Sunshine Coast beaches are expected to welcome more than 4 million day-visitors over the holidays in one of the busiest years for domestic tourism.
But if you think that sounds crowded, spare a thought for holidaymakers trying to spread a towel on some of the world’s busiest beaches.
Even during the global pandemic, at some jam-packed coastal areas it has been almost impossible to sprawl on the sand let alone push past the bodies to dip a toe in the water.
Here are some of the world’s busiest beaches that will make you even more grateful to be living or holidaying on the Sunshine Coast.
Dalian Beach, China
Dalian Beach in north-east China is often cited as the world’s busiest beach and these photos give you an indication as to why.
When the mercury rises, hundreds of thousands of people head to the coastline to stay cool in the Yellow Sea.
Dalian Beach is known as Tiger Beach Ocean Park and is named for a rocky outcrop that juts into the sea, resembling a crouching tiger.
The beach isn’t the region’s only drawcard which also boasts a coralarium, polar aquarium and bird reserve.
About 40,000 people in a day are estimated to visit the 500m stretch of beach in summer.
Coney Island, New York
This photo of Coney Island from July 4 shows that the global pandemic which has ravaged the USA, leading to more than 17 million infections, has not deterred people from the New York attraction.
Coney Island is a respite from New York’s hectic city and combines 3 miles of sandy beaches with about 50 amusement rides.
Visitors don’t appear to mind sharing the outdoor space with thousands of other people, despite requirements to practice social distancing.
New Yorkers and visitors packed the sands on Independence Day this year which led to a surge in coronavirus cases after the annual holiday.
Haeundae Beach, South Korea
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be part of a penguin colony, head to Haeundae Beach in South Korea.
The small stretch of sand in Pusan City is standing room only on any given hot day, let alone during a heave wave when thousands of people rub shoulders.
But it’s also a drawcard in the depths of winter when about 2000 mad-keen swimmers strip down for the annual Polar Bear Festival (pictured).
Pusan, South Korea’s second-largest city with more than 3.4 million residents, is famous for its beach as well as flashy nightlife.
Brighton Beach, England
Dreary England is not somewhere you might associate with busy beaches but when the whether gets hot the white bodies come out.
Brighton Beach, Brighton, was packed with thousands of people on the hottest day of the year this year when temperatures hit 33 degrees celsius.
Famous for its painted beach huts, pebbled sands and 4 mile promenade, Brighton is popular with Londoners escaping the city – only to cram together like clams on the sand.
As appears to be a common theme at packed overseas seaside destinations, Brighton also has a traditional fairground, cafes, restaurants and, of course, fish and chips.
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Made famous by the song Girl from Ipanema written in the 60s, Brazil’s popular beach draws thousands of people to its ‘dangerous’ waters.
Ipanema translates to ‘bad, dangerous waters’ and the ocean is said have a strong undertow and crashing waves, according to Lonely Planet.
Located in Rio’s upmarket district, Ipanema beach is a cauldron of diversity, with posts along its 2km stretch of sand demarcating different subcultures.
Hippies, artists, sports lovers and favela kids (who live in the poorer districts) gather at their post.
At the height of the pandemic in November, thousands of beachgoers crowded the sands in defiance of social distancing (pictured above).
