Could the best beaches in the world be properly listed? Not really, because everyone has various perspectives about what the best beach should have when it comes to facilities, availability, swimming, water sports, safety, relaxation, and scenery. Here in this article, we have made my list of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. It should come as no surprise that most of them are located in the most popular beach resorts around the world, with their white beaches and private coves.
10 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
- Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
- Long Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada
- Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos
- Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
- Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
- BaÃa do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
- Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico
- Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
- Polihale Beach, Hawaii, USA
- ZAKYNTHOS, Greece’s Navario Beach
1. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
Anse Source d’Argent, located on the southwest coast of La Digue, Seychelles, is listed by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s best beaches in 2024. This beach is famous for its iconic granite rock formations and crystal-clear waters, creating an unforgettable landscape. It’s one of the most photographed beaches in the world, attracting visitors who marvel at its natural beauty.
Despite its global fame, Anse Source d’Argent retains a peaceful atmosphere. Its wide stretch offers space for relaxation amidst stunning scenery. Access is through L’Union Estate, with a small entry fee that helps preserve the area.
2. Long Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada
Long Beach, nestled in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island, Canada, is one of the most spectacular beaches worldwide and was the only Canadian beach to earn a spot on BeachAtlas’ 2024 Golden Beach Award list of top 100 sandy destinations. Not all stunning beaches are tropical, and Long Beach proves this with its dramatic scenery and wild maritime beauty.
Spanning 10 miles (16 km), it is the longest sandy beach on the island, bordered by lush rainforests and powerful surf. Each spring and summer, around 20,000 grey whales migrate along this breathtaking coast.
3. Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos
Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos is often hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, known for its stunning simplicity and perfect conditions. This 12-mile stretch of soft, white sand and clear turquoise waters embodies Caribbean beauty. Grace Bay has been named the World Travel Awards World’s Leading Beach Destination for three consecutive years and ranked 17th on Banana Boat’s 2023 list of the world’s 50 best beaches. The beach is ideal for water sports, including snorkeling, paddleboarding, sailing, jet skiing, and paragliding. Its calm, warm waters and safety make it a great destination for families with young children.
4. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
Whitehaven Beach in Queensland, Australia, is often named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and lush rainforest-covered hills, it’s famous for its pure white silica sand, said to be so fine you can even scrub your body with it. The beach is framed by turquoise waters and is part of Whitsunday Island, the largest in the Whitsunday chain.
Activities include camping, scenic tours, and beachside barbecues, with overnight sailing tours being the most popular way to visit. Choices range from party boats to luxury catamarans. Accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, Whitehaven’s pristine beauty and the changing inlet make it one of the most photographed spots on Earth.
5. Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Camps Bay Beach in Cape Town is often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It boasts white sand, turquoise waters, and a breathtaking backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Popular activities include sunbathing, beach volleyball, and picnics. The beach is also known for its lively vibe, with a promenade lined with restaurants, clubs, and hotels.
While the strong current and cold water make swimming less appealing, there’s a nearby tidal pool for a calmer experience. Glen Beach, adjacent to Camps Bay, is a hotspot for surfers. Camps Bay holds blue flag status, meeting high sustainability standards.
6. BaÃa do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
BaÃa do Sancho, located on an island off the northeastern coast of Brazil, is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Accessible only by boat or small plane, it’s a secluded cove with white sand, turquoise waters, and forested cliffs. In September 2020, TripAdvisor named it the “Most Beautiful Beach in the World,” and TTG Media has awarded it this title six times. UNESCO and strict government protections keep BaÃa do Sancho and the entire Fernando de Noronha archipelago in pristine condition.
7. Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Tulum Beach, located on the Caribbean coast, is known for its charming hotels with thatched roofs and rustic wooden details. The main area is filled with dining spots, bars, and boutiques, including Italian and Asian eateries. The Tulum Jungle Gym offers a unique beachfront workout experience. Beyond the hotel zone, a quieter beach with rocky shores awaits.
Tulum stands out for its stunning Mayan ruins, perched on a cliff overlooking the turquoise sea—where history and natural beauty meet. While it attracts many visitors daily, the wide white sand and mesmerizing Caribbean waters make it unforgettable.
8. Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi is world-famous for its breathtaking white sand, clear blue waters, and dramatic cliffs. Enclosed by 100-meter-high limestone cliffs on three sides, this bay is also a thriving reef filled with colorful coral and exotic fish. Featured in the 1999 film The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay’s popularity soared. It is one of the most photogenic and well-known beaches globally, recently ranked as the 3rd best beach in the world by Lonely Planet. To preserve its pristine state, strict environmental guidelines are in place, including no food or drinks allowed on the beach.
9. Polihale Beach, Hawaii, USA
Polihale Beach is arguably the most stunning beach in the Hawaiian archipelago. This remote 7-mile (11 km) stretch on Kauai’s western end exudes a magical, untouched beauty. The beach’s secluded nature is enhanced by its access—a rough, dirt road surrounded by sugarcane fields, making a four-wheel drive vehicle ideal.
Polihale’s charm lies in its sense of isolation and sweeping golden sands against the backdrop of Kauai’s dramatic cliffs. Hawaii’s warm waters stay cool and refreshing year-round, even during winter, making them perfect for swimming without a wetsuit. Polihale remains an enchanting gem that reflects Hawaii’s raw, natural allure.
10. ZAKYNTHOS, Greece’s Navario Beach
The Greek island of Zakynthos is home to the isolated but beautiful sandy cove known as Navagio Beach. Because of the location of the Panagiotis wreck, which is considered to have been a smuggler’s ship, it is commonly known as the Shipwreck Beach. This area is famous for its white sand beaches, crystal blue water, and high limestone cliffs, all of which draw thousands of tourists each year. Only boats are allowed on the beach strip, but if you stand on the high side of the nearby cliffs, you can see it from high.
Related Post –
- Top 10 Best Small Towns in Texas
- Top 10 Best Things to Do in Grand Rapids, Minnesota
- Top 10 Best ThingsTo Do in Boise,Idaho
- 10 Best Things to Do in Boulder Colorado
Bottom Line:
While there’s no final list of the best beautiful beaches in the world because of personal preferences, the beaches listed here definitely stand out for their unique beauty, peace, and the special experiences they present. From the iconic granite rocks of Anse Source d’Argent in Seychelles to the remote, natural sands of Polihale Beach in Hawaii, each of these destinations brings something unique to the tableland.
Whether you want adventure, relaxation, or just a beautiful place to relax, these stunning beaches promise an escape into paradise, each with its charm and attraction. So, pack your bags, and let these stunning locations inspire your next beach getaway!
