The lazy days of summer bring long afternoons spent beachside. And as many Americans get back out in the world, heading to Europe without the crowds or visiting U.S. favorites, they’re (re)discovering one of the best parts of days by the sea: a fabulous beach club—whether it’s a see-and-be-seen hot spot or a laid-back hideaway. Read on for Indagare’s list of the world’s best beach clubs, from a lively newcomer in the Maldives to a Capri icon.
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Maldives: Fari Beach Club
Accessible by boat from several luxury resorts on neighboring islands—and located on the same island as the just-opened Patina Maldives—Fari Beach Club is the newest seaside social hangout in the Maldives. What visitors can expect: a curvy, infinity-edge pool fronting 600 feet of powder-soft white sands, and a restaurant and bar serving fresh-from-the-sea dishes like reef fish ceviche and perfect-for-the-beach beachy cocktails.
Related: Why We’re Dreaming of the Maldives in 2021
Capri: La Fontelina Beach Club
Only accessible by boat or a steep cliffside path, La Fontelina is a secluded gem, where locals and high-profile Italians dive off of Capri’s limestone rocks into the dazzling Tyrrhenian Sea. La Fontelina, the beach club’s lunchtime restaurant, is even more popular, thanks to its stunning views and delicious Italian fare.
Related: An Insider’s Guide: Capri with Amedeo Scognamiglio
Mykonos: Scorpios Beach Club
A less flashy version of Nammos, Scorpios quickly became the hotspot in Mykonos upon opening in 2015. It has since spawned a global wave of copycat clubs around the world trying to imitate its at once easy-breezy and chic vibes—with little success. The luxurious beach lounge features a boutique and restaurant, where well-heeled patrons can enjoy refreshing Greek staples like arugula and watermelon salad and grilled octopus. Days are spent lounging on daybeds shaded by thatched roofs, while nights are a more lavish affair with DJs and dancing into the early hours.
Related: Traveling to Europe in 2021: What to Know
Bali: Ku De Ta
One of Bali’s most prominent hot spots, Ku De Ta offers around-the-clock fine dining, a stunning beachfront location and a roster of big-name international performers.
St.-Tropez: Nikki Beach, Club 55, La Réserve à la Plage & Byblos
One of the most famous beach destinations in the world, St.-Tropez has a strong beach club culture, and it’s impossible to see just one when visiting. Club 55 is the most renowned, with a star-studded clientele that arrives by yacht, helicopter or Bentley, while Nikki Beach hosts world-class DJs and attracts a young, sexy crowd. Two newer hot spots: the upscale La Réserve à la Plage, which brings the high-touch service and attention to detail of La Réserve Ramatuelle to the Pampelonne beachfront, as well as Byblos Beach, serving delicious Mediterranean fare in a relaxed setting with beach-chic décor and pops of the Hôtel Byblos’ signature orange.
Related: Why to Go to Europe Now: France and Italy Are Empty
Puglia: Coccaro Beach Club
Located on a sprawling stretch of private beach on the Adriatic Sea in Puglia, Coccaro Beach Club offers a spa, seafood restaurant and fashion boutique, as well as private gazebos for lounging and a private yacht that can be rented. Thanks to its gorgeous location and rustic-chic décor, it’s a popular spot for travelers in the region, especially families (there is a mini kids’ club with babysitters on site).
Related: Puglia Matchmaker: The Best Hotels and Resorts for Every Traveler
José Ignacio: Parador La Huella
José Ignacio is Uruguay’s—and much of South America’s—take on the Hamptons: a magnet for beautiful people seeking sun, sea and sand, plus delicious food. And Parador La Huella is the epicenter. It’s cool and laid-back, with (hard-to-reserve) outdoor tables overlooking the beachgoers and passersby. That’s if you can keep your eyes off the food itself: Chef Alejandro Morales has made a name for himself with his elevated take Latin American favorites, with delicious salads and grilled steaks, along with fish and pizzas (over a third of Uruguayan last names are of Italian origin). Come nightfall, the mood becomes cozy, with lots of candlelight.
Hvar: Carpe Diem Beach Club
For those looking for a Nikki Beach or Club 55-type experience in Croatia, Carpe Diem Beach Club is the place to be for Champagne-lunches and cabanas filled with beautiful people from yachts. The club commands a cove on a small island across the bay from Hvar town. It opens for lunch around noon, and throughout the afternoon offers massages in spa huts and volleyball games under pine trees. It shuts down around 5:00 p.m. to refresh before reopening at midnight, when revelers from Hvar return to party until dawn.
Related: 15 Summer Vacation Ideas for 2021
Formentera: Gecko Beach Club
The stunning Gecko Beach Club promises a serene escape from Ibiza on the uncrowded sands of Migjorn Beach on Formentera. Attached to the Gecko Hotel, the hangout offers a large pool on the hotel’s sprawling lush lawn and ocean-side yoga classes. New this year: Gecko Beach has partnered with Nobu Ibiza, offering eco-friendly yacht transfer for guests between Formentera and Ibiza.
St. Barth’s: Nikki Beach
On the curving shores of St. Jean Bay, Nikki Beach is synonymous with the daytime party scene on on St. Barth’s. Here, over the DJ’s rhythmic beats and the gently lapping Caribbean waves, the most common sound is that from Champagne bottles popping. It’s a fun-loving, cosmopolitan crowd, spending the afternoon lounging on white daybeds when they’re not dancing on tables or taking a dip in the clear waters.
Mallorca: PuroBeach
South Beach meets Ibiza at Mallorca‘s PuroBeach. It’s easy to spend the whole day at this glowing white beach club, restaurant and spa, which juts out into the bay like a small peninsula. Make sure to arrive early and reserve a lounge chair, then have a leisurely poolside breakfast or a light lunch. Before cocktail hour, sign up for an open-air massage at the spa.
Contact us to answer your travel questions or consult with our expert trip designers to start planning your next trip today.
