27 Of The Best Beaches In The World

Koekohe Beach, New Zealand

According to Maori legend, the marble-like Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach are the remains of the ancient Araiteuru canoe that crashed into the Otago coast.

1 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Cabo San Juan de la Guia Beach, Colombia

While it isn't the easiest to get to, Cabo San Juan de la Guia Beach in Tayrona National Nature Park is worth the trek through the jungle to get there.

2 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

One Foot Island Beach, Cook Islands

Also called Tapuaetai, One Foot Island is exactly the place you want to be if you're looking for miles of secluded beaches.

3 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Black Sand Beach, Iceland

Iceland might not conjure up images of a beach vacation, but the black sand beaches of its southernmost town, Vik, are worth exploring.

4 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Costa Rica has over 750 miles of shoreline, but Playa Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast is one of the most popular.

5 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Champagne Beach, Vanuatu

If you're looking to go off the grid, head to this remote white sand beach on Espiritu Santo Island in the South Pacific.

6 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Kaputas Beach, Turkey

Greece and Italy might get more attention when it comes to Mediterranean beaches, but Turkey's southwestern coast is home to some beautiful options including the small sandy cove at Kaputas Beach.

7 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Polihale Beach, Hawaii

It's hard to pick just one amazing beach in Hawaii, but Polihale Beach on Kauai's west coast is perfect for those seeking a bit of isolation and calm.

8 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Zlatni Rat Beach, Croatia

Located on the southern coast of Brac Island, Zlatni Rat Beach is nicknamed the Golden Horn for its unusual shape that juts out into the Adriatic Sea.

9 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Anakena Beach, Easter Island

An unusual site on the otherwise rocky coast of Easter Island, the white sand beach at Anakena is also home to several Maoi statues carved by the Rapa Nui people.

10 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Praia Dona Ana, Portugal

Surrounded by cliffs, this small beach outside of Lagos is one of the most beautiful in Portugal's Algarve region.

11 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

There are too many beautiful white sand beaches in Seychelles to even count, but Source d'Argent on La Digue is known for being one of the best.

12 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Tangalle Beach, Sri Lanka

If you're looking for untouched beaches, head to southeast Sri Lanka to enjoy the wide open sands of Tangalle Beach.

13 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

With 12 miles of white sand beaches and the clearest water you'll likely ever encounter, there's no question why this beach on the north shore of the island of Providenciales made this list.

14 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Rhossili Bay, Wales

The UK has some gorgeous beaches—even if the weather isn't ideal for sunbathing. Rhossili Bay on the tip of Gower Peninsula in Swansea is particularly pretty–just look at those blooms.

15 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Baia do Sancho, Brazil

Located 200 miles off Brazil's coast on Fernando de Noronha island, Baia do Sancho is only accessible via boat or by hiking down a narrow staircase from surrounding cliffs making it secluded and virtually untouched.

16 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Clifton Beach, South Africa

The luxe beach houses here might try to overshadow this coastline, but the beach itself is still the most beautiful part of this Cape Town suburb.

17 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

The Baths, British Virgin Islands

Large granite boulders line the coast at the southern tip of Virgin Gorda, forming shallow pools that make The Baths an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

18 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Baker Beach, San Francisco

While San Francisco might not be the sunny beach town you would imagine to see on a list like this, Baker Beach is worth visiting for the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fair warning: the northernmost end of the beach is clothing optional.

19 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Ngapali Beach, Myanmar

With the rise of tourism in Myanmar, there are plenty of places to stay in this beach town on the Bay of Bengal–but don't fear that it's lost its charm, it still maintains its sleepy fishing village vibe.

20 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Australia's East Coast is home to some legendary beaches—Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is particularly heavenly. Over on the West Coast, Turquoise Bay in the Cape Range National Park is equally gorgeous. Just watch out for those sharks.

21 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Monterosso Al Mare, Italy

Home to the Cinque Terre's only sand beach, Monterosso al Mare is the spot to post up for a long day of sunbathing on the Italian Riviera.

22 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Walvis Bay, Namibia

The massive sand dunes alone are reason to book a trip to Walvis Bay. But you'll also want to come to this beach on Namibia's Skeleton Coast for the wildlife—you're likely to spot flamingos, seals, whales and even hyenas here.

23 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Maho Beach, St. John

One of the U.S. Virgin Islands' finest white sand beaches, Maho Bay is also a great place to go swimming with sea turtles.

24 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Navagio Beach, Greece

Located in a remote cove on Zakynthos in Greece's Ionian Islands, Navagio Beach gets its nickname—Shipwreck Beach—because of the ship that ran aground here in the 1980's.

25 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

Railay Beach, Thailand

Cut off from the rest of the mainland of Krabi province by high limestone cliffs, Railay Beach is only accessible by boat, making it one of Thailand's most peaceful and beautiful beaches.

26 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World

South Beach, Miami

Known as much for its nightlife as it is for its white sands, South Beach is an easy weekend getaway for anyone living on the East Coast.

27 of 27

The Best Beaches In The World