best beaches in the world ranked
1. Sunset Beach – Oahu, Hawaii
Sunset Beach is known for being one of the longest surfable stretches in the world, with a wide stretch of sand on which to relax. In the winter months, you can see big wave surfing with waves up to 9 meters high, along with the world’s top surfing competitions.
2. Maho Beach – Saint John, US Virgin Islands
Maho Beach has it all. A beach lined with coconut palms, light waves, white sand: it’s no wonder it’s considered the jewel of San Juan. It is part of the Virgin Islands National Park and is freely accessible to all.
The water is usually calm, with shallow areas and tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles swimming nearby.
3. Zlatni rat (Golden Horn Beach) – Brac, Croatia
The Golden Horn is the most spectacular of all Croatian beaches . It is not only its shape that makes it so beautiful and unique. The pebble beach is surrounded by a crystal clear sea, which turns from turquoise blue to dark blue in just 10-20 meters.
Centennial pines provide shade, but you won’t want to leave the warm waters here.
4. Horseshoe Bay – Bermuda
Named for its curving shape, the popular beach at Horseshoe Bay showcases Bermuda’s signature crystal blue waters and pink sands. There are also hidden caves and hidden coves to explore.
It is probably the most photographed beach in Bermuda, and with good reason.
5. Matira Beach – Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Matira Beach is actually the only public beach on the main island, and it just so happens to be the most beautiful. With white sands and beautiful lagoon waters, it is pure paradise.
It’s perfect as a postcard, especially when the sun begins to set as you watch it from a beachfront bar.
6. Tunnels Beach – Kauai, Hawaii
Tunnels Beach (Makua) is an ideal spot for snorkelling, set against the picturesque backdrop of Mount Makana and lush jungle. Lava tubes form the many underwater caverns here, giving the beach its name.
The water can get rough during the winter, so keep an eye on the tides.
7. Seagrass Bay – Laucala Island, Fiji
You won’t believe the green of the Seagrass Bay coastline. This stunning bay on a luxurious private resort island in Fiji is located in a tropical jungle section of the island, with lush vegetation and wild coconuts growing as a natural backdrop to the white-sand shoreline.
8. Cala Saona – Formentera, Spain
Ibiza may be better known, but the neighboring island of Formentera is just a short boat ride away and boasts some of the best beaches in the world. Formentera has more than 20 km of beaches, from rocky coves to white sand beaches, but Cala Saona is the most beautiful.
9.Boulders Beach – Cape Town, South Africa
Boulders Beach has something you won’t find anywhere else in the world: you can get up close to African penguins, who nest just off the beach. Summer is the best time to visit Boulders, and that’s when you’ll see the most penguin action.
False Bay’s cool, clear water and rock pools are an added bonus.
10. Keem Bay – May, Ireland
Keem Bay is a stunning, sheltered, rural beach, surrounded by cliffs, on Ireland’s largest island, Achill Island. Its gleaming white sand rivals that of tropical islands and the water is magnificently clear.
The sun may not shine all the time, but when it does it is first class. And yes, it is beautiful even on a rainy day.
11. Pig Beach – Bahamas
Surely you have seen this beach so famous on social networks. Big Major Cay in the Exumas is uninhabited and the pigs are not native to the island, so it is not yet known how they got there.
Book a day trip by boat to see the pristine waters of this beach and swim with the little pigs.
best beaches in the world ranked
12. Kanuhura Maldives – Lhaviyani Atoll Maldives
It is difficult to choose just one beach in the Maldives , as all the luxury resorts have amazing sandy coastlines. This resort is located on three private islands – two deserted neighboring islands and Kanuhura itself – with pristine beaches.
It’s up to you if you want to do water activities or just laze on the sand.
13. Beach Ruins – Quintana Roo, Mexico
This unique beach on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is pure paradise. It is considered one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya, with brilliant white sand and spectacular cliffs.
But the real attraction? It is the backdrop to the famous ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum.
14. Source d’Argent – Seychelles
Famous as one of the most photographed beaches in the world, this tranquil beach is an ideal place to wade in the shallow, warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
You pass through the former coconut plantation of L’Union Estate to access the beach, which features unusual bold and bright sand. You might even see a sea turtle swimming off the shore.
15. Reynisfjara Beach – Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland
If tropical beaches are not your thing, be sure to visit this beautiful black sand beach in Iceland. With huge basalt chimneys rising from the sea and unusual black sand, it is an unforgettable beach.
You may recognize her from the seventh season of the HBO series Game of Thrones.
16. Secret Lagoon – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
El Nido is a group of 45 islands located at the tip of Palawan, which is famous for its Secret Lagoon. Swim through a hole in the limestone rocks to enter a hidden bay with crystal clear water and soft sand.
It seems untouched, with white sand beaches and tropical jungle.
17. Grace Bay – Turks and Caicos
This pristine beach is the shining jewel of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The entire beach is just over 3 km long, with no pollution, just pure white sand and clean water.
A barrier reef 1 mile away protects Grace Bay from the Atlantic swell, making it easy to swim.
18. Fig Tree Bay – Protaras, Cyprus
Fig Tree Bay is a picturesque sandy beach in the tourist center of Protaras, Cyprus, with an uninhabited islet that you can swim to from the shore.
best beaches in the world ranked
The beach has golden sand, lively beach bars and plenty of umbrellas to shade you from the sun. It’s popular so don’t expect an empty beach, but it’s so pretty you won’t mind sharing it.
19. Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Whitehaven Beach stretches for 7 km and boasts sparkling white silica sand that is among the purest in the world. It is right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, and is one of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in the world.
Because of the silica, sand doesn’t retain heat, making it a great place to walk barefoot, even on a hot day.
20. Vaeroy Beach – Norway
The remote beach of Vaerøy is located on an island that belongs to the Lofoten archipelago, where only a small number of people live. The incredible views of the coast from the top of the cliffs are unbeatable. Wild, rugged coastlines overlook Arctic waters, which are warmer than you’d expect.
This just goes to show that you don’t have to be in the hot tropics to enjoy a world-class beach.
best beaches in the world ranked
