The 2012 festival will take place between 12th and 17th July. Tickets are around £125 (€140) for four days of festival entertainment + nine days camping.
The Garden Party, Croatia
Croatia's beaches are often overlooked – but nestled among them is a true gem of a festival. Established in 2006, The Garden Party has rapidly grown from hundreds to thousands of revellers.
You can expect techno, dub step, drum and bass and much more, all from artists that are rapidly ascending on the scene. And if you're looking for value for money, look no further – 2012's festival runs from 4th to 11th July, with early bird tickets costing just £80.
The Hangout, Alabama, USA
The Hangout – based on Gulf Shores, Alabama – has quickly established itself as one of the USA's musical treasures. In just two years, the number of attendees jumped from 13,000 to 35,000 per day.
Lasting three days, the event attracts a range of electronic, hip hop and guitar-based artists. Previous performers include The Black Crows, The Roots, John Legend, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Cee-Lo Green and Primus. You can get involved in the 2012 festival between 18th and 20th May.
Plage Electronique, Cannes, France
Cannes has long been known for glamour and elegance – but the past two years have seen the region placing itself on the electronica map.
Plage Electronique offers electro, dub step, drum and bass, minimal, soulful house and techno, all in the idyllic beach surroundings of the French Riviera. However, the festival doesn't take place in a standard format. Artists perform each Wednesday of July and August, meaning that this is a festival to include in a wider holiday plan.
Bestival, Isle of Wight
Curated by DJ and producer Rob da Bank, Bestival has been captivating audiences since 2004. The festival is a hot bed of dance-based activity, but also attracts high-profile rock and pop bands.
Bestival 2011 included Pendulum, The Cure, Bjork, PJ Harvey, Robyn, Crystal Castles and Katy B. Next year's event is scheduled for 8th to 11th September.
Sonar, Barcelona, Spain
Sonar was founded in 1994 and has since established itself as a premier digital music and multimedia festival. Forward-thinking and progressive, the Barcelona-based event has attracted some of the most cutting-edge artists for almost two decades.
The festival has now started to branch out, and 2012 will see the first Sonar Sao Paulo take place. For those wishing to take in the Barcelona-based activities, keep the 14th to 16th June free in your diary.
Exit, Serbia
If you want to experience music in context and entertainment with a conscience, Serbia's Exit festival is the one for you. Its initial mission was to highlight social issues, while providing entertainment for the nation's youth.
Electronica, dubstep, hip hop and techno heavily influence this festival, traditionally held in the July of each year. Since its establishment in 2000, the event has attracted international artists including Arcade Fire, Portishead, DJ Sneak, Underworld and Hadouken!.
So there you have it, 7 alternative beach festivals that you can enjoy in 2012. Also, don’t forget to check out our
festival calendar and our
survival guide: