For Unrivaled Diving, Coastal Walks, and Crystalline Waters, These Are the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches

We’ve rubbed in reef-safe sunscreen and shaken the sand off to present some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world. From a rugged Scottish island to a Fijian paradise, these are some of the globe’s top spots to swim, surf, snorkel and dive. Pack a beach bag and set off to explore these 21 beautiful beaches across six continents.

Beaches in Africa

Dolfynstrand, Namibia

Photo by Jan Hendrik/Shutterstock

The seaside resort of Dolfynstrand makes the list for its unusual location—right on the edges of Namib-Naukluft National Park, the oldest desert on the planet. It’s impossible to see where the beach ends and the desert begins. Unsurprisingly with all that vastness, the beach feels enormous, and thanks to its remote location in sparsely populated Namibia, it’s unlikely travelers will need to jostle for space.

A morning fog often lingers here through lunchtime, which may have contributed to the numerous shipwrecks strewn on the sand further along the coastline. (Atlas of Namibia has a map showing where many of these are.) Consider spending the morning in Walvis Bay, a 30-minute drive, to see thousands of smelly seals slump about on the sand. Come afternoon, head to Dolfynstrand for a dip or walk along the coast, the Atlantic stretching out on one side, the desert on the other.

Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Photos by Michelle Heimerman

We couldn’t choose just one beach on this unreal sliver off the southern coast of Mozambique, so we selected the entire island. Benguerra Island, part of the six-island archipelago of the same name, is ringed by pristine stretches of sand.

This is an excellent place to go diving; not only is the Indian Ocean here always above 75 degrees, but the archipelago also is a National Marine Park and the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies has 13 dive sites with more than 2,000 species of fish and 12 species of sharks and rays.

Beaches in Asia

Long Beach, Cambodia

Leave Thailand’s islands to the crowds; Cambodia’s have some spectacular stretches of serene and secluded sand. On the island of Koh Rong, Long Beach is the star, with more than four miles of white, powdery grains. Take a 40-minute boat ride from mainland Cambodia (at Sihanoukville), or stay on the shores at a beachfront hotel like the villas at the Royal Sands Koh Rong.

Varkala Beach, India

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Varkala Beach, toward the state of Kerala’s southern end, is a popular hangout for travelers and locals alike—little wonder, given that it’s believed bathing in the ocean here can wash away any sins. The wide, yellow stretch of sand is backed by orange cliffs with tufts of dark green grass.

The town is popular with domestic vacationers, and there are a handful of restaurants serving South Indian dishes like dosas, uttapams, and piquant fish curries.

Beaches in Australia

Whitehaven Beach

Photo by Mathias Berlin/Shutterstock

Beaches don’t come more photogenic than this. Head to Whitsunday Island, the largest (in size) of Australia’s Whitsundays, where Whitehaven Beach has some of the brightest and whitest sands on the planet.

The silica in the sand is credited for its striking color, and the hue does double duty, ensuring that heat from the sweltering Aussie sun isn’t retained. Whitehaven is a glorious place for a barefoot stroll.

The glassy, clear water—reaching out into the Great Barrier Reef—guarantees a refreshing dip, and tidal currents sculpt the sand to varying depths, creating gorgeous ocean swirls of greens and blues.

Beaches in the Caribbean

Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Photo by Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock

Grenada’s very best beach (yes, we said it!) has almost two miles of dazzling white sand, lapped by calm, warm Caribbean tides.

Beneath the ocean’s surface is an impressive array of marine life—stingrays, seahorses, and sea turtles—and an entire sculpture park, the work of Jason deCaires Taylor. At 16 feet under water, the park is shallow enough that even those who aren’t certified divers can gaze at coral-encrusted figures.

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Photo by Fedor Selivanov/Shutterstock

Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach is the powdery stretch of sand you daydream about in the dead of winter. It’s actually about five miles long, a paradisaical beach well served by restaurants, bars, and swank resorts.

Those who want to plop down with a good book can do just that, while those who want a bit of action can go parasailing or snorkeling off the coast, at the Cemetery Reef.

Related: 7 Lesser-Visited Caribbean Islands for Tropical Hikes, White Sand Beaches, and Crystal Clear Water

Saint-Jean, St. Bart’s

Photo by Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock

In the Saint-Jean quarter of ritzy St. Bart’s, a crescent of powdery sand divided by celeb-favorite Eden Rock Hotel hugs a clamshell-shaped Caribbean bay with gentle waves.

The far western end of the beach, which is backed by a handful of hotels and restaurants, abuts the airport; the tiny landing strip starts almost on the sand, but there’s plenty of room for sunbathing farther east. The tranquil seas make for excellent swimming and sailing territory.

Beaches in Europe

Lister Ellenbogen, Germany

Photo by Pawel Kazmierczak/Shutterstock

Swimming in the far north of Germany off the island of Sylt is certainly chilly—neither the water nor the air temperature ever goes above 68 and the water is often closer to 63 at its warmest—but the long stretches of white sand backed by grassy dunes feel romantic.

While it’s tempting to head to the more popular 18-mile-long stretch of sand at Weststrand, the beaches fronting the main town of List are equally appealing and are far more sheltered, lapped by the calm (if frigid) waters of the Wadden Sea.

Pick up a fish sandwich from an outpost of seafood restaurant Gosch in the harbor, and walk to the sands to enjoy views that stretch across to Denmark.

Praia de Augas Santas, Spain

Photo by Uhryn Larysa/Shutterstock

Arrive at high tide and Praia de Augas Santas on the edge of Galicia, Spain, is nowhere to be seen. But wait until the tide recedes, though, and a seascape marked by spectacular natural rock sculptures will be revealed.

The ocean currents and brisk coastal winds here have been carving the rocky shoreline for centuries, resulting in a series of impressive natural archways and buttresses that have given this beach its other name: Playa de las Catedrales (Cathedrals Beach). At low tide, walk among the sculptures by way of a set of steps from the cliffs above; some are nearly 90 feet tall.

Note that while swimming is permitted here, it’s essential to be aware of potentially dangerous tides. A more relaxing way to enjoy the beach is coming in shoulder season for a walk and picnic rather than a dip.

Machir Bay, Scotland

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We’re not suggesting you come to this remote Scottish beach to go swimming. Backed by grassy dunes, Machir Bay on the Scottish island of Islay offers spectacular coastal walks and bird-watching; keep your eyes peeled for geese, guillemots, gannets, golden eagles, and even puffins.

Given its northern reaches, sunshine is never a guarantee, and temperatures are far from balmy (rarely topping 60 degrees, even in the summer). But dramatic Scottish skies only add to the beauty. A tour of and tasting at the nearby Kilchoman Distillery is one way to warm up: Buy a bottle of scotch and enjoy a beachfront sundowner.

Related: The U.K.'s Most Beautiful Train Rides Glide Through Glens, Over Viaducts, and Along Cliffs

Plaka Beach, Greece

Photo by Christos Siatos/Shutterstock

Naxos has brilliant beaches, so it’s hard for sunseekers to go wrong on the Cycladic Greek island. Plaka is the best of the bunch, with shimmering yellow sand and tempting turquoise water. The 2.5-mile stretch has a wide variety of beach bars and restaurants serving fresh grilled fish and salads, and there’s plenty of seafront accommodation.

Plaka is a prime sunbathing beach, and several vendors rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. Switch it up from swimming with Plaka Watersports, which rents paddleboats and stand-up paddleboards and runs windsurfing and wakeboard lessons. (Tip: Beachgoers seeking a little extra freedom can wander to the northern end of the beach, where the nudists congregate.)

Related: 18 Beautiful Greek Islands for Every Kind of Traveler

Praia da Adraga, Portugal

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If sun-kissed, gold-hued sand and reliable surfing waves are what you’re after, make your way to Praia da Adraga, within Portugal’s protected Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Idyllic scenery abounds with rocky outcrops in the ocean, sea-carved archways on the beach, and mossy cliffs.

Only an hour’s drive from Lisbon, this Atlantic coast beach is a popular weekend spot for Lisboans, who come en masse for some fresh air; midweek, though, it’s a relatively quiet little cove. Try the excellent beachfront Restaurante Adraga, serving seafood stews, grilled fish, and fresh crab to hungry sunbathers.

Related: Why Lisbon Is Impossible to Resist Right Now

Cefalù, Italy

Photo by Henrique Ferreira/Unsplash

The roughly 1.25-mile curve of fine yellow sand that fronts the northern Sicilian coastal city of Cefalù is a local favorite (as evidenced by the summer crowds). Backed by an enormous sandstone rock formation, with an early-12th-century cathedral presiding over its northern end, it’s a picturesque place to while away the day.

Spend a morning getting lost in the winding lanes of the medieval Old Town, stopping to see the mosaics inside the cathedral. Then work your way down to the waterfront for an afternoon on the beach.

The water is clear and pleasantly warm, and you can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs. When the day is done, retire to one of the restaurants on the northern end of town for all manner of seafood.

Related: These Are the 10 Best Hotels in Sicily

Çark Beach, Türkiye

Photo by Nejdet Duzen/Shutterstock

The town of Alaçatı and its beaches, on a bay in the Icarian Sea, are a popular domestic vacation spot. But what draws adventurous travelers from all over the world is the excellent windsurfing. Half a dozen schools near Çark Beach offer windsurfing, kite-surfing, and windfoil lessons, and if that seems a bit intimidating, a few have stand-up paddle boards you can rent.

Beaches in Mexico

Playa Norte Celestún

Photo by Dr. Juergen Bochynek/Shutterstock

A 90-minute drive west of the state of Yucatán’s capital, Mérida, is the low-key seaside village of Celestún. The town’s Playa Norte is famous for its powder-soft sand that gently slopes into the Gulf of Mexico.

The beachfront is dotted with palapa restaurants (open-air structures with thatched roofs), where you get a toes-in-the-sand experience along with ceviche, coconut shrimp, and fish tacos, all made with just-caught seafood.

From Celestún, travelers can hop aboard one of the water taxis that are always at the dock and head into the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, where thousands of flamingos add a screaming pop of pink to the tropical color palette.

Related: Hidden, Pristine, With Eggshell-Blue Water: These Are the 11 Most Beautiful Beaches in Mexico

Beaches in South America

Ipanema Beach, Brazil

Photo by Pakawat Thongcharoen/Shutterstock

Ipanema is a quintessential Rio de Janeiro experience; the views and the party vibes here are beyond compare. You know this beach even if you’ve never been there; for hundreds of years, the stretch of golden sand backed by Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) mountains has been plastered on guidebooks, billboards, and travel ads worldwide.

This isn’t a spot for seclusion and serenity: Residents descend in droves during any spare moment to sun themselves, play volleyball and soccer, surf, listen to music, and hang out with their family and friends. If you’re lucky, a vendor will come around selling grilled skewers of queijo coalho (grilled cheese on a stick).

Beaches in the South Pacific

Matira Beach, Bora Bora

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If you’re looking for a more local experience away from the resorts that monopolize many beaches on the island of Bora Bora, come for a sunset stroll on Matira Beach. The island’s best publicly accessible stretch of sand is on the western side of a long, thin peninsula at the southern tip of Bora Bora.

The white grains are silky underfoot, and the calm, glittering ocean is astonishingly clear. When the sun sets, dip into one of the low-key beachfront restaurants, order a cocktail, and toast the day’s end with the horizon’s fiery display.

Natadola Beach, Fiji

Photo by Nina Janesikova/Shutterstock

Beautiful beaches are bountiful in the Fijian archipelago, but with yellow sand sloping into a sublime turquoise ocean, Natadola Beach is one of the finest.

There’s good swimming here, and beginner surfers can practice on the small waves (there’s a shore break rather than a reef break); on either side of the bay are bigger waves for the more experienced.

Travelers who want a break from swimming can amble along the shoreline on horseback.

Beaches in the U.S.

Waimea Bay Beach Park, Hawai‘i

Photo by Mike Tiscareno/Shutterstock

Waimea Bay is famous as the home of The Eddie, a big-wave winter surfing tournament that sees the world’s top surfers compete on waves reaching heights of up to 30 feet. Get a spot on the wide, yellow-sand beach to watch the spectacle of surfers tackling huge waves.

As the waves subside in the summer, conditions are perfect for snorkelers to dive into the underwater world beyond the sand—where they might encounter a pod of dolphins or a solitary sea turtle. Stay close to the protective rock wall to avoid crashing waves.

Adrenaline junkies should beeline for the huge black rock at the southern end of the beach, from which they can plunge into the cobalt blue ocean, some 30 feet below (there’s also a smaller rock that’s about five feet high).

After getting a fill of the waves, consider spending time volunteering with organizations like Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i or the Surfrider Foundation to help protect this beautiful natural space for future visitors.

Related: 13 of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Hawai‘i

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Oregon

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The rugged rocks strung out along the Pacific and surrounded by golden sand at Oregon’s Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint are striking, and although the water is quite chilly, this is an ideal spot for solitude and quiet contemplation.

The water is too frigid to swim in unless you have a thick wet suit and cold-water swimming experience (it never tops 60 degrees and is often colder). But the setting is ideal for bird-watchers; keep your eyes out for nesting seabirds atop those iconic sea stacks. Fishers and foragers can harvest the shellfish that cling to the sea stack crevices, if they have purchased a license first.

Don’t miss one of the numerous Circles in the Sand events scheduled throughout the year, when visitors can walk along the labyrinthine patterns in the sand, designed by local sand artist Denny Dyke.

This article was originally published in 2018 and was most recently updated on April 7, 2026, with current information. Chloe Arrojado contributed to the reporting of this story.