Explore the world's most breathtaking coastlines, hidden gems, and tropical escapes.
Agonda, South Goa, India
Goa's most peaceful beach — a long, unspoiled arc of golden sand on the South Goa coast, where development has been deliberately kept minimal, Olive Ridley sea turtles nest undisturbed, and the laid-back Goan village character creates the most relaxed and authentic beach experience in one of South Asia's most beloved coastal destinations.
Aitutaki, Cook Islands
A spectacular, vast triangular lagoon of impossibly vibrant turquoise water dotted with uninhabited, palm-fringed islets, widely considered one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world.
Tokashiki Island, Kerama Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Japan's most beautiful tropical beach — a sheltered cove of dazzling white sand and the clearest turquoise water on the Ryukyu Islands, set on the car-free Tokashiki Island in the UNESCO-recognised Kerama Islands National Park, where pristine coral reefs, spectacular diving, and a genuine remoteness create Japan's finest beach experience.
Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
Greece's finest long sandy beach — a 1.5-kilometre arc of incredibly fine golden sand on Naxos Island, consistently ranked Greece's best beach for combining world-class natural quality with calm crystalline water, beach infrastructure, and access to one of the Cyclades' most rewarding islands.
Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand's most beautiful multi-day coastal experience — a 60-kilometre track along the golden sand beaches, clear turquoise lagoons, and ancient granite headlands of Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island's northwestern coast, where the Abel Tasman Coast Track, sea kayaking, and water taxis create one of the world's great accessible wilderness beach journeys.
Nosy Be, Diana Region, Madagascar
Madagascar's finest beach — a sweeping arc of white sand and brilliant turquoise water on the northern tip of Nosy Be Island, where the warm Mozambique Channel, pristine coral reefs teeming with sea turtles and whale sharks, the extraordinary endemic wildlife of the world's most biodiverse large island, and an unspoiled island atmosphere create the western Indian Ocean's most compelling beach destination.
Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
The antidote to crowded Vietnam beaches — a quiet, beautiful stretch of the South China Sea just 3 kilometres from ancient Hoi An, where excellent seafood restaurants and a laid-back bohemian scene make it one of Vietnam's most charming coastal retreats.
Soufrière, Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia's most romantic beach — a small, volcanic-sand cove beneath the iconic Piton mountains, where one of the Caribbean's finest coral reefs begins just metres from the shore, and the boutique Anse Chastanet Resort has created one of the world's most celebrated intimate beach experiences in the shadow of UNESCO World Heritage sea cliffs.
Anjuna, North Goa, India
Goa's most countercultural beach — a rocky, atmospheric stretch of north Goa coastline where the flea market tradition, trance music heritage, and the original hippie trail left permanent marks on one of India's most distinctive beach communities.
Panglao Island, Bohol Province, Philippines
The Philippines' most beloved dive destination in a postcard-perfect tropical setting — a compact white sand beach on Panglao Island with world-class reef diving, resident thresher sharks, and a relaxed beachside village atmosphere.
Takamaka, Mahé, Seychelles
Mahé's most dramatically beautiful beach — a wild, unspoiled cove of powdery white sand at the southwestern tip of the Seychelles' main island, where the powerful Indian Ocean surf, the ancient granite boulders, and the dense tropical forest of the Morne Seychellois National Park create the most spectacular and least tamed beach on the Seychelles' largest island.
La Digue Island, Seychelles
The Seychelles' most beautiful secret beach — a remote stretch of white sand and turquoise water on the southeastern coast of La Digue, accessible only on foot or by bicycle through granite boulder landscapes, where the Indian Ocean meets one of the world's most spectacular natural environments in almost complete isolation.
Praslin Island, Seychelles
Widely regarded as the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles and one of the finest in the world — a sheltered cove of powder-white granite-boulder sand, flanked by ancient takamaka trees and lapped by crystalline Indian Ocean water.
Ao Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand
The Andaman Coast's most spectacular gateway beach — a beautiful curve of golden sand in Krabi Province, backed by dramatic limestone cliffs and fronted by a bay dotted with karst islands, where longtail boats connect visitors to some of the world's finest beaches and sea kayaking through limestone cave systems.
La Digue, Seychelles
One of the most photographed beaches in the world, known for its unique granite boulders and pink sands.
Ampara District, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's surf capital and one of Asia's top surfing destinations — a relaxed bay town on the Indian Ocean's eastern coast, with consistent right-hand point breaks, wildlife-rich national parks, and an unpretentious traveller community.
Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate, Jordan
The Middle East's most accessible coral reef coast — a series of sandy beaches and world-class dive sites along the northern Gulf of Aqaba, where the Red Sea's extraordinary marine biodiversity meets Jordanian hospitality, and the dramatic desert mountains of the Wadi Rum region create a uniquely spectacular beach and adventure destination.
Wenchang, Hainan Island, China
China's most beautiful undeveloped beach — a sweeping arc of white sand and turquoise water on Hainan Island's northeastern coast, where coconut palms, clean tropical sea, and a landscape that has escaped the resort development that transformed Sanya create the most pristine beach experience on China's tropical island province.
Otranto, Apulia, Italy
Puglia's most beautiful wild beach — a pristine stretch of fine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water in a protected nature reserve north of Otranto, where ancient oak and juniper forest meets the Adriatic in the southernmost point of mainland Italy's heel.
Gramvousa Peninsula, Crete, Greece
A surreal Mediterranean paradise at Crete's remote northwestern tip — a shallow pink-white lagoon of glass-calm turquoise water framed by rocky headlands and connected to a wild, wind-swept island fortress.
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Europe's most famous city beach — Barcelona's iconic 1.1-kilometre stretch of golden sand at the foot of the Barceloneta neighbourhood, where the Mediterranean meets one of Europe's greatest urban cultures in a beach that is simultaneously resort-quality and deeply, authentically Barcelona.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The epicenter of Caribbean all-inclusive tourism, offering miles of palm-fringed white sand, vibrant coral reefs, and endless entertainment.
Inhambane Province, Mozambique
A spectacular, remote string of six islands off the southeastern coast of Africa, featuring towering sand dunes plunging into a breathtaking, multi-hued turquoise marine reserve.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Australia’s most famous crescent of golden sand, known globally for its surf culture, the iconic Icebergs ocean pool, and its vibrant, health-conscious coastal lifestyle.
Flacq District, East Coast, Mauritius
The longest and most pristine stretch of white sand on Mauritius's sheltered eastern coast — an 8-kilometre sweep of powder-fine beach backed by casuarina trees and lapped by a calm, turquoise lagoon protected by the outer reef.
Simon's Town, Western Cape, South Africa
A sheltered, picturesque cove of white sand and massive granite boulders, globally famous as the home of a thriving, free-roaming colony of endangered African Penguins.
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Australia's most famous alternative beach town — a sweeping arc of golden sand at the continent's easternmost point, where world-class surf, a vibrant wellness culture, and the country's most celebrated music festival scene converge.
Broome, Western Australia
A staggering 22-kilometer stretch of pure white sand bordering the turquoise Indian Ocean, globally famous for its fiery sunsets and iconic camel rides.
Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain
Ibiza's most spectacular sunset beach — a series of small rocky coves with crystalline water on the island's dramatic western coast, where the vivid turquoise of the shallow Mediterranean, the dramatic rock formations, and the famous Ibizan sunset create the most beautiful late-afternoon beach experience on the White Isle.
Baunei, Ogliastra, Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia's most spectacular hidden cove — a stunning, UNESCO-listed beach of luminous white pebbles and impossible turquoise water at the foot of vertical limestone spires, accessible only by boat or an epic mountain hike.
Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Menorca's most beautiful beach — a sheltered cove of fine white sand and vivid turquoise water enclosed by pine-covered limestone cliffs on the island's southern coast, where the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve protects one of the Western Mediterranean's most pristine and perfect beach environments.
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
A glamorous, palm-fringed sweep of white sand facing the Atlantic Ocean, dramatically backed by the towering peaks of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
Menorca, Spain
A breathtaking, pine-fringed cove featuring impossibly clear, swimming-pool-blue water and fine white sand, embodying the unspoiled beauty of the Balearic Islands.
Cannon Beach, Clatsop County, Oregon, USA
Oregon's most iconic beach — a dramatic sweep of dark sand dominated by the towering Haystack Rock sea stack, where tide pools, puffins, and the moody Pacific Northwest atmosphere create one of America's most memorable coastal scenes.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
New England's most beloved coast — a 40-mile stretch of wild Atlantic beaches, dramatic sand dunes, and historic lighthouses on the curved arm of Cape Cod, where the powerful North Atlantic surf, the extraordinary natural dune landscapes of Province Lands, and the charming seaside towns of Provincetown and Wellfleet define the quintessential American East Coast beach experience.
Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA
America's wildest Atlantic seashore — a 70-mile stretch of barrier island beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where the Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects one of the East Coast's most dramatic and historically significant stretches of wild coast, with world-class surfing, nesting sea turtles, and the iconic black-and-white lighthouse.
Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
France's most dramatic coastal landscape — a series of narrow limestone fjords and turquoise creeks between Marseille and Cassis where vertical white cliffs plunge into crystalline Mediterranean water accessible only on foot, by kayak, or by boat.
Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park, Malawi
Africa's most extraordinary freshwater beach — a beautiful crescent of golden sand on the southern shores of Lake Malawi, where crystal-clear water, extraordinary cichlid fish snorkelling, traditional fishing villages, and the surrounding hills of Africa's great rift valley create one of the continent's most unique and captivating beach experiences.
Hahei, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand
New Zealand's most iconic coastal landmark — a pair of pristine white sand beaches connected by a dramatic cathedral-arched sea cave through a volcanic rock headland on the Coromandel Peninsula's eastern coast, where marine reserve-protected water, extraordinary geological formations, and the wild beauty of northern New Zealand create the country's most photographed and beloved beach experience.
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
A flawless, half-moon bay of powdery white sand and effervescent, crystal-clear water, fringed by dense jungle and largely untouched by commercial tourism.
Koh Samui, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Koh Samui's most famous beach — a 7-kilometre arc of white sand on the island's east coast, where warm Gulf of Thailand water, a vivid sunset strip of beach bars and restaurants, excellent watersports, and the full spectrum of Thai island resort life create the Gulf of Thailand's most complete beach destination.
Clearwater, Florida, USA
Consistently ranked among the best beaches in the United States, Clearwater Beach dazzles with its powdery white quartz sand, warm Gulf of Mexico waters, and spectacular nightly sunset celebrations.
Alanya, Antalya Province, Turkey
Turkey's most legendary beach — a 2.5-kilometre crescent of extraordinarily fine white sand on the western coast of Alanya's bay, where the ancient legend of Cleopatra's visit, the dramatic silhouette of the Alanya castle above, and the warm, clear Mediterranean water create the Turkish Riviera's most evocative and beautifully framed beach experience.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The world's most famous urban beach — a sweeping 4-kilometre arc of sand flanked by the iconic mosaic promenade, Art Deco hotels, and the dramatic Atlantic at the foot of Rio de Janeiro's mountains.
Coron, Palawan, Philippines
The Philippines' most spectacular diving and island-hopping destination — a dramatic landscape of karst limestone islands, hidden lagoons, and World War II Japanese shipwrecks in Busuanga Island's waters, where the extraordinary clarity of the Calamianes Sea and the pristine coral reefs create one of Southeast Asia's most visually overwhelming beach and dive experiences.
Coronado, San Diego County, California, USA
One of America's most storied beaches — a vast, wide stretch of fine golden sand on a San Diego peninsula, presided over by the legendary Victorian Hotel del Coronado and rated consistently among the best beaches in the United States.
Gallura, Sassari Province, Sardinia, Italy
The Mediterranean's most glamorous coastline — a 55-kilometre stretch of granite headlands, emerald-green water, and powder-white sand in northeastern Sardinia, where the Aga Khan created Europe's most exclusive beach resort in the 1960s and the combination of extraordinary natural beauty and world-class facilities has attracted royalty, celebrities, and discerning travellers ever since.
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
A string of four pristine, boulder-separated coves of blindingly white sand on Cape Town's glamorous Atlantic Seaboard, completely sheltered from the infamous summer winds.
Dahab, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt
The Red Sea's most laid-back diving destination — a small Bedouin-flavoured beach town on the Gulf of Aqaba coast of the Sinai Peninsula, where world-class diving and snorkelling (including the legendary Blue Hole), warm transparent water, and a bohemian backpacker atmosphere create one of the Middle East's most distinctive and beloved beach experiences.
St. Philip, Barbados, Caribbean
One of the Caribbean's most dramatic beaches — a sheltered pink-tinged crescent of fine coral sand below towering coral-stone cliffs on Barbados's wild southeast coast, with crashing Atlantic surf and a clifftop hotel of legendary history.
Kwale County, Kenya
A spectacular, unbroken 17-kilometer ribbon of brilliant white sand, fringed by lush coastal forest and lapped by the warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean.
Montego Bay, St. James Parish, Jamaica
Jamaica's most famous and historically celebrated beach — a sheltered crescent of white sand in the heart of Montego Bay where the therapeutic mineral waters once attracted European royalty, and where the warm, clear Caribbean Sea and vibrant Jamaican culture create one of the Caribbean's most complete beach experiences.
Pecatu, Uluwatu, Bukit Peninsula, Bali, Indonesia
Bali's most dramatic surf beach — a sheltered cove of white sand at the base of towering limestone cliffs on the Bukit Peninsula's wild southwestern coast, where consistent world-class surf breaks, extraordinary cliff scenery, and an atmosphere that rewards the effort of descent create one of the Indonesian island's most visually spectacular and authentically surfing-oriented beach experiences.
Palm-Eagle Beach, Aruba
Aruba's widest and most pristine beach — a sweep of brilliant white sand and impossibly calm turquoise water, perpetually fanned by the trade winds, that has claimed the title of best beach in the Caribbean multiple times.
Crete, Greece
A spectacular nature reserve famous for its unique pink crushed-shell sand and a shallow, warm turquoise lagoon that separates the mainland from a small island.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
A breathtaking, horseshoe-shaped bay of blinding white sand and calm, reef-protected waters, famously home to rusting, graffiti-covered WWII Sherman tanks.
Flic en Flac, Black River District, Mauritius
Mauritius's liveliest beach village — a long, palm-fringed stretch of white sand and calm lagoon on the west coast, where spectacular sunsets over the open Indian Ocean, good snorkelling with spinner dolphins, and a relaxed, cosmopolitan beach town atmosphere make it the most socially vibrant beach destination on the island.
Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia
Tropical Australia's most beautiful town beach — a magnificent 4-kilometre arc of white sand and warm Coral Sea water at the edge of the Daintree Rainforest, where the world's oldest tropical rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef and the laid-back elegance of Port Douglas creates Australia's most sophisticated tropical beach destination.
Palawan, Philippines
A breathtaking archipelago of towering jagged limestone karsts, secret lagoons, and blindingly white sand beaches, consistently voted the most beautiful island destination in the world.
Vassilikos, Zakynthos, Ionian Islands, Greece
Greece's most important sea turtle nesting beach — a protected arc of golden sand on the southeastern tip of Zakynthos Island, where loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nest in the sand from June to August and the Zakynthos National Marine Park's strict conservation measures preserve one of the Mediterranean's most significant wildlife habitats alongside one of the Ionian Sea's most beautiful beaches.
Gili Islands, West Lombok Regency, Indonesia
Indonesia's most famous party island — a beautiful, car-free coral island northwest of Lombok with brilliant white beaches and turquoise waters, where sea turtles swim in the shallows, coral reefs provide excellent snorkelling, and a vibrant sunset strip creates the most social beach scene in Southeast Asia outside Bali.
St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
The Caribbean's most beautiful long beach — a sweeping two-mile arc of fine white sand and calm, brilliant-turquoise water on the island of Grenada, backed by swaying palms and the gentle hills of the Spice Isle.
Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, Alabama, United States
The Gulf Coast's whitest beach — a 32-mile stretch of sugar-white quartz sand on Alabama's short but spectacular Gulf of Mexico shoreline, where the extraordinary colour of the Emerald Coast water, family-friendly resort infrastructure, excellent seafood culture, and the remarkable Gulf State Park create the American South's most beloved beach destination.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
Regularly voted the number one beach in the world, Grace Bay features three miles of flawless white sand and impossibly clear, calm turquoise water protected by a barrier reef.
Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Thailand's most famous party beach — the legendary home of the Full Moon Party, where 10,000 revellers gather monthly on a beautiful Gulf of Thailand shore, and where the beach itself is genuinely beautiful on the other 29 days of the month.
Vestvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Norway's most spectacular Arctic beach — a sweeping crescent of white sand and clear turquoise water on the Lofoten Islands, where dramatic mountain peaks rise directly from the sea and the midnight sun or northern lights illuminate one of the world's most breathtaking coastal landscapes.
Marieta Islands, Nayarit, Mexico
A surreal, sun-drenched beach completely hidden inside a collapsed volcanic crater, accessible only by swimming through a narrow rock tunnel.
Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
Hawaii's finest white sand beach — a half-mile crescent of brilliant white sand on the Big Island's sunny Kohala Coast, consistently ranked among the best beaches in the USA, where clear Pacific water, excellent body surfing waves, and the dramatic volcanic landscape of Hawaii Island create an exceptional beach experience.
Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Hawaii's most romantically beautiful bay — a sweeping two-mile crescent of golden sand backed by impossibly green, cloud-wreathed mountains on Kauai's north shore, where winter surf meets year-round paradise.
Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Mexico's most unspoiled Caribbean island — a car-free sand street island off the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, where bioluminescent water, whale sharks, flamingo lagoons, and a deliberate no-development philosophy create one of Latin America's last genuinely wild tropical beach experiences.
Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia
A spectacular, two-kilometer stretch of blindingly white, squeaky sand bordering the incredibly clear, calm waters of a protected marine park, famous for holding the Guinness World Record for the whitest sand.
Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Brazil's most beautiful island — a car-free, largely protected paradise of 102 beaches an hour and a half from Rio de Janeiro, where Atlantic Forest covering 90% of the island descends to extraordinary beaches of white sand and turquoise water, creating the Brazilian tropical beach experience in its most pristine and accessible form.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro's most glamorous stretch of sand, immortalised in song and celebrated worldwide for its golden waves, stunning mountain backdrop, and effortlessly stylish carioca culture.
Hallim-eup, Jeju Island, South Korea
Korea's most beautiful beach — a dazzling arc of white sand and vivid turquoise water on Jeju Island's western coast, where the extraordinary clarity of the East China Sea, the dramatic backdrop of the Biyangdo volcanic island offshore, and the UNESCO World Heritage natural landscape of this extraordinary volcanic island create East Asia's finest beach experience.
Dalyan, Muğla Province, Turkey
Turkey's most celebrated sea turtle beach — a stunning 4.5-kilometre sand spit between the Dalyan river delta and the Mediterranean, where loggerhead turtles nest and boat trips from the charming riverside town make every visit an adventure.
Ahangama, Sri Lanka
A wide, golden crescent on Sri Lanka's south coast, globally renowned for its iconic A-frame surf break 'The Rock' and a laid-back, bohemian surf culture.
Jolly Harbour, St. Mary Parish, Antigua
Antigua's longest and most beautiful beach — a 2-kilometre sweep of brilliant white sand and calm turquoise Caribbean water on the island's southwestern coast, where the sheltered Jolly Harbour marina, a relaxed beach atmosphere, and the extraordinary quality of Antigua's legendary beaches combine to create the Caribbean island's finest extended swimming and beach day destination.
Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui's most perfect protected bay — a small, exquisite crescent of white sand in the island's serene northwest, where calm, crystal-clear water and spectacular sea turtle encounters combine in one of America's most consistently top-rated beaches.
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui's most iconic resort beach — a magnificent 5-kilometre arc of golden sand on Maui's northwestern coast, where the West Maui Mountains create a dramatic backdrop and world-class resort hotels, excellent snorkelling, and the legendary Black Rock cliff diving tradition define Hawaii's grandest beach resort experience.
Kaş, Antalya Province, Turkey
Turkey's most dramatic hidden gem — a tiny turquoise cove wedged between sheer limestone cliffs on the Lycian Coast, where a narrow gorge meets the Mediterranean in one of the most stunning natural compositions on the Turkish Riviera.
Karon, Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's second-longest beach and a perfect balance between the energy of Patong and the exclusivity of Surin — a 3-kilometre sweep of white sand and turquoise Andaman water with a relaxed resort character and excellent sunsets.
Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
A staggering, sheer limestone cliff shaped incredibly like a Tyrannosaurus Rex overlooking a hidden crescent of pristine white sand and massive, crashing turquoise waves.
Dubai, United States Arab Emirates
A massive, energetic, and immaculately maintained public beach offering world-class water sports, vibrant food trucks, and uninterrupted views of the iconic Burj Al Arab.
Koh Lipe Island, Satun Province, Thailand
Thailand's southernmost island paradise — a tiny, car-free island in the Tarutao Marine National Park near the Malaysian border, where multiple beaches of brilliant white sand and vivid turquoise water, outstanding coral reef snorkelling, and a relaxed island character make it the finest overall beach island in the entire Thai archipelago.
Kata, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's most balanced beach — a 1.5-kilometre arc of golden sand on the island's southwestern coast, where consistent surf, clear Andaman Sea water, family-friendly conditions, and a lively but not overwhelming resort atmosphere create the most versatile beach experience on Thailand's largest island.
Koh Mak, Trat Province, Thailand
Thailand's most peaceful island escape — a small, car-free island in the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian border, where pristine coral reefs, deserted white sand beaches, and a complete absence of mass tourism development create one of Southeast Asia's last genuinely quiet tropical island experiences.
Skiathos, Sporades, Greece
Greece's most celebrated pine-backed beach — a 1.2-kilometre arc of fine golden sand fringed by a protected Aleppo pine forest on Skiathos Island, where the shallow turquoise Aegean water, the extraordinary pine canopy extending to the sand's edge, and the elegant lagoon behind the beach create the most refined beach landscape in the Sporades archipelago.
Kendwa, North Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar's most vibrant beach — a sweep of immaculate white sand on the northwest coast where the turquoise Indian Ocean barely recedes at low tide, making it the island's best all-tides swimming beach and home to legendary full-moon parties.
Skiathos, Northern Sporades, Greece
Greece's most dramatic inaccessible beach — a spectacular pebble cove on Skiathos's wild northern coast, accessible only by boat, where smooth white marble pebbles meet the clearest deep-blue Aegean water beneath towering white limestone cliffs with a natural rock arch.
Upolu, Samoa
A quintessential South Pacific paradise featuring brilliant white sand, leaning coconut palms, and traditional beach fales overlooking a vibrant turquoise lagoon.
Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia
Malaysia's premier island beach — Pantai Cenang on the jewel island of Langkawi, where duty-free shopping, mangrove forests, and spectacular geopark landscapes meet a beautiful 2-kilometre beach of pale sand and calm Andaman Sea water, creating the definitive Malaysian island beach experience.
Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
A secluded half-mile of powdery white sand on Oahu's windward coast, shielded by two tiny offshore islands and lapped by impossibly turquoise water — consistently named among the most beautiful beaches on earth.
Lindos, Rhodes, South Aegean, Greece
Rhodes's most iconic beach town — the white-cube village of Lindos draped beneath the Acropolis of Lindos on a clifftop above two beautiful sandy bays, where ancient ruins overlooking turquoise water, a perfectly preserved medieval village, and the beaches of St. Paul's Bay and the Main Beach create one of the Greek islands' most visually complete and historically layered destinations.
Koh Lanta Yai, Krabi Province, Thailand
Koh Lanta's finest beach — a 4-kilometre stretch of powdery sand on the island's northwestern coast, where calm, clear Andaman Sea water, a backdrop of palm trees and jungle hills, and the laid-back atmosphere of one of Thailand's most underrated islands create the Krabi region's most beautiful and relaxed extended-stay beach destination.
Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia
Australia's whitest beach and one of its most remote beauties — a crescent of brilliant white sand and vivid turquoise Southern Ocean water in Cape Le Grand National Park, where wild kangaroos lie on the beach and the extraordinary isolation of Western Australia's south coast creates an experience of pure, unhurried natural perfection.
Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK
Scotland's most spectacular beach — a vast expanse of blinding white shell-sand and turquoise water on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, where wild Atlantic beauty and almost supernatural colour create one of the most magnificent coastal landscapes in the entire British Isles.
Sint Maarten, Kingdom of the Netherlands
The world's most famous aviation beach — a small Caribbean strip at the end of Princess Juliana Airport's runway where commercial jets thunder overhead just metres above sunbathers, creating the most thrilling beach spectacle on earth.
Maafushi Island, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives
The Maldives' most accessible beach destination — a local inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll where budget-friendly guesthouses have opened the Indian Ocean's most iconic turquoise-water, white-sand paradise to independent travellers, just one hour from Malé by speedboat.
Manuel Antonio National Park, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Costa Rica's most beloved beach — a sheltered arc of white sand framed by lush rainforest inside Manuel Antonio National Park, where sloths hang from trees above the shoreline and capuchin monkeys patrol the beach.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
The only public beach on the main island of Bora Bora, offering a mile of blindingly white sand, shallow, warm lagoon water, and unparalleled sunset views.
Koh Phi Phi Leh, Thailand
A spectacular, almost entirely enclosed lagoon of emerald water and white sand, framed by towering 100-meter limestone cliffs, made globally famous by the movie 'The Beach'.
Mirissa, Matara District, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's most beloved tropical beach — a crescent of golden sand fringed with palms and backed by jungle-covered hills, where whale watching, surf culture, and spectacular sunsets converge on the southern coast.
Phan Thiet, Vietnam
A sweeping, 15-kilometer crescent of golden sand famously backed by massive Sahara-like dunes, transformed from a sleepy fishing village into the adrenaline capital of Southeast Asia.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States
America's most visited beach resort — a 60-mile stretch of Atlantic coast in South Carolina's Grand Strand, where warm water, wide sandy beaches, family entertainment, and some of the Eastern Seaboard's most accessible beach infrastructure combine to create the United States' most popular beach destination outside of Florida and Hawaii.
Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece
Arguably Greece's most dramatic and beautiful beach — a jaw-dropping arc of white pebbles and vivid turquoise water enclosed by towering limestone cliffs on Kefalonia's northwestern coast.
Dhofar Governorate, Salalah, Oman
Arabia's most dramatic coastal landscape — a wild, windswept beach of golden sand beneath towering limestone blowholes and sea cliffs in Oman's Dhofar region, where the Indian Ocean monsoon transforms the surrounding desert into a green tropical landscape each summer, creating the Arabian Peninsula's most extraordinary seasonal natural spectacle around one of its most beautiful beaches.
El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
An untouched 4-kilometre arc of golden sand fringed with coconut palms in northern Palawan — one of the Philippines' most beautiful and least-developed long beaches, connecting to the twin cove of Calitang at its northern tip.
Sigatoka, Coral Coast, Viti Levu, Fiji
Fiji's finest beach on the main island — a long, sweeping arc of golden sand and shallow turquoise water on Viti Levu's Coral Coast, where horseback riding along the beach, snorkelling on the offshore reef, and the warm Fijian welcome create the most accessible and beautiful beach experience on Fiji's largest island.
Zakynthos, Greece
A spectacular cove encircled by sheer limestone cliffs, featuring the rusted remains of a smuggler ship resting on its pristine white sands.
Negril, Westmoreland, Jamaica
Jamaica's most legendary stretch of sand — seven dazzling miles of white beach backed by swaying palms and the warm Caribbean Sea, where the atmosphere swings effortlessly between total relaxation and infectious reggae energy.
Rakhine State, Myanmar
A spectacularly pristine, three-kilometer stretch of white sand and swaying palm trees on the Bay of Bengal, remaining one of Southeast Asia's last truly undiscovered beach paradises.
Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa Province, Vietnam
Vietnam's beach capital — a magnificent 6-kilometre crescent of fine white sand curving around the sheltered Nha Trang Bay, where a dramatic backdrop of green mountains meets the South China Sea, and one of Southeast Asia's finest hotel beachfronts combines with the vibrant culture of a real Vietnamese city.
Nilaveli, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's most beautiful east coast beach — a serene 3-kilometre stretch of white sand and clear turquoise water north of Trincomalee, where palm trees line a beach of exceptional natural quality, and the offshore Pigeon Island National Park provides some of the best snorkelling in the Indian Ocean.
Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia
Queensland's most sophisticated beach town — a north-facing, surf-free crescent of golden sand nestled below a national park headland, with world-class restaurants, boutique shopping, and a relaxed elegance that sets it apart from the Gold Coast.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
The vibrant, bustling crown jewel of Zanzibar, offering blinding white sand, spectacular sunsets, and ocean swimming that remains unaffected by the island's extreme tides.
Ayia Napa, Cyprus
A vibrant, world-famous stretch of powdery white sand and shallow turquoise water, known equally for its stunning natural beauty and its legendary summer beach parties.
Bali, Indonesia
A meticulously manicured, exclusive enclave of five-star luxury resorts, pristine white sand, and exceptionally calm, reef-protected waters on Bali’s southern peninsula.
Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey
Turkey's most iconic beach — a breathtaking turquoise lagoon of impossibly calm water enclosed by pine-covered mountains near Fethiye, where paragliders descend from Babadag Mountain directly onto the sand.
Gokarna, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India
India's most spiritually charged beach — a small cove shaped naturally like the Hindu om symbol on Karnataka's sacred coastline, where a historic Shiva temple, a dramatic cliff-lined landscape, and an atmosphere combining pilgrimage tradition and backpacker culture create one of South India's most distinctive and compelling beach destinations.
Saint-Martin / Sint Maarten, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean
The Caribbean's most cosmopolitan beach — a 3-kilometre arc of golden sand on the French side of Saint-Martin, where beach clubs, warm turquoise water, and an anything-goes atmosphere (including a famous naturist section) have earned it the nickname 'the St-Tropez of the Caribbean.'
Preah Sihanouk, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia's most beautiful beach escape — a quiet, undeveloped stretch of golden sand and warm Gulf of Thailand water south of Sihanoukville, where a small-scale backpacker and expat community, bungalow guesthouses, and a genuinely relaxed Khmer coastal atmosphere create Southeast Asia's most low-key tropical beach experience on the verge of transformation.
Paje, South-East Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar's kite surfing capital and a stunning expanse of white coral sand on the southeast coast, where turquoise lagoons, dhow boats on the horizon, and a laid-back village community create the quintessential East African beach experience.
Palolem, Canacona, Goa, India
Goa's most beautiful crescent bay — a sheltered arc of golden sand framed by jungle-covered headlands and calm, swimmable water, with a bohemian village scene and some of the finest sunsets in the state.
Gelemiş, Antalya Province, Turkey
Turkey's longest and most unspoiled beach — an 18-kilometre expanse of wild, undeveloped golden sand protected as a nature reserve where loggerhead sea turtles nest and the ruins of ancient Lycian Patara rise from the dunes.
Kutuh, South Kuta, Bukit Peninsula, Bali, Indonesia
Bali's most dramatic hidden beach — a wide crescent of white sand at the base of spectacular 80-metre limestone cliffs on the Bukit Peninsula's southern coast, where the cliff sculptures of the five Pandawa warriors frame a secluded bay of turquoise water, creating one of the most visually striking beach entrances anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Patong, Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's most famous and energetic beach — a wide arc of golden sand backed by the island's most vibrant resort town, where turquoise Andaman waters, water sports, and a legendary nightlife scene converge.
Terengganu, Malaysia
Malaysia's most beautiful island beaches — a pair of pristine tropical islands in the South China Sea off the coast of Terengganu, where brilliant white sand, vivid turquoise water, outstanding coral reef snorkelling with sea turtles, and an absence of cars and development create one of Southeast Asia's most idyllic beach escapes.
Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam
Vietnam's premier island beach — a 20-kilometre strip of the Gulf of Thailand on Phu Quoc's western coast, with white sand, warm crystal water, spectacular sunsets, and a rapidly developing resort scene anchored by natural beauty.
Porto-Vecchio, Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France
The crown jewel of Corsica's coastline — a sublime arc of pink-tinged white sand, crystal Mediterranean water in twenty shades of blue, and a backdrop of ancient umbrella pines that make Palombaggia one of Europe's most beautiful beaches.
Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
Tobago's most iconic beach and one of the Caribbean's most photographed — a long palm-fringed spit of white sand extending into the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea near Scarborough, famous for its thatched gazebo, shallow turquoise water, and the tranquil, laid-back character of the island's most beloved beach heritage site.
Auckland, New Zealand
A wild, majestic expanse of glittering black iron-sand, towering coastal cliffs, and famously ferocious surf on New Zealand's rugged west coast.
Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
One of only seven pink sand beaches in the world — a wild and extraordinary shoreline on Komodo Island where red coral fragments tint the sand rose-pink, and Komodo dragons patrol the rugged hills behind.
Harbour Island, Bahamas
A three-mile stretch of surreal, blush-colored sand and gentle, warm waves, consistently ranked among the world's most romantic and beautiful beaches.
Tarifa, Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain
Andalusia's most extraordinary beach — a wild, windswept arc of fine white sand backed by a 30-metre Roman sand dune and the archaeological ruins of Baelo Claudia on Spain's southernmost coast, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, Morocco is 14 kilometres away across the Strait of Gibraltar, and one of Europe's most beautiful natural beaches combines with 2,000 years of history.
Ramatuelle, Var, French Riviera, France
The French Riviera's most celebrated beach — a 5-kilometre sweep of golden sand near Saint-Tropez where Brigitte Bardot sunbathed and the famous beach clubs of Club 55 and Nikki Beach have made this stretch of Côte d'Azur the defining address of French Mediterranean glamour.
Barú Island, Bolívar Department, Colombia
Colombia's most beautiful Caribbean beach — a long stretch of brilliant white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water on the island of Barú near Cartagena, where the Caribbean Sea at its most vivid meets the warmth of the Colombian coast and the extraordinary colonial city of Cartagena provides an incomparable cultural backdrop.
San Andrés, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Tenerife's most spectacular urban beach — a golden crescent of Saharan sand imported from the Western Sahara and sheltered by an offshore breakwater, set against a backdrop of dramatic volcanic mountains just 8 kilometres from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
San Sebastián (Donostia), Basque Country, Spain
Europe's most celebrated urban beach — a flawless shell-shaped bay of golden sand in the heart of one of the world's great food cities, framed by elegant Belle Époque promenades and the green hills of the Basque Country.
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
Gran Canaria's most spectacular beach — a vast 6-kilometre arc of golden Saharan sand dunes meeting the Atlantic Ocean at the island's southernmost point, where a nature reserve, lighthouse, and natural lagoon create one of Europe's most extraordinary coastal landscapes.
Muro, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mallorca's most spectacular natural beach — a 6-kilometre arc of white sand and turquoise Mediterranean water in the protected S'Albufera wetlands on the island's northern coast, where the largest natural beach in the Balearic Islands combines with one of Southern Europe's most important bird habitats to create an extraordinary union of beach beauty and ecological significance.
Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Lanzarote's finest beach — a series of pristine golden coves set below volcanic cliffs at the island's southernmost point, protected within a natural park where turquoise Atlantic water meets raw lava scenery in one of the Canary Islands' most spectacular coastal settings.
Formentera, Spain
Often referred to as the Caribbean of Europe, this pristine stretch of white sand and shallow, intensely turquoise water is the crown jewel of the Balearic Islands.
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
The Riviera Maya's most vibrant beach town — a long stretch of white Caribbean sand backed by the famous Fifth Avenue pedestrian strip, where the turquoise water of the Yucatán coast, world-class diving on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and a cosmopolitan beach town atmosphere create the Mexican Caribbean's most complete destination.
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
The Caribbean's most perfect swimming beach — a 700-metre crescent of brilliant white sand at the northern tip of Isla Mujeres, where the water is so warm, shallow, and brilliantly turquoise that swimming here feels like floating in a warm liquid jewel, just 20 minutes from Cancún.
Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Kauai's most loved beach — a beautiful crescent of golden sand on the Garden Isle's sunny southern coast, where Monk seals regularly haul out to rest on the sand, sea turtles graze in the shallows, consistent sunlight contrasts with Kauai's legendary lush interior, and the warmth of the Hawaiian sun meets clear Pacific water.
Samaná Peninsula, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic's most pristine and beautiful wild beach — a spectacular 3-kilometre arc of coconut-palm-lined white sand and turquoise Caribbean water on the Samaná Peninsula, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the Caribbean and accessible only by boat or rough track.
Lefkada, Ionian Islands, Greece
Greece's most dramatically positioned beach — a strip of brilliant white pebbles and electric-blue water at the foot of towering white limestone cliffs on the wild western coast of Lefkada island.
Comporta, Setúbal District, Portugal
Portugal's most fashionable wild beach — a pristine 30-kilometre stretch of Atlantic sand backed by pine forests and rice paddies on the Troia Peninsula, where a small village has become one of Europe's most coveted understated-luxury destinations.
Algarve, Portugal
Iconic for its towering limestone sea stacks and golden sands, this emblematic Algarve beach is consistently ranked among the most beautiful in Europe.
Tamandaré, Pernambuco, Brazil
Brazil's most enchanting natural pool beach — a sheltered stretch of white sand and crystalline warm water on the Pernambuco coast, where a natural reef just offshore creates an enormous, calm lagoon of turquoise water that is one of the Northeast's most beautiful and distinctive beach environments.
Odeceixe, Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal
The jewel of Portugal's wild southwest coast — a stunning, river-meets-ocean beach at the base of a dramatic valley near the Costa Vicentina, where the Seixe river flows into the Atlantic between golden cliffs and pristine sand.
Trancoso, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil
Brazil's most enchanting secret beach — a 5-kilometre stretch of golden sand, emerald tide pools, and striking terracotta cliffs near the historic village of Trancoso in southern Bahia, where the natural reef formations create mirror-like natural pools that give the beach its name, and the combination of extraordinary beauty and remote access has preserved one of South America's most perfect coastal landscapes.
Cascais, Lisbon District, Portugal
Portugal's most spectacular Atlantic beach near Lisbon — a wild, windswept expanse of golden sand at the edge of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where towering dunes, crashing Atlantic surf, and the distant profile of Cape Roca create Europe's most dramatic urban-adjacent wild beach.
Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil
Brazil's most celebrated beach and a perennial contender for the world's best — an isolated cove of pristine golden sand, brilliant turquoise water, and dramatic volcanic cliffs in a remote UNESCO-protected archipelago.
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Consistently ranked as the best beach in Asia, this pristine, sweeping crescent offers blinding white sand, giant Mahua trees, and breathtaking sunsets.
Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland
A hauntingly beautiful expanse of pitch-black volcanic sand, towering basalt columns, and violent Atlantic waves on Iceland's dramatic south coast.
Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia's most accessible and social beach — a long crescent of golden sand on the island's northwestern coast, where calm Caribbean water, a world-class marina, excellent restaurants, and easy access to the rest of the island combine to make the most conveniently beautiful beach experience in the Eastern Caribbean.
Krabi, Thailand
A spectacular, boat-access-only peninsula defined by towering limestone karsts, world-class rock climbing, and pristine white-sand bays.
Dugi Otok Island, Zadar County, Croatia
Croatia's most beautiful sandy beach — a remarkable 800-metre crescent of white sand on the remote island of Dugi Otok, where shallow turquoise water in a protected bay creates Caribbean-like conditions in the northern Adriatic.
San Vito lo Capo, Trapani Province, Sicily, Italy
Sicily's finest beach town — a sweeping arc of brilliant white sand and translucent turquoise water at the base of a dramatic mountain promontory in northwest Sicily, home to the world-famous Cous Cous Fest.
Santa Teresa, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Central America's surf capital and beach paradise — a wild, palm-lined stretch of Pacific coast on the Nicoya Peninsula where world-class surfing, yoga retreats, jungle wildlife, and a vibrant international community have created one of Latin America's most compelling beach destinations.
Realmonte, Agrigento Province, Sicily, Italy
Sicily's most iconic coastal landmark — a brilliant white marl cliff that cascades in natural steps to the Mediterranean at Realmonte, creating one of the most surreal and beautiful geological formations on the Italian coast, with a small sandy beach at its base.
Milos, Cyclades, Greece
The most otherworldly beach in the Mediterranean — a lunar landscape of smooth white volcanic rock formations, turquoise coves, and sea-carved caves on the rugged northern coast of Milos island.
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
The Philippines' northern paradise — a 2.3-kilometre arc of brilliant white sand and turquoise South China Sea water at the tip of Luzon Island in Ilocos Norte Province, known as the Boracay of the North for its powder-fine sand and crystalline water, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cordillera mountain range and windswept cape scenery.
Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Lombok's most beautiful bay — a sweeping horseshoe of brilliant white sand and gentle turquoise water on the south coast, where perfect beginner surf waves and dramatic hillside scenery make it one of Indonesia's most breathtaking beaches.
Seminyak, South Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Bali's most sophisticated beach — a stretch of golden volcanic sand north of Kuta, where world-class beach clubs, luxury boutique hotels, excellent restaurants, and the island's legendary sunset-watching culture combine with the raw power of the Indian Ocean in Bali's most glamorous and cosmopolitan beach destination.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
A world-renowned crescent of coral-sand beach, celebrated for its crystal-clear water, luxury resorts, and exceptional snorkeling right off the shore.
Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt
A spectacular, utterly pristine lagoon of pure white sand and vibrant coral reefs on the Egyptian Red Sea coast, frequently referred to as the 'Maldives of Egypt.'
Shoal Bay, Anguilla, British Overseas Territory
The Caribbean's most exquisite beach — a mile of powder-white sand and luminous turquoise water on the British island of Anguilla, consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world and accessible only with a little deliberate effort.
General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines
Asia's surf capital and island paradise — Siargao Island's legendary Cloud 9 surf break and the surrounding beaches, lagoons, and coconut-palm landscapes of the Philippines' most celebrated island, where world-class surfing meets beautiful sandy beaches and the warm, clear waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Home to the finest, coolest, and whitest sand in the world — certified by scientists — Siesta Key Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast is a paradise of shallow turquoise water and powdery quartz perfection.
Miami Beach, Florida, USA
A legendary, vibrant fusion of pastel Art Deco architecture, high-energy nightlife, and a sprawling, white-sand Atlantic coastline.
Lampedusa, Italy
Consistently voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this protected marine reserve offers blinding white sand, impossibly clear water, and a rugged, untouched landscape.
Elafonisos Island, Laconia, Greece
Greece's Caribbean secret — a stunning double beach on the tiny island of Elafonisos where two sweeping arcs of fine white sand and turquoise water meet in the middle, creating one of the most visually spectacular and colour-saturated coastal landscapes in the entire Mediterranean.
Vis Island, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
Croatia's most spectacular hidden beach — a tiny pebble cove on the island of Vis almost entirely enclosed by towering limestone cliffs, accessible only through a narrow rock arch, where the Adriatic glows a vivid turquoise in one of the Mediterranean's most extraordinary natural formations.
Pujut, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Lombok's most spectacular beach — a horseshoe bay of two distinct sand types on the island's south coast, where pepper-grain white sand and fine powder sand beaches frame translucent turquoise water beneath the dramatic Merese Hill, creating one of Indonesia's most photographed and visually extraordinary coastal landscapes.
Inhambane Province, Mozambique
Africa's ultimate dive beach — a laid-back village on the Mozambique coast where one of the world's greatest concentrations of whale sharks and manta rays inhabits the surrounding Indian Ocean, and a beautiful white sand beach and vibrant surf scene create one of Africa's most compelling beach and diving destinations.
Calabria, Italy
A stunning stretch of pristine white sand bordered by incredibly clear Tyrrhenian waters, sitting dramatically at the base of a towering limestone cliff topped by a historic Italian town.
Trou aux Biches, Pamplemousses District, Mauritius
Mauritius's most celebrated public beach — a magnificent crescent of white sand and turquoise lagoon water on the island's sheltered northwest coast, where a protective coral reef creates ideal swimming conditions, luxury hotels line the shore, and the iconic Mauritius tropical beach experience reaches its perfection.
Tunis, Tunisia
A small, vibrant crescent of golden sand sitting at the base of dramatic red cliffs, crowned by one of the most picturesque, blue-and-white villages in the Mediterranean.
St. John, US Virgin Islands
A flawless quarter-mile of powdery white sand and protected turquoise waters, famous for its unique underwater snorkeling trail within a National Park.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
A spectacular stretch of the Riviera Maya where ancient Mayan ruins dramatically overlook powdery white sand, the bohemian jungle, and the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Archangelos, Rhodes, South Aegean, Greece
Rhodes's most beautiful natural beach — a crescent of fine golden sand and vivid turquoise Aegean water overlooked by the hilltop Monastery of Tsambika, on the northeastern coast of Greece's most visited Dodecanese island, where the dramatic combination of religious heritage above and extraordinary beach below creates one of the most visually striking settings in the entire Greek island world.
Ningaloo Coast, Western Australia, Australia
Western Australia's most spectacular beach — a vivid arc of white coral sand and impossibly clear turquoise water at the edge of Ningaloo Reef, where drift snorkelling with manta rays and whale sharks begins literally at the shoreline.
Unawatuna, Galle District, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's most popular crescent beach — a sheltered, palm-fringed bay near the historic Dutch fort city of Galle, where calm, turquoise water and vibrant beach bars combine with rich cultural heritage in the island's south.
Uttakleiv, Vestvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Norway's most dramatic Arctic beach — a wild shoreline of white sand and turquoise water on the Lofoten Islands' outer coast, where the extraordinary Arctic light, the jagged peaks of the Lofoten Wall rising directly from the sea, and the northern latitude create a landscape of such improbable beauty that Uttakleiv has become the defining image of Arctic beach photography.
Uppuveli, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's most relaxed east coast beach village — a quiet stretch of golden sand just north of Trincomalee where simple beach guesthouses, excellent fresh seafood, and the warm, calm waters of the east coast's main season create an unhurried beach experience increasingly rare in South Asian tourism.
Vai, Sitia Regional Unit, Crete, Greece
Europe's only wild palm forest beach — a remarkable natural phenomenon on the eastern tip of Crete, where Europe's largest natural date palm grove frames a sheltered bay of golden sand and clear Aegean water, creating a landscape that is simultaneously exotic and Greek, beautiful and scientifically extraordinary.
Varadero, Matanzas Province, Cuba
Cuba's most famous resort beach — a spectacular 20-kilometre strip of fine white sand and turquoise Caribbean water on the Hicacos Peninsula, where the Caribbean meets one of Latin America's most historically and culturally fascinating destinations.
Varkala, Kerala, India
Kerala's most spectacular beach — a golden crescent framed by dramatic ochre cliffs, where ancient Hindu pilgrimage tradition, ayurvedic culture, and a thriving traveller scene meet the warm Arabian Sea.
Rasdhoo Atoll, North Ari Atoll, Maldives
One of the Maldives' most breathtaking private island beaches — a tiny coral island entirely encircled by blinding white sand and lagoon water of impossible turquoise colour in the North Ari Atoll, with world-class house reef snorkelling and the classic Maldivian overwater bungalow experience.
Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
America's largest beach city — a 35-mile Atlantic coast shoreline anchored by the famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk, where the world's longest pleasure beach boardwalk, warm summer water, and a vibrant resort-to-natural-shoreline spectrum create the most complete beach destination on the Mid-Atlantic coast.
Messinia, Peloponnese, Greece
Greece's most perfectly formed natural beach — a flawless Omega-shaped lagoon of turquoise water and white sand tucked beneath ancient dunes and a medieval castle in the remote southwest Peloponnese.
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
The birthplace of modern surfing, this iconic crescent of golden sand sits at the foot of Diamond Head and is lined with world-class hotels and vibrant city life.
Kilifi County, Kenya
A spectacular, deeply indented string of blinding white-sand bays, protected by the oldest marine park in East Africa and fringed by dense mangrove forests.
Boracay, Philippines
A four-kilometer stretch of impossibly fine, powder-white sand and vibrant, shallow turquoise water, famous for spectacular sunsets and a lively, rejuvenated island atmosphere.
Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia
A spectacularly pristine, seven-kilometer stretch of pure silica sand that swirls through turquoise waters in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
Brač, Croatia
A spectacular, ever-shifting pebble peninsula extending nearly half a kilometer into the vivid blue Adriatic Sea, framed by dense pine forests.
Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia
A flawless, perfectly curved sweep of white sand and sapphire water, accessible only by a rugged bushwalk through a spectacularly pristine, wildlife-rich national park.
Malibu, California, United States
Los Angeles County's finest surf beach — a wide, 2-mile stretch of clean Pacific sand in the Santa Monica Mountains coastal corridor north of Malibu, where consistent surf breaks, uncrowded open space, and the spectacular backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains create the most complete beach experience on the Southern California coast.