Coral Bay
There are three very good beaches in the area and both Emma and Kismet are convenient for them all.
Coral Bay is nearly 2km of sand that gently slopes into the sea. (Near the edge of the beach you can sometimes see deposits of what looks like salmon-pink sand which is actually ground down coral - hence the name!) Coral Bay has all the amenities that you would expect from such a popular beach, including beach beds and umbrellas, a couple of beach cafes and all the usual water sports. Although it is popular it never seems to get too overcrowded so still retains its appeal. Swimming is particularly pleasant here and the sea remains warm early into December. October and November are when the sea is at its warmest.
Very accessible from Villa Emma the beach is only a 10-15 minute drive or bus ride away, though don't be confused by the fact that the bus says Coral Bay on the front - it actually goes to Coralia Beach (see opposite) and you need to get off one or two stops after Coral Bay's main street to get here.
There are plenty of parking spaces available above the beach but it is probably better to use the smaller car parks across the road as they offer more shade. Of course, you won't need transport if you are staying at Kismet – a couple of minutes' walk away.
Lemba Beach is a sandy bay, walkable from Emma, situated below the Helios Bay Hotel on the main coast road. It's a bit wild and rugged, doesn't have any facilities and is not particularly well signposted – but is perhaps the better for it.
Coralia Beach is located 1km further along the main road from Coral Bay (the local buses 10 and 15 terminate here). The long stretch of sand curves round two bays and there are a couple of small islands in the first bay which form a natural wind break. Whilst the water deepens sooner here than in Coral Bay, it's still ideal for children as the first 3 or 4 metres remain very shallow and the narrower beach means you can keep a watchful eye on your children without moving from your sun bed!