By Alex Schechter for Architectural Digest.
Mozambique's newest lodge (it opened June 1) is set on Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, which has been recognized as a marine conservation area since 1971. The hotel arranges private helicopter tours that offer a unique overview of the coast and guided horseback expeditions along the water's edge. From $695/night; andbeyond.com.
This fabled island off the northern coast of Queensland is the stuff of travelers' dreams. After arriving by private plane, guests can take a trip out to Cod Hole (a world-renowned dive site on the Great Barrier Reef), access one of 24 secluded white-sand beaches, or retreat into the newly refurbished Anchor Bay Suite, which comes with its own plunge pool. From $1,212/night; lizardisland.com.au.
Don Carlos Pellas, a renowned rum distiller and hotelier, developed this 1,670-acre beachside retreat with one goal in mind: total seclusion. Whether enjoying a private surf lesson on Manzanillo Beach or relaxing in one of 23 *bohios*--cliffside chalets with panoramic glass-walled showers--guests feel they have the whole place to themselves. This November, Costa Esmeralda Airport (also built by Pellas) will offer the area's first direct international flight access. From $500/night; mukulresort.com.
International luxury hotel developer Auberge made waves in 2013 when it enlisted Todd-Avery Lenahan and SB Architects to revitalize the dramatic 55-room Malliouhana hotel. After the renovation, the bright pastel hues and inviting arches evoke 1950s Caribbean glamour. Outside, there are three private beaches on Turtle Bay, and motorboats for solo jaunts around the island. From $525/night; malliouhana.aubergeresorts.com.
Sharks, shipwrecks, and tropical fish have made the Maldives a diving hot spot for decades, and while this 20-acre resort caters to underwater explorers (there's an on-site dive center), it's also a place for repose. Every suite and villa features a private pool and sundeck with a thatched-roof hut--in the overwater suites, guests can wake up and dive into the turquoise lagoon, before breakfast. From $950/night; comohotels.com.
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With just 25 bungalows (all overlooking the vast, and aptly named, Emerald Coast) and a 3:1 staff-to-guest ratio, it's no wonder A-listers like Beyoncé and Paul McCartney have stayed here on trips to Brazil. There's a private cinema, in-room saunas in many of the bungalows, and fresh seafood hauled in from the bay each morning. Book the restaurant's "island," an open-air private dining pavilion connected by a 98-foot jetty, to experience one of South America's most romantic dining spots. From $1,950/night; pontadosganchos.com.
Thirty minutes from San Juan Airport, this 483-acre former coconut plantation became the first Caribbean resort to be gold-certified by Audubon International. Wildlife abounds here--from songbirds and iguanas in the forest, to baby sea turtles hatching in late spring. An on-site marine biologist ensures guests are in the right place, at the right time, when the little critters begin emerging from their sandy nests. From $659/night; stregisbahiabeach.com.
The perks at this hotel's Spa Pool Villas--each with a private pool, gym, sauna, and steam room--justify never setting foot outside. At night, staff will set up a candlelit dinner on your private terrace overlooking the Bay of Mirabello. Should you choose to emerge from your mini-palace, there's a private beach club, two restaurants, a spa, and chartered yacht excursions to the island of Spinalonga. From $282/night; eloundavillas.com.
The only resort on Oahu's North Shore, this Hawaiian classic hugs five miles of perfect clear-water beaches. Highlights from the recent multimillion-dollar renovation include an elite set of beach cottages (all with 15-foot ceilings, Brazilian walnut floors, and Kalista deep-soaking tubs), as well as the installation of 1,500 solar panels to offset the resort's carbon footprint. From $340/night; turtlebayresort.com.
The largest resort charter fleet in Southeast Asia resides here--with vessels including the *Maha Bhetra,* a 90-foot luxury vessel with three en suite cabins and a top deck fashioned after the resort's own villas. From November to April, intimate torchlit barbecue dinners are served right on the beach, prepared by a private chef. From $653; amanresorts.com.
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(Photo: Ecola State Park in Oregon via Victoria Ditkovsky/Shutterstock.com)
It's a year-round bird-watching location, but the wildlife really comes out when the crowds disperse. Visit neighboring Ecola State Park and watch for elk and migrating grey whales offshore. Plus, Dungeness Crab season begins in mid-December, so you'll reap the benefits at local eateries.
Storm chasers will love the unpredictable weather that can bring crashing waves, best enjoyed from an oceanfront hotel with dramatically reduced rates.
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(Photo: Cannon Beach via cdrin/Shutterstock.com
Surfers come to Ditch Plains for its consistent reef break that's ideal for long-boarders. You'll need a wetsuit, but then again, many surfers here wear a wetsuit year-round. Nearby Montauk Point Lighthouse is a worthy photo-op, particularly at sunset. While many of the town's seasonal shops and restaurants may be closed, the ones that are still open won't have long lines or require a reservation.
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(Photo: Montauk via Alissa Huff/Shutterstock.com)
Whether you're cycling or driving, Moshup Beach (also known as Aquinnah Public Beach) is the island's best. You won't have to fight for parking or pay fees in the offseason, and the empty beach is the perfect spot for strolling, picnicking, or (if you're lucky) spotting seals. Plus, the nudists that tend to stake claim to the beach along the dramatic, multi-colored cliffs are bundled up for the winter.
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(Photo: Moshup Beach via MWaits/Shutterstock.com)
Frequent visitors to the area know that the sunsets leading up to and just after the winter solstice offer some of the most dramatic lighting, particularly the glow that's cast through Keyhole Arch along Pfeiffer Beach. If you have no interest fighting for space with pro and amateur photographers, you can still catch vivid sunsets against the purple sands, not to mention whale watching at its peak from December through April.
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(Photo: Pfeiffer Beach via JingyuWu/Shutterstock.com)
A sidewalk runs from Gooch's Beach to just past Lord's Point for a 4.2-mile round trip stroll. If there's snow on the ground, nearby countryside offers an idyllic setting for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding.
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(Photo: Kennebunk Beach via CO Leong/Shutterstock.com)
Walk far enough, and you may stumble across the "Kindred Spirit" mailbox. Inside is a notebook where people have continued to share their thoughts for years. And of course, with a name like sunset beach, you can expect golden rays to put on a show at the end of the day.
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(Photo: Sunset Beach via Richard A. McGuirk/Shutterstock.com)
While you can camp on the beach at Shi Shi, warm beds and arguably just-as-beautiful scenery await at the oceanfront Kalaloch Lodge. Though it's a couple hours south by car, the lodge's seclusion and direct beach access (and distance from the Twilight-inspired downtown Forks) make it a worthwhile stop.
Note: The Makah Shi Shi trailhead is on reservation lands. Purchase a $10 permit in Neah Bay before setting off. Several locations sell them, but Makah Mini Mart is open the latest.
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(Photo: Shi Shi Beach via zschnepf/Shutterstock.com)
But for those that can weather winter, it's a whole different scene. Wintertime in Mackinac brings an even slower pace (if that's possible) that's made for relaxing. The entire island is a national historic landmark with only about 500 permanent residents. But these hearty residents host activities including a Christmas Bazaar, winter festival, and chili cook-off. Most residents cross-country ski or snowshoe downtown to staples like Doud's, the country's oldest family-owned grocery store.
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(Photo:Mackinac Island via Stephanie Stevens/Shutterstock.com)
Catch a glimpse of Cape May Lighthouse on clear days (or head the short distance to the lighthouse to climb the 199 steps to the top). Cape May beach tags are not required after Labor Day, and, come December, the town comes alive in Dickensian splendor. The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts hosts several Christmas events, including Victorian house tours and trolley rides. Post-holidays, solitude is the biggest draw. And if the weather ever gets too cold, just pop into Tommy's Folly Coffee Shop for an unbeatable cup of cocoa.
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(Photo: Cove Beach via Barbara Barbour/Shutterstock.com)
There you'll find Malaquite Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Closed to vehicles and pets, it's the most undisturbed portion of the seashore, ideal for walking along the dunes or kicking back with a good book on the powder-soft sands.
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(Photo: Padre Island National Seashore via Warren Price Photography/Shutterstock.com)
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Read the original story: 10 Beaches That Are Better in the Off-Season by Kate Sitarz, who is a regular contributor to SmarterTravel.