The world’s coastlines hold no shortage of remarkable beaches, but these seven are in a category of their own. These standout shores are of the moment, with one sandy stretch that’s gone nonmotorized this past year and another that’s being featured in a romantic movie. They share a few things in common: a secluded environment, exquisite natural beauty (including granite boulders, limestone cliffs, and vibrant underwater ecosystems), and, in some cases, ecological protections. Here are this year’s most exciting spots.
Turtle Cove, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Location: Buck Island
- Where to Stay: The Waves Cane Bay, St. Croix
Small but mighty, Buck Island, off the north shore of St. Croix, has a multilayered history that stretches back more than 2,000 years, over which time it was home to American Indian fishing camps and Danish colonial plantations and briefly served as leased farmland for grazing goats. In 1961, the island and its surrounding reef were designated as a national monument.
Today, the most convenient way to reach the calm water and soft white sand is to book with tour operators such as Caribbean Sea Adventures. The 30-minute trip is worth it for what seems like a secluded private island—plus vivid snorkeling, thanks to an underwater reef trail teeming with 250 species of fish, such as parrotfish and angelfish, that share the water with green and hawksbill sea turtles and eagle rays.
Anse Lazio, Seychelles
The water is gin-clear at Anse Lazio Beach in the Seychelles.
Photo by Iryna Shpulak/Shutterstock
- Location: Praslin
- Where to stay: Constance Lemuria Seychelles
Anse Lazio, on the northwestern tip of Praslin in the Seychelles, was designated nonmotorized in 2024—and without jet skis to churn it up, the water is so clear that you can trace the seafloor from the shore. The sandy coastline is framed by massive smoothed boulders, palms, and broad-leafed Takamaka trees, while healthy coral patches reward snorkelers with reef sharks, eels, spotted eagle rays, hawksbill sea turtles, clownfish, surgeonfish, and—if you’re lucky—a dugong grazing lazily on seagrass. Despite its popular reputation, the beach is generous with space and never feels crowded.
Ffryes Beach, Antigua
Tamarind Hills Resort has upscale accommodations and views in Antigua.
Courtesy of Tamarind Hills Resort and Villas
- Location: Cedar Grove
- Where to stay: Tamarind Hills Resort and Villas
Ffryes Beach sits on Antigua’s lesser-trafficked southwest coast—one of the most unspoiled stretches of sand in the Caribbean. Locals cherish it for its placid water, white sand, and west-facing views of dramatic rose-gold sunsets. The beach curves gently, backed by low vegetation, and sits near ruins of two of the island’s oldest sugar mills, which are remnants of Antigua’s colonial past. Dennis Beach Bar is the option for a casual post-swim tipple, and The Terrace Bar at Tamarind Hills Resort is the upscale choice.
Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
Turks & Caicos has a reason to boast about turquoise waters at Grace Bay Beach.
Courtesy of Seven Stars Resort and Spa
- Location: Providenciales
- Where to stay: Seven Stars Resort and Spa
Grace Bay sits within Princess Alexandra National Park, so the protected water here is exceptional: warm and still, due to a shallow limestone shelf and the third-largest coral reef system in the world, which acts as a natural filter. The reef also keeps the surf gentle, perfect for snorkelers and free divers alike. On land, the beach is seven miles of powdery white sand, and while several large resorts line the shore, there’s more than enough space for everyone to find a quiet patch.
Elafonissi Beach, Greece
Greece’s Elafonissi beach on Crete island feels almost mythical.
Photo by Mateusz Lopuszynski/Shutterstock
- Location: Crete
- Where to stay: Domes Zeen Chania
Voted one of Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Beaches in 2026, Elafonissi is a spectacular canvas of pink sand (tinted by crushed shells and coral), abutting shallow turquoise water. It’s so shallow, in fact, that you can walk from the main beach and wade across a small lagoon to reach the uninhabited island of Elafonisi on the other side.
Protected as part of the Natura 2000 environmental network, the island is home to sand dunes with rare, threatened juniper species found only in Western Crete; more than 100 native plant species; and vital nesting sites for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle, which deposits eggs between May and August. Visitors arrive at the island by daily boat from Paleochora, and have many hiking options, including to Agia Irini, a stone chapel near the island’s highest point.
Bay of Fires, Tasmania
Thanks to orange lichen, even the rocks seem to be fire-colored at Bay of Fires.
Photo by Miela197/Shutterstock
- Location: Tasmania, Australia
- Where to Stay: Arthouse Bay of Fires
Bay of Fires is actually a handful of sandy shores named by a British navigator for the fires of the Palawa people on the land. Tourism Australia’s beach ambassador Brad Farmer put this at the top of Australia’s 2025 list of best beaches, thanks to its bone-white sand, turquoise water, and eye-catching granite boulders painted with burnt orange lichen—even the rocks look fiery.
Walk the six-mile stretch from The Gardens, where you may spot a pod of dolphins or migrating Southern right or Humpback whales, to the coastal village of Binalong Bay. Learn about deep cultural roots on the Aboriginal-led wukalina Walk or from October to May, hike the Bay of Fires Signature Walk.
Entalula Beach, Philippines
Entalula beach can only be reached by boat.
Photo by Ravenash/Shutterstock
- Location: El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
- Where to Stay: Amanpulo
Palawan is a province of 1,780 islands and islets, and the flawless Entalula Beach is among its finest. Accessible only by a one hour boat ride from El Nido town, typically as part of a tour, the beach makes a dramatic impression, with limestone cliffs rising from still, turquoise water and powdery sand. Thriving coral reefs sit close to shore for snorkelers, while the adventurous can search for hidden coves by paddleboard. It’s worth visiting sooner rather than later: Palawan could see move visitors soon, thanks to its role in the upcoming film The Last Resort.
