This beautiful beach, with over 400 metres of sprawling white sand and turquoise waters, could be mistaken for the Bahamas’ coastline – but unlike the tropical island, it is just a short flight away. 

The petite Balearic island of Formentera, Spain, boasts some of the most picturesque beaches. 

Its 450 metres of pristine white sands stretch north towards the island of Espalmador, a spot only the bravest visitors dare to swim at low tide.

Ses Illetes offers two beach experiences in one: one side with wind and waves, the other with a serene sea.

The only way to reach Formentera is by ferry from Ibiza or Denia, ensuring that, unlike many beautiful beaches, it doesn’t become too crowded, even during peak season.

Once you’ve disembarked, your best option for getting to Ses Illetes is by bicycle, which can be rented from the port where you arrive.

Flights to Ibiza are fairly regular from most UK airports and the flight time is only around two hours, according to Skyscanner. 

Plane tickets can also be bought for as little as £30 on certain dates. 

Meanwhile, the average flight to the Bahamas from the UK is far more pricey and takes around 10 hours. 

Ses Illetes, which means “beach of the small islands” in Catalan, is perfect for swimming. 

One Tripadvisor review reads: “We spent most of our time on this beach. It has beautiful sand. There was a restaurant that sold sandwiches and beverages for carry out. And there were vendors walking the beach selling inexpensive bottles of water and beer. This was a lovely place to spend the afternoon.”

Another said: “This beach is not to be missed. Pristine crystal clear water and bright blue sky.”

A third wrote: “This is a pretty beach close to the center of town. People ride their bikes to get here, but you can also walk. Great place to watch the sunset, which is what we did.”