Enjoy rafting, scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing at these luxury retreats.
BEDARRA ISLAND
WHY? This tropical island hideaway offers paddle skiing and snorkeling, but for wannabe Jacques or Jill Cousteas, it’s just an hour’s boat ride from the underwater wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef.
WHERE? Off the northeast coast of Australia, not far from Cairns. Arrival is via Dunk Island, from where you take a 20-minute scenic boat transfer to Bedarra.
STAY: Bedarra offers the tranquility and privacy of a desert island, but with the luxurious amenities (Bose sound systems, iPod docking stations, LCD TVs) of a five-star resort. Choose from one of 16 villas – most are beachfront and by far the most glamorous are the soaring Pavilions and the Points, open-plan villas complete with lounges, large outdoor terraces and heated plunge pools with view to Wedgerock and Hernandia Bay respectively. Arrange for Elemis spa treatments, such as a hot stone body facial or deep tissue massage, in the privacy of your villa. Dine on fresh seafood dishes in the restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the pool.
STYLE ROBBERY: Make your bedroom or living room a contemporary beach retreat paradise by pairing rustic wood finishes with pastel linen upholstery, then accessorize with abstract artwork and terracotta urns.
OUTDOOR ACTION: Snorkel at Bedarra, try your hand at paddle skiing, a spot of fishing, follow a nature trail, or head out for a day of snorkeling among turtles, exotic corals, and clownfish on the Great Barrier Reef. Order a gourmet basket at the hotel and drive to a secluded bay for the afternoon. Nearby Dunk Island offers even more activities, from golf to skydiving.
MORE INFO: Two nights in a double Hillside Villa with all meals, drinks, selected island activities and boat transfers costs around £1640 (+612 8296 8010; voyages.com.au)
THE SURF LODGE
WHY? Stay at this laid-back beach shack hotel, created by the owners of Manhattan’s Cain nightclub, and catch a wave or five alongside East Coast surfers.
WHERE? Half a mile from the beach at Fort Pond in the quiet fishing village of Montauk. Beyond the Hamptons on the windy eastern tip of Long Island, 120 miles from New York City.
STAY: Rooms are bijou yet modern, with iPod docks, surf photography, artwork, and understated coastal themes. Eat breakfast or relax and watch surf movies in the sunken ‘den’ lounge inside, grab a burger or fresh seafood platter in the graffiti-decorated restaurant. We loved the cocktails and lounging on the deck overlooking the pond among the pretty people (Chris Martin, Mike D of the Beastie Boys, and even Ralph Lauren have been known to visit).
STYLE STEALING: Get the chic coastal vibe by mixing seagrass matting and tongue and groove with wicker furniture, driftwood driftwood, and boat lanterns for lighting.
OUTDOOR ACTION: Rent a surfboard, paddle and hop on… Well, maybe take some lessons first – Tony Caramanico is highly recommended, or ask The Surf Lodge for local tips. Try the snack van Ditch Witch for fuel breaks and Joni’s for organic post-surf tucker.
MORE INFORMATION: Doubles from £185 per night. The hotel season ends on September 15. (+001 631 668 2632; thesurflodge.com).
PACUARE LODGE
WHY? Escape from modern life to a lush tropical desert. Arrive at this thatched-roof eco-lodge jungle retreat for a hike followed by a lively raft ride along the Pacuare River.
WHERE? Amid exotic flora and fauna, from vibrant heliconia flowers to howler monkeys, bordering the river in a protected private reserve, two hours from the capital, San José.
STAY AT: Wildlife enthusiasts would be hard-pressed to find a better eagle’s nest high in the sky than the main indigenous-style lodge on stilts. Enjoy candlelit meals (and fantastic local coffee) on the lower level of the two-story, thatched-roof cabana; swing in a hammock on the upper deck’s open bar; you might see a sloth or two. Retreat to your luxury log cabin, enjoy the verdant view from your porch, cool off under a chic outdoor shower (solar-heated, naturally), and be lulled to sleep by the nocturnal beasts and rushing river.
STYLE STEALER: Add tropical color to your bathroom by displaying bright heliconias in wicker baskets.
OUTDOOR ACTION: Experience the thrill of flying through the trees on a canopy tour or hiking through the jungle.
MORE INFORMATION: A seven-night trip to Costa Rica starts at £1,644 per person, including three nights in San José and four nights in Pacuare Lodge, British Airways flights and transfers. Book through Cazenove & Loyd (020 7384 2332 cazloyd.com).
