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The top most stunning beaches in the world

These famous beaches from around the world are renowned for their turqoise waters, palm trees, surfing, sunbathing, diving, night life or all of the above. Let them serve as inspiration for your next backpacking trip.
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Ambergris Caye [Belize]

Swim off wooden piers, ride through sandy lanes, and spend evenings where the reef meets a busy waterfront village.
Best time to go: November - April

Anse de Grande Saline [Saint Barthélemy]

Arrive early to experience open space, minimal shade, and a relaxed atmosphere where clothing is optional and the sea is often lively.
Best time to go: October - May

Anse des Rochers [Guadeloupe]

Stay in beachfront accommodation or visit for a peaceful swim, with easy access but limited public facilities.
Best time to go: November - May

Anse Dufour [Martinique]

Swim in clear, gentle waters beside small boats, and spot turtles grazing on seagrass just meters from the shore.
Best time to go: November - April

Anse Lazio [Seychelles]

Swim in clear water and relax under takamaka trees, with easy access to food stalls and dramatic rock formations at each end.
Best time to go: April - November

Anse Mamin [St. Lucia]

Wander a secluded stretch lined with palms and explore remnants of plantation ruins before relaxing in calm, shallow waters.
Best time to go: November - May

Anse Vata [New Caledonia]

Stroll along a lively waterfront where city life meets the sea, with easy access to water sports and evening gatherings.
Best time to go: March - November

Bacuit Bay [Philippines]

Paddle or boat between dramatic rock formations and small islands, with clear water and endless options for exploration.
Best time to go: November - May

Balos Lagoon [Greece]

Reach a remote lagoon where shallow waters shift in color, and the landscape feels untouched except for the occasional wandering goat.
Best time to go: April - October

Belle Mare [Mauritius]

Start the day with a walk along a broad, east-facing shore where the sun rises over quiet sand and locals exercise at dawn.
Best time to go: May - December

Bondi Beach [Australia]

Experience Sydney’s most famous stretch, where city life meets the ocean and the promenade buzzes with activity year-round.
Best time to go: September - May

Camps Bay [South Africa]

Relax on white sand with mountain views, then wander to nearby restaurants as the sun sets behind the Atlantic horizon.
Best time to go: September - April

Canggu Beach [Indonesia]

Join a youthful crowd for surfing, sample a wide range of food options, and experience a lively social scene along the shore.
Best time to go: March - October

Clearwater Beach [the USA]

Swim in warm Gulf waters, watch dolphins offshore, and gather at dusk as the sun drops behind a lively pier lined with street performers.
Best time to go: September - May

Diani Beach [Kenya]

Swim in clear waters, try water sports, and unwind along a stretch where modern comforts meet a relaxed coastal rhythm.
Best time to go: June - October, December - February

Eagle Beach [Aruba]

Stroll a wide expanse of pale sand, spot nesting sea turtles in season, and rest beneath the shade of iconic, wind-shaped trees.
Best time to go: all year round

El Cotillo Beaches [Spain]

Watch Atlantic waves break on rugged shores, then move between calm lagoons and open surf favored by experienced wind and kite surfers.
Best time to go: March - October

El Nido [Philippines]

Join boat trips to secret beaches and lagoons, surrounded by vertical limestone walls and clear, shallow water.
Best time to go: November - May

Elia Beach [Greece]

Find space to stretch out on a wide beach, with clear water and distant views, plus plenty of facilities for a comfortable day.
Best time to go: April - October

Flamenco Beach [Puerto Rico]

Walk a broad, sheltered bay with soft sand and shallow entry, passing rusted tanks that hint at the island’s layered history.
Best time to go: November - August

Grace Bay Beach [Turks and Caicos Islands]

Swim in clear water steps from amenities, with easy entry to reefs and a long shoreline favored by travelers seeking convenience.
Best time to go: October - May

Ipanema [Brazil]

Join locals at distinct beach sections, enjoy mountain-framed sunsets, and sample street food along the lively waterfront.
Best time to go: April - November

Kalapathar Beach [India]

Stroll beneath overhanging trees and volcanic stones, where gentle waves and solitude define this remote Andaman shoreline.
Best time to go: October - April

Langkawi Beach [Malaysia]

Relax beneath dramatic cliffs, ride above treetops for panoramic island views, and browse for bargains in a setting shaped by nature.
Best time to go: November - March

Long Beach [Canada]

Experience open Pacific swells, scattered logs, and misty forest trails where surfers and hikers share the wild coastline of Vancouver Island.
Best time to go: March - October

Maracas Bay [Trinidad and Tobago]

Taste local street food after a swim, watch surfers ride the waves, and take in panoramic views from the winding approach road.
Best time to go: January - May, November

Matapalo Beach [Costa Rica]

Walk for miles on nearly empty sand, passing scattered logs and watching pelicans skim the surf in a peaceful setting.
Best time to go: November - May

Matira Beach [French Polynesia]

Swim in calm, shallow water along a broad stretch of sand, with easy entry and a relaxed, open setting popular with locals.
Best time to go: May - October

Maya Bay [Thailand]

Visit a sheltered cove surrounded by vertical limestone walls, where visitor numbers are limited to protect the marine environment.
Best time to go: November - April

Muri Beach [Cook Islands]

Paddle between small islands in calm, shallow waters, with easy swimming and a lively atmosphere close to local food stalls.
Best time to go: April - October

Myrtle Beach [the USA]

Play a round on sprawling greens, stroll busy piers lined with rides, and stay steps from the Atlantic in beachfront towers.
Best time to go: March - November

Nacpan Beach [Philippines]

Walk between two parallel beaches lined with palms, where the sand stretches far and the crowds are thin.
Best time to go: November - May

Natadola Beach [Fiji]

Swim in calm waters, ride horses along the shore, or enjoy easy access to nearby amenities without sacrificing the open beach feel.
Best time to go: May - October

Navagio Beach [Greece]

Arrive by boat to a cove enclosed by cliffs, where a rusted wreck sits on white pebbles and the sea glows electric blue.
Best time to go: April - October

Nungwi Beach [Tanzania]

Experience a busy northern coast where traditional boatyards meet lively evenings, and conservation projects offer a glimpse of local wildlife.
Best time to go: June - February

Ölüdeniz Beach [Türkiye]

Swim in calm, sheltered water or launch a tandem paraglide from nearby cliffs for aerial views of the lagoon’s shifting blues.
Best time to go: April - October

Orient Beach [St. Lucia]

Stroll a breezy, working beach where fishermen launch boats and village life unfolds along the sand, far from tourist crowds.
Best time to go: November - May

Paradise Beach Tulum [Mexico]

Stroll beneath palms, explore ancient ruins overlooking the coast, and stay in small hotels that blend into the natural landscape.
Best time to go: November - April

Pink Sands Beach [The Bahamas]

Stroll along a pale pink shoreline where soft sand and mild waves attract couples, photographers, and those seeking quiet mornings.
Best time to go: November - April

Playa Blanca [Panama]

Relax on a developed coastline with easy swimming, modern amenities, and a focus on comfort for short or extended stays.
Best time to go: November - April

Playa Conchal [Costa Rica]

Swim in clear, gentle waves and search for colorful fish just offshore, with sand made from millions of tiny shells underfoot.
Best time to go: November - May

Playa d’en Bossa [Spain]

Experience a lively atmosphere where music spills onto the sand, with easy options for jet skiing, paddleboarding, and late-night parties.
Best time to go: April - October

Playa de Ses Illetes [Spain]

Walk along a slender spit of sand surrounded by shallow water, with anchored boats and distant views of Ibiza on the horizon.
Best time to go: March - October

Playa del Carmen [Mexico]

Mix city energy with beach time, walk to shops and cafés, and catch boats to nearby islands from the busy waterfront.
Best time to go: January - February, April, June, October - November

Playa Uva [Colombia]

Rest under palms on a quiet stretch of coast where gentle waves and minimal development create a low-key escape.
Best time to go: November - April

Playa Zipolite [Mexico]

Experience a relaxed, clothing-optional beach where strong waves, simple lodgings, and a free-spirited crowd set the tone.
Best time to go: November - May

Praia do Sancho [Brazil]

Descend ladders through rock crevices to reach a sheltered bay, ideal for snorkeling and observing birdlife on the cliffs.
Best time to go: March, August - December

Punta Uva [Costa Rica]

Float in warm, shallow water beneath overhanging trees and snorkel above reefs alive with tropical fish and sea fans.
Best time to go: July - August, November - May

Radhanagar Beach [India]

Swim in clear shallows and rest under dense greenery, where the natural setting feels untouched and the pace remains unhurried.
Best time to go: November - March

Rasfari Beach [Jamaica]

Sleep in simple huts, swing in hammocks, and enjoy a low-impact stay with minimal crowds and basic comforts.
Best time to go: November - May

Samui Beaches [Thailand]

Choose from a patchwork of sandy stretches, each with its own character, from quiet coves to lively resort areas lined with palms.
Best time to go: November - April

Seven Mile Beach [Cayman Islands and Jamaica]

Try paddleboarding, eat at beach shacks, and find both quiet corners and busier stretches along a famously long beach.
Best time to go: July, November - April

Shark Bay [Australia]

Visit a unique marine environment where ancient life forms thrive and rare wildlife, including dugongs, can be seen in shallow waters.
Best time to go: March - November

Sharm El Sheikh [Egypt]

Snorkel among vibrant marine life, stay in large hotels, and stroll lively walkways lined with shops and restaurants.
Best time to go: October - April

South Beach [the USA]

Admire bold architecture, people-watch along busy promenades, and experience a nightlife scene that pulses late into the night.
Best time to go: September - April

Starfish Beach [Panama]

Wade in clear, waist-deep water where starfish are easily spotted, making this a favorite for relaxed swimming and nature viewing.
Best time to go: November - May

Tamarindo Beach [Costa Rica]

Learn to surf on forgiving waves, explore a range of shops and restaurants, and watch the sky turn orange each evening.
Best time to go: November - August

Tofo Beach [Mozambique]

Surf consistent waves, meet fellow travelers in laid-back bars, and dive with marine giants just offshore.
Best time to go: January - March, May - October

Varadero Beach [Cuba]

Stroll a vast expanse of sand with frequent public access, lively evening options, and straightforward connections to Havana.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit

Varkala Beach [India]

Descend from dramatic cliffs to a narrow strip of sand, where wellness seekers and travelers gather for sunsets and sea breezes.
Best time to go: October - March

Veligandu Island Beach [Maldives]

Walk a slender sandbar that shifts with the tide, surrounded by clear shallows and a sense of privacy favored by couples.
Best time to go: November - April

Venice Beach [the USA]

Watch skaters and bodybuilders perform, browse murals and vendor stalls, and soak up a creative, unconventional atmosphere.
Best time to go: September - June

Waikiki Beach [the USA]

Paddle traditional canoes, learn to surf gentle breaks, and take in city-meets-volcano scenery from a lively, urban beach.
Best time to go: April - October

White Beach [Philippines]

Swim in clear, shallow water and stroll a lively beachfront lined with shops and restaurants, especially popular at sunset.
Best time to go: November - April

White Sand Beach [Vietnam]

Relax on soft, pale sand with gentle shallows, ideal for those seeking a peaceful spot away from busier stretches.
Best time to go: November - April

Whitehaven Beach [Australia]

Arrive by boat to walk on pure white sand and swim in clear water, surrounded by shifting patterns of turquoise and blue.
Best time to go: May - October

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