Secret seaside gems: 

From a hideaway in the Philippines to a nature reserve in New Zealand, the world's best HIDDEN beaches revealed 

• A selection of the world's best secret beaches have been revealed by 303 experts and 2,000 travellers
• From a luxury retreat in the Philippines to the wilds of New Zealand, there is an untouched beach for everyone
• Holidaymakers can get away from the crowds if their willing to visit islands without piers or transport 

The trouble with finding a seaside paradise is that you often have to share it with other holidaymakers.

However, for beach-goers keen to castaway at under-the-radar locations, there are several hidden stretches of sands and rocky shorelines that only the privileged few head to.

From a luxury hideaway in the Philippines to a nature reserve in New Zealand, tourism company Kuoni has surveyed 303 experts and 2,000 travellers to reveal the world’s best secret beaches. 

El Nido Pangulasian Island, Philippines

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Guests of the eco resort on El Nido Pangulasian Island have access to a pristine, uncrowded beach framed by palm trees

Hidden off the coast of Palawan in the western Philippines is El Nido Pangulasian Island, which is home to a luxury eco resort. 

Guests have access to a pristine, uncrowded beach framed by palm trees. 

Beyond the beach is a lush jungle in the island’s centre but there are enough activities along the shoreline to keep guests active, including the chance to go kayaking and windsurfing, according to Kuoni’s experts. 

Con Dao Island, Vietnam 

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Active beach-goers are well catered for as there are facilities available for windsurfing, scuba diving, paddle-boarding and fishing on Con Dao's beaches

Serenity seekers can unwind on Con Dao’s beaches, explore the protected coral reefs or swim in the ‘gentle’ currents, according to the experts.

Active beach-goers are well catered for as there are facilities available for windsurfing, scuba diving, paddle-boarding and fishing.

The island itself has a rich French colonial history and there is just one town and one major hotel, Six Senses, on it.

Farewell Spit, New Zealand 

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Into the wild: A nature reserve and bird sanctuary, this little visited beach is ideal for explorers and shutterbugs

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This stunning satellite image shows how the beach juts out into the Tasman Sea

Rugged natural beauty can be found at Farewell Split, which stretches 18 miles into the Tasman Sea. 

A nature reserve and bird sanctuary, this little visited beach is ideal for explorers and shutterbugs.

The northern side of the beach has sand dunes formed by strong winds, whereas the southern side, facing Golden Bay, is calmer and is covered in vegetation. 

Gili Meno Island, Indonesia

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Untouched: Holidaymakers will have to go back to basics to reach this beach on an island, which has no pier and no roads

Holidaymakers willing to stray off the beaten track in Indonesia will be rewarded with the untouched sands of tiny island Gili Meno. 

A boat transfer drops tourists off as close as possible to the beach but there is no pier, no roads and the only mode of transport is by horse and cart. 

The secret beach was also praised for its Gili Meno Wall ‘where during the day turtles freely swim by and giant gorgonian fans hang amongt the colourful corals’. 

Bequia, the Grenadines

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This 450m stretch of golden sand has shade provided by cedar and almond trees and just one beach bar

A blissful retreat offering unspoiled views of the Caribbean sea, Margaret Beach on the island of Bequia is an undisputed paradise, according to travellers in the know.

This 450m stretch of golden sand has shade provided by cedar and almond trees and just one beach bar.

The small island has limited cruise ship visits, no all-inclusive resorts and one airport. 

MAILONLINE TRAVEL'S SECRET BEACH PICKS

Pumpkin Island, Queensland, Australia

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One of Queensland’s best kept secrets, Pumpkin Island's sandy beach is ideal for sun-drenched lounging and its turquoise waters offer a chance to paddle board, snorkel or swim

For the ultimate castaway experience, the golden sands of Pumpkin Island – a picturesque private paradise in the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s Keppel islands – has everything the discerning beach bum could ask for.

One of Queensland’s best kept secrets, its sandy beach is ideal for sun-drenched lounging and its turquoise waters offer a chance to paddle board, snorkel or swim.

Only guests of Pumpkin Island’s resort have access to the beach. To get there you'll need to take a boat transfer from Yeppoon’s Keppel Bay Marina.

Naomi Leach, Travel News Editor

Plage de Notre-Dame, Ile de Porquerolles, Hyeres, France

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Plage de Notre-Dame on the picturesque island of Porquerolles is an absolute gem of a hidden beach

France isn't particularly well-known for its island beaches - and that's probably just the way the French like it, because they have several that are absolute unspoiled gems. 

Plage de Notre-Dame on the picturesque island of Porquerolles is a stand-out example.

Like any great hidden beach getting there requires a bit of effort, but not too much. Visitors will need to take a ferry from the historic Provencal town of Hyeres and then hike or cycle along the island's north coast. Cars aren't allowed.

Once there they'll discover a beach that will likely astound them, with a perfect crescent shape, turquoise waters and a gently sloping seabed. I learned about it from my French girlfriend, who very kindly let me in on the secret...