Half Moon Bay, Antigua. (Photo by IndustryAndTravel/Shutterstock)
Named by TPG as one of the 10 best secret beaches in the Caribbean, Antigua’s Half Moon Bay tends to be more deserted than others on the island; there’s no sign identifying the mile-long stretch of pink and white sand. Once you find it, though, you’re in for crowd-free euphoria. The beach has something for everyone — windsurfers flock to the center to take advantage of the waves, while snorkelers float around the calmer water near the edges.
St. Peter’s Pool, Malta
Distance from cruise port: 7 miles
One of TPG’s picks for the 11 best beaches in Europe, St. Peter’s Pool isn’t really a beach — at least, not in the traditional sense. What you’ll find at the destination, which is just a few miles away from where cruise ships dock in Valletta, Malta, is a stunning bay framed by smooth, flat rock instead of sand, with the rock appearing almost as if it was carved away to create a very special pool of water: Imagine swimming and sunbathing on the moon. “Beach”-goers can spread their towels out on the unusual stretch of coast and dive into the refreshing water.