The Best Island Beaches in the World

Tour boats

These beaches are on small islands, and nearly all of them are reached by boat, most often on a tour. The tour sets the length of the visit. Boats to Praia do Farol off Arraial do Cabo allow 30 to 45 minutes ashore. Playa Ensenada Grande on Isla Partida is usually the lunch stop of an Espíritu Santo Island tour, and Pink Beach on Komodo often comes after the Padar Island hike on the same day. Day excursions to Nosy Iranja in Madagascar take about an hour each way from Nosy Be.

Getting ashore

Landings differ. At Vrika Beach on Antipaxos the boats anchor in the bay and passengers swim to the beach. At Maya Bay in Thailand boats dock at a pontoon on the far side of the island and visitors walk through the trees. The ferry to Playa de Rodas in the Cíes Islands lands at a pier beside the sand. Whitehaven Beach in Australia can also be reached by seaplane or helicopter.

Midday crowds

Tour boats tend to arrive together, so the middle of the day is the busy time at Nosy Iranja, Whitehaven Beach and Cala dei Gabbiani in Sardinia. Bamboo Island in the Phi Phi Islands is less crowded in the morning, and Maya Bay fills after 9 am.

Rules ashore

Several of the islands are protected. No bags or food may be taken onto Praia do Farol, and at Playa Ensenada Grande all rubbish leaves with the boat. Swimming is prohibited at Maya Bay, and life jackets are mandatory in the roped swimming areas at Bamboo Island.