The 25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

To many, the word beach is synonymous with relaxation, with unwinding. It has become the epitome of what it means to vacation, the sound of its lapping waves easing you into a steady rhythm, the glistening sand making you feel like each step is a luxurious foot scrub, and the motion of the water giving every cell in your body a much-needed respite from the stresses of daily living.

But while just about any decently clean beach can make you feel those things, there’s something about an especially unspoiled, uncrowded or stunning one that takes things to another, almost otherworldly level. The stuff of bucket lists, such beaches are worth a visit, whether they’re easily accessible from the road or more than a mile’s hike through a wild jungle to reach. From the wind-battered Mediterranean coasts to the small islands of the Caribbean, here is our selection of the world's most beautiful beaches. Sail in and drop anchor.
 

La Digue, Seychelles
Located on a remote island that’s about as far away from the US as it’s possible to get, massive granite boulders make Anse Source d'Argent feel like a prehistoric piece of paradise, carving out cozy nooks where those seeking peace and quiet can hide away from any crowds. Its blissfully shallow waters are sublime for those who prefer to dip and float rather than swim. Explorers, on the other hand, will get a kick out of meeting the colorful marine denizens who live in the patches of coral reef that pepper the area. It’s a must if you’re willing to pay the day fee.

El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
When people speak of “tropical paradise,” El Nido might just come to mind—and more specifically, Nacpan Beach. Nestled in the north end of the archipelagic Palawan Province in the Philippines, this 2.5 mile-stretch of sand fringed with row upon row of coconut palms feels like heaven on Earth—especially if your idea of heaven comes with nipa huts, unassuming seafood restaurants, and whitewater waves. The sunsets are epic and well worth the 45-minute moped ride from the main town, and glamping spots are nearby if you’d like to stay awhile.

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The BVIs have many wildly beautiful beaches, but it’s the Baths in Virgin Gorda that really takes the cake. Its granite boulders are the sweet spot here, forming mini coves, hidden pools, and makeshift caves that are a magnet for the adventurous set. Here exploring the nooks, paths, and crannies is a favorite activity, as is snorkeling. And when you’re famished, the Top of the Baths restaurant serves up quite a view alongside your seafood dish. It’s best to avoid the cruise crowd.

Quintana Roo, Mexico
As we’re sure you know, Cancun is fun and vibrant. But your DJ ex, bachelor party attendees, and sorority girls on spring break all think so, too. Instead, skip the resorts and head to Isla Holbox: a tiny, car-free Caribbean island just two hours north where you’ll be able to enjoy peaceful beach bungalows (or luxury stays!), white sands, and calm, flamingo-filled waters–not to mention way fewer crowds. Eat seafood plucked from the ocean minutes ago, swim with whale sharks, and sip tropical cocktails alongside locals equally as keen to escape to a quieter slice of heaven.

Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
Live your desert island fantasies but in style and luxury on this enchanting escape just less than nine miles off Mozambique’s southern coast. Benguerra Island isn’t exactly deserted, but its sleepy stretches of white beaches, dotted only by the occasional wooden dingy, can feel that way–just the ticket if you’re seeking refuge from the chaos of the outside world. The key to a winning vacation here is to simply spend your days lazing about, sipping on fresh coconut water. But if you’re easily bored, the nearby coral reefs teeming with life are a nice distraction. As are the wetlands on the island.

Cape Town, South Africa
Camps Bay Beach is to Cape Town as Bondi Beach is to Sydney—only grander, with iconic Tabletop Mountain and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range towering behind it, elevating your beach experience twofold. Being so close to a major city, it gets pretty busy, but its large swath of sand offers a spot for everyone, making it the perfect venue for locals and tourists to rub elbows. Shoot the curl, hike the Pipe Track, or dive the Camps Bay Reef if you crave the more active endeavors.

Amalfi Coast, Italy
Found on the Amalfi Coast, Ravello Beach is among the few super-touristy spots that you must absolutely tick off your list. Although it's teeming with tourists, this umbrella-lined beach at the base of a cliff—and the gateway to the bohemian town of Ravello—is something that must be experienced (and photographed) by everyone. There’s much to do besides taking a dip or relaxing under one of the vibrant parasols; happiness lies in days spent slipping into the slow rhythms of the bougainvillea-trimmed gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo.

Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Not everyone enjoys swimming or lying out on the sand. Some prefer quiet, languid walks on a mostly empty beach where all you can hear is the sound of the lapping waves. If you’re the latter type, Uig Bay on Scotland’s Isle of Lewis is the dream. Tucked away between gentle rolling dunes, the beach here is always empty, adding to its already enchanting vibe. One rocky corner is a great place to search for treasures from the sea, while nearby picnic tables are the perfect venue for a quiet lunch with a view.

Cannon Beach, Oregon
Whether it’s the occasional driftwood or the hazy, salty air, Oregon’s Cannon Beach looks very Pacific Northwest: serene, misty, sweeping. It stands out from the crowd with its wave- and wind-battered rocky outcroppings that jut out to sea, with Haystack Rock being all the rage amongst beach-goers and tufted puffins alike. Folks come here for a nice, starfish-studded walk along the lapping waves. Perch yourself somewhere for the sunset and a bonfire, or head to the Pelican Brewing Company for a local pint.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
If paradise to you means soft white sand and warm pristine waters, then Grace Bay is Valhalla. This glittering piece of tellurian heaven in the Caribbean has won awards for its three-mile-long stretch of powdery sand and special brand of perfectly calm, aqua-colored water. It’s just the ticket for a relaxing beach vacation, despite the resorts and hotels (and sea oats) that fringe it. Rent a catamaran and go sailing, or swim out to the nearby barrier reef where spotting marine life is effortless.

Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
If white sand just doesn’t do it for you anymore, Totaranui Beach might just be your brand of beach. Sand the color of the setting sun makes for an especially pretty picture against the aquamarine of the Tasman Sea. It’s a bit of a remote outpost too, which makes it a sweet spot for those who have an aversion to crowds. The nearby campground is a venue for quiet slumber under the clear New Zealand night sky. Opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and sailing abound.

Exmouth, Australia
When it comes to beaches, Australia has plenty of good ones. That said, Exmouth’s Turquoise Bay is a definite standout, with emerald green water that looks especially vibrant against white sand. Prime snorkeling spots are easy to wade to, though fair warning: a jellyfish encounter is possible. Despite bagging a spot on Australia’s best beaches list, crowds are uncommon here, adding to its appeal. If it gets too quiet for your taste, you can always hop on a swim-with-whale-sharks adventure at the nearby Ningaloo Reef.

Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii has so many paradisal beaches that it’s hard and somewhat unfair to pick just one. But Makena Beach is a reasonable favorite if you just have to choose. Its stretch of untamed sand is sandwiched between the lapping waves of the Pacific and the verdant forest of Makena State Park. While neither remote nor free to access, it’s certainly a place to avoid the crowds. The tri-colored water is unbelievably inviting (if sometimes rough) and the nearby reefs are abundant, with massive sea turtles often making a special appearance.

Crete, Greece
Elafonissi Beach in Crete takes extraordinary to a whole new level, tantalizing beach-goers with its powdery soft pink sands—a result of the pink shells that made the ultimate sacrifice to give us something to Instagram about. The sandbar and shallow waters are a perfect venue for relaxing and for family-friendly dips, and the local loggerhead sea turtles are a sight to see (from afar, naturally). It gets crowded, so arrive early to nab the perfect spot.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Brazil will not leave you wanting with its abundance of beaches. But while most of its popular shores are crowd magnets, Baia do Sancho—once voted TripAdvisor’s best beach in the world—offers a bit of refuge. Although it has gotten more crowded over the years, it discourages less adventurous visitors by being a little difficult to approach. You’ll have to squeeze past boulders and brave vertical stairs to get there. But your efforts won’t be for naught: this beach rewards the valiant with a pristine, crescent-shaped beach and marine life-rich waters in different shades of azure and turquoise.

La Teste-de-Buch, France
Love to swim? You can do it here. However, the main attraction in France’s La Grande Dune du Pilat is its namesake. More than 300 feet high (it’s the tallest sand dune in Europe) and over 1.5 miles long, climbing and walking across La Grande Dune is a great undertaking that’s faintly reminiscent of Arrakis (sans the sandworms, of course). The not-so-active might find climbing on unbelievably fine sand a little challenging, but summon your inner Atreides and Chani, as the views at the top are certainly rewarding.

Belitung, Indonesia
Hire a boat out to Lengkuas Island, just off the northwestern coast of Indonesia’s Belitung Island, for a unique beach experience. This tiny island has a range of enticing features: a lush mini forest on the western side, a nice sandy beach on the eastern front, granite boulders peppered all over, and a Dutch colonial lighthouse in the midst of it all. It’s second to none as far as island-hopping adventures go.

Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia
Underwater adventure seekers will get a thrill out of a Tahitian holiday on Fakarava. This sparsely populated atoll in the South Pacific is the very definition of a dreamy beach getaway, complete with pristine pink and white sand. But a trip here isn’t actually complete without a dive or three in an exquisite lagoon so rich in endemic marine life that it’s been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Sardinia, Italy
The best gifts often come in small packages, and La Pelosa is proof of that. This small stretch of sand on Sardinia’s northwest tip is one of Italy’s most celebrated beaches, which is saying a lot considering it’s Italy. At the same time, the beach is also one of the country’s most unassuming, with a relative lack of big businesses and the need to book your visit in advance to keep overtourism at bay. This is a prime spot for watersports, from paddleboarding to windsurfing, and the nearby Aragonese Watchtower offers opportunities for seaside exploration–and, of course, excellent photos.

Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Island doesn’t need a sales pitch, although the cult movie The Beach is often name-dropped to pique interest. Still, this beach’s emerald waters dotted with Thailand’s signature limestone karsts are more than enough to convince even those who aren’t partial to beaches. If you can forgive the crowds, it’s a vital addition to your island-hopping tour. Sadly, preservation efforts prohibit swimming.

Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Take a breather from Costa Calma’s tourist-laden streets and head to Playa de Sotavento de Jandía. This 17-mile stretch of underdeveloped coast offers the perfect antidote for those turned off by Fuerteventura’s resort culture. And it does so with just a wide expanse of sandy beach, golden dunes, and low-tide lagoons. Away from the crowded waters, this is where you can partake in your favorite water sports in peace.

Punta del Diablo, Uruguay
Uruguay has long been a secret holiday destination for South Americans, and this unassuming fishing village is one of the many reasons why. Its cluster of colorful buildings, open-air restaurants, and mellow backpacker vibe offer a nice refuge for tired city dwellers, while nearby venues for hiking and cycling are on hand for those who want to stay active. Of course, the four beaches that fringe the town are the tourist hotspots. They can get very crowded during peak season, but they’re worth a stopover when you finally visit this underrated country.

Codrington, Antigua & Barbuda
Pink sand beaches are a bit of a rarity, but they’re not just the stuff of heavily Photoshopped content, as this tranquil beach less than four miles away from the village of Codrington proves. That soft blush hue, produced by a large deposit of pink shells that get washed up here at certain times of the year, makes it truly picture-perfect. But even without its rosy glow, this beach feels paradisal, thanks to its relatively calm waters, absence of business establishments, and sheer lack of foot traffic. Pink sand sightings seem to increase around April and towards the end of the year.

Lagoa, Portugal
Praia da Marinha might just be the most covetable beach in the Algarve, its golden sea-battered cliffs and limestone outcroppings reminiscent of Australia’s Twelve Apostles, except somehow wilder and sexier. Swimming through its twin limestone arches is a challenge you might want to take on, although not-so-strong swimmers can always take a boat out, carve out their own sea trails, and drop anchor near the caves and grottos that pepper the area.

Western Australia
Cape Le Grand National Park is home to Australia’s superlative beaches–and although declaring the entire park as prime sunning territory is technically cheating, there are too many goodies to name just one. Lucky Bay, for example, boasts some of the world’s whitest sands. Meanwhile, Twilight Beach is home to the most colorful golden hour. So, we’re lumping them all into one epic beach vacation, complete with chance encounters with kangaroos (it is Australia, after all). Take a hike through its heathland brimming with wildflowers, and check out the whistling rocks near Thistle Cove. One day isn’t enough to explore the park, but campgrounds are on hand if you book in advance.

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