Beaches offer a perfect escape away from the hustle and bustle of life. The rustling of palm trees, perfectly patched sand, and serenity of the blue sea are relaxing and help to break monotony while holidaying. While beaches may serve the same purpose to different people, they are not created the same. They come with unique features to captivate thrillers based on their tastes. Below are 16 world beaches you don’t want to miss with details on what makes them stand out.
Nancy of Behrman has traveled near and far. She loves beaches with sands of every color! Below she provides us a comprehensive list of her favorite destinations with the best beaches.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
This beach has the shape of a giant sombrero. It boasts of a fantastic focal point with a ravishing lagoon in Technicolor turquoise. The surrounding reefs offer excellent spots for diving and snorkeling. The palm-studded forests offer amazing hiking trails. It has luxurious bungalows with the Bora Bora Hotel Eden Beach built on its coral isle.
Source d’Argent, Seychelles
Source d’Argent is the third largest island in the Seychelles and the go-to beach if you are looking for a destination with a wow factor. This pristine and picture-perfect beach has powdery beaches lined with palms and thriving coral reefs. It lies within fish-rich marine sanctuaries and has magnificent fishing grounds making it a top destination for anglers.
Red Beach Santorini, Greece
Santorini Island has mesmerizing beaches. Their geographical features, including red and black volcanic pebbles lying on the shores and steep cliffs, give them picturesque ambiance. The red beach is the most popular on the island. Located a short distance from the ancient site of Akrotiri, this small beach has different colorings on the cliffs, which are visible as you go down. You can collect pebbles or go snorkeling in the interesting rocks.
Maya Bay, Thailand
Maya Bay beach is hidden on an uninhabited island of Ko Phi Phi Le. It has amazingly clear water, green-covered hills, and white sand. The Beach movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was enacted here. It is the most famous beach in Thailand.
Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka
This is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beaches. Although less visited compared to beaches located on the western side of the island, Mirissa beach boasts of a beautiful half-circle bay and has other smaller beaches adjacent to it. This romantic beach is situated at the southernmost point of Sri Lanka.
Muri Beach, Rarotonga
The Cook Islands gives the gist of the dream beach holiday look. It has azure waters, clean sand and coconut palms lined around it. The Muri beach consists of a protected lagoon and is one of the safest beaches in the area. It is surrounded by picture-perfect white sands and has calm waters. It is a water porting hub where you can enjoy paddle-boarding, kayaking and glass-bottom boat rides for that adrenaline rush effect.
Dreamland Beach, Bali
The once hidden cove in the Bukit peninsula first came to light in the 1970s. Since then, it has grown in popularity and developed new state of the art resorts. However, it still retains its early years’ vibe with beach shack cafes and small shops scattered around. Its great shore breaks have made it a top destination for surfers.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
The Port Royal Cove is perfect for kids as it has shallow water perfect for their indulgence. Horseshoe bay remains one of the most popular beaches on this island. Its dramatic rock formations complement the soft pink sand.
Durban, South Africa
This is one of the world’s best city beaches. You can spend the day basking in the sun, taking in the breeze of rustling palm trees or enjoying the sand. While there, there is a great chance of spotting dolphins and whales feeding of sardines. Top-notch surfers also grace the area, and if you do not surf, you can still enjoy the view of the experts in action.
Druidston, Wales
Nothing beats the feeling of a horse splashing in the waves as you gallop across the sand. The Druidston beach on the St David’s peninsula offers horse and pony riding. They will offer one that matches your ability so that you can enjoy the sweeping sand on horseback. The beach is enclosed on three sides by three cliffs, which offers a feeling of seclusion.
Nemto Island, Papua New Guinea
If you are looking for a wild or remote beach, the Nemto Island is a perfect choice. In the fine beaches, you will get pristine reefs and sunken world war planes. The island is surrounded by cackling palm trees and white sands. Local myths and superstitions about the interior being inhabited by strange beasts have kept the island untouched and uninhabited through the years.
Amanohashidate, Japan
This perfect beach destination for backpackers has crystal clear waters that lap over golden sand. Pinecones are washed down the coast and can be seen as you walk around. Amanohashidate alludes to the bridge of heaven, a two-mile-long sandbar covered in pine trees and which has been revered for centuries. Tourists can walk across this popular sightseeing destination across the “bridge” and take a funicular up to a hill on the far side.
Deadman’s Beach, Peter Island
Deadman’s beach has soft white sand that is sweep washed by beach water. It is excellent for snorkeling and sunbathing and offers beautiful views of surrounding beaches too. The protected bay is safe for taking walks in the turquoise waters, kayaking and swimming.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays,
The Whitehaven beach is among the beaches with the whitest sand. The beach does not retain heat and is composed of 98 percent silica. This means you can walk along the clear coral shore enjoying the turquoise water or picnic on the white sand for long durations even on the hottest hours.\
Imsouane Plage, Morocco
Nicknamed the Magic bay by the locals, Imsouane Plage has one of the longest and safest waves in the world. It offers a magical backdrop of mountains that cascade to the beach. It is a perfect destination for surfers and tourists seeking adventure in a remote environment.
Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire
This beach which is one of the best in the UK, had Snow White and the Huntsman filmed on location. The Marloes Sands beach has no facilities and offers half a mile cliff walk. It also has broad areas dotted with sand with towering rocks that stand out in low tide pools. Its firm and flat sands offer a perfect ground for galloping horses and beach games.
About the author
Nancy Behrman is one of the founding pioneers in the world of lifestyle brand publicity. Nancy began Behrman Communications in 1985 at just 24-years-old after an eye-opening experience at the Sarajevo Olympics, hobnobbing with journalists and athletes from around the world. Driven by a voracious passion for public relations and the will to not only succeed but to innovate, Nancy opened up shop out of her studio apartment and made industry history.