Cocal Beach, Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

Oh, we’ll just go for a couple of nights, you say. After all, there’s nothing much to do there, you say. Fast forward 48 hours and it’s a different story: Shall we stay a little longer? Shall we book a few more nights? It’s quite nice not actually doing anything…

And this is the charm of Little Corn Island – and in particular its sandy showcase, Cocal Beach – where the not-doing-anything is all part of its subtle seduction technique. Days can turn into weeks and, in some cases, much longer.

Around 70km off the Eastern coast of Nicaragua sits Little Corn Island, a rambunctious boatride away from its big sibling, Big Corn Island and as perfect a beach paradise as you’re likely to stumble upon. Unsullied by sprawling resorts, this isn’t one for travelling divas. Spend your nights in cute beachside bungalows and your days on the soft white sand where lazy, leaning palms are almost as horizontal as you and falling coconuts provide near fantastical beach fare.

Though you arrive at the port on the west of the island, it is a short walk over to the east where the beach gems lay. Cocal Beach is the centre piece of this sandy sprawl. It has a creamy wheat-coloured complexion and is totally blemish-free – no sun loungers, no parasols. Instead there are shacks selling fresh $5 lobster and dive boats heading out to some of the best spots on the reef. The night dives are particularly amazing, but if night swimming isn’t your thing, spend your evening drowning in one of the buzzy local bars, and raise your rum glass to this Creole beach classic.

WHEN: year round but best months are Dec and Jan

WHAT TO PACK:
Heading to the castaway Corn Islands, load a Chloe Madeleine tote with Paulo Coelho’s Aleph, Benefit’s lip plump for post-swim puckering up and go native with Mara Hoffman’s Aztec print bikini.

the bag: Chloe Madeleine leather tote, £1335

the swimwear: Mara Hoffman Aztec print bandeau bikini, £180

the products: Benefit lip plump, £14.50 and Cowshed spearmint exfoliating sea scrub, £40

the playlist:
Band of Horses, Is There a Ghost
Sufjan Stevens, Concerning the UFO sighting
Salem Al Fakir, It’s Only You, Pt II
E.S.T, Believe Beleft Below

the read: Paulo Coelho, Aleph, £7.50

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