
No one can argue with the White Isle’s heavyweight reputation as a raver’s delight. But it’s also got bags of space to break from the bustle and indulge in a bit of one-on-one. Charter your own yacht for chilled out days on deck, when all you have to think about is slapping cream on one another, grabbing the next bottle of champers and hurling naked into the cool blue. And as the sun melts into the horizon, hop off at beach clubs patronised by people in small bikinis and big sunglasses where laidback evenings morph into ultra hip nights. Ibiza Yacht Rental hires out boats from £782 per day. ibiza-yacht-rental.com.
Seychelles
Seychelles
If you think of the Seychelles what do you see? This gorgeous archipelago, adrift in the Indian Ocean, is as swoon-palmy as they come. Brace yourself for sea as clear as gin, downright delicious barbecued fish, and with sand as fine as flour, you’ll be rolling round in the beach in no time. Though with 115 islands, you won’t want to stay still for long, and voyaging from one speck of land to the next is the ideal way to fall for its charms — and for each other — in one fell swoop. Seven nights from £1,680. sunsail.co.uk.