24 Most Beautiful Beaches in The World To Visit in Your Lifetime
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From the iconic white sands of Whitehaven Beach in Australia to the dramatic cliffs of Praia de Marinha in Portugal, the world has a lot of captivating shores to offer. If you’re a beach lover, there is something for you in every continent, whether you want to dive in crystal-clear waters, sunbathe on powdery sands, or stroll beaches with unparalleled beauty and charm. This guide has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world that you need to see in your lifetime.
Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
This world-famous beach is renowned for its soft white sands and the stunning boulders across the shore. The pure white sand, the majestic boulders, and the crystal clear waters create a scene straight from a postcard. The beach in La Digue, one of the islands of the Seychelles Archipelago, is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply basking in the beautiful natural surroundings.
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Egkremnoi, Lefkada, Greece
Egkremnoi Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline on Lefkada Island (also known as Lefkas) in the Ionian Sea, Greece. It is famed for its breathtaking beauty, pristine waters, and remote location at the base of towering limestone cliffs. The untouched environment and the relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect destination for tourists looking for tranquility by the sea.
The limited commercial activities and development make it even more tranquil. It is mainly accessible by a series of steep stairs carved into the cliffside. While at it, enjoy the charming panoramic views from the cliff tops.
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Whitehaven Beach, Australia
The white silica sands and the turquoise waters of Whitehaven Beach are a sight to behold. The surreal beach is just over 7 KM long, making it a perfect destination for travelers to experience endless white sands and clear waters against the green vegetation. The shallow and warm tropical waters are perfect for swimming, especially when the other corners of the world are deep into winter.
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Tulum Beach, Mexico
Tulum Beach is a top destination in North America, and looking at its surreal beauty, you will see why. Situated along the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, this beach is a haven of tranquility and natural wonders.
Tourists barely get enough of the powdery white sands and the clear turquoise waters backdropped against the ancient Mayan ruins. You will also love the white sands and clear waters stretching for miles. It is a perfect destination to take it easy and relax under the sun.
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Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Being the only public beach in Bora Bora, Matira Beach is one of the most popular in the region. Despite being a loved destination, Matira Beach’s beauty has stood the test. The beach has clear waters and soft white sands. It is also lined with lavish resorts that can make your trip there even better.
Besides the sand, waters, and beautiful coconut palm trees, the beach is west-facing, making it a great spot to watch the sunsets. As the day draws to a close, the skies over the beach glow with orange, pink, and purple hues, casting a magical glow over the lagoon and surrounding islands.
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Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands
This is another beach well-known for its pristine sands, azure waters, and a very laid-back environment. Besides, the beach is very expansive, spanning over 19 KM. It is, therefore, a beautiful destination for beach walks and endless water activities.
Also, the sunsets on this beach are not to be missed. Besides the beach’s natural beauty, Grace Bay is famed for the world-class beach resorts across the shores.
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Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach), Greece
Navagio Beach is staggeringly beautiful, thanks to the strong juxtaposition between the clear waters and the massive cliffs. Despite being one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, Navagio is still widely untapped.
Visiting it gives you a great chance to see natural beauty in its raw form. Besides, you will get to see MV Panagiotis’s shipwreck, which is said to have been smuggling items before getting abandoned by its crew.
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Read also: Best Greek Island Beaches
Boulders Beach, South Africa
If you are after unique coastal wildlife experiences, Boulders Beach will exceed your expectations. The beach is part of the Table Mountain National Park, which is staggeringly beautiful in itself. Boulders Beach is home to a colony of African penguins, which is an experience you will fall in love with.
Other than the African penguins, the clear waters, white sands, and the small rock formations on the shores are magnificently captivating. The beach also has spots where you could go swimming or snorkeling.
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Pink Sands Beach, Harbor Islands, Bahamas
If you want to experience something unconventional, the pale pink sands of The Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas have something for you. While here, you will also love the clear shallow waters ideal for swimming and a long shore to endlessly stroll on.
The striking contrast between the shimmering clear waters and the soft, colorful sands makes this beach a perfect tropical paradise. Besides, Harbor Islands is one of the quietest and most relaxed Islands of the Bahamas, making it an ideal beach vacation spot.
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Seven Miles Beach, Negril, Jamaica
The Seven Miles Beach in Jamaica offers a long stretch of soft white sands and striking blue waters. Even better, the seas are typically calm. The gentle waves make it a perfect spot for fun-filled tropical activities such as swimming, surfing, jet skiing, and snorkeling.
This beach is also recognized as one of the most vibrant beaches, thanks to the diverse water sports, sunset celebrations, and evening bonfires set up here.
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Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, USA
Surrounded by lush green mountains and golden sands, Hanalei Beach is a sight you want to experience. What makes it even more uniquely beautiful are the cascading waterfalls you experience, a rare sighting in many other beaches. It is a perfect place to go hiking on the trails, enjoy the beautiful waterfalls, finish off on the magnificent golden sands, and maybe swim in the gentle waters.
The beauty of this bay is widely recognized, which is why it has been featured as the backdrop of several TV shows and movies such as “The Descendants” and “South Pacific.”
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Boracay White Beach, Philippines
Boracay Beach is loved for its expansive white-sand shores. The beach spans over 4 KM, giving tourists ample space to sunbathe, swim, and take leisurely strolls. The magnificent scenery and the powdery sands add to the already vibrant character of this beach.
The calm waters make it a perfect destination for swimming and other water sports. Taking in the rock formations and the magnificent palm trees will make your trip worthwhile.
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Praia de Marinha, Algarve, Portugal
If you want to indulge in the hot-summer Mediterranean climate, you may love it at Praia de Marinha. This breathtakingly beautiful beach is renowned for its rugged cliffs, golden sands, and crystalline waters. The dramatic landscape is a sight to die for. Since the beach is nestled among towering cliffs, it offers tourists the tranquility to unwind on their vacation.
While at it, you may love the cave formed by years and years of erosion from the sea waters. The beach has so much to offer in terms of scenery and activities.
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Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA
Recognized as one of the most picturesque beaches in the Pacific Northwest, Cannon Beach is a captivating stretch of shoreline loved for its rugged beauty, iconic sea stacks, and expansive sandy shores. At first glance, the isolated yet majestic Haystack Rock quickly catches the eye.
While swimming in the cold waters by the seashore is an excellent activity in the summer, it is not always ideal for novice swimmers as the waves tend to get strong.
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Read also: Hidden Beaches in the US
Railay Beach, Thailand
Railay is another perfect beach ideal for beachgoers seeking secluded and tranquil locations. The beach is only accessible via boat due to the towering limestone cliffs that separate it from the mainland. Besides the massive limestone cliffs, the blue waters, mangrove greenery, and soft sands are sights many tourists appreciate.
While at it, take advantage of the small caves formed by the limestone rocks. You could also go swimming, kayaking, or rock climbing on the majestic rock formations.
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Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania
One of the most sought-after spots in Zanzibar, Nungwi is adored for its serenity and picture-perfectness. Located in the Northern part of Zanzibar, Nungwi is a tropical haven known for its pristine white sands, clear turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life.
The white sands stretch for miles and miles on the Indian Ocean, making it the perfect location to go sunbathing. You could also enjoy marine wildlife watching, which is easy to spot at Nungwi.
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Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio Beach is located within Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica. This stunning tropical beach is famed for its pristine shores, lush rainforest surroundings, and abundant biodiversity. Manuel Antonio Beach stands out for its unique combination of unspoiled natural beauty and diverse ecosystems, making it a dream destination for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers.
While at the crescent-shaped beach, you can spot howler monkeys, sloths, and bird species. It is a perfect destination for hiking before soaking in water activities.
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Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn Beach), Croatia
This V-shaped beach is one of the most popular in Croatia. Its ever-changing shape and appearance make repeated visits worthwhile. The white shores, blue waters, and the pine Mediterranean vegetation make it picturesque. You will also love that the beach has ample shade for anyone looking to unwind while enjoying the blue sky and sea.
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Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia, Italy
If you’re looking for a Mediterranean destination with an unspoiled charm, you will love it at Cala Goloritzé. The beach is only accessible by boat or a very scenic hiking trail.
The tall limestone cliffs, the charming Mediterranean vegetation, and the calm waters make it a perfect destination for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring. While here, you could also go snorkeling and diving to glimpse the diverse marine life and abundant underwater caves.
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Walvis Beach, Namibia
While the massive and breathtaking dunes are good enough to get you to visit Walvis, there is much more you will appreciate here. For instance, the sight of the desert meeting the ocean is unique. The unique Juxtaposition of the Namib Desert on one side and The Atlantic Ocean on the other offers a wide range of exploration opportunities.
If the desert-ocean contrast is not enough, you will likely spot wildlife such as seals, whales, flamingos, and, if you’re lucky, hyenas at Walvis Bay.
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The Baths, British Virgin Islands
The Baths is eminent for its uniquely perfect geological formations. Giant granite boulders line the shore of this beach, forming shallow tidal pools. These shallow pools make ideal swimming spots. Some rocks are so huge they include caves with small yet magnificent passages.
Besides the huge granite formations, the walk to the beach is scenic and offers views of the entire beach. The blue and calm waters are perfect for diverse water activities.
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Kaputas Beach, Turkey
Looking for the perfect Mediterranean vacation that does not include Italy or Greece? You should try out Kaputas Beach in Turkey. The small sandy cove and massive cliffs on the side are unbelievably beautiful. You can take a staircase from the mountain parking lot to access the beach.
The view from the top is captivating. Sitting on the cliffs and watching over the beach is a good enough activity done by many tourists, which tells you how magnificent the shore is.
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Anse Lazio, Seychelles
Anse Lazio Beach is on the island of Praslin in the Seychelles. This picture-perfect beach is renowned for its smooth white sands, crystal-clear waters, and evergreen tropical surroundings. The unspoiled environment here is also one to die for, especially for travelers looking for relaxation.
The massive granite boulders and the gently swaying palm trees add to this beach’s beauty. Take advantage of the offshore reefs to enjoy the corals and diverse marine life. You could also go hiking in the nearby forests and mountains to make your trip worthwhile.
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Cabo San Juan de la Guia Beach, Colombia
While it is difficult to access, every minute and effort will be worthwhile when you finally get to Cabo San Juan de la Guia Beach, Colombia. This beach is a unique blend of jungle and sea, making it a dream for nature lovers. You, however, have to trek through the jungle to access the remote location.
The beach is famed for its crystal clear waters, rugged coastal terrain, boulders, and beautiful rainforest. It also has many palm trees that provide adequate shade for beachgoers.
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Georgia Konidari is a nationally syndicated writer and the creator of World Wild Schooling, a digital platform dedicated to travel. She is on a mission to explore the globe and share her experiences with fellow travelers. She has been featured on MSN, the Associated Press Wire and more. You can follow Georgia on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
