Trying
to narrow down the best beaches in the world to only 20 incomparable
strands wasn't easy. All corners of our amazing planet — from North America,
where wide public expanses flank the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, to
the Southern Hemisphere, where most intimate and exotic sands await —
has an assortment of beautiful beaches.
That
said, some are just a bit more memorable and much more photogenic than
others. A few are world-famous (featured in songs, movies and even a
diet) while other are unsung gems. What unites them? That feeling of awe
you get when you kick off your flip-flops, throw down your beach towel
and think, “Now this is paradise.”
Here is our list of the 20 best and most famous beaches around the world.
For
sheer drama, it’s hard to beat this wide arc of sand located on the
Atlantic just seven minutes from Cape Town. Backed by the craggy Twelve
Apostles mountain range, Camps Bay is popular with the young, beautiful
and successful who swim, surf, sip and shop (there’s also a palm-lined
promenade), especially on weekends and throughout the peak season from
November to January.
Enjoying a sundowner cocktail here is a must, as west-facing restaurants and bars offer superb views.
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Walking
along Bermuda’s famous crescent-shaped Horseshoe Bay Beach, or even on
the clifftop trails above it, is a sightseeing must. Named for the shape
of its inviting bay, this scenic beach in Southampton parish is perfect
for lazy sunning or playful splashing (you can rent towels, boogie
boards and snorkel gear).
During
Bermuda’s cooler months (November to March), Horseshoe Bay remains
popular, as visitors snap photos of its pale-pink sand and grab a
cocktail and snacks at the on-site café. One caveat: Expect crowds when
cruise ships are in port.
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Sometimes driving a bit further down the road is worth it. And, on Maui,
that means passing by Kihei and Wailea Beaches, where resort
developments are abundant, and heading to Makena State Park, instead.
Nicknamed
Big Beach, this super-photogenic, 1½-mile stretch of golden sand is
South Maui’s largest and offers great views of Kahoolawe Island and the
Molokini Crater. The unpredictable shore break can be dangerous,
however, so you’ll need to heed the posted warnings at the lifeguard
stations before deciding to swim. And when the surf is way up, pack a
picnic, sit back, and watch the expert boogie boarders at play.
Rio
de Janeiro boasts a pair of famous beaches, Ipanema and Copacabana, but
it's the former — celebrated in the sexy 1960s Bossa nova hit, The Girl from Ipanema
— that captivates visitors with its breathtaking views. The sand is
pale gold, and the landmark, emerald peaks you'll find yourself gazing
at for hours are known as "Two Brothers."
Brazilians
love to show off their toned bodies, so expect skimpy swimwear and lot
of tanned lines. Be sure to leave wallets and valuables safely in your
hotel: Despite their beauty, Rio’s beaches are known to be frequented by
petty thieves.
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Beach
clubs, big yachts and beautiful bodies (from Brigitte Bardot to David
Beckham) are all synonymous with Saint-Tropez’s most famous beach. The
beach was put on the map by Bardot and her director husband Roger Vadim
in the 1955 film And God Created Woman.
Everything you'd expect to find on the French Riviera, from striped umbrellas and chaises to skimpy bikinis (tops are optional),
are here in abundance, as are odes to excess, such as convertible
sports cars, designer sunglasses and champagne on ice. If your wallet
can handle it, go ahead and soak up some "joie de vivre."
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Being able to wade into blissfully warm water, pull on your mask and find, and snorkel
— really snorkel amid abundant coral and technicolor fish — is a big
draw for any beach. The fact that this coconut palm-lined strand on
low-key St. John ranks among the most beautiful (and most photographed)
island beaches in the Caribbean is a bonus.
As
part of Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay Beach offers access to a
225-yard underwater snorkeling trail (gear rentals are available), but
plan for an early-morning visit, if you’re seeking tranquility. This
beach is popular with cruise-ship passengers from neighboring St.
Thomas.
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When
Oprah Winfrey and Aussie chef Curtis Stone threw a beach barbecue
during her 2011 Ultimate Australian Adventure, they did so on this
sweeping, 4½-mile stretch of white silica sand in Queensland’s
Whitsunday islands. It’s accessible solely by boat, seaplane or
helicopter, so the approach is part of the experience.
The
sight of this slender, jungle-backed beach, along with Hill Inlet to
the north, where tidal shifts create gargantuan sand art, is the
definition of breathtaking.
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If Maya Bay looks familiar, that's because it had a starring role in the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach.
Sheltered at the end of a dramatic bay and cradled by 300-foot cliffs
on the southern Thailand island of Koh Phi Phi Leh, it's accessed via a
day trip (often in a long, traditional, wooden tail boat) from
neighboring Koh Phi Phi Don that includes a stop for snorkeling in
surreally pale water at one of the most exotic beaches in the world.
Everyone
wants to see it, so Maya Bay does get crowded. For the best photo
opportunities (sans the multitudes), visit in the early morning.
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The
sand is soft and white — an ideal complement to the dazzling Art Deco
skyline of Miami Beach — and the aquamarine water is warm and inviting.
But what truly makes South Beach special is the never-ending parade of
people: models and wannabes, athletes and artists, locals and tourists.
As brilliant sunshine saturates the beach's
quirky and colorful lifeguard stands, put on a pair of dark sunglasses,
and ogle the sky. You'll spy barely-there bikinis and Speedos, brazen
tattoos and more than a few bare breasts (all perfectly legal).
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Almost
any of Anguilla’s 33 sugar-white beaches could be on this list, but
Shoal Bay East tops them all because of its ability to feel both social
and secluded. At its heart, this strand is lined with locally owned bars
and restaurants that create a lively ambience, especially on weekends,
as visitors enjoy upbeat Anguillan music, rum-laced libations, tasty
seafood and barbecue and impromptu dips in the irresistibly
clear-turquoise sea.
Walk
the entire two miles, and you’ll round “the bend,” a wide expanse of
sand that offers splendid views of boh Upper Shoal Bay and Lower Shoal
Bay.
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How
many beaches can claim to have a postcard-perfect view of 13th-century
Mayan ruins? This one, located about 80 miles south of Cancun, can, and
it’s the ideal spot to cool off after exploring the preserved structures
of this ancient coastal city, among them the hulking cliff-top Castillo
fortress.
There
are no facilities, so wear your bathing suit under your clothes, and
your reward will be gentle surf, vibrant, blue-green sea and a memorable
perspective on how the Mayans relaxed more than 700 years ago.
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What
do you get when you mix a Greek island dotted with ancient, windswept
cedar trees and tides that create hundreds of rippled white and pink
sand islets surrounded by shallow aquamarine lagoons? A true natural
wonder.
Set
on a peninsula about 45 miles from the port of Chania on the
southwestern coast of Crete, Elafonissi is accessed by wading through
the sea. Visitors enjoy swimming and strolling, sunning and snacking
(there are umbrellas, showers, food vendors and lifeguards on the
eastern end). It’s just one of those places that’s so beyond ordinary
that it almost seems like a dream.
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Before
or after work, when Sydneysiders make time to play, many head to this
picturesque, urban oasis just six miles from the downtown business
district to swim, surf, soak up some sun and grab a flat white (like a
latter but with less milk and more espresso).
The
beach, which curves for more than a half mile and is backed by boutique
and café-lined Campbell Parade, is also home to the famed Bondi
Icebergs pool and the starting point for a scenic, coastal walk along
sandstone cliffs to Bronte.
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This Bahamian beach's name doesn't bend the truth one bit: The spot really boasts an amazing shade of pink sand,
thanks to the rosy-hued shells of tiny sea creatures called
Foraminifera. The color is amplified by a backdrop of vivid, teal water.
Flat,
wide and ideal for swimming, sunning or strolling, this three-mile-long
beach embodies the natural beauty of tiny Harbour Island, where bikes
and golf carts are the main modes of transportation (neighboring
Eleuthera is the gateway). When you’re hungry, head for a seafront
eatery (Sip Sip is a fave), and order the local specialty: conch
fritters.
Baga Beach is a popular beach and tourist destination in North Goa. Baga is located at the north end of the contiguous beach stretch that starts from Sinquerim, Candolim, leads to Calangute, and then to Baga. Dolphins can be located at around 1–2 km from the shoreline Parasailing in Baga Beach
The beach contains rows of shacks and fishing boats, and at high tide the beach is narrow
The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach.
Baga Beach is also famous for water sports, such as parasailing and banana rides, and dolphin cruises. In Baga Beach, new parking has been constructed for around 800 cars or more, and there is baga creek bridge which connects northern part like Arpora, Anjuna etc..
Baga Beach - Goa, India
The beach contains rows of shacks and fishing boats, and at high tide the beach is narrow
The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach.
Baga Beach is also famous for water sports, such as parasailing and banana rides, and dolphin cruises. In Baga Beach, new parking has been constructed for around 800 cars or more, and there is baga creek bridge which connects northern part like Arpora, Anjuna etc..
