40 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.

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.

Ruby Beach, Washington

While the coastal section of Olympic National Park is rockier than it is sandy, it's still worth visiting Ruby Beach for the views alone.

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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.

Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

One of the best places for snorkeling on Kauai's north shore, the coral reefs at Tunnels Beach are suitable for divers of all skill levels.

Durdle Door, England

Set upon the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth, this natural limestone arch is the perfect secluded cove for your next Insta-worthy travel diary.

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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.

Tulum, Mexico

The ancient Mayan ruins overlooking the white sand beaches and bright blue waters of Tulum feel a world away from Cancun, which happens to be just a two hour drive north.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

The 235-foot-tall Haystack Rock dominates the shoreline of the Oregon Coast at Cannon Beach, which is also home to a host of art galleries and restaurants.

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Cala Goloritzè, Sardinia

For those who prefer to get off the beaten track, let the gleaming gem of Cala Goloritzè be your reward. Accessible by boat or an athletic hike, this tiny beach is a dream spot for climbers (the nearly-150 meter rock spire just up the beach offer spectacular views) as well as for those who just enjoy a pristine private spot to lounge.

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.

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.

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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.

Bells Beach, Australia

This sandy coast is home to the world's longest-running surf competition, and showcases some of the biggest rip curls you'll ever see. High cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop to the natural amphitheater of this gorgeous Australian oasis.

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.

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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.

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.

Praia Dona Ana, Portugal

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

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Trunk Bay, St. John USVI

Even though Trunk Bay is St. John's most visited beach, this quarter mile stretch of pristine white sand on the island's north shore is worth braving the occasional crowd.

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.

Lyndsey Matthews is the Destination News Editor for AFAR; previously she was a Lifestyle Editor across all of Hearst Digital Media's brands, and a digital editor at Martha Stewart Weddings and Travel + Leisure.

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

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