The World’s 100 Best Beaches

A small cove of fine white sand with clear, shallow water full of fish, inside a nature reserve where loggerhead turtles nest and Legambiente volunteers manage access. Visitors park on the road and walk a 15–20 minute stone path down, with a steep return climb.

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A long arc of soft white sand runs over a mile beside clear turquoise water, with reefs offshore at both ends, hills on one side and old army tanks on the other. Visitors take the ferry from Ceiba to Culebra, then a taxi, shuttle or golf cart.

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A long, wide beach of fine white sand runs for many kilometres along the Varadero peninsula, with calm, shallow, turquoise water and hotels, guesthouses and shops behind it. Most visitors walk a few blocks from hotels or casas particulares across the street.

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A 7km beach of fine white silica sand that stays cool underfoot, with clear turquoise water and the undeveloped national park island behind it. Access is only by boat, seaplane or helicopter from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, mostly on tours.

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A long beach of soft white sand runs for miles beside clear, calm turquoise water, with an offshore barrier reef keeping waves gentle and resorts lining much of the shore. Visitors reach it through public access points with parking or from the beachfront resorts.

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A long, wide beach of soft white sand with clear turquoise water, gentle waves and shallows that extend far out, backed by forest and large Mahua trees. Visitors come by cab, auto, scooter or local bus from Havelock Jetty.

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A string of small sandy coves runs between large granite boulders, with shallow water over rocks, coral and seaweed that changes sharply with the tide. Visitors pay to enter L'Union Estate, leave bikes near the beach and walk a path to the coves.

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Fine white sand runs along both sides of a long strip of dunes and rocks inside a natural park, with clear turquoise water and coves leading toward S'Espalmador. Visitors arrive by scooter, car, taxi, bike or bus from the Formentera port.

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A crescent of fine white sand below vegetated cliffs, with clear turquoise water, reefs and abundant marine life. Visitors walk a paved trail past clifftop viewpoints, then descend narrow iron ladders through a rock crevice and stone steps, or arrive by boat.

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A beach of fine white sand and clear turquoise water on Farol Island, inside a Navy-controlled reserve with a mountain behind it. Visitors arrive only on authorised boat tours from Arraial do Cabo's port and stay about 30 to 45 minutes.

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A long beach of soft white sand with clear turquoise water, shade trees and a small rocky cay offshore circled by an underwater snorkel trail. Most visitors take the ferry from St. Thomas, then a taxi, since the parking lot is small.

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An eight-kilometre bay of fine white sand and calm, clear turquoise water inside a national park, backed by dry scrub, rocky hills and cliffs. Access is by boat from Cabo Rojo, by 4x4 over a steep unpaved track, or on foot after the park gate.

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A bay of fine white sand and white pebbles with clear turquoise water that deepens gradually, backed by pine forest and vegetated cliffs. Visitors arrive by water taxi from Gaios on Paxos or on day-trip boats from Corfu and Parga.

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A long, wide beach of fine white sand on Cayo Guillermo, with shallow, clear turquoise water and dunes and palms behind it. Visitors arrive by the hotel bus or by taxi from Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo resorts, then walk a short boardwalk.

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A long beach of fine white sand with clear turquoise water, a reef offshore, and beach bars, restaurants and a few hotels behind it. Visitors arrive by ferry at Blowing Point, then take a rental car or taxi for about 20 minutes.

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A long, wide bay of fine white sand with turquoise water, granite boulders at both ends and palms and forest behind. Most visitors drive a steep, winding road to paid parking; others take the bus and walk.

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Over 12 km of golden sand facing Atlantic waves and strong currents, backed along its length by the Jandía mountains. Visitors drive a roughly 17–20 km gravel track from Morro Jable, take a twice-daily bus, join tours or hike from Gran Valle.

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A long strip of soft white sand lined with palm trees, beach clubs and restaurants, facing calm, shallow turquoise water with a buoyed swimming area close to shore. Visitors arrive by ferry or catamaran from Cancun, and the beach is a short walk from the ferry dock.

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A shallow turquoise lagoon with white to pinkish sand, rocky shores and stony patches, set below a barren promontory facing the islet of Gramvousa. Visitors drive an 8 km rough dirt track and walk a steep 20-30 minute path down, or arrive by boat from Kissamos.

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Twin sandy beaches joined by a narrow strip of land, with fine pale sand, shallow turquoise water and vegetated dunes backed by cedars and a campsite. Visitors drive about 4 km south from Elafonisos town, park and walk 5-10 minutes through the dunes.

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A long beach of soft white sand runs beside clear turquoise water with gentle waves, backed by the Ocean Club resort and undeveloped private lots. Visitors arrive on the Barbuda Express ferry from Antigua, and the ferry dock lies a short distance away.

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A white sand beach of about 17 to 20 kilometres runs below dunes that reach the shoreline, with clear turquoise water and often high waves. Visitors arrive by 4x4, quad bike, taxi or organised jeep tour over rough off-road tracks.

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A long beach of fine white-to-gold sand on a bay with calm, clear turquoise water, backed by almond and palm trees, bars, resorts and views of St George's and the mountains. Visitors arrive by water taxi from the cruise terminal, taxi or bus.

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A beach of about 200 metres with soft white sand and clear turquoise water, enclosed on three sides by limestone cliffs, with forest behind it. Tour boats dock at a pontoon on the far side of the island, followed by a walk through the trees.

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A long, wide beach of soft white sand with calm turquoise water, lined with Fofoti trees and free palapas, with resort hotels across the road. Visitors arrive by car using free parking lots, by taxi or public bus from the cruise port.

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A white-sand beach several kilometres long, backed by coconut palms and green hills, with the cold, clear Caño Frío river entering at the left end and coral and calmer coves to the right. Visitors arrive by car, motorcycle taxi or tuk-tuk from Las Galeras, or by boat.

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A wide curve of fine, pink-tinted sand on the south shore, framed by limestone rock formations, with clear water and a calm, shallow cove to one side. Most visitors arrive by minibus or taxi from Dockyard, or by city bus and a steep hill walk.

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Two small coves of white sand and clear turquoise water sit between red granite rocks, backed by dense Mediterranean scrub. Visitors arrive on a guided hike of about an hour on a rocky trail, or by boat, anchoring offshore and swimming in.

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A small cove of golden sand below high cliffs near Cabo da Roca, with jagged rock stacks, strong waves and cold water. Visitors walk down a steep, slippery trail of about 30 minutes from a roadside car park and bus stop.

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Sandy beach with pale sand and thin pink streaks at the waterline, beside a shallow turquoise lagoon that can be waded to an islet with dunes and a Natura 2000 reserve. Most visitors drive mountain roads from Chania or arrive by tour bus.

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A long, wide beach of fine white sand with calm, shallow, clear turquoise water, palm trees and a restaurant and bar at the entrance. Visitors arrive by hotel train, by boat from the Cayo Largo marina, or by taxi or car on an unpaved road.

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A 3 km urban beach of golden sand is sheltered by the volcanic reef La Barra, keeping the water calm, with a palm-lined promenade of cafés and restaurants behind it. It lies in Las Palmas city centre, reachable on foot from points along the promenade.

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A long strip of fine white sand with clear turquoise water, framed by limestone cliffs, Phra Nang Cave and a resort fence, with a rocky islet offshore. Longtail boats from Ao Nang reach Railay, followed by a short path past caves from Railay East or West.

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A small cove of white pebbles and rock with clear turquoise water, backed by limestone cliffs, a 143-metre pinnacle and a natural arch. Visitors hike about 3.5–4 km with roughly 500 m of elevation from the Su Porteddu car park on the Golgo plateau, or view it by boat.

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A crescent of fine white sand about 1.3 km long joins Monteagudo and Faro islands, with cold, clear turquoise water on one side and a lagoon, dunes and pine woods behind. Visitors arrive by ferry from Vigo, landing at a pier beside the beach.

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A cove of soft white sand with clear turquoise water and a clean sandy seabed, framed by granite boulders at both ends and backed by palms and a golf course. Visitors walk 15–30 minutes across the Constance Lemuria golf course from the gate, or hike in from Anse Lazio.

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A long stretch of soft, white coral sand that stays cool underfoot, with clear, calm turquoise water and hotels and resorts lining the back. Most visitors arrive from the cruise port by taxi or bus, about $12 return, while drivers use free parking at public access points.

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A long, wide beach of fine pale sand with turquoise water, set between black volcanic rocks and Montaña Bermeja, facing the islets of Montaña Clara and Alegranza. Visitors reach it from Caleta de Sebo by bike, on foot or by 4x4 taxi.

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A curved city-centre beach of fine golden sand about 1,350 metres long, with calm bay water facing Santa Clara Island between Monte Urgull and Monte Igeldo, backed by a promenade with a white railing. Visitors walk from the city centre or arrive by public transport.

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A long, wide beach of about 3 km with fine white sand that creaks underfoot, clear green water with strong waves, and a line of trees and palms backed by jungle. Boats from Abraão land at Praia do Pouso, followed by a 15-30 minute hill trail; others hike about 2-3 hours from Abraão.

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A sheltered bay with white pebbles on the shore, a white sandy seabed and clear turquoise water, backed by rocks and vegetation. Most visitors arrive on boat tours from Corfu, Paxos or Parga and swim ashore from boats anchored in the bay.

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A short beach of fine white sand with clear, shallow turquoise water that stays knee- to waist-deep far out, facing Asinara Island and an Aragonese tower. Most visitors arrive by car and park along the road above the beach.

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A long beach of soft white sand with clear, cold turquoise water, shallow near shore with small waves, and rocks and hills at the end. It lies about an hour's drive from Esperance on roads with gravel sections, and vehicles can park on the sand.

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A wide, long beach of fine white quartz sand that stays cool underfoot, with clear, calm, shallow turquoise water and a sandbar offshore. Visitors park in a large free lot, then walk a long stretch of sand to reach the water.

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About 7 km of fine white coral sand meets shallow, calm emerald-to-cobalt water, with Kurima Island and the Kurima Bridge in view across the sea. Most visitors drive here, about 15 minutes from Miyako Airport, and park in free lots behind the beach.

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A small crescent of fine white sand sits between two headlands, with turquoise water, large granite boulders and bushland behind. Visitors drive about 30 minutes from Albany through Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, or walk the Heritage Trail from the visitor centre.

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A long beach of white coral sand and shells, with clear blue water that drops off quickly to a coral reef, and green hills behind. Visitors take the ferry from Tomari Port, then a bus or a 20-minute hilly walk from Zamami Port.

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A long beach of white sand with calm, clear, warm water, coral reefs and natural pools at low tide, backed by reddish cliffs, coconut palms and shade trees. Visitors arrive by car, van or tour along a rough dirt road from Trancoso, then descend a staircase.

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A beach of about 6 km of fine golden sand with clear Atlantic water, backed by red and orange cliffs topped with pines that are higher in the west near Olhos de Água. Several access points from Olhos de Água to Vilamoura lead down via wooden steps and ramps.

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A long stretch of white sand with clear, warm, calm water, lined with resorts, bars, restaurants and vendor stalls. Access is free, and visitors walk the shore from hotels or park and enter beach clubs.

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A wide bay of white pebbles and patches of coarse sand, with turquoise water that deepens quickly, backed by high white limestone cliffs. A steep, winding road with hairpin bends leads down to a parking area beside the beach, and a viewpoint on the road looks over the bay.

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A long, horseshoe-shaped bay of soft white sand with calm, shallow, clear turquoise water, backed by green hills and shady trees. Most visitors arrive by taxi or open-air shuttle from the cruise port, and others drive and use the large lot behind the beach.

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A strip of white sand crosses warm turquoise water to join two small, wooded islands, with a lighthouse on the larger one and a few bungalows. Day excursions run by boat from resorts on Nosy Be, taking around an hour.

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A small beach of fine white sand with clear, calm turquoise water, reached by a long wooden staircase down from a hill inside a gated area. Visitors arrive by shared taxi up the rough road, by water taxi from Praia dos Anjos, or on foot by trail from town.

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A long beach of fine white sand, roughly a mile or more, with calm, clear turquoise water, small offshore cays and rental houses along part of the shore. Visitors drive from Queen's Highway on a rough, potholed dirt road, park above and descend wooden stairs.

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A wide beach of white sand stretching for miles, with cold, clear turquoise water, steep dunes and machair behind, and views to Taransay and the Harris hills. Visitors drive a single-track road with passing places to a small car park, then walk over the dunes.

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A short beach of almost white sand and rocks lies below a high cliff, with palm trees, clear water and a reef offshore. Boats run about 20 minutes from Las Galeras, or a forest trail leads about an hour from Boca del Diablo.

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A narrow strip of fine white sand runs along calm, clear turquoise water, with houses and palms behind and the two Mokulua islands offshore. Visitors arrive by car or bus via Kailua, parking on residential streets or at Kailua Beach Park and walking in.

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A long, wide bay of soft, fine sand with calm, shallow water and a sandbar, backed by green mountains where waterfalls run after rain, and a river entering at one end. Visitors drive about a mile from Hanalei town and park in lots across from the pier.

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A long pink-tinted sand beach with clear turquoise water, reef along the shore, cliffs, caves and an old lighthouse on the point, now beside Disney's cruise port. Visitors drive a rough unpaved road, then walk about 2 miles along the shore to the point.

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A small cove of fine pebbles and some sand, enclosed by high cliffs and green slopes, with clear turquoise water that deepens quickly. Visitors drive a narrow, steep road near Tsagarada, then walk a slippery cobblestone and dirt path down for 10 to 15 minutes.

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A long, wide beach of small white and grey pebbles with clear water, backed by volcanic cliffs, with a cement factory and port visible to the left. Visitors park at a paid lot above and walk 15–20 minutes down a steep, rocky path.

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A wide beach of fine light sand runs for close to 9 kilometres, with shallow turquoise water and a sandbar that floods at high tide to form a long lagoon. Visitors drive in on a short dirt road to free parking near the sand.

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A long stretch of fine, flour-like white sand, roughly 1.5 to 2 km, with calm, clear, shallow water and coconut trees behind, now partly replaced by guest houses at the southern end. It lies on Kei Kecil, about 15 minutes' drive from Langgur.

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A long stretch of soft white sand slopes gently into clear, calm, shallow water, with tidal pools and sandbanks at low tide and mangroves behind. Visitors park at Lucayan National Park across the road and walk about ten minutes along a boardwalk.

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A small cove of fine white sand with shells and coral pieces, calm shallow turquoise water and no waves, backed by rocky hills in a protected area. It is reached only by boat, usually as the lunch stop on Espíritu Santo Island tours.

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A long, wide beach of white pebbles and sand below vertical white cliffs, with turquoise water that deepens quickly. Visitors park above, walk about 1.5 km down a closed 15% road, then descend around 400 cliff steps, or arrive by boat cruise.

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A sandy beach with clear, calm, shallow water and no stones, backed by the abandoned hotels and apartment blocks of Varosha. Visitors leave cars at the Closed Maraş entrance and walk 15–35 minutes, rent a bike or scooter, or take a shuttle.

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A white-sand beach lies at the foot of limestone cliffs shaped like a T-Rex head, with turquoise water, strong waves and an abandoned elevator structure. Visitors drive narrow, rough roads to a parking area, then walk to the viewpoint or take a steep trail down.

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A 2.4 km bay of fine, squeaky white quartz sand and clear turquoise water, framed by granite hills and offshore islands in Cape Le Grand National Park. Visitors drive in from Esperance, pay a park entry fee, and can drive onto the hard sand.

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A cove of white pebbles mixed with coarse sand, about 300 metres long, with clear blue-green water and cliffs behind, separated from Cala Mariolu by a rocky spur. Most visitors arrive by boat from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese, while a long, difficult trail serves experienced hikers.

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A long beach of fine white sand, Playa Brava, faces rough surf and strong currents, with a calm mangrove-lined swimming bay, Playa Mansa, at its far end. Visitors walk a paved trail of about 2.5 km through cactus scrub from Puerto Ayora, or take a water taxi.

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A wide bay of soft, fine white sand meets clear, calm turquoise water, with reefs at the edges and green hills behind. Visitors drive about an hour from Luganville on rough final roads, or kayak in from Lonnoc Beach.

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A narrow pebble beach of small polished stones with clear water, backed by pine trees, a promenade and mountains, with the Brela Stone rock just offshore. Visitors arrive by car to paid parking or walk along the promenade from Brela or the bus.

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A small pebble beach with some sand sits below steep cliffs, with clear water, rocks at the shoreline and occasional falling stones from above. Visitors drive a narrow road to a free parking lot, then walk about ten minutes down a steep railed path.

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A pink-tinged beach of fine white sand mixed with red coral fragments, with clear water, a coral reef near shore and green hills behind. Visitors arrive by boat on day tours, often after the Padar Island hike.

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A sand beach of almost three kilometres, backed by a large dune system, cliffs and a small river that forms a warmer lagoon near the sea. Visitors walk about ten minutes from the parking lot, wading the shallow river, or park on the cliff and take boardwalks down.

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A wide, long beach of soft white sand on La Digue's southeast side, with granite boulders at both ends, turquoise water with high waves and strong currents, and tropical forest behind. Most visitors cycle about 20–40 minutes over hills from the harbour.

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A semi-enclosed bay of fine white sand and several small beaches, with shallow, calm, clear water and reddish hills with desert vegetation behind. Visitors drive about 30 minutes from La Paz, or take a bus, Uber or tour, and enter in timed shifts with a wristband.

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A beach of about 4 km with fine, light sand and clear water, backed by palm trees, bars and restaurants. Visitors come from El Nido town, about 40 to 45 minutes away by scooter, tricycle or van, on a rough final road.

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A wide white-sand beach covers much of a small uninhabited island, with clear turquoise water, a roped swimming area and a strip of bamboo and shrubs behind it. Visitors arrive by tour boat or private longtail from Phi Phi or Phuket.

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A white pebble beach backed by limestone cliffs on both sides, with turquoise water that turns murky when taxi boats and yachts crowd in. Visitors arrive by water taxi from Zola or hike a rocky, marked trail of 40-60 minutes.

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A long, wide beach of soft golden sand, with clear water, a steep drop-off and a heavy shore break, facing Molokini and the nearby islands. Visitors drive to two paid state park lots or park free along the road and walk in.

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A pebble beach of small white stones below high white cliffs, with turquoise water and parts of the back closed off because of falling rocks. Visitors drive a narrow, winding, potholed road to paid parking, then walk down about 100 steps.

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A short strip of sand among volcanic rocks and natural pools, with clear warm water and Morro Dois Irmãos rising offshore. Access is by a rocky trail from the left end of Cacimba do Padre at low tide, by swimming across, or by boat.

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A wide, wild beach of fine sand and pebbles, framed by high cliffs and open to Atlantic swell, with clear turquoise water and heathland behind. Visitors drive to a nearby car park or walk down from the Lagatjar standing stones or the GR34 coastal path.

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A beach of about 4 km of fine white sand and calm, clear turquoise water on Boracay's west coast, lined with palms, resorts, bars and shops in three stations. Visitors walk in from beachfront hotels or reach it by tricycle.

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A sandy beach about 5 km long, with shallow water that stays below head height for 50 to 100 metres and the Dalyan delta's freshwater and reeds behind it. Visitors arrive by boat from Dalyan through the reeds or by a winding road to a paid car park.

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A strip of white sand roughly 15 to 20 minutes' walk end to end, with calm, clear turquoise water and a coral reef just offshore, backed by resorts, hotels and restaurants. Visitors arrive by taxi or tour from the cruise port, or by water taxi from West End.

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A wide, flat beach of fine sand about 8 km long, running from Sancti Petri to Torre del Puerco, with shallow water and a promenade of restaurants and bars behind it. Most visitors arrive by car and park in paid orange-zone lots.

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A long, wide beach of fine white sand with clear, warm water, small waves and a gentle slope, backed by a promenade, hotels, cafes and seafood restaurants across the road. It lies beside the main coastal road, about 15 minutes' drive from the airport.

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A sandy bay of white and black sand with clear, cold water, enclosed by steep mountains and cliffs where streams cross the beach. It is reached only on foot, by a rocky hike of about an hour each way over a mountain pass from the road near Fredvang.

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A small double beach split in two, with white sand, palm trees and choppy water, backed by a campground with tents, hammocks on the rocky cape and a restaurant. Visitors reach it on a two- to three-hour jungle hike from the park entrance, on horseback, or by boat from Taganga.

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A pebble beach several kilometres long, with clear blue water that deepens quickly and the Beydağları mountains rising behind a promenade lined with cafés. It lies close to Antalya's city centre, reached on foot along the promenade or by road.

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A long, wide beach of fine golden sand with dunes behind it and clear, shallow water, though litter collects along the shore. It lies near the eastern tip of the Karpas Peninsula, reached by car on a potholed final stretch of road past Dipkarpaz.

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A beach about 1 km long with light sand and clear water, backed by hills and Atlantic Forest, with a river meeting the sea at one end. Visitors arrive by a 3 km forest trail from Vila Oratório or by boat from the Laranjeiras condominium pier.

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Miles of wide, soft sand run beneath dunes and green hills, with the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast at the north end and rough surf offshore. Visitors reach it by a long, potholed dirt road where 4WD or high clearance is advised.

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A long strip of fine white sand with turquoise water, palm trees and resorts behind it, where low tide exposes a wide flat with marine life and a sandbar. Public access runs through an entrance near the "I❤️Diani" sign, between hotels.

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A long beach of fine white coral sand on Hateruma Island, with shallow, clear "Hateruma Blue" water over a largely bleached reef and seaweed beds where sea turtles feed. It lies a short walk or bike ride from the ferry port, served by boats from Ishigaki.

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A white coral-sand beach about 800 meters long with clear, calm turquoise water, shore reefs with fish and sea turtles, and green hills and rocks behind it. Visitors take a ferry from Naha's Tomari Port to Tokashiki Port, then a 10–20 minute bus.

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