Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven is classed as one of the best 10 best beaches in the world. There are some confusing and contradictory criteria for a good beach, and rightly some Scottish Beaches are nudging the top 10. I have to say though that Whitehaven has some justification.

We sailed the long way round Hamilton (the wind was really driving the sea by this time) and the short route/narrow channel wasn't recommended.

I'm not really into sitting on beaches doing nothing, but this was pared back minimalism. We pulled into the main bay with 5-6 other big tourist boats intent on the same purpose.

The beach itself has no facilities: no bars, no restaurants, no tourist information centre - nature at its best. Equally there was nothing to do but sit and admire some of the purist silica sand in the world. I have to say despite being an adrenaline junky/do something kind of guy, this held my attention for the 2-3 hours we spent there.

The girls went swimming, we lathered on sunscreen liberally, we saw turtles (which by now is becoming blase (I can't believe I'm saying that)), we wandered down the beach from the "crowds" of 1-200 people, then got back on the boat to home.

Despite Whitehaven, at the end of the day, as a group, we decide to spend the next day (Monday) on Hamilton.