12 Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World That Should Be on Your Bucket List
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If we asked you to imagine the picture-perfect beach, you’d likely think about long sandy beaches with pristine white sand, tall palm trees, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. For beach lovers, there’s nothing more spectacular or dreamy than a beautiful white-sand beach, hence why most of us plan our summer vacations around the best beaches.
However, with so many white-sand beaches, deciding where to visit can take time and effort. Don’t panic, though; we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of 12 white sand beaches in the world that you should visit. These beaches offer glorious white sand, beautiful waters, and picturesque surroundings.
Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
Anse Source d’Argent is easily one of the most iconic white-sand beaches in the world, and for good reason. This small yet impactful beach in La Digue offers a stunning mix of pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, tall palm trees, and towering granite boulders.
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Better yet, nearby coral reefs offer bountiful snorkeling opportunities while also helping to keep the waters around the beach calm. At Anse Source d’Argent, you’ll likely spend most of your time taking photos for your Instagram feed, sunbathing, strolling, and relaxing. Alternatively, more adventurous travelers who can’t sit still can snorkel in the coral reef and kayak around the island.
Read also: Top Tropical Destinations Across The World
Boulder’s Beach, South Africa
Boulder’s Beach is one of the most unique white-sand beaches in the world. Located in Simon’s Town in the Western Cape of South Africa, Boulder’s Beach may have a long white sand beach, but it’s best known for its population of penguins.
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Yes, you read that right. A beach on the African continent has penguins. Home to a species of penguin called the African Penguin, Boulder’s Beach offers tourists an opportunity to swim in the sea while penguins stroll along the beach. Parts of the beach are protected, but people still have access to large public areas. There are believed to be between 2,000 and 4,000 penguins at Boulder’s Beach. This beach is also much-loved for its tall boulders, hence the name.
Read also: Best Hidden Beaches in the World
Clearwater Beach, United States
Next up is Clearwater Beach in Florida, United States. Often ranked as one of the best beaches in the U.S., Clearwater Beach offers an impressive 2.4 miles (4 kilometers) of soft white sand beach perfect for a vacation. The beach is also lined with resorts and amenities, so you can spend almost all your time there.
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When you’re not strolling along the beach, sunbathing, or enjoying a cold beer at one of the beachside bars, you could participate in water sports. At Clearwater Beach, activities such as jet-skiing, paddleboarding, and parasailing are also available. Cycling and rollerblading alongside the beach are also popular. Meanwhile, Pier 60 comes to life in the evenings with a nightly festival and market.
Read also: Incredible Secret Beaches in the US
Diani Beach, Kenya
Diani Beach is a hidden gem. Despite offering an exquisite stretch of white sand beach, breathtaking turquoise waters, and tall palm trees, this beach isn’t as famous as other white sand beaches worldwide.
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Considering Diani Beach offers 11 miles (17 kilometers) of undisturbed beach, most tourists are seriously missing out. Furthermore, the hilly landscape surrounding the beach is equally magnificent, and the Indian Ocean offers warmer waters than other beach destinations. At Diani Beach, you can relax under the sun, swim in the sea, and participate in watersports such as fishing, boating, and kite surfing. What’s not to like?
Read also: Amazing Pink Beaches
Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
Undoubtedly, two things that make Grace Bay such a dreamy location are its long white-sand beach and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Lined by tall palm trees and luxury resorts, tourists travel to Grace Bay Beach to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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At this beach, you can soak up the sun on a sun lounger, swim in the sea, drink cold beers at a beachside bar, and enjoy local food in nearby restaurants. Grace Bay Beach is also home to diverse marine life, so a snorkeling or scuba diving trip could be in order, too. On such a trip, you can spot dolphins, hawksbill turtles, stingrays, and reef sharks. Watersports like paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular at Grace Bay Beach.
Read also: Must-Visit Beaches in the Caribbean
Johnny Cay, Colombia
Johnny Cay is a small sea-horse-shaped island in the Caribbean Sea, belonging to the Colombian Department of Archipelago of San Andrés. This tiny slice of paradise is famed for its towering coconut trees, coral reefs, shallow blue waters, and beautiful white-sand beaches.
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On Johnny Cay, you can expect to spend your day swimming in the sea, listening to reggae music, tucking into seafood, sunbathing, and snorkeling. Unfortunately, tourists can’t stay on Johnny Cay, and you can only reach the island by boat. Therefore, you’ll have to make the most of your visit. The beach can get busy, but it’s still worth visiting.
Read also: Hidden Beaches in the Caribbean
Luskentyre Beach, Scotland
Generally, Scotland isn’t a country associated with white sand beaches. However, the Outer Hebrides is home to several beautiful white sand beaches that offer tropical vibes when the weather’s nice. Luskentyre Beach in Harris is a fine example of what Scotland offers.
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This beautiful beach offers a charming stretch of soft white sand surrounded by lush fields and surprisingly clear turquoise waters. The water is usually too cold to swim in, but wandering along the beach is a great experience. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the wild ponies that live in the area walking along the coast.
Read also: Spectacular European Beaches
Matira Beach, Bora Bora
Bora Bora in French Polynesia is the epitome of luxury travel. Famous for its impressive mountain peaks, palm-tree-lined beaches, overwater bungalows, and crystalline waters, there’s arguably no better place to visit if you’re planning a luxury vacation. One of the best beaches in Bora Bora is Matira Beach.
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Matira Beach is a one-mile (1.6-kilometer) public beach with perfectly white sand and clear Polynesian water. With few amenities, bars, and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Spend your time on the beach relaxing, sunbathing, and swimming in the sea. The beach does have a picnic area, so you could arrange a luxury picnic with your resort, too.
Read also: Top Exotic Beaches
Tulum Beach, Mexico
Located on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum Beach has long been a popular vacation destination with beachgoers. Lined with luxury resorts and plenty of places to eat and drink, this long sandy beach has the most amazing soft white sand, turquoise waters, and picture-perfect sunsets.
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Aside from its apparent natural beauty and array of luxury hotels, the beach is also popular because of its unique culture and historical significance. The area surrounding the beach has been heavily influenced by the indigenous Mayan people, who have lived in the region for thousands of years. The Tulum Ruins overlook the beach, offering visitors an insight into Mayan culture.
Read also: Best Beach Destinations for Each Month
Hyams Beach, Australia
Hyams Beach is a seaside village in Shoalhaven City, New South Wales, Australia. It sits along the shores of Jervis Bay and is best known for its gorgeous white sand beach, which is 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers) long and an idyllic location for a summer vacation.
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The sugary-white sand beach is lined by the lush Jervis Bay National Park, which offers hiking enthusiasts a variety of scenic trails and beautiful turquoise waters perfect for swimming. There aren’t too many food establishments near the beach, so you’ll likely have to pack a picnic, but plenty of parking, toilets, and outdoor showers are found on the beach.
Read also: Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
Maya Beach, Thailand
Maya Beach and its secluded cove were made famous by the 2000 film “The Beach,” in which Leonardo DiCaprio can be seen on the cove’s small white sand beach. In the film, movie buffs were treated to mesmerizing footage of the cove’s soft white sand beach, turquoise waters, and tall shrub-covered limestone cliffs.
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Unsurprisingly, this made the beach a significant tourist attraction, with thousands of travelers worldwide heading to the beach for a taste of paradise. Accessible only by boat, Maya Beach offers an escape from the daily grind and a divine tropical experience as a day trip from Phuket. In addition, visitors can participate in a range of activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Read also: Incredible Tropical beaches
Voutoumi Beach, Greece
The final white sand beach on our list is Voutoumi Beach in Greece. Located on Antipaxos Island, this secluded beach is best known for its breathtakingly clear, azure waters, soft white sand, lush green hills, and relaxed atmosphere. It’s a big hit with travelers searching for a more relaxed day at the beach and is frequently visited by boat tours.
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Admittedly, there isn’t much to do at the beach, but that’s what makes it perfect. Spend your time relaxing, floating in the sea, and admiring the scenery instead of rushing around trying to see and do as much as possible. Voutoumi Beach can only be reached by boat, so you should take a water taxi or boat trip from Paxos, which is only 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away.
Read also: Must-Visit Beaches in Greece
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