Beaches around the World in Celebration of Plastic Free July 

Sea pollution and washed up rubbish is incredibly harmful to marine life and those who visit the beaches, but there are a number of initiatives around the world that aim to educate and celebrate our world

Plastic Free July is one such global movement, and aims to help millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution so the world can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. With this in mind we’ve pulled together a roundup of some of the most incredible beaches from around the world along with initiatives that some of these beaches take to ensure that they stay safe and welcoming to visitors.

USA 
Florida’s Paradise Coast, Florida
Naples and Marco Island are home to some of the most beautiful (and multiple award-winning) beaches in the U.S. Stretching across 30 miles of Southern Florida and tracing the Gulf of Mexico coastline, the soft white sand under foot is arguably just as luxurious as the sunsets. At Clam Pass Beach Park, located adjacent to Naples Grande Beach Resort, not only can you scale the beach for shell souvenirs, you can also view the mangroves up close from the boardwalk over the Clam Pass estuary. Marco Island’s four-mile shoreline is book ended by Tigertail Beach Park and South Beach. Both juxtapose natural with manmade – Tigertails untouched dunes and lagoon contrast with South Beach’s pall-lined walkway, however, both are ideal spots for families with access to volleyball courts, picnic areas and multiple water activities.

Surfrider Harbor Kayak Cleanup to Huntington Dog Beach, Huntington Beach, California
Surfrider Harbor Kayak Cleanup allows for travellers to take a kayak out to seas and help Huntington Beach clean up its harbour. Every Sunday at 8:45am, this initiative welcomes visitors to clean up the ocean using zero emissions, by removing rubbish to protect the health and sustainability of mportant ecosystems. This initiative allows for travellers to enjoy beaches such as the Huntington Dog Beach, a dog-lover’s paradise. The beach runs about 1.5 miles along the bluffs between Goldenwest and Seapoint streets and is the only stretch of beach in Huntington where dogs are permitted to roam off-leash. Dog beach has been consistently voted the top Dog Park/Beach in Orange County the ‘Best of OC’ Time your visit right, and you could be lucky enough to witness Surf City Surf Dog – an adorable battle of skills between dog surfers.

Crystal Cove, Newport Beach, California
Blending the principles of preserved natural beauty with contemporary architecture defines this picturesque area of Newport Coast perfectly. Located at the southernmost tip of Newport Beach, Crystal Cove State Park comprises 3.5 miles of pristine uninterrupted coastline, favoured by hikers, campers and trailblazers. Crystal Cove State Park celebrate coastal conservation by organising regular beach clean ups throughout the year ensuring that these beaches are some of the cleanest in Newport.

South Lake Tahoe, California / Nevada
You might be surprised to find a beach 4-hours drive inland from the California coastline but South Lake Tahoe is home to some of the West Coast’s most stunning beaches. Famous for its crystal clear blue alpine waters and incredible backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding you, South Lake Tahoe sits on the California-Nevada border and is home to sprawling beaches and miles of hiking trails. Emerald Bay is one of the best spots along the South Shore – not only is it a National Natural Landmark but it’s one of the first underwater State Parks of its type in California, which also protects the various treasures hiding at the bottom of the bay. There’s really no better way to take in Emerald Bay and all its vibrant colours than to take out a kayak or a stand up paddleboard (SUP) from the sandy shores. After a day at the beach make sure you take a visit to Inspiration Point- this drive-up overlook is the perfect place to capture the dramatic landscape and historic Fannette Island during sunset.

The Clean up the Lake project, in partnership with Tahoe Dive Center, is planning an epic 72-mile underwater-scuba rubbish clean up of the entire shoreline of Lake Tahoe on both the Nevada and California sides, happening in Summer 2021. Their goal is to make this the largest clean up in Lake Tahoe’s history while covering every inch of shoreline under the surface of the largest alpine lake in the USA. The project also has plans to integrate cleaners on the shoreline beaches as well.

Big Sur, California
Big Sur’s beaches show off the Monterey County coastline at its rugged, unspoiled best. Many consider Garrapata State Park’s secluded beach to be the best in Big Sur. While there are no facilities, this sandy, unspoiled beach has stunning views and is easy to get to. You’re also likely to spot sea otters, sea lions, seals and even the occasional migrating whale. The Monterey Tourism Board’s Sustainable Moments campaign focuses on responsible travel that minimises negative impacts and preserves the cultural and natural resources of the county’s destinations. One of the partners they work with is Monterey Bay Aquarium on ocean conservation and plastics reduction, as well as the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Watch programme which sets standards around the U.S. for responsible seafood menus. When visiting Big Sur stay at Post Ranch Inn, located 1200 ft. above the Pacific Ocean. With natural architecture embracing the coast’s dramatic beauty, the 39 rooms blend rustic elegance, comfort, and privacy with panoramic ocean or mountain views. A long-time leader in responsible tourism, Post Ranch’s goal is to create a distinctive, luxurious guest experience that melds seamlessly with environmental and social stewardship.

Japan
Japan is a nation well-known for being tidy (you only need to look at the Japanese fans clearing up at the World Cup 2018 for proof) and this extends to the beaches and rural areas, as much as the cities. Community-based clean up programmes are common across Japan and taken seriously. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to take all their rubbish home and deal with it properly – in fact you will find very few public bins on the streets in Japan. In the southern islands of Okinawa a number of volunteer companies (such as Okinawa O.C.E.A.N) run beach clean-ups throughout the year to maintain the pristine beaches and protect local wildlife. Last year the SEGO Initiative held its 10th annual beach cleaning project at Fusjisawa beach, which attracted over 5,600 volunteers throughout the decade. As well as removing rubbish, volunteers also catalogue all debris to help establish where it is coming from and hopefully reduce future cases.

The Islands of Tahiti
Renowned for its crystalline waters, the beaches in The Islands of Tahiti are just as surreal and impressive. Ranging from pure white to jet black the beaches in French Polynesia are as much a part of local life as the towns, and often act as a meeting place for friends and family. With this in mind, keeping them clean and looking their best is a huge part of the communities’ focus. Environmental days and rubbish clearing are held regularly across the islands such as Plastic in the Pacific Crusade which rotates to a different location each time. Moorea island goes one step further and includes these days in their school calendar, ensuring the future generations learn young how to respect the oceans and beaches

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