The coolest beachfront huts to stay in

Looking to cut yourself free of the hustle and drift? There's no better place than in front of the sea, where waves lap up against shoreline with the frequency of breath and you can put yourself directly on island time.

For anyone who wants to get the download on the best beach huts to visit in 2024, we've put together a cracking list that runs the whole spectrum from the calming coasts of Wales to the remote reaches of Mozambique. All you need to do is pack your suncream and sunnies. 

The coolest beachfront huts

Tidal Shore

Cornwall

Tidal Shore in Cornwall

This idyllic retreat, sleeping two, on Cornwall’s south coast boasts private beach access and sublime views across to St Michael’s Mount. Featuring a cosy-yet-minimal Swedish design, with a colour palette of soft whites and putty pinks, it’s as if Elle DECO did beach huts. Tasteful lighting, wooden and leather furniture, soft natural fabrics, a standalone rolltop bath and an open fire in the living room add up to somewhere delightful to shelter if the British summer weather is up to its usual tricks. Horses and donkeys graze in the neighbouring field, and it’s just a short stroll to the historic village of Marazion.

From £275 per night; kiphideaways.com

Perdue by NLG

Turkey

Perdue Turkey

This is where Robinson Crusoe would have pitched up if he’d had the chance: an adults-only, coastal haven set within a backdrop of rolling hills, not far from the lively holiday resort of Fethiye. Accommodation is in safari-style tent cabins amid citrus and olive groves by the shoreline, which all have unobstructed sea views. If that sounds basic, think again. You’ll have access to all the comfort and convenience of a luxury hotel, including therapeutic spa treatments, high-end farm-to-fork meals made with the freshest local produce, and a waterfront cocktail bar. Relax on your deck, enjoy a sunrise yoga session, book a scuba-diving lesson, or even try paragliding. Mr Crusoe would be so jealous.

From £565 per night; perdue.com.tr

The Little Black Shack

Australia

The Little Black Shack in Mackerel Beach, Australia

Luisa Brimble

Set on the quirkily named Mackerel Beach next to a nature reserve just an hour’s drive up the coast from Sydney, this 1930s, eco-friendly former fishermen’s house, which sleeps four, features stunning bay views. Originally built using local timber and sandstone, its sustainability credentials include using solar energy, passive cooling, and natural water catchment, and it’s been lovingly restored with recycled materials. This is a place to totally switch off and enjoy the simpler things in life; where you can toss a shrimp - or five - on the barbie, paddle languidly around the sea in a kayak, or just chill on the deck. Sit yourself by the firepit after dinner, cold beer in hand, and listen to the soothing sounds of nature all around you.

From £543 per night; thelittleblackshack.com.au

Baobab Beach Lodge

Mozambique

Baobab Beach in Vilanculos, Mozambique

Located just a mile from the colourful central market in the buzzy town of Vilanculos, the Baobab Beach Lodge is a veritable desert-island paradise. Each of their cute rustic huts, draped with a shaggy thatched roof, sits on the sand amid untamed gardens, with its own porch and view of the Indian Ocean. All you need to do is wriggle out of your hammock and straight into the sea. Facilities are basic, but comfortable, with everything you need for a sun-drenched stay. The area is known for its kite-surfing schools, while you can also go scuba-diving to the spectacular Bazaruto Archipelago - a group of six tiny islands with white sand beaches - go for peaceful SUP sessions, or just snorkel in the sea’s clear blue depths.

From £60 per night; booking.com

Little Palm Grove

India

‘Relax - you found us’, it says on this charming little resort’s website, and you’ll be so glad you did. Accommodation is in a set of 14 simple, but well-appointed bungalows on Goa’s Ashvem beach. Combining Indian style with a Scandi touch, walls and floors are poured concrete, beds hang on wooden canopies, and rattan chairs grace the decks. For an extra hippy touch - Goa was on the hippy trail in the 60s and 70s - the bungalows all have groovy names, such as Love ‘n’ Light, Honey Bunny, Wild ‘n’ Crazy, and Sunlight.

From £75 per night; palmgrovebeachresort.com

Maqai Beach Eco Surf Resort

Fiji

There’s off-the-beaten-track and then there’s the Maqai Beach Eco Resort on picture-perfect Qamea, perched to the northeast of Taveuni, Fiji’s third largest island. Set against a backdrop of stunning, otherworldly rainforest, it offers a stretch of private white sand beach fringed with Fiji’s obligatory coconut palms, crystal blue warm water, and incredible coral reefs. In short, it’s the Bounty Bar advert brought to life. If you’re a surfer or want to learn, this is the perfect place: breaks occur regularly right in front of the resort. You’ll be staying in a ‘bure’, a typical Fijian wood and straw hut, set among the coconut groves and equipped with all home comforts - you may ask youreslf, why would you ever want to leave?

From £136 per night; maqai.com

Tiki Hutte

France

Save megabucks on a flight to Polynesia by checking into the Tiki Hutte resort in Ramatuelle in the south of France, just a ten-minute drive from St Tropez. Set along the sandy beach of Pampelonne, the appeal here is that you’ll be staying in - the clue’s in the name - a tiki-style hut, either set within the resort’s gardens or on the beach itself. Available in varying sizes from one to three bedrooms - perfect for families - some have hot tubs on their deck, and a few even have their own small private pool. All are beautifully decorated in ‘island style’, with teak wood details, palm-print cushions, straw lampshades and wicker headboards, and come with fully-equipped kitchens. All this, and no jet lag; sounds like a winner to us.

From £1,019 per week; en.tiki-hutte.com

Slaapstrand Huisje

Netherlands

Looking exactly like a little row of beach huts you might find in a British seaside resort like Bournemouth or Eastbourne, the Slaapstrand Huisje – which translates as ‘sleeping beach house’, ie ones you can sleep in – are a little taste of home in the Netherlands. Located on the Blue Flag Nollestrand beach in the city of Vlissingen, they’re within walking distance of nature and forest, as well as urban life. There are plenty of hiking and biking routes in the area, which will take you to authentic Zeeland villages or the historic city of Middelburg. Each cosy, contemporarily-designed hut, tucked within the dunes, sleeps up to five people and has a deck so you can sit outside and watch the sunset. We can’t promise it will actually be warmer than Britain - it’s practically on the same latitude as London, after all - but a change of scene is as good as a rest.

From £822 for three nights; slaapstrandhuisje.nl

Ty Cwch Boathouse

Wales

The Ty Cwch Boathouse in Wales

©keith morris 2018

Get ready for a lot of consonants: this quirky property is located in Cwmtydu on the Wales Coast Path between Llangrannog and New Quay on the mid Wales coast. Here, you’re surrounded by secluded beaches, spectacular landscapes, and abundant wildlife. The unique, contemporary building, constructed from shipping containers, provides timber-clad, cabin-style accommodation for up to 12 people. It has fully insulated and heated living spaces on the ground floor and three sleeping pods on the first floor where you can be cosy even when it’s cold and wet outside (sadly, somewhat likely). But the weather shouldn’t stop you heading out on one of the many local walks, or trying to spot seals or bottlenose dolphins in the sea. Just remember to pack an anorak.

From £120 per night; tycwch.wales

Barefoot at Havelock

Andaman Islands

No shirt, no shoes, no... problem? Going barefoot is the order of the day at this beautiful resort which occupies prime position on one of the fascinating Andaman Islands. Along with the Nicobar Islands, they make up one of the Union Territories of India, but are actually closer to Thailand. They are also home to some incredible terrestrial and marine wildlife, including dugongs, whales, turtles, dolphins and macaques, some of which you’ll no doubt spot. Here, you have the choice of staying in one of 31 elegantly designed, island-inspired tents, cottages and villas, all constructed using renewable materials such as thatch, cane and wood. You’ll barely have time to relax in a hammock or sun lounger, as the resort offers a range of experiences including game fishing, beach treks, stand-up paddleboarding, diving, night walks and trail biking. Shoes optional. 

From £117 per night; barefoot-andaman.com