Beaches in August that Aren't Heaving?

[sniffydog]

I've left our 'big' summer holiday planning a bit late this year and am in need of some input! We can only go mid-late August and really wanted somewhere that has lovely (sandy) beaches but you don't have to fight for a patch of sand on.

Wish List:

• short haul
• sandy beaches but some rocky coves etc good too
• options for things to do nearby - boat trips etc
• not Atlantic coast (water to cold for DW)
• probably rent a villa

In the past we've done Mallorca, Menorca, Corsica, Kefalonia and Zakynthos. All nice but all pretty busy in peak time. Any advice on spots that might suit?

Realistically, anywhere in the Med with a large sandy beach is going to have large hotels on it, and in mid-August you are just going to have to lump it with the crowds. After all, and please don't take this the wrong way, you are nothing special (and neither am I, or anyone else on here).

I can show you sandy beaches on Majorca with hardly a soul on them, even in August, but they are 45 minutes walk from the nearest car park and there is are no toilets, umbrellas, bars, or pedalos. This may also not be what you want with teens who want to entertain their friends.

50 million people will go on holiday to the Mediterranean this summer and every single one of them would like there to be more distance between them and the next family on the beach. But it's a market with almost perfect information. If a place with nobody on it magically existed, word would get around, and lots of people would go there, and then it would no longer have nobody on it. You are basically asking for a unicorn. So turn lemons into lemonade and frame "Lots of other people" as "Lots of new friends for DC and their pals".

For anyone else still looking/next year I absolutely love the area around Begur, Costa Brava, several gorgeous beaches to chose from in beautiful rocky coves.

Lefkada? I think if you can drive you can always find more secluded places in Greece

I do feel that what you are asking is nearly impossible; empty, warm see in the summer holidays. Please let me know if you find it.

Tavira y Cabanas is like lovely; water perfect but not sure if you want Caribbean warm