25. Sun Island Beach, Maldives
(CNN) -- Is it possible to rank the world's best beaches?
Of course it is. This is the Internet.
Will everyone agree with our ranking, murmuring respectfully among themselves about how perfectly accurate every placement is?
Maybe not. This is the Internet.
But that's why we've
scoured the planet, demanded answers from our most well traveled
friends, colleagues and cohorts, absorbed passionate pleas from readers,
researched, investigated and examined the evidence then finally tipped
the sand from our shoes, washed the brine from our eyes and put together
a pretty good guide to the best beaches on the planet.
Now we turn it over to you.
Consider this list a premise, a platform from which you can jump into a dazzling, turquoise ocean of "further recommendations."
There's a comment box down below -- use it.
100. Falassarna Beach, Crete, Greece
100. Falassarna Beach, Crete, Greece
Best thing about the
sand at Falassarna? There's so much of it there's little chance of
playing beach-mat overlap with strangers. This slice of coast takes in
five consecutive beaches, the middle ones being most popular, the ones
on the ends better for solitary sun lovers.
Highlight: On the first Saturday of August, thousands descend for Crete's biggest beach party.
99. Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland
99. Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland
A beach for walkers and
beach athletes. The two miles of Portstewart Strand are exceptionally
well maintained, perhaps a little too meticulously, with every activity
(swimming, horseback riding, walking, surfing) ascribed a dedicated
zone.
Highlights: Dunes, 6,000 years old and 100 feet high, dominate the area and support lots of wildlife.
98. Pigeon Point, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
Pigeon Point is a
literal representation of the Caribbean beach ideal, right down to the
charming old lady who sells sour-sop ice cream by the pound.
Highlight: The thatched-roofed jetty, possibly the most photographed jetty in the world.
97. Coffee Bay, Wild Coast, South Africa
97. Coffee Bay, Wild Coast, South Africa
With cliffs that plummet
and green hills that roll into the turbulent waters of the Indian
Ocean, this is one moody beach. Hole In The Wall (five miles up the road
from Coffee Bay) is a spectacular rock just out to sea at the mouth of
the Mpako River.
Good to know: The best way to see this beautiful stretch of coastline is to walk it.
96. Ifaty Beach, Madagascar
This is no five-star
resort beach. Shade is provided by drooping palm trees, not striped
umbrellas, and fishermen's houses, clumsily put together with natural
materials, line the shore. But that's why we love Ifaty, on the
southwest coast of Madagascar. It's flanked by a coral reef that you can
snorkel around or explore from the surface in a colorful dugout canoe.
Good to know: Whales often visit in July and August.
95. Praia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
95. Praia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Often voted Brazil's
best beach, Praia do Sancho is a bay on the island of Fernando de
Noronha, facing the coast of Brazil rather than out into the Atlantic
Ocean.
Highlight:
Steep, rocky cliffs covered in vegetation form a backdrop to the clear
waters that are accessible only via ladders attached to the cliff face
or by boat.
94. Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Volcanoes near this
beach on the eastern edge of New Zealand's North Island develop large
underground reservoirs of extremely hot water. Over time, this water
escapes to the surface, cooling along the way, though still emerging at
temperatures as hot as 147 F (64 C).
Highlight: The hot springs are accessible only at low tide; those with shovels can create ad hoc spas in the warm sand.
93. Long Beach, Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Phu Quoc is fast
becoming Vietnam's most popular new island destination. Market traders
in conical hats hawk baguettes, ducks, flying lizards and other items
rarely seen on the Thai side of the Gulf, while motorcycles ply red dirt
roads to pearl farms and old-style fishing ports.
Highlight: Dominated
by local families who rent motorcycles for $5 a day and bungalows for
$20 per night, Long Beach reminds some of Thailand in the late 1980s.
92. Meads Bay, Anguilla
92. Meads Bay, Anguilla
Anguilla beaches don't
do average. This speck in the Caribbean was front of the queue when the
beach gods were passing out idyllic places to lounge. If you tire of the
sugary sands and bathtub-warm water of Meads Bay, one of the island's
longest beaches, there are several good restaurants and hotels nearby.
Highlight: Blanchards Beach Shack serves fantastic lobster rolls and a great mango colada.
91. Bottom Bay, Barbados
91. Bottom Bay, Barbados
One of the few beautiful
beaches in Barbados to have escaped development overkill, Bottom Bay is
enclosed by high coral cliffs, making it an almost undiscovered pocket
of paradise.
Highlight: Turtles and whales can sometimes be spotted from the tops of the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
90. Paradise Beach, Rab, Croatia
90. Paradise Beach, Rab, Croatia
The Croatian island of Rab claims to be the birthplace of modern skinny-dipping.
In 1936, King Edward
VIII and Wallis Simpson obtained permission from city authorities to
bathe naked in the inlet of Kandalora, and people have been doing the
same on the island's beaches ever since.
Highlight: The sea remains shallow even half a kilometer out, making it an ideal place for novice swimmers.
89. Lover's Beach, Baja California Sur, Mexico
A semi-hidden cove best accessed by boat, Lover's Beach was once popular with pirates, now with photographers.
Be aware: The
beach is small and the sea can get rough, so this isn't a place to stay
for long. You should pre-arrange return transport to town, as come 4
p.m., boats are scarce.
88. Byron Bay, Australia
88. Byron Bay, Australia
Pubs, cafes and
bookshops host buskers, musicians, artists and drift-ins who walk the
streets barefoot and bleary eyed. There's a lingering scent of the
Flower Power generation, while surfers wait for perfect waves.
Highlight: Every year, the Byron Bay Bluesfest attracts some of the biggest names in world music, and with it, thousands of Sydneysiders.
87. Arashi Beach, Aruba
The California
Lighthouse keeps ships away from this northwestern tip of Aruba, but it
also acts as a beacon for beach bums looking for natural shores. Head
for it, and you'll hit Arashi Beach's unspoiled sands (there are only a
few palapas).
Highlight: Snorkeling. A 400-foot German freighter wreck lies just offshore.
86. An Bang Beach, Hoi An, Vietnam
Gentle waves, soft white
sand. Recently An Bang Beach has picked up among expat tourists, which
explains the Western-managed bars and restaurants.
Highlight: Many restaurants in the town specialize in the Viet imperial cuisine Hoi An is known for around the country.
85. Bandon, Oregon, United States
85. Bandon, Oregon, United States
It's got beauty -- the
sun sets over the striking rock formations -- it's got good food -- a
long growing season and influx of ambitious chefs. It also has a safari
game park to the south and spectacular, seaside Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
to the north.
Trivia: According
to Native American folklore, the unusual formation of Face Rock
represents the face of a princess who was drowned by an evil sea spirit.
84. Puka Beach, Boracay, Philippines
84. Puka Beach, Boracay, Philippines
Making a respectable
claim to its "tropical paradise" reputation, Boracay has powdery
beaches, water sports and spas. Puka Beach is named for its Puka shells,
meaning the sand here is coarse.
Highlight: Puka
is the second-longest beach on Boracay and relatively empty most times,
with no resorts and a limited number of restaurants.
83. Ffryes Beach, Antigua
Most of the time this
place is empty, so those who come often have it to themselves. The beach
livens up with locals on the weekends or when a cruise ship is in town.
Highlight: There's not much to do except enjoy the view (superb sunsets) and a drink at one of a handful of shack bars.
82. La Concha, Spain
82. La Concha, Spain
For a city beach, La
Concha is lovely. It comes with a promenade, easy access, great
restaurants and other city perks. It also has swimmable water.
Highlight: Tapas. Cafes and restaurants behind the sand offer some of the best small eats on this northern coast.
81. Las Salinas, Ibiza, Spain
Las Salinas, an iconic
crescent of sand, is the most happening beach on the island. Music
blasts from bars morning till night, attracting A-list celebs.
Highlight: The beach is also a magnet for nude sunbathers.
80. Cape Maclear, Malawi
80. Cape Maclear, Malawi
Cape Maclear sits on the
edge of Lake Malawi, a lake so large it feels like an ocean. It is part
of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beach, something of a hippie
hangout, is linked to the town via a single dirt road lined with a
handful of hostels and dive shops.
Highlight: Diving, snorkeling, kayaking -- the water is free from brine, and there are no sharks or jellyfish.
79. Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
79. Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
It can't be easy being a
standout beach in a country of awesome beaches, but Unawatuna does it.
Hanging off the southern tip of Sri Lanka, it stretches for more than a
mile, and is marked by palm trees, thatch huts and a languid pace.
Unfortunately, the area was hit hard by the 2004 tsunami, and the place
hasn't yet returned to its pre-tsunami beauty.
Highlight: The laid-back, young-traveler atmosphere.
78. Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
Jeffreys Bay's legendary
breaks attract top surfers to the annual Billabong Pro ASP World Tour
surfing event. Nearby lagoons make ideal venues for boardsailing and
canoeing. The Seekoei River Nature Reserve, a haven for rare birds, is
nearby.
Highlight: Migrating whales pass by the bay to give birth every season.
77. Vilanculos Beach, Mozambique
77. Vilanculos Beach, Mozambique
Lazy. Friendly. Scenic. Great swimming. Vilanculos is also one of the best diving destinations in the West Indian Ocean.
Highlight:
The small coastal town of Vilanculos has thatched huts lining the
streets, a friendly population and a plethora of laid-back bars and
restaurants.
76. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
76. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
Many of Puerto Rico's
beaches suffer from garbage-disposal problems. Not this one (though a
rusting tank does make for one eye-catching piece of litter). Flamenco
is a natural crescent of unblemished sand, with a camping site behind.
Highlight: A quarter-mile offshore a reef offers great diving and snorkeling sights.
75. Oludeniz, Turkey
75. Oludeniz Beach, Turkey
The name translates to
"Dead Sea," but it's not the one you're thinking of. This beach's
sheltered location amid mountain scenery keeps the water calm even
during storms; cafes, shops and restaurants provide sustenance.
Highlight: Paragliding tours over wooded areas and mountains.
74. Capo Sant'Andrea, Elba, Italy
74. Capo Sant'Andrea, Elba, Italy
It's hard to imagine why
Napoleon ever wanted to leave. At this inlet, the water is clear enough
to see the seabed even in the deepest sections. Chestnut trees sweep
right down to the coastline.
Highlight: The
inlet's golden beaches are framed by softly sloping granite blocks --
natural sun beds that are taken over by sunbathers during summer.
73. Venice Beach, California, United States
This beachfront district
is a SoCal institution and a freak show free-for-all. Qi gong masseurs,
hair braiders, fortune-tellers and artists jostle along the 2½-mile
Venice Boardwalk.
Highlight: Beachfront outdoor basketball courts -- competition can be fierce on weekends and early evenings.
72. Plage de Piémanson, France
72. Plage de Piémanson, France
For sheer scale,
gloriously unspoiled wilderness and nude bathing, Plage de Piémanson
ranks among the finest. Part of Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, the
obscure beach has tawny sand that stretches forever.
Highlight: To
get here, you drive through colonies of pink flamingos and might spot
Camargue horses, an ancient breed of white horse that roams wild in the
reserve.
71. Laughing Bird Caye, Belize
Reaching barely a meter
above sea level, this protected isle is less than a hectare in size,
but offers one of the best day trips off the Belize coast. A huge amount
of coral, bird and marine life call this place home, which is why so
many visitors call it perfect.
Highlight: The laughing gulls after which the isle is named have moved on, but herons, blackbirds and pelicans can often be seen.
70. Punalu'u, Hawaii, United States
70. Punalu'u, Hawaii, United States
No sugary sands and
idyllic swimming conditions, but you will find a dramatic black basalt
shore and might spot green and hawksbill turtles, as well as dolphins
and whale sharks, if you snorkel off this Big Island beach.
Highlight: Getting here involves a 20-minute trek through a wooded dirt trail, underlining the remote and undeveloped beach.
69. Los Roques, Venezuela
69. Los Roques, Venezuela
OK, this isn't one
beach, more like several hundred, but it's impossible to pick from the
more than 350 islands in the Los Roques archipelago. Whichever island
you're on, from the large Cayo Grande to the diminutive Gran Roque,
you'll have blinding white sand and shallow, tropical waters just a few
powdery footsteps away.
Highlight: The
entire area is basically an enormous water sports arena -- divers,
snorkelers, fishermen and shallow-water splashers will all find it hard
to leave.
68. Kaiteriteri Beach, Nelson, New Zealand
68. Kaiteriteri Beach, Nelson, New Zealand
With golden sand and
the most sunshine hours in New Zealand, Kaiteriteri Beach is at the top
of New Zealand's South Island and the gateway to Abel Tasman National
Park.
Highlights: Penguins, seals and dolphins are common.
67. Belle Mare, Mauritius
The sunrise from the
quiet beach of Belle Mare, on the east coast of Mauritius, is worth the
wake-up call. Although known for its fine white sand, you're likely to
find a secluded space along this barely developed stretch of beach.
Good to know: To turn the excitement levels up, Waterpark Leisure Village near Belle Mare offers giant chutes and slides.
66. Skagen Beach, Denmark
66. Skagen Beach, Denmark
The shore at Skagen, an
artists' colony in the 19th century, is a 40-mile-long sand ribbon
within a landscape of milky white dunes, fairytale forests and
wind-blown beaches.
Highlight: If
Skagen's waters are too cold for swimming there are other attractions
-- an annual midsummer's eve bonfire on Skagen Sonderstrand, the
Bolcheriet candy factory and Råbjerg Mile, the largest sand dune in
northern Europe.
65. Isshiki Beach, Hayama, Japan
During the peak of
summer, the beach's two crescents of sand buzz with windsurfers,
kayakers and swimmers. Vendors erect wooden shacks housing bars,
restaurants and shower units. The Blue Moon is a well known beach shack
-- it hosts concerts on weekend evenings.
Highlight: Hayama's Imperial Villa, which faces Isshiki Beach, has been used by Japanese emperors since 1894 as a winter holiday house.
64. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman Islands, India
This popular but
spacious beach largely escaped the effects of the 2004 tsunami that
ruined many other beaches in the Indian Ocean. A tropical forest leans
into crunchy sand, which slopes seamlessly into warm, calm water.
Highlight: At the western edge of the beach you'll find find a lagoon, often devoid of people.
63. Pulau Derawan, Indonesia
63. Pulau Derawan, Indonesia
Tourist accommodations
are no-frills here, and that's what makes the place special. Most
visitors will be able to spot turtles wading about on the island's
spotless silvery beaches.
Highlight: The waters surrounding Derawan are known to be a home to manta rays and green turtles.
62. Haad Rin, Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Haad Rin's infamous
full moon parties are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Mostly because
once is enough. But outside the drunken, chemical-fueled parties the
place has cheap alcohol, great food and a fun-loving crowd.
61. Essaouira, Morocco
The sprawling beach of
Essaouira is like a spacious chill-out lounge for this laid-back
Moroccan town. It attracts wind- and kite-surfers in summer, and surfers
in winter. Around the bay away from the harbor is a castle that's said
to have been the inspiration for Jimi Hendrix's "Castles Made of Sand."
Good to know: Essaouira is beautiful at dusk. The harbor offers great snapshots looking back toward the old town.
60. Beidaihe, China
60. Beidaihe, China
Beidaihe has been
pleasing China's upper crust for decades. A few hours from Beijing, Mao
Zedong and Deng Xiaoping hashed out national policies in private villas
here. The area remains popular among Russian tourists -- a reminder of
erstwhile Sino-Soviet ties.
Highlight: Beidaihe's restaurants offer simple pleasures, mostly good seafood and cold beer.
59. Na'ama Bay, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
In the middle of
Egypt's Mediterranean coast, Na'ama Bay has diverse marine life,
colorful corals visible from the surface of the water and great
snorkeling from the beach in front of the Jolie Ville Hotel.
Highlight: With
temperatures in the high 70s F (23-27 C) during November and December,
and 10 hours of sunshine a day, this is the ideal place to take
advantage of one of the many winter travel deals to Egypt on offer.
58. Akajima, Okinawa, Japan
58. Akajima, Okinawa, Japan
The islet of Akajima is
popular among Japanese day-trippers during summer, but foreign
travelers are a rare sight. It retains a sequestered charm even during
peak season. The beaches are spotless, usually dotted with just a
handful of surfers.
Highlight: Further inland, a quaint Ryukyuan heritage house is open to visitors.
57. Abaka Bay, Haiti
The island of Ile a
Vache in Haiti punches above its weight in the beach class division --
the eight-by-two-mile island is home to Akaba Bay, boasting some of the
best photo ops in the Caribbean. Quality and good value accommodation
line the sands.
Highlight: Abaka Bay Resort provides great views of the ocean, is one step from the beach and serves a mean conch dinner.
56. Diani Beach, Kenya
Twelve-plus miles of
palm-fringed beach is kept pristine and clear of seaweed by the coral
reef just offshore. It has become one of Kenya's most popular beaches.
Supermarkets, hotels and monkeys have all become part of the experience.
Good to know: Want to learn to kite surf? Lessons are available here.
55. Phra Nang Beach, Railay, Thailand
55. Phra Nang Beach, Railay, Thailand
With Dali-esque
limestone structures, hundreds of cliff-climbing routes and Tiffany-blue
waters, Railay is the seasoned rock climber's dream. Stalactite-rimmed
cliffs that tourists can jump from flank Phra Nang, the area's main
beach.
Worth knowing: Although Railay is accessible only by longtail boat from Krabi and Ao Nang, it can get crowded during tourist seasons.
54. Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island, Canada
If perfection unnerves
you, avoid Prince Edward Island. The island's most idyllic feature,
Cavendish Beach has creamy sands flanked by sandstone cliffs and dunes,
and has captured the imagination of writers and tourists alike.
Trivia: The area is famous for inspiring scenes in "Anne of Green Gables."
53. Little Corn beaches, Nicaragua
53. Little Corn beaches, Nicaragua
Low key, undeveloped
and languid, Little Corn Island was, sometimes still is, a stop for
pirates. These days it's more frequently used as a vacation spot for
those looking for a few days of rustic, five-star-free living.
Worth knowing: A great spot for diving and snorkeling.
52. Southwestern Beach, Koh Rong, Cambodia
Koh Rong is one of the
Gulf of Thailand's most gorgeous islands, and on its southwestern side
there's a stretch of nearly three miles of untouched white sand that
invariably seduces any who venture this way.
Highlight: The southernmost end of this beach features perfect snorkeling rocks with colorful rabbitfish, sergeant fish and parrot fish.
51. Panama City Beach, Florida, United States
51. Panama City Beach, Florida, United States
It's not the spring
break capital of the world for no reason. Each year, more than 6 million
college kids and sun seekers pour into Panama City Beach, lured by
emerald waters, blinding white sand, colorful reefs, fishing and
hard-core people-watching. And, OK, maybe a drink or two.
Highlights: Historic
wrecks off Panama City Beach's shores make this a superb dive site.
Goofy Golf, a mini-golf institution since 1959, has a kitschy, retro
charm.
50. Porto da Barra, Salvador, Brazil
In many ways, Porto da
Barra is to Salvador what Bondi is to Sydney and Venice Beach is to Los
Angeles. Tiny fishing boats bring in the day's catch, there's beach
volleyball and plenty to see at the Fisherman Colony Manguinhos, a
traditional fish market in Buizos.
Highlight: It's one of the few beaches in Salvador that faces west, so you can catch great sunsets.
49. Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia
49. Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia
Most tourists on
Langkawi flock to Pantai Cenang beach, but the quieter Tanjung Rhu has
an earthy beauty and serene atmosphere. The long beach area is
surrounded by ancient limestone caves, rippling waterways and dense
mangroves.
Highlight: The Four Seasons Resort offers boat tours around the mangrove forests.
48. Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
48. Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
You have to pay a fee
to get into this stunning beach, but boy is it worth it. Imagine a
postcard of pure beach beauty, then Photoshop the blues to be even bluer
and the yellow-white sand to be even softer and you have Trunk Bay.
Highlight: Snorkelers get a little treat with plaques embedded into the sea floor with information about what they're looking at.
47. Placenia Beach, Belize
47. Placenia Beach, Belize
Placenia has great
beaches, but it's the adventures to be had that make this a top 100
beach destination. Jungle rivers, Mayan ruins and fantastic wildlife
make this one a beach trip with various purposes.
Highlight: Monkeys, iguanas and the chance to kayak in a lagoon with manatees.
46. Natadola Beach, Fiji
46. Natadola Beach, Fiji
Probably Fiji's finest
beach, Natadola Beach is one of the few places in the country that's
good for swimming 24 hours a day. A luxury resort backs onto the beach
and attracts vendors selling coconuts and beach fashion accessories, so
you'll need to put distance between you and the resort if you like
solitude.
Highlight: Horseback rides at sunset.
45. Patnem Beach, Goa, India
If the cacophony of
flea markets and tourist raves at Anjuna beach aren't your thing,
smaller neighbor Patnem is less claustrophobic, with cheaper beach huts.
Highlight: It's the perfect place to enjoy the sunset while congratulating yourself on ducking the Goan tourist radar.
44. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
44. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
For an iconic all-round
great city beach you can't miss with Bondi. The wide curving crescent
of white sand can get incredibly busy, but that's only because the
surfing is gnarly, the sands are clean and the nearby eateries are
fantastic.
Highlight: After a day in the sun you can chase down the day with a meal at Trattoria, one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
43. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Previously: a simple
fishing village and dhow-building center. Now: one of Africa's most
picturesque lines of coast, where palms amble onto a beach that
dissolves gradually from spearmint blue into shades of deep turquoise.
Highlight: At sunset, white-sailed dhows leave from the boatyard, making for a great photo op.
42. D-Day beaches, Normandy, France
42. D-Day beaches, Normandy, France
On the morning of June
6, 1944, the largest amphibious operation in history took place on the
beaches code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The Normandy
landings and subsequent Battle of Normandy eventually helped free Europe
from Nazi occupation.
Highlight: In Caen, a nearby city that was heavily bombed during the D-Day invasion, a large museum commemorates peace.
41. Negril Beach, Jamaica
It's not as pristine as
it was before the resort developers rolled in, but Negril's yawning
expanse of shoreline, featured in "The Man With The Golden Gun," is a
lively magnet for party-happy spring breakers as well as
convenience-seeking families.
Highlight: Luxury resorts and beach sports.
40. Dominical Beach, Costa Rica
40. Dominical Beach, Costa Rica
Monster waves and lush
forests, warm waters ideal for long, lazy swims -- people often stay
longer at Domincal than they intended.
Highlight: Tortilla Flats offers great food and company. It's a surfer hotel, seaside restaurant and happening night spot rolled into one.
39. Canggu Beach, Bali, Indonesia
39. Canggu Beach, Bali, Indonesia
This surf-perfect
coastline has everything from easy waves to serious breaks. The scene is
unpretentious and the mood laid-back. The crowd is heavy with
adventurous people who know Asia well.
Worth knowing: There's little nightlife here; instead, travelers kick back with themselves and locals.
38. Karekare, West Auckland, New Zealand
Karekare was
immortalized in the 1993 film "The Piano." A grandiose sweep of black
sand stretches before bush-clad hills. Karekare tends to be less
touristy than nearby Piha. If you prefer a quieter beach, this is the
one.
Highlight: Karekare
is popular for its annual beach race day, in which local ponies and
horses race to raise money for charity. Beach race day is usually held
in early April.
37. West Bay Beach, Roatan, Honduras
The largest of the
Honduran Bay Islands sits close to the world's second largest reef
system -- the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. That means diverse marine life
for snorkelers and divers, and diverse party life for after.
Highlight: The
reef offers the chance to spot various species of turtles, fish,
crocodiles and the world's largest population of manatees -- estimated
at 1,000-1,500.
36. Bahia Solano, Colombia
Immobile boats rust
where the river meets the ocean. Fishermen languidly cast nets over a
huge bay. Fashion shops, vegetable markets, cafes and bars line a
vibrant main street.
Highlight: Cheap hotels near the beach are a boon for budget travelers.
35. Balos Beach, Greece
35. Balos Beach, Greece
Cameras compulsory.
Near Kissamos on Crete, Balos Beach is a lagoon of swirling colors --
pastel pinks, blues and turquoise. It can get crowded and microorganisms
in the muddy shallows can cause unpleasant smells, but for postcard
pictures it's one of Greece's best.
Highlight: For "dark tourists" there's a cave here that was the scene of a massacre in the 19th century.
34. Cayo Paraiso, Dominican Republic
If an Evian factory had been used to fill the ocean around this tiny island, the water wouldn't be any clearer.
Highlight: The
sand bank is encircled and protected by a coral reef providing great
snorkeling; the island has a few basic thatch huts for shade.
33. Margaret River Beach, Australia
This western Australian
town is blessed with a mild climate, baby powder beaches and gorgeous
scenery. It also produces some of the country's finest wines.
The surf at Margaret River attracts serious boarders.
Highlight: Wine-tasting at Margaret River's 60-plus wineries is a favorite tourist activity.
32. Navagio Beach, Greece
32. Navagio Beach, Greece
Navagio Beach, or
Zakynthos Cove, or Smuggler's Bay, or Shipwreck Cove -- many names exist
for this small inlet on the island of Zakynthos. All you need to know
is it's gorgeous and the remains of an old ship, reportedly used to
smuggle cigarettes before it met its briny demise in 1983, emerge
zombie-like from the sand.
Worth knowing: To get here you need to get a taxi-boat from Porto Vromi, leaving every hour.
31. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba
Cuba's finest beach
island goes overkill on clear. Water like crystal, sand like sugar, most
days there's barely a cloud to disrupt the electric smoothness of the
sky.
Worth knowing: This "paradise beach" isn't as exposed as other beaches on the island. The weather is usually calm and the sea shallow.
30. Grand Anse, Grenada
30. Grand Anse, Grenada
Possibly Grenada's
finest family beach -- foot-soothing sands, skin-comforting waters and
soul-calming breezes -- Grand Anse is big enough to never get crowded
and intimate enough to feel like your own.
Highlight: It's less than a 15-minute drive from the airport -- the perfect post-flight remedy.
29. Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda
You can spend hours
here just watching the waves froth under the horizon over the coral-pink
sand. If that gets irritatingly blissful there are great walking routes
from here to Bermuda's southern beaches, offering secluded coves.
Worth knowing:
It gets crowded in high season, so if your ideal beach experience is
solitary and tranquil, it's best visited outside of May-September.
28. Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe, Thailand
Despite a buildup of
accommodations in recent years, this is still arguably one of the most
stunning beaches in Thailand. The range of rooms (from luxury to
backpacker) and meal options add to the comfort factor.
Highlight: The whole island is small enough to circumnavigate on foot.
27. Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, United States
27. Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, United States
Mountains in the
background, ocean in front and three miles of sand underfoot, Hanalei
Bay on Kauai is a surfer's and paddle boarder's dream, with a reef to
the right-hand side of the bay looking out to sea.
Worth knowing: Storms
and poor weather can turn the strip into a formidable beast, with
choppy ocean conditions and beach runoff that's best avoided.
26. Long Bay, Saint-Martin
Long Bay is a gentle
giant, one of the longest beaches on the island. Though luxury villas
and one luxury hotel sit close to the sand, they're unobtrusive.
Highlight: Near the La Samana hotel there's a great snorkeling spot, in a cove with a reef.
25. Sun Island Beach, Maldives
This diamond in the
Indian Ocean is a favorite with celebrities and rich honeymooners drawn
by the idea of sleeping over the water -- nearby resorts offer luxury
bungalows on stilts.
Highlight: Nearby coral reefs attract thousands of tropical fish, snorkelers and divers.
25. Egremni Beach, Greece
24. Egremni Beach, Greece
Dramatic sunsets,
electric-blue water, enough room for everyone: This long stretch of sand
on the island of Lefkada has become one of Greece's most popular beach
retreats since a road was built in the 1990s.
Worth knowing: Nudists often use the central stretch of beach.
23. Crane Beach, Barbados
Pinkish sands, no rocks
or other feet-slicing things in the shallows -- this stretch of sunny
Barbadian serenity can be accessed by a staircase or beachfront elevator
from The Crane resort, making it as novel as it is beautiful.
Highlight: Gentle waves, perfect for boogie boarding.
22. Boulders Beach, Cape Town
22. Boulders Beach, Cape Town
Boulders Beach is home
to 3,000 jackass penguins, which are often spotted waddling in and out
of the sea. The best place to see the penguins is from a viewing
boardwalk constructed on nearby Foxy Beach.
21. Juara Beach, Tioman Island, Malaysia
Less developed and less
polished than Thailand, Tioman Island's Juara Beach brings an
all-natural, quiet vibe to the beach experience. This isn't the place
for parties or nightlife, unless you like your parties hushed and your
nightlife nonhuman.
Worth knowing: Various travelers report sand flies on the beach.
20. Rarotonga, Cook Islands
20. Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Rarotonga is the
youngest of the 15 islands in the Cook Islands chain, and hasn't eroded
as much as its siblings. Its lush green center is encircled by a 20-mile
shoreline of perfect white sand.
Highlight: The
laid-back, musical culture of the islanders. What the place lacks in
traffic lights (it has none) it makes up for in dancing and singing.
19. Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Yes, "The Beach" was
filmed here and it gets packed with tourists. But Maya Bay is too
perfect to pass up. A white sand beach hugs steep limestone cliffs and
coral reefs make it an excellent spot for snorkeling.
Worth knowing: To avoid the crowds, visit early in the morning or after 5 p.m.
18. Gardner Bay, Espanola Island, Ecuador
18. Gardner Bay, Espanola Island, Ecuador
You'll have to share
this shoreline in the Galapagos Islands with nonhumans. Manta rays in
the water, sea lions on the sand, albatross and blue-footed boobies all
make the 10-12 hour boat trip here worthwhile.
Highlight: As
fans of Darwin know, many species in the Galapagos are unique to the
islands, such as the lava lizard, a red marine iguana found here on
Espanola.
17. Nihiwatu Beach, Sumba, Indonesia
In some ways, the
perfect beach. It's remote (an hour's flight from Bali then a 90-minute
drive) with fine, clean sand, clear water, almost no people and amazing
sunsets. It is home to the
impressive Nihiwatu resort and is best outside wet season.
Highlight: For
surfers, the incredible left-hand break. For everyone else, as dusk
approaches, a chance to join local villagers as they scour a section of a
nearby reef at low tide for octopus, crabs and seaweed.
16. Luskentyre Beach, Scotland
16. Luskentyre Beach, Scotland
You won't get much of a
tan on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, but you'll get a
memorable beach walk and lungs full of fresh air. The sand stretches
long and wide, and the place is popular with hikers and nature lovers.
Highlights: Ponies may join you for a shoreline amble, while otters, seals, dolphins and eagles can be spotted in the area.
15. The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
15. The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Huge boulders, some as
long as 40 feet, give away the island's volcanic origins. There's a
small fee to enter the beach -- it's part of the BVI's National Park --
but it's worth it once you're soaking up the sun on these naturally
heated sun loungers.
Highlight: A rope and step trail leads through the boulders at The Baths to Devil's Bay.
14. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
El Nido is the gateway
to adventure, "the last frontier" of the Philippines, as it has been
dubbed. Powder-fine beaches and gin-clear waters complement the stunning
views of karst limestone formations, empty lagoons, marble cliffs,
prehistoric caves and waterfalls.
Highlight: Surrounding
waters contain more than 50 species of coral and attract whales, whale
sharks, sea cows, manta rays, dolphins and endangered turtles.
13. Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia
13. Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia
Malaysia's Perhentian
Islands are to beach bums what Kobe beef is to carnivores; once you've
experienced it, nothing else quite matches up.
The two main islands
are the backpacker-happy Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian
Island), and Pulau Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian Island), which has
slightly more expensive accommodations.
Highlight: The blue waters off Pulau Perhentian Kecil invariably contain turtles and small sharks.
12. Tulum, Mexico
12. Tulum, Mexico
At Tulum, you can swim
in the shadow of ancient Mayan ruins. The area is home to a Mayan
archeological ruin that teeters on the edge of a cliff. Beneath it, sand
and jade green waters glisten.
Highlight: The
Yucatan's turquoise cenotes and excellent diving are tourist draws.
Everything from mega-resorts to thatched cabanas offering boutique
accommodations are available.
11. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
Whitehaven Beach is
part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park and has more than 2½ miles
of sand that's 98% pure silica -- so clean it squeaks. Visitors have to
register with a tour guide for access, and can stay only for a few
hours.
Worth knowing: In 2010, the beach won CNN's Most Eco Friendly Beach award.
Watch out for jellyfish in summer.
10. Palaui Island, Cagayan Valley, Philippines
10. Palaui Island, Cagayan Valley, Philippines
Glorious white sands
meet volcanic rocks and blue-green waters topside, while coral gardens
and a rich marine reserve meet divers under the surface. Palaui is all
about raw beauty. Treks to get there require battling thorny grass,
muddy ground and a mangrove forest.
Good to know: With no resorts or hotels, Palaui has only two real options: camping under the stars or home stays.
9. Champagne Beach, Vanuatu
9. Champagne Beach, Vanuatu
The South Pacific
island nation of Vanuatu broke into the headlines a few years ago when
the Happy Planet Index ranked it the happiest nation on Earth. With
beaches like this, how could locals not be euphoric?
Highlight: The
beach gets its name from a phenomenon witnessed by the first travelers
to the region -- the shallow waters appear to fizz at low tide, as if
the beach is swimming in bubbly. The effect is caused by gas escaping
from volcanic rocks on the seafloor.
8. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, Tahiti
8. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, Tahiti
Bora Bora is like the
Gwyneth Paltrow of beaches: a little too perfect to be believable. But
the spell that this small island in French Polynesia has cast on
probably every traveler ever to dip a toe into its soft sands or calm
waters has yet to be broken. Bora Bora is a heavy tourist destination --
luxury resorts and budget bungalows dapple the white sand perimeter.
But its best spot, Matira Beach, reminds you why places like this become
popular in the first place.
Highlight: Visitors can feed sharks, hunt for black pearls, look through World War II memorabilia or just laze on the sand.
7. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
7. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
White sands, pink
granite rock formations and green peaks make for one of Tasmania's most
stunning coastal scenes. It's part of Freycinet National Park, northeast
of Hobart.
Highlights: Hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and boating are popular pastimes, but so is lying on the beach admiring the scenery.
6. Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island, Bahamas
6. Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island, Bahamas
An inappropriate name
does nothing to spoil the flawless aesthetics of this lengthy strip of
sand. The chair, umbrella, bracelet and Jet Ski touts might be a
challenge to your good mood, but if you walk eastward away from the busy
section you'll be able to take in one of the world's best beaches
uninterrupted.
Worth knowing: There are strong undercurrents in the waters offshore.
5. Anse de Grande Saline, St. Barths
5. Anse de Grande Saline, St. Barths
Though nudity is
technically banned on St. Barths, this is one of two beaches on the
French Leeward Island that attracts naturists (perhaps due to its
distance from developed areas). It can get windy and there's little
shade, but the photo ops are magnificent.
Highlight: A marsh area behind the beach is a habitat for tropical birds.
4. Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
4. Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
This ribbon of sand on
the Seychelles' third-largest island, La Dique, mixes salt-white and
flamingo-pink sands to create one of the most photographed beaches in
the world. A reef keeps the water calm for good snorkeling.
Highlight: Nearby
restaurant Lanbousir offers local Creole dishes, including a tempting
fruit-bat curry. DIY eaters can fix their own picnic with food from a
supermarket just five minutes from the beach.
3. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
3. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
You need only hear the
name of this beach to feel a little calmer. The pride of Provo Island is
tourist heavy, but that's because it's one of the best (third best, we
say) beaches in the world. Just offshore, a coral reef protects the
beach and harbors marine life normally seen in Jacques Cousteau
documentaries.
Highlight: This perfect, tranquil beach destination has few touts to disturb your lazing and abundant restaurants and resorts.
2. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy
2. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy
With blinding white
cliffs, fluorescent blue waters, warm temperatures and dry-desert land,
it's little wonder this place frequently tops favorite beach lists.
Protected turtles lay eggs here and dolphins can be seen in the water.
Highlight: The nearby volcanic isle of Linosa, featuring a spectacular black and red Mars-like beach.
1. Grande Anse Beach, La Digue Island, Seychelles
1. Grande Anse Beach, La Digue Island, Seychelles
Secluded and easy to
skip because it takes some effort to get here, Grand Anse on La Digue is
the archetypal beach, the benchmark against which others must be
judged. It's a must, especially if you're a surfer.
Worth knowing: The waves can be boisterous and there's not much shade.
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