10 Sexy Beach Vacations of the Rich and Famous

Reader s Digest Magazine

Pack your bathing suit, your most potent sunscreen, and little else if you're headed to one of these celebrated sexy beach hot spots.

Palmizana, Hvar, Croatia

When you're chosen by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler as the 8th best island in Europe, you better unfurl the celebrity welcome mat. Quickly gaining a reputation as the party HQ for the rich and famous-Prince Harry, Giorgio Armani, Beyoncé and Jay-Z whooped it up here-Hvar is ready for its close-up. You'll rub shoulders with incognito celebs, VIPs, and island hoppers and discover why Lonely Planet named Hvar one of its top destinations for 2012. The south side beach of Parmizana in particular boasts non-stop sunshine, enticing sugar-hued sand, and a fashionable, nubile crowd.

Paradise Beach, Mykonos Island, Greece Meet the beach with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde complex. Underneath the midday sun, families build sand castles and splash amidst the rolling surf. But don't let this daytime serenity fool you. Come cocktail hour, this Greek coastal paradise cranks up the heat to sizzling party proportions. The family-friendly vibe evaporates with an invasion of dancers, DJs, and R-rated pleasure-seekers. Mykonos' Paradise Beach erupts with loud music, flowing alcohol, and a clientele that prefers partying with as few clothes as possible.

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Las Salinas Beach, Ibiza, Spain

Say "hola" to Ibiza, where the world's most glamorous party people come to frolic. Las Salinas Beach, the southern stretch of the island, attracts professional soccer players, stunning models, and A-list celebrities-a sexy, wealthy crowd who live to carouse 24-7 on the white sandy shore. Exclusive bars and restaurants set the hedonistic tone with unlimited cocktails, banging tunes, and flirty patrons.

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The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands Couples seeking a seductive escape with an air of decorum can reignite their passion on the island of Virgin Gorda. The Baths, a discreet hideaway of sandy beaches and gently lapping water, is embraced by an assortment of towering granite slabs. These standing stones create concealed grottos and intimate coves-the perfect setting for an amorous tryst away from prying eyes.

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Lover's Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico True to its name, Lover's Beach is an intimate destination that is best shared with someone special. Hidden behind enormous rock formations, this Baja Peninsula cove is only reachable by boat. While the beach's picturesque beauty is hard to resist, underwater currents on its Pacific Ocean side behave like a scorned lover-unpredictable and dangerous. Instead, visitors should explore the beach's Sea of Cortez side and its aura of secluded perfection. The water here is warm, calm and inviting; it's a tempting locale for a sexy seaside romp.

Copacabana, Rio De Janiero, Brazil Welcome to a world where microscopic swimwear is a must: Brazil's famous Copacabana Beach is an exhibitionist's haven. Women dare to bear in dental-floss bikinis, while their male counterparts cavort in thongs that leave little to the imagination. This steamy playground attracts body-confident souls who like to soak up the sun, and flash the flesh. The sexual energy here is palpable, although surprisingly, topless bathing is strictly prohibited. But as the adage suggests, isn't it better to leave something to the imagination?

Tahiti Beach, Saint-Tropez, France No one does French Riviera decadence like Tahiti Beach. Here the glitterati not only let their hair down, but also drop their bathing suits too. Topless and nude jet setters mix with wide-eyed tourists keen to experience the beach made famous by 1950s silver screen vixen, Brigitte Bardot. Vacationers seeking a hedonistic free-for-all flock to this Cote d'Azur hot spot to sunbathe without tan lines and indulge in the celebrity lifestyle. Private yachts bob up and down on the sparkling Mediterranean, while the beautiful people primp, pose, and sip cocktails on their beach lounge chairs. South Beach, Miami, Florida

If you're seeking the American equivalent of the French Riviera, look no further than South Beach. This exquisite getaway has everything: chic boutiques, trendy restaurants, exclusive nightclubs, and stunning Art Deco architecture. Drawing a jaw-dropping mix of models, Hollywood favorites, and musicians, it's the place to see and be seen. The non-stop party atmosphere accessorized with gorgeous bathing beauties-of both sexes-makes South Beach the hottest American waterfront destination year round.

Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast, Australia Got a thing for scantily clad, sun-kissed surfers? If your heart is set on a beach-bound romance with a sexy tanned surfer, Snapper Rocks is your dream destination. Hugging the southern-most tip of the 35 mile-long Australian Gold Coast, Snapper Rocks oozes surfer sex appeal. In the heat of the Aussie sun, the vibe is sultry and flirty. Teasing their land-locked admirers, guys and gals skim across sky-high waves in a sensual dance of seaside supremacy.

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Saline Beach, Saint-Barthelemy, Caribbean This French-Caribbean isle serves as a carefree locale and hedonistic getaway for wealthy vacationers, with 22 beaches to thrill and titillate. For the crème de la crème of seashore sensuality try Saline Beach. With its secluded location-a winding footpath leads to its unspoiled delights-Saline Beach is an oasis of turquoise-hued water and welcoming sand dunes. A certain je ne sais quoi hangs in the air, urging visitors to shed their inhibitions-cheeky beach goers are often spotted taking a dip in the tides 'au naturel.'

--By Jackie Middleton