Sept. Beach Honeymoon Wanted

July 9, 2006 7:05 PM

What's the best place in this world to go for a cool secluded house on a beach for a week in mid/late September where hurricanes won't touch us. Picturing something like the place at the beginning of the film Betty Blue, before they go to Paris. Open to all suggestions! Need a honeymoon pad!!
posted by smartypanties to travel & transportation (20 comments total)

Is money or location an object? How much in the way of luxury?

Personally, I think if you want seclusion over service, you can't beat out Pulau Pangkil Kecil in Indonesia, easily accessible from Singapore and the best place I've ever holidayed.
posted by szechuan at 7:20 PM on July 9, 2006

I'd recommend the Whitsundays or Cairns in Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is amazing for snorkelling, diving and sailing. It is possible to find beautiful beaches that haven't had other people on them for weeks. It'd be a long flight, but I think it is worth it.

If you want to know more, I'm glad to help.
posted by dantodd at 7:22 PM on July 9, 2006

oh I love that house in betty blue! hated the movie. check out www.vacationrentals.com
posted by sweetkid at 7:25 PM on July 9, 2006

How about somewhere in Baja California?
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 7:33 PM on July 9, 2006

Formentera, sleepy cousin to Ibiza.
posted by asparagus_berlin at 7:50 PM on July 9, 2006

Following along the movie theme, how about the opening scenes of The Bourne Supremacy where they were hanging out in Goa. That looked pretty cool to me and just think of the food!
posted by mmascolino at 7:55 PM on July 9, 2006

These are great suggestions already!
Re: Luxury: Nah, we like to live pretty close to the ground. But if we can't be secluded, we dig good vibes in the culture, musical air, good local art. I'm a bit worried about traveling as far as Australia, as I can only get one week off of work (plus the weekends). I guess we don't want to be too ruined by the flight.
(I haven't yet seen Bourne Supremacy.)
posted by smartypanties at 8:42 PM on July 9, 2006

Block Island.
posted by Venadium at 8:50 PM on July 9, 2006

How warm do you need to be? Have you thought of heading north to Nova Scotia or PEI or New Brunswick? The Fundy side of Nova Scotia can be nice, even in late September.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 9:01 PM on July 9, 2006

Warmer is better. Our thoughts are with Bali, Spain, Morocco, Greece. Baha California is also on my list to check out. Important that we avoid monsoon/hurricane seasons.
posted by smartypanties at 9:15 PM on July 9, 2006

FYI, monsoon season doesn't really start up until November in Indonesia, but if you're looking at September dates, I'd be wary. Indo is cheap as hell, but the politics make it a little dicey. It sounds like the limiting factor in your particular situation is time, not money; if you only have a week or so, I'd give Asia a miss this time around and come back when you have more time to spend on the area--it deserves it.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:32 PM on July 9, 2006

I'd second the Goa suggestion, but avoiding the main touristic / full-moon-party beaches north of Panaji. Advantages: exotic, great food & yr money goes a very long way. Disadvantages: general hassle-&-bustle of India, potential of attracting leering young men if you go for a swim, omnipresent threat of stomach problems.

Thailand would have to have some good options also. Less hassle, more hygienic, but also more expensive & less colourful, IMHO, so there is a bit of a trade-off when comparing these two.
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:17 PM on July 9, 2006

Oh, hang on...be warned that both those places would be pretty hot & humid in September.
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:20 PM on July 9, 2006

There's no place like (my) home, in September, which is the nicest time of the year here. Check out Dillon Beach.
posted by Lynsey at 11:00 PM on July 9, 2006

Goa? Secluded? Hmmm. Maybe Kerala. Having said that its years since I went

Have you thought about East Africa? The coast up from Mombassa (Kenya) is beautiful; there's Tiwi, Diani and a good few more before you reach Lamu in the North.

How about Zanzibar?

If you're loaded, there's always Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island (its just off Mozambique's shores on Lake Malawi). Guaranteed seclusion and the (fresh) water's crystal clear.

Your only problem is getting there. Bookings are available through Wilderness Safaris.
posted by davehat at 4:50 AM on July 10, 2006

The Ile de Re off the coast of France near La Rochelle. Weather will be perfect.
posted by roofus at 5:18 AM on July 10, 2006

Boipeba island in the state of Bahia in Brazil, or Ilha Grande in southern Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro (to hours south of the city of Rio). Boipeba is very secluded and a bit of a trek to get to but worth it. I spent a week there last summer (august) and had entire beaches to myself for hours...Pousada Santa Clara is owned by 2 brothers from NYC; I stayed in one of their 2 story bungalows and fell asleep every night to the sound of the ocean a few meters away...super relaxing and very private! Great food too! Ilha Grande is awesome as well, a bit more touristy (mostly wealthy locals from Sao Paulo and Rio) and the terrain is different than Boipeba (Ilha Grande looks a bit like Kauai'i). If you could get out of the small town of Abraao and reach one of the small hotels on any other part of the island it is well worth the trip! Good luck and Bon Voyage! PS-Despite Brazil's rep for being crime ridden I would say this is concentrated (mostly) in the big cities. Both locales (Boipeba and Ilha Grande) were very safe and I felt comfortable walking around both islands by myself. There were also many single women travellers vacationing there and they had no problems either...
posted by Lucas822 at 10:20 AM on July 10, 2006

Boipeba island in the state of Bahia in Brazil, or Ilha Grande in southern Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro (2 hours south of the city of Rio). Boipeba is very secluded and a bit of a trek to get to but worth it. I spent a week there last summer (august) and had entire beaches to myself for hours...Pousada Santa Clara is owned by 2 brothers from NYC; I stayed in one of their 2 story bungalows and fell asleep every night to the sound of the ocean a few meters away...super relaxing and very private! Great food too! Ilha Grande is beautiful as well, a bit more touristy (mostly wealthy locals from Sao Paulo and Rio) and the terrain is different than Boipeba (Ilha Grande looks a bit like Kauai'i). If you could get out of the small town of Abraao and reach one of the small hotels on any other part of the island it is well worth the trip! Good luck and Bon Voyage! PS-Despite Brazil's rep for being crime ridden I would say this is concentrated (mostly) in the big cities. Both locales (Boipeba and Ilha Grande) were very safe and I felt comfortable walking around both islands by myself. There were also many single women travellers vacationing there and they had no problems either...
posted by Lucas822 at 10:21 AM on July 10, 2006

Having lived in Southeast Asia for many years and travelled between there and the US too many times, I wouldn't recommend travelling such a distance for only ten days. The jet lag issue is serious, and by the time you feel like you've fully recovered it would be nearly time to leave. You might have a good time anyway, but you would almost certainly leave kicking yourself for not staying longer.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 1:04 PM on July 10, 2006

Goa? Secluded? Hmmm. Maybe Kerala. Having said that its years since I went

Actually, there are plenty of places in Goa that the hordes don't touch. Most of the heavy tourism is concentrated in one small area. But yeah, Kerala is a good option, especially if there are any beaches near the backwaters. There are some decent beaches on the coast of Karnataka as well that are still very laid back.

Have you thought about East Africa? The coast up from Mombassa (Kenya) is beautiful; there's Tiwi, Diani and a good few more before you reach Lamu in the North.

Worth doing some background research here. Was in the area about a year ago, and the word was not to go anywhere near that area, for fear of roaming Somali bandits. Having said that, I didn't get a first-hand impression, for obvious reasons.

How about Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is way cool. Good suggestion.
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:58 PM on July 10, 2006