The best beach destinations for celebrating New Year’s Eve

I am not keen on the cold weather so it’s been a while since I’ve been in the country during the winter holidays. The past few New Year’s Eves have found me on different beaches of the world, from Cuba to India, from Belize to Vietnam, from Chile to Guatemala. There is nothing better than welcoming the new year at 25+ degrees, dancing with your bare feet on the sand. This year I will spend the New Year’s Eve on a beach in Zanzibar, a trip for which I am very excited about as it will be my first time in Africa! There are so many amazing beach destinations for celebrating New Year’s Eve on around the world!

I wanted to know which parts of the world other travel bloggers have spent amazing New Year’s Eves, so I asked around. This is how I’ve put together this list with the best beach destinations for celebrating New Year’s Eve!

Aruba

By Rai from A Rai of Light

New Years is my favourite time to visit the Caribbean and in particular Aruba. What’s so special at this time of the year? Well, for one Arubans take the holiday very seriously. Throughout the year, the tropical climate ocean breeze almost always guarantee wonderful weather and a whole lot of sunshine meaning an escape from the cold winter weather. A grand tradition that happens on the days leading up to New Year’s Eve is the lighting of pagara all over the streets of Oranjestad. The smoke is believed to ward off evil spirits. In addition to this, there is a huge New Year’s Eve celebration including music and a night of endless fireworks shows everywhere you turn.

The best place to watch the display are at the lighthouse or along any of the beaches, my favourite being Aruba Flamingo beach. Almost every resort and restaurant hosts a special New Year’s Eve party with events booked out in advance so do be sure to book your preference ahead of time. Just when you think the celebrations have ended, groups of musicians known as “Dande” travel around the island bestowing blessings and best wishes for the New Year through song and dance, adding to the already joyous holiday atmosphere.

Zanzibar, Tanzania  

By Mario from Rest and Recuperation

As a European, I always try to find warm destinations for my winter holidays, to take a break from the very cold weather here. East Africa is one of the most popular tourist regions for Europeans during winter, thanks to its warm temperatures and for the fact that the rainy season will start only later during the year.

The island of Zanzibar in Tanzania is definitely one of the pearls of the Indian Ocean, where you can mix both cultural activities and beach life. You will arrive in Stone Town, which has a beautiful city centre, all made of tight alleys marked by old colonial buildings.

From here you can move to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The east of Zanzibar is more for couples, which is perfect if you want to have a romantic start of the new year. Paje is great if you also want to do some sport and are a kite-surf lover, otherwise go a bit south to Jambiani. You can stay at the Coral Rock, but do not forget to visit the Red Monkey next door on Mondays for some good partying.

If you are looking for more party vibes, definitely head to the northern point of the island, Nungwi. This is the most touristic area of Zanzibar, which could be a con if you do not want to meet too many Europeans. On the other side, some of the best restaurants and hotels are here.

The neighbouring Kendwa is where the major resorts are located. They can be a great option for some relax during the day and social life in the evening. Here stay at the Kendwa Rocks, which also organises a very popular full moon party every month that sees the participation of international artists. On New Year’s Eve they organise the best party in Zanzibar, so make sure to visit Kendwa around that date!

Tulum, Mexico

By Claudia from My Adventures Across The World

Tulum is a small town on the Riviera Maya, home to one of the best beaches in Mexico and a fantastic place to spend a chilled New Year’s Eve. The weather in this part of the country tends to be pleasant year round, and December and January may as well be perfect season, with temperatures that are warm without being oppressive. This means that Tulum is a fantastic beach destination during winter, and a great place to celebrate the new year.

New Year’s Eve in Tulum means parties – at the beach, by the pool, and at one of the upscale restaurants that can be found either in Tulum Pueblo or in Tulum Playa, where the most beautiful resorts are located. Papaya Playa Project is the trendiest place to be, with celebrations including dinner, fireworks, dances and performances. Sound Tulum is perfect for people who enjoy electronic music.

If you want to stay at a place that is beautiful, quiet and right on the beach opt to stay at Azucar Hotel Tulum, a set of cabins located in the Riserva Sian Ka’an. The beautiful cabanas all face the sea or the jungle, and you’ll literally step on the sand the minute you set out. The cabanas are plain, but incredibly romantic thanks to their isolation and have everything you may need for a short stay. At night, you’ll be hearing the sound of the wind and of the waves.

Playa Larga, Cuba

By Sophie from Bitten by the Bug

The Cuban weather is characterized by a Caribbean sub-tropical climate and by mild Winter temperatures. It means that also in December, Cuban nights are warm enough to sit outside until late, which is perfect for anyone wishing to celebrate new year’s even on a beach!

Cubans generally celebrate New Year’s with a close circle of friends and family, so there isn’t really a culture of noisy, crowded parties. If that’s what you’re after, you could try some of the tourist bars in Havana. Otherwise, head to one of Cuba’s beaches, for a unique and memorable New Year’s Eve experience.

One of the best beaches to celebrate New Year’s is Playa Larga, a small beach on the south coast of Cuba. There aren’t many tourist facilities, apart from a few guesthouses along the beach and a few restaurants in the center of the village. Travelers come here generally to unwind from the hustle and bustle typical of big cities. For New Year’s eve, it’s would be awesome to book a room in one of the guesthouses by the beach and enjoy a delicious seafood meal with fresh ingredients prepared by the guesthouse owners. They’ll also provide the cocktails needed to cheer on the new year.

If you’re travelling with kids, Playa Larga is perfect because they can run around and play in the water while you watch them from you deckchair with a cocktail in hand. Thanks to its peaceful location, it’s also a great setting for anyone looking for a romantic New Year’s Eve setting. Especially if you’d like to tick off ‘dancing on the beach’ and ‘drinking rum together’ from your couple bucket list.

St John, U.S. Virgin Islands

By Theresa from Fueled By Wanderlust

St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the perfect beach destination for ringing in the New Year.   First things first, the island features some of the most perfect white sand and turquoise beaches in the world.  It’s the perfect place to slow down and reflect on the past year, while setting some intentions for the year ahead.  The best resort on St. John is the Westin, located near the port town of Cruz Bay.

While St. John is a small island, with two-thirds of it being National Park, there are still plenty of very good beach bars that provide a celebratory atmosphere on New Year’s Eve.  Cruz Bay is loaded with lively bars to pop in and out of, and Skinny Legs in quieter Coral Bay also throws a very popular celebration.

If you want to really go all out, the island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands has a huge New Year’s Eve bash each year, and is just a half hour boat ride away.  Island hopping is no doubt one of the most fun activities to do in the Virgin Islands, and you can see plenty of yachts making their way into the islands to ring in the New Year.

For those looking for a healthier start to the year, St. John’s amazing outdoors scene offers plenty of opportunities to be active.  You could swim in the sea, stand-up paddle board, kayak, or even hike to a beach.

No matter what your style, be it a laid-back gathering, healthy getaway, high-class yachting, or partying it up, St. John will absolutely show you a good time on New Year’s Eve.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico  

By Michele from A Taste for Travel

If you’re looking for a fun place to spend New Year’s Eve and enjoy a great beach at the same time, you won’t be disappointed with the festivities in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. With the exploding fireworks beginning in early morning on the 31st and continuing until late the next afternoon, you can count on plenty of noise and excitement but little sleep.

One of the best places to begin the New Year’s Eve countdown is on one of Puerto Escondido’s beaches such as Playa Zicatela or Playa Marinero where you can watch the sun slip below the horizon in a grand finale to the outgoing year. Many people think the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are the best in the world and they are truly spectacular in Puerto Escondido.

Next up is dinner at one of  Puerto Escondido’s restaurants, preferably a rooftop  or beachfront spot on Calle del Morro or La Punta. Quite often there are special set menus for New Year’s Eve with an option to stay for music and the midnight countdown. Either way, you can expect prices to be higher for meals than usual and reservations are necessary.  Admission to the most swanky parties often include midnight bubbly, canapes, dancing and DJs spinning tunes or live music. Top spots for New Years Eve nightlife and parties include Barfly, Playa Kabbalah, Sativa Terrace, Brad’s Split Coconut and Casa Babylon all near or on Zicatela Beach.

At midnight, fireworks explode across the sky, illuminating the sand, sea and sky in a spectacular rainbow of colours. The partying continue all night long and in the morning you can often see people still on the beach, watching the sunrise over the Sierra Madre Mountains at dawn.

Gisborne, New Zeeland

By Nadine from Le Long Weekend

New Zealand’s easternmost city, Gisborne is the first city in the world to see the sunrise every morning. And it is, therefore, a really special place to welcome in the New Year – knowing you’re among the first in the world to do so! Gisborne’s coastline is also blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand. These long white sandy beaches are popular surf spots by day but come the first morning of the year, revellers outnumber surfers as they settle into the dunes, eagerly anticipating the first rays of light.

In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, Gisborne plays host to one of the most popular music festivals in the country. The Rhythm & Vine Festival kicks off on the 29th December and follows a three-day line up of both homegrown and international acts. It draws in a huge crowd and the town’s modest size swells considerably over the festival period. But even if partying for three full days isn’t your thing, you’ll find plenty of smaller events in town, as well as beachside restaurants to enjoy a delicious dinner while watching the sunset for the last time that year. Or hit up one of the beachfront hotels or motels and you’ll have front row seats without having to leave your bed in the morning! Gisborne’s Midway Beach and Wainui Beach are the most popular spots, so head out to Makorori or Okitu for a little more seclusion.

Rockingham, Australia

By Michele from Legging It

Rockingham Western Australia situated 60kms south of Perth and is the perfect place to spend New Years Eve. The foreshore along the beachfront comes alive as it is turned into a festival atmosphere strung with lanterns with carnival rides dotted along Churchill Park with rides suitable for all ages., There are a huge range of multicultural food stalls to whet your appetite or you can bring a picnic if that is more your style. There are also a large range of restaurants nearby or you can simply enjoy fish and chips on the beach.

Festivities start around 5pm with musical entertainment from local musicians leading up to a more nationally known act closer to midnight. Being in the West you get to see the amazing sunsets over the ocean, extra special as it is the last one of the year. This is followed up by a ‘Children’s New Year’ about 8.30pm then of course the midnight celebrations, where fireworks explode over the ocean.

There is accomodation in a variety of motel and apartments as well as many bed and breakfast (you can find more information here you want to stay locally) however there is public transport by bus to the station and then you can get a train directly to Perth. There is limited parking on the foreshore as when there are events the road is closed off however there is plenty within walking distance. I also recommend you bring a jumper as it can get cool even in summer.

Key West, Florida, USA

By Sarah from Travels of Sarah Fay

Why not ring in the NYE with a quirky flare? Key West, Florida has long been known for its’ NYE antics and amazing beaches. Instead of watching a ball drop, you can watch a pirate wench, drag performer in a giant shoe, and a conch shell.

During the day, relax on the beach while preparing for the night’s festivities. But first watch the final sunset of the year in Mallory Square, where various street artists convene to show off their talents to waiting crowds.

Then watch the fireworks display over Blackwater Sound to kick off the New Year’s Eve celebrations. My favorite place to ring in the New Year in Key West would have to be Duval Street the center of the celebration.

Also, you can either get a view of the Conch Shell dropping at Sloppy Joe’s bar, or the red high heel drop from the New Orlean’s House.

With the party going on until 4 am, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Key West is not for the faint hearted. But the next day you can celebrate the New Year by laying on the beach getting a tan and cooling off in the ocean.

San Diego, California, USA

By Alexa from 52 Perfect Days

San Diego offers many locations to celebrate New Years Eve including a few really fun beach and boat options. Anyone who wants to escape the snow or cold, will enjoy the mild temperatures, which on average are between 63 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit (17 to 19 degrees Celsius) during December.  Below are three of my favorite ways to celebrate New Years Eve in San Diego.

One of the most beautiful hotels in San Diego is located on Coronado Island; the Hotel Del Coronado. The hotel is located on the beach and for New Year’s Eve, the oceanfront ballroom is transformed into a lavish big top, complete with live band, black tie-clad aristocrats, a delectable five-course feast, open bar, and dancing.

For an extra special experience, be sure to book a room at this world-famous hotel and cap off your evening in style!

Another great San Diego beach option for New Year’s eve is Tower 23 in Pacific Beach. The hotel is located right on the beach and they have a party to toast the new year including live music, dancing, full bar. Of course, step out on the sand or go on a special La Jolla kayaking tours to enjoy fireworks from La Jolla and Seaworld.

Stay overnight with an exclusive discount hotel package, and enjoy a special New Year’s Day brunch the next morning until 3:30pm.

If you’d prefer celebrating on the water, the Hornblower Bay Cruise is a great option! Enjoy a four-hour cruise around the San Diego Harbor, with plenty of free-flowing champagne, a five-course gourmet seated dinner, live jazz band, New Years Eve party favors, and of course, incredible views of the San Diego coastline!

Phuket, Thailand

By Jen from Jen on a Jet Plane

New Year’s Eve is an especially lively time of year in Phuket, Thailand. This city is typically known for its hedonistic vibes but New Year’s Eve takes it to a whole other level. The party can be found on Patong Beach, though you’ll be hard pressed to find an area of the city that isn’t celebrating that night. Other popular spots include Bangla Road and Paradise Complex.

The celebrations include an elaborate fireworks display over the water at midnight, sending off paper lanterns into the air, concerts and live music and very large crowds. This is a great place for New Year’s Eve because it’s lively. If you’re looking for party central, you’ve found it. Families come here too but it is really ideal for young backpackers or bachelor/bachelorette parties.

Street food is the name of the game when in Thailand and the same holds true in Phuket. Stop by an outdoor market on your way to the beach to stock up on savory snacks or even rolled ice cream, a local favorite. For a nice hotel in the middle of it all, consider the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, Patong Beach. You’ll be in the center of the action and within walking distance to the beach.

In Thailand, there ain’t no party like a Phuket party!

Fuerteventura, Spain

By Gabor from Surfing the Planet

There aren’t many corners in Europe, where the weather permits to spend New Year’s Eve on the beach. Probably the only area where climate is mild enough even during the European winter to celebrate on the beach and maybe with your swimsuit on are the Canary Islands. We have no doubt that the beaches in Fuerteventura are the best in the whole island group. Although the island is especially popular amongst surfers, there are many fascinating beaches in Fuerteventura for all kinds of public.

It’s recommendable to rent a car and explore the different kinds of beaches on the island. The most spectacular areas are the area El Cotillo with white sand beaches, the Jandia Natural Park with kilometer long golden sand beaches, and Corralejo with a magnificent landscape – a combination of pristine beaches and large sand dunes. The latter area is where you will find the best parties on New Year’s Eve, so we recommend you to stay in this area. The Labrande Corralejo Village is one of the best choices in Corralejo Beach.

The mild climate is almost guaranteed, although quite often there’s quite a strong wind on the island. Actually that’s why it’s so popular amongst surfers. Fuerteventura is easily accessible by plane; most of the flights come from the Iberian Peninsula, Germany and the UK.

Maldives

By Priya from Outside Suburbia

Most winters our family is somewhere on a beach somewhere – from Bora Bora to the Bahamas we have been to a few but one that tops our list is our recent trip to the Maldives. We spent our days watching the sun come up, swimming in the clear waters or sitting on the ocean swing. We spent lazy days listening to nothing but the sounds of the ocean from our overwater villas.

Maldives is a great place to have a quiet yet magical holiday season, no crazy crowds but you can sip cocktails and welcome the New Year. For New Year Taj Maldives puts a big stage right on the beach by the bar and they have lights, live music, and dance. Guests will be dancing the night away to tunes – local music and popular number from different genres. There will be a special dinner with a wide variety of dishes from fresh seafood, local delicacies to a wide array of desserts.

I can’t think of a better way to welcome the New Year than in the beautiful beaches of Maldives!

Lorne, Australia

By Audrey from See Geelong

Set between the magnificent Southern Ocean and the lush Otway National Park, Lorne is one of the more popular towns along the famous Great Ocean Road. It’s a small picturesque place with a relaxed surfing vibe and a charm that’s hard to resist.

During the summer months, the tiny towns population of just 1000 people balloons massively with holiday makers peaking at around 15000 on New Year’s Eve. Visitors arrive from all over the country to join in the celebrations along the beautiful foreshore, the local pubs and the pulsating Falls Music Festival.

For more than a quarter-century this iconic New Year’s festival has been hosting artists from across Australia and around the world. Starting out from humble beginnings it has grown to become the gold standard of Australian music events. Packed to the rafters with rock, pop, and dance music, festival goers are treated to four days of non-stop partying.

What better place to spend New Year’s Eve than surrounded by Australian natural beauty, salty sea air, and amazing music?

The Gold Coast, Australia

By Melissa from Thrifty Family Travels  

Every new years eve, loads of tourists and locals flock to the Gold Coast Beaches to see in the new year.  The only problem is with so many activities going on in the area, it can be tricky to choose which beach to celebrate at.

The most popular beach to celebrate New Years Eve is Surfers Paradise.  Most years there is a great family friendly carnival on the beachfront which has rides and then of course there is the spectacular fireworks display with thousands of special effects.  Usually the fireworks are on at 8 pm for the little ones as well as midnight.

One of my favourite places to spend New Years Eve on the Gold Coast is at the Broadwater Parklands.  Here they usually have a huge family friendly concert with great musicians, so you can dance and sing your way into the new year.   There are a heap of food trucks selling yummy food or you can just bring a picnic.  Of course there is also the fireworks display at midnight too.

Whatever beach you decide to spend new years eve, the Gold Coast has great public transport to get you around and plenty of different accommodation options.  Just be sure to book your accommodation super early, as this is peak season on the Gold Coast and accommodation will book out very fast.

Muscat, Oman

By Anja from The Travelling Twins

Spending New Year on the beach was always my dream. Most probably because it was so different from everything I was used to – a White Christmas and a cold New Year’s Eve. New Year was celebrated in my family with a red nose and cold feet, I envied those Australians who would be on the beach wearing shorts.

Our first New Year’s Eve on the beach was when we moved to Oman. We left the kids with my mum for a romantic evening and night at Al Sifa, an hour’s drive over the mountains from Muscat. We took champagne, a mattress, some food and good humour. And we went. Alone on the dunes, we watched the craggy rocks of the Jebel Sifa mountains burn orange in the sunset, and later magical green efflorescence sparkled on the surf as the embers of our bonfire died. We slept in the car under a million stars and in the morning we took a swim.  When we returned to our car, a couple of donkeys were eating our breakfast. That’s how our family tradition of New Year on the beach was born.

Next year we took the kids and a tent and celebrated New Year on the same beach again. Besides us, there were other families with bonfires and barbecues in the evening. We did it three more times, year after year with one exception when we went to Dubai. We loved the fireworks, but it wasn’t as special for us as our secluded beach in Oman.

If you want to spend a New Year’s Eve on the beach around Sifa, you can camp as we did or stay at the nearby Jebel Sifa hotel.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

By Max from Dame Cacao

Unfortunately all too often overlooked, southern Taiwan is a tropical paradise, perfect for traveling outside of Taipei. The country’s third-largest city, Kaohsiung, is located right on the coast; the downtown area is just a 15 minute walk from the beach. Around New Year’s, the city’s average temperature is about 75F/25C during the day and 62F/17C in the dead of night. While the area along the coast offers nice views all year round, the place to be in the early evening is on Cijin Beach, where you can catch the last sunset of the year before taking a 5-minute ferry ride back to the mainland to watch fireworks downtown.

Since Taiwan celebrates Lunar New Year, the special food around New Year in Taiwan is similar to the special foods for Lunar New Year. If the celebration falls early enough in the year, you may be able to ring in the new year with mooncakes, a celebratory pastry gifted to friends and family as a show of appreciation for the years past and those still ahead. To have full access to the beach, the metro, and the downtown area at an affordable price, I’d recommend staying in Ahiruyah Guesthouse in Kaohsiung. If they’re booked, look for similar accommodation near Kaohsiung Main Station, the main transportation hub in the city, so that you don’t have to travel too far for fireworks.

Bali, Indonesia

By Vrushali from Couple of Journeys

Bali, being the touristic capital of Indonesia, is abundantly prepared to regale its visitors on New Year’s Eve. There are a number of beaches in Bali and every beach welcomes the New Year in its own unique way. If you are party-goer, who insists on drinking amidst crowds swaying to loud music till the wee hours of the night, Kuta beach is the place to be. On New Year’s Eve, Kuta Beach transforms itself into one large party place. The fireworks on display add to the zing and with the many clubs situated right next to the beach, nobody goes back home sober.

However, if that does not fit your taste, you need not worry. You can head out to the Jimbaran Beach, which is just a fifteen minutes away from Kuta. Once there, you can kick-start your evening with a laid-back, yet delectable sea-food dinner while easily being able to watch the fireworks on display at Kuta. While Jimbaran Beach does not host loud parties, it is still abuzz with just the perfect amount of festivities required for a pleasant New Year’s Eve.

In fact, you could also head out to the other famous beaches such as Sanur, Nusa Dua or Pandawa to experience their own individual flavours!

Another interesting way of spending the New Year’s Eve would be stepping into any of the quaint cafes of Ubud. While Central Ubud will be bustling with New Year’s eve celebrations, the by-lanes of Ubud will be quieter. The cafes situated on these lanes tone down the New Year’s eve madness and instead choose to organise performances of their traditional Barong dance. Interesting Hindu mythological stories are depicted through these performances delivered by the local  Balinese folk. It is a great way of connecting with the traditional side of this Hindu island.

All in all, irrespective of the manner in which you choose to welcome the new year, you can rest assured that Bali is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. However, due to the immense touristic popularity of Bali, accommodations quickly fill up. Make  sure you book one close to your New Year’s Eve venue well in advance!

Copacabana, Brazil

By Halef from The Round the World Guys

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular beaches on the planet, and it is the epicenter of Brazilian New Year’s Eve .

New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro is one of the top events you should experience for yourself. The world-famous horseshoe-shaped beach frames the harbor for a spectacular fireworks display from the floating boats in the center of the harbor.

Before you go, however, take a moment to learn a few Brazilian traditions for celebrating New Year’s Eve. And don’t forget to pack your white clothing.

Start your evening at Ipanema Beach for a traditional candle lighting celebration and a big concert. After that, head to Copacabana with a bottle of champagne. At the stroke of midnight, the fireworks begin.

For the best experience, you can stay in one of Copacabana’s beach hotels, such as the Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana or Grand Mercure Rio de Janeiro Copacabana. That way, you can easily head back to your hotel after the celebration is over – or whenever you feel like enjoying it privately in your room.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

By Donna-Kay from Hues of Delahaye

On New Year’s Eve, there is no better place to be than on Ocho Rios Bay Beach in Jamaica.

Start your day off relaxing in the sun with the Caribbean Sea at your feet, then hop on a catamaran for a spot of snorkelling and a visit to the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls. But don’t forget to grab tickets to one of the many day parties that will be happening on the beach, where they’ll be jerk chicken and rum punch galore.

But this is only the warm-up to your New Year’s Eve celebration on Ocho Rios Bay Beach. So, pace yourself.

As once the sun goes down, Ocho Rios nightlife heats up for New Years’s Eve! Embrace the 5 Rs: Roots! Rock! Reggae! Rum! Red Stripe!

From Ocho Rios Bay Beach with the iconic Dunn’s River Falls as your backdrop ring in the New Year’s with Jamaica’s largest fireworks displays. Plus free-flowing champagne.

There is no better way to ring in the New Year’s than with good vibes all around, being hugged and wished a Happy New Year by smiling Jamaicans. They’ll make you feel like you’re part of their family.

A great place to stay in Ocho Rios is Moon Palace Jamaica, with oceanfront views of the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is also on Main Street, so you’ll be close to most of the main attractions in Ocho Rios.

Dubai, UAE

By Rahma from The Sane Adventurer

Dubai has become the go-to place for travelers to spend the New Years Eve as the city offers some of the most spectacular firework displays at different places. However, the biggest drawback of these popular firework shows at the NYE is to get to the location on time and eventually finding a nice spot amidst the crowd to enjoy it. Roads leading to Burk Khalifa and Atlantis The Palm in Dubai are blocked right at 6PM on the NYE in order to control the heavy traffic and thousands of people who gather there to watch the show.

One of the best alternatives to enjoy the amazing firework shows in Dubai is to witness them from the Kite beach. Kite beach is a public beach near Burj Al Arab hotel. The beach has its own sea lodgers however, people can also bring their own picnic and beach mats to enjoy the show.

At the NYE at Kites Beach there is a light show on the Burj Al Arab building moreover, the fireworks happening at Burj Khalifa can also be seen from a distance. After midnight, the beach turns into a disco as there is a random beach party where all the people are welcome to play their own music and either enjoy in groups or with other strangers too.

Vina del Mar, Chile

By Priyanka from On My Canvas

On New Year’s Eve, the beaches of Viña del Mar, a coastal town in Central Chile, fill up with people from around the world, street food, and drinks. But that’s not it.

Not many travelers visiting Chile know that a stretch of the Pacific coast of Chile lights up with tonnes of fireworks that can be seen from the Viña del Mar beaches and Valparaiso.

At the midnight hour, fireworks for as long as 30 minutes sparkle over the Pacific giving the viewers a perfect way to say goodbye to the year. Fireworks along with drinks, food, and dancing until dawn makes Viña for a perfect New Year’s getaway if you are in Chile or planning to go there.

Whether you are on the Playa El Sol, Playa Acapulco, or the Playa Caleta Abarca in Viña, you can indulge in the many street parties which offer open bars and food along with DJ’s. If street parties aren’t your thing, then think about going to any of the hotels, discos, and bars along the beach. New Year’s Eve in Viña is never uneventful.

Make sure you book your stay beforehand for Viña del Mar gets crowded in the last days of December. Reach your hotel at least a day before the 31st and have your commute pre-booked. Few good places to stay in Viña which are either at the beach or a few minutes away from the beach are Hotel Ankara, Hotel Pullman Viña del Mar San Martín, and Hotel Oceanic.

For the night of 31st, arrive at the place from where you want to watch the fireworks at least an hour before. Also, don’t forget to try the famous Chilean empanadas and terremoto drink if you want to get high Chile-style.

Kanyakumari, India

By Somnath from Travel Crusade

Kanyakumari, situated in South India is one of my best rated places to spend New Year’s Eve at. The calm and serene environment at Kanyakumari makes the environment conducive for a pleasant stay of around 4-5 days with friends and families. The beach is an eye catcher for all travel enthusiasts willing to expand their geographical proficiency and increase their awareness of top beaches to spend around the world.

Kanyakumari is situated in the extreme corner of South India and is famous for the Kanyakumari temple and the Vivekananda memorial that is situated in the heart of the town. The city also treasures Indian peacocks in huge numbers and can be the ideal destination to spend New Year’s Eve with family. The climate remains pleasant and New Year’s Eve time remains cool and packed with tourists and travelers from different corners of the world. There are lot of events taking place in the town during New Year’s and getting accommodation can be challenging and difficult. Kanyakumari can be reached from different corners of the country through road transport and railways. There is also a Vedic culture existing in the region and inhabitants of the region mostly speak Tamil. There is also the statue of Thiruvalluvar, the great poet in the heart of the city for which millions come to pay a tribute. Spending New Year’s Eve on the beach would therefore be ideal and beneficial for travellers willing to discover new places in the country.

Have you ever spent New Year’s Eve on a beach? Would you like to? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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