Lonely Planet - The Joy of Water: Float away into a world of sublime aquatic experiences

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Wherever my wanderings take me around the globe, big city to remote backcountry, I have a few things I need to do to feel I have truly experienced a destination.

One of these is to swim: in whatever body of water that place presents me with.

When I lived in North London, it was often a de-stressing dunk in one of the ponds scattered across Hampstead Heath. On work trips to Budapest, a near obligation was soaking in the thermal baths for which that city is renowned. And hiking across northwest Scotland, however icy the temperature, a plunge off a lonely beach like Sandwood Bay made an outing there complete.

It was not for bravado or to honour some rite of passage that I felt this need. It was as if by indulging in these wild swims I was wallowing in that places primordial essence; delving as deep into its soul as was possible. Climbers go through something similar, as do cavers, as do divers: ascending or descending so far that a different world starts to envelop them. Yet a dip in our planets waters rarely requires specialist equipment, save perhaps some gumption. And once immersed, it is an absolute sensory experience: you smell it, you hear it, it touches every inch of you. It is the easiest way to throw yourself into natures great unknowns.

Surveys show similar findings. A 2013 study on happiness in natural environments, conducted by professors at a couple of British universities, collated responses from 20,000 participants in varying locations and found coastal and marine environments aroused the greatest joy of any. History concurs. For centuries we have been going to the seaside, taking to the waters at spas or splashing in rivers and lakes for our well-being. When we are around water, it tends to bring us out in smiles and often in shrieks of laughter.

The 68 watery locales featured in this book will conjure other emotions beside elation. On the dreamy beaches of Mozambiques Bazaruto Archipelago, it could be pure peace. Healing properties in mineral waters at Bad Gastein in Austria purportedly cure certain ailments. Snorkelling Australias Ningaloo Reef, you might feel sheer awe at the diverse surrounding sea life.

These places will hopefully whet your appetite for all things aquatic. But this book has another aim: to raise awareness of the best spots to enjoy water, our most precious resource, so that they are preserved for future generations.

The book is divided into five chapters by continent: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Readers can discover new places in each part of the world to splash in, soak up or simply stare out at the water, as well as remembering places they have already been and hope to return to. ~ Luke Waterson

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Pick your patch of sand along an achingly beautiful, boulder-strewn beach commonly named among the worlds top 10.

Country Seychelles Region La Digue Island Type beach Cost Rs115 Family friendly yes

Stumbling onto the most famous beach in the Seychelles, its easy to see why no best beaches round-up would be complete without this Indian Ocean stunner. Lapped by crystal-clear tropical water, this pristine strip of sand lined by craning coconut palms and huge granite boulders on the small island of La Digue seems almost too beautiful to be real.

While there are some guesthouses on La Digue, most people visit on a day trip from neighbouring Praslin. You can walk the 2.7km (1.7 miles) to the beach from the marina, but renting a bike will give you more time at the beach. Unless you want to walk through the water, youll need to pass through LUnion Estate coconut plantation to reach the beach (hence the fee), but its oh-so-worth-it for a day of paradisiacal beach lazing.

Can I snorkel off the beach?

Only at high tide. There are plenty of rock pools to explore when the tide goes out.

How far along the shoreline can I safely explore?

Keep walking past the main beach and youll find lots of little sandy nooks between the boulders that line the shore. A dry bag can come in handy for your valuables, as the rocky shore can be slippery. Travellers with sensitive feet may be more comfortable in reef shoes.

Can I buy lunch here?

You can purchase drinks at a cute little beach bar at the far end of the sandy pathway alongside the beach, but if youre not staying on the island youre best off bringing a packed lunch from Praslin as there arent many places to eat nearby.

Is there anything else to see on La Digue?

Dont miss the pen of Aldabra giant tortoises in LUnion Estate.

Anse Marron

Reached by a challenging hike to the islands southern tip, Anse Marron is another incredible beach worth seeking out on La Digue. The island also plays home to the critically endangered Seychelles paradise flycatcher, of which there are only 100 left.

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