OK, so it is going to be a subject of hot debate, but Amanda Morison, our blog editor and travel writer has summoned up her wealth of experience and, having asked around for some personal recommendations (including editors Annie and Emily), reckons she has found something for everyone.

1. NORMANDY LANDINGS
Barneville Carteret beach, Cotentin peninsula, Normandy
Wonderful bucket and spade beach, dunes to walk on and a warmish sea, looking out towards Jersey. Perfect family beach. www.barneville-carteret.net 

2. GIFT FROM THE GODS Kaminaki Beach, Corfu
“A tiny bay with ice-cold water, where you can hire a boat (try Asterios Boathire:
www.kaminakiboats.com) or snorkel straight from the beach. I’ve often been surrounded by small octopus when out swimming. There is one very simple restaurant that has been
there since my husband was a child, and a couple of newer ones.” (Annie Reid, Editor)
www.cvtravel.co.uk 

3. MAKE LIKE BRIGITTE BARDOT Club 55, Pampelonne Beach, St Tropez “Pack your spangly kaftan and designer flip flops, shut your eyes to the prices, order a bottle of rosé, a plate of crudités and the grilled fish of the day. Your kids will love splashing around in the sea while they wait for their fish and chips and you can sit back and enjoy the wonderful absurdity of it all.” (Emily Turner, Editor)www.consensioholidays.co.uk 

4. SURF’S UP Balevullin Beach, Tiree, Hebrides Buffeted by the Atlantic Ocean and constant wind, the island attracts windsurfers from around the world. An unusually sunny, dry microclimate makes this a great place for sandcastle-mad families.www.isleoftiree.com 

5. KIWI CHARM Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island, New Zealand “As well as a perfect sheltered bay bordered by rockpools, there’s a shop selling beach kit, ice cream and groceries, a playground shaded by vast trees, a loo and shower block, and even a gas-powered barbeque that’s free to use.” www.kidsfriendlytravel.com

6. SWIMMING WITH NEMO Ste Anne Resort, Seychelles
Set in a marine park, you can wade into the water and encounter 150 varieties of
tropical fish in the sheltering reef: zebra fish, rays, leopard, sea cucumbers and more.
www.beachcombertours.co.uk 

7. OUT OF AFRICA Nature’s Valley, Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa In the heart of the Garden Route. Bushpigs and numerous birds are a common sight, as are dolphin and whales. There’s no coral reef in most of South Africa, which means the sea is normally quite rough. At Nature’s Valley a river Estuary leads down to the sea, perfect for young children. www.bushbaby.travel 

8. JUNGLE ISLAND Emerald Beach, Pangkor Laut, Malaysia Privately owned 300 acre island three miles off the West Coast of Malaysia along the Straits of Malacca. Take a
private villa in the shade of the forest and enjoy fishing, snorkelling and a rainforest trek. www.scottdunn.com 

9. WHITSUNDAY BEST Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Australia For the purest, whitest sand you'll ever see. The sand is so fine, it's used to make the glass for telescopes. The Whitsundays are 74 tropical islands, famous for superb sailing. www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk 

10. HORSE WHISPERER Half Moon Resort, Jamaica The feeling of an early morning swim through the ocean on horseback is extraordinary. Children of 8+ can take part. There is also a dolphin lagoon. www.totstoo.com