Best 100 Beaches in the World (2026): Definitive Ranking

This list ranks 100 beaches, from the black volcanic sand of Iceland to the coral beaches of the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. It is an editorial ranking: the order reflects how each beach stands in published sources, including national park and tourism authorities, Blue Flag certification (run by the Foundation for Environmental Education), coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman's annual Dr. Beach list of US beaches, and the annual World's 50 Best Beaches list, compiled from a survey of travel-industry professionals. Beaches a few places apart are close to interchangeable.

Several of the most famous beaches here now need a booking, close for part of the year, or sit in places with active government travel warnings, so entries note access rules, fees, seasonal closures and safety hazards where they matter. A summary is at the end under "Before You Go".

The 100 by Region and Country

How the ranking below breaks down, counted from the list itself.

Region	Beaches in the 100	Highest ranked
Caribbean and Bermuda	30	#3 Macao Beach, Dominican Republic
Asia-Pacific	19	#8 Kata Noi Beach, Phuket, Thailand
Europe	14	#1 Playa de Muro, Mallorca, Spain
South America	12	#7 Cabo San Juan del Guía, Tayrona, Colombia
North America (US and Canada)	8	#9 Long Beach, Tofino, Canada
Mexico	7	#21 Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands
Central America	5	#5 West Bay Beach, Roatán, Honduras
Africa and the Indian Ocean	5	#16 Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Country	Beaches in the 100	Highest ranked
Australia	12	#29 Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
United States	7	#58 Clearwater Beach, Florida
Mexico	7	#21 Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands
Antigua and Barbuda	5	#13 Dickenson Bay, Antigua
Brazil	4	#19 Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Costa Rica	4	#6 Playa Grande, Guanacaste
Spain	3	#1 Playa de Muro, Mallorca
Dominican Republic	3	#3 Macao Beach
Thailand	3	#8 Kata Noi Beach, Phuket
Italy	2	#2 Cala Mariolu, Sardinia
Colombia	2	#7 Cabo San Juan del Guía, Tayrona
Jamaica	2	#15 Doctor's Cave Beach, Montego Bay
Aruba	2	#18 Palm Beach
Seychelles	2	#20 Anse Lazio, Praslin
Greece	2	#27 Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
Chile	2	#33 Playa Cavancha, Iquique
Anguilla	2	#53 Maundays Bay
British Virgin Islands	2	#61 The Baths, Virgin Gorda
US Virgin Islands	2	#79 Trunk Bay, St. John
Cuba	2	#84 Varadero Beach
30 other countries and territories	1 each	#5 West Bay Beach, Roatán, Honduras

The World's Best 100 Beaches: #100-76

100. Half Moon Bay, Antigua

A crescent of white sand on Antigua's Atlantic-facing east coast, with livelier surf than the beaches on the island's Caribbean side. It is a short drive from English Harbour.

99. Magens Bay, St. Thomas, USVI

Sheltered by verdant hillsides, this heart-shaped bay offers calm, crystal-clear swimming and a palm-fringed shoreline that defines Caribbean perfection.

98. Hapuna Beach, Hawaii, USA

One of the largest white-sand beaches on Hawaii's Big Island, on the Kohala Coast, and Dr. Beach's No. 1 US beach for 2021. Lifeguards are on duty. Hawaii State Parks warns of rip currents and pounding shorebreak in high surf and says waves over three feet are for experts only. Non-residents pay $5 per person to enter and Hapuna Beach, Hawaii, USA0 per car to park.

97. Palmilla Beach, Los Cabos, Mexico

One of the calmer swimming beaches on the Los Cabos corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, where many beaches are unsafe for swimming. Golden sand and a sheltered cove sit against desert hills.

96. White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, BVI

A slender ribbon of white sand lapped by impossibly clear water, with beach bars serving rum punches just steps from the tide line.

95. Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles

Granite boulders worn into sculpted shapes frame a run of small, shallow coves on La Digue's southwest coast. The beach is reached through L'Union Estate, a former coconut and vanilla plantation that charges an entrance fee. It was No. 24 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

94. Englishman's Bay, Tobago

A secluded bay fringed by coconut palms and jungle, with reef-protected waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

93. Pink Beach, Barbuda

Miles of quiet shoreline tinted pink by fragments of coral and shell on Barbuda, Antigua's sister island, which has very little tourist development.

92. Squeaky Beach, Victoria, Australia

Named for the sound its rounded quartz grains make underfoot, this small beach sits within Wilsons Promontory National Park amid granite boulders and eucalyptus forest.

91. Green Island Beach, Antigua

Accessible only by boat, this uninhabited island rewards visitors with pristine sand, outstanding snorkeling, and complete solitude.

90. Maya Bay, Thailand

Made famous by the film The Beach, Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Le was closed from 2018 to 2022 so its coral and beach could recover. It is part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and now runs under strict rules: swimming is banned (wading to knee depth only), boats dock outside the bay, visits are time-limited, and the bay closes every year from August 1 to September 30. The national park fee for foreign visitors is 400 baht.

89. Blue Lagoon, Oludeniz, Turkey

At the foot of Babadağ mountain, Ölüdeniz's Blue Lagoon is a protected, shallow lagoon with warm, bright turquoise water. Paragliders launching from Babadağ land on the beach beside it.

88. Entalula Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

A white-sand beach under sheer limestone cliffs on Entalula Island in El Nido, reached only by boat on island-hopping tours. The World's 50 Best Beaches list named it No. 1 for 2026. The driest, calmest months are roughly December to April; June to October is typhoon season.

87. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

A vibrant beach town on the Riviera Maya with white sand, warm Caribbean water, and the buzzing energy of Fifth Avenue just steps away.

86. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Several miles of powder-soft sand on the north shore of Providenciales, with calm, clear water and a reef offshore. It was No. 17 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

85. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba

A quiet stretch of white sand on Cayo Largo, where shallow, warm water extends far from shore, good for wading and floating. Before planning a trip here or to Varadero (#84): Cuba is in a severe economic crisis, and Canada's government advises avoiding non-essential travel there (advice updated September 28, 2026), so check current advice first.

84. Varadero Beach, Cuba

Twenty kilometers of uninterrupted white sand along Cuba's northern coast, backed by swaying palms and colorful resort life.

83. Eagle Beach, Aruba

Wide, uncrowded, and dotted with iconic fofoti trees, Eagle Beach offers serene swimming and some of the Caribbean's most photogenic sunsets.

82. La Concha, San Sebastian, Spain

An elegant crescent of golden sand set against the sophisticated backdrop of San Sebastian's belle epoque architecture and world-renowned Basque culinary scene.

81. Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal

Dramatic limestone arches and sea stacks frame this golden beach, considered one of the most beautiful in all of Europe.

80. Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Australia's most iconic beach combines reliable surf, golden sand, and a vibrant coastal culture of cafes, ocean pools, and clifftop walks.

79. Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI

A beach in Virgin Islands National Park with a marked underwater snorkeling trail around Trunk Cay, plus lifeguards, showers and a snack bar. The National Park Service charges a $5 amenity fee at Trunk Bay, payable by card or mobile payment only.

78. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

About five and a half miles long despite its name, with soft coral sand, calm water and waterfront dining along much of its length. It was No. 26 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

77. Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

Black volcanic sand, basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks on Iceland's south coast. It is also one of the most dangerous beaches on this list: sneaker waves surge far up the sand without warning and have killed several visitors. A warning-light system at the entrance shows the day's hazard level. At orange, stay at least 25 meters from the water; at red, the beach is closed (Safetravel Iceland).

76. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Fine white sand, reef-protected turquoise water and the twin Mokulua Islands just offshore, best seen from the Kaiwa Ridge (Pillbox) trail above. It was No. 9 on Dr. Beach's 2026 list of the best US beaches.

The World's Best 100 Beaches: #75-51

75. Siesta Key Beach, Florida, USA

Fine quartz sand that stays cool underfoot, calm Gulf water and a relaxed village nearby. Siesta Beach was No. 28 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

74. Tulum Beach, Mexico

Ancient Mayan ruins perched on a cliff above white sand and the Caribbean Sea create one of the world's most photographed beach scenes.

73. Railay Beach, Thailand

Accessible only by boat, Railay is hemmed in by towering limestone cliffs that draw rock climbers from around the world to its white-sand shores.

72. Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic

Palm-lined and stretching for miles, Bavaro is the quintessential Caribbean beach with warm water, soft sand, and reliable trade winds.

71. Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia, Italy

A 143-meter limestone pinnacle rises beside a small cove of white pebbles and very clear water in Baunei, on Sardinia's Gulf of Orosei. It is a protected natural monument and can only be reached on foot, a hike of about 90 minutes from the Golgo plateau; boats must stay behind buoys about 300 meters offshore. From April to October visits must be booked in advance (€7 per person, with no more than 250 people on the beach at once). The World's 50 Best Beaches list named it No. 1 for 2025.

70. Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas

About three miles of pale pink sand along the Atlantic-facing eastern shore of Harbour Island, colored by fragments of red-shelled marine organisms mixed into the coral sand.

69. Zlatni Rat, Bol, Croatia

The famous golden horn of pebble beach extends into the Adriatic, shifting shape with the currents and framed by pine forests and Hvar Island views.

68. Cancun Beach, Mexico

The Hotel Zone's long strip of white sand meets the vivid turquoise Caribbean, with world-class nightlife, dining, and Mayan ruins nearby.

67. Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Perhaps the world's most famous beach, Waikiki pairs gentle surf with Diamond Head's volcanic profile and a vibrant urban energy.

66. Le Morne Beach, Mauritius

A long strip of white sand and sheltered lagoon on the southwest tip of Mauritius, beneath the 556-meter basalt mountain of Le Morne Brabant. The mountain and its surroundings form the Le Morne Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its history as a refuge for escaped enslaved people. The lagoon is a well-known kitesurfing spot. It was No. 40 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

65. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

A narrow spit of white sand extending into impossibly clear water, with views to Ibiza and a barefoot, bohemian atmosphere.

64. Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia

Twenty-two kilometers of wide, flat sand on the Indian Ocean at Broome, known for camel rides at sunset, with the red cliffs of Gantheaume Point to the south. In the wet season (roughly November to April) marine stingers can be present, so swim in the patrolled area between the flags.

63. South Beach, Miami, Florida, USA

Art Deco architecture, vibrant nightlife, and a wide stretch of golden sand make South Beach as much a cultural experience as a coastal one.

62. Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

Two miles of white sand and very clear water, with beachfront restaurants along it. It was No. 6 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026, the highest placing of any beach on this list.

61. The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Giant granite boulders form grottos and tidal pools along a white-sand beach on Virgin Gorda. The site is managed by the BVI National Parks Trust and was No. 31 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

60. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

Pink sand, turquoise water, and dramatic rock formations make this Bermuda's most popular beach and one of the Atlantic's finest.

59. Santa Monica Beach, California, USA

The iconic pier, Pacific sunsets, and a wide stretch of golden sand create a quintessentially Californian beach experience.

58. Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Soft white sand, warm Gulf water and west-facing sunsets make Clearwater a family favorite. Caladesi Island State Park, a short ferry ride north, was No. 3 on Dr. Beach's 2026 list of the best US beaches.

57. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

A wide, calm beach on the northern tip of Isla Mujeres with shallow water perfect for wading and spectacular westward sunsets.

56. Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Two miles of golden sand on Grenada's southwestern coast, backed by green hills. It was No. 42 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

55. Plage de Palombaggia, Corsica, France

Red granite rocks, umbrella pines and pale sand south of Porto-Vecchio make this one of Corsica's best-known beaches on the Mediterranean.

54. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico

A horseshoe of white sand on Culebra with calm, clear water for swimming. The rusting tanks on the beach are left over from the decades when the US Navy used Culebra for training. It was No. 41 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

53. Maundays Bay, Anguilla

A sheltered, crescent-shaped bay with powdery sand and calm water, home to the renowned Cap Juluca resort and stunning sunset views.

52. Orient Bay, Saint-Martin (French side)

A long beach on the island's east coast, on the French side of Saint Martin, with beach clubs, water sports and a naturist section at its southern end.

51. Sveti Stefan Beach, Montenegro

A beach of reddish sand and pebbles beside the fortified island village of Sveti Stefan. The island itself is a hotel, Aman Sveti Stefan, which has been closed since 2020 with no announced reopening date, so it is seen from the beach rather than visited.

The World's Best 100 Beaches: #50-26

50. Porthcurno, Cornwall, England

Turquoise water that rivals the tropics, wedged between granite cliffs on Cornwall's far western coast, with the open-air Minack Theatre perched above.

49. Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

Jamaica's most celebrated stretch of sand offers mellow reggae vibes, flaming sunsets, and beach bars where time slows to island pace.

48. Akumal Beach, Mexico

Green sea turtles feed on the seagrass in Akumal Bay on the Riviera Maya, which has been a protected marine refuge since 2016. Snorkeling with the turtles is regulated: follow the posted rules, keep your distance and never touch them.

47. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece

Shallow, warm lagoons and sand tinted pink by crushed shells create an almost otherworldly setting on Crete's southwestern tip.

46. Noosa Main Beach, Queensland, Australia

North-facing and sheltered, Noosa Main Beach offers gentle waves, a gorgeous national park headland, and Hastings Street's boutique dining scene.

45. Manly Beach, New South Wales, Australia

A ferry ride from Sydney's harbour delivers you to this golden stretch of surf beach, flanked by Norfolk pines and a lively beachside promenade.

44. Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo, Western Australia

Part of Ningaloo Reef in Cape Range National Park, with coral starting a few meters from the sand. It was No. 15 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026. The current that makes the popular drift snorkel possible can be strong, so read the signs before getting in.

43. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, Australia

A curve of white sand set against eucalyptus-covered hills in Freycinet National Park, seen from a lookout trail that gives one of Australia's best-known views. A Tasmanian parks pass is required. It was No. 21 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

42. Burleigh Heads Beach, Queensland, Australia

A favorite of surfers and families alike, Burleigh pairs reliable waves with a headland national park and a thriving cafe culture.

41. Cottesloe Beach, Perth, Western Australia

Perth's best-known beach, with Indian Ocean sunsets, a 1930s diving pylon offshore, and the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, held on the beach in most years since 2005.

40. Hyams Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Its sand is often promoted as among the whitest in the world, set against the clear water of Jervis Bay Marine Park.

39. Playa Blanca, Baru Island, Colombia

A Caribbean beach near Cartagena with warm, calm water and colorful wooden boats bobbing offshore, surrounded by coral reef.

38. Anakena Beach, Easter Island, Chile

One of Easter Island's few sandy beaches, inside Rapa Nui National Park, with a palm grove and the restored platform of Ahu Nau Nau and its moai behind the sand. Tradition holds that it was the landing place of Hotu Matu'a, the island's first settler.

37. Punta del Este, Uruguay

South America's glamorous beach resort town offers both wild Atlantic surf on the Brava side and calm River Plate waters on the Mansa side.

36. Jericoacoara Beach, Brazil

Reached by four-wheel-drive across the dunes, this remote beach village is known for wind sports, sunsets from the dunes and a bohemian atmosphere.

35. Montanita Beach, Ecuador

Ecuador's surf capital combines consistent Pacific waves with a backpacker-friendly party scene and affordable beachfront living.

34. Mar del Plata, Argentina

Argentina's most popular seaside resort city, offering wide sandy beaches, a bustling port market, and fresh seafood rivaling the world's best.

33. Playa Cavancha, Iquique, Chile

A city beach in Iquique where the dry hills of the Atacama meet the Pacific, with sheltered water for swimming and sunshine on almost every day of the year. The Humboldt Current keeps the sea cooler than the desert setting suggests.

32. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

A volcanic archipelago off Brazil's northeast coast, mostly protected as a marine national park and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Visitors pay a daily environmental preservation fee and a separate national park fee, and its water clarity makes it one of Brazil's best-known diving destinations.

31. Playa El Agua, Margarita Island, Venezuela

A long, palm-lined beach on Margarita Island. Check your government's travel advice before planning a trip: as of October 2026 the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to most of Venezuela, and commercial flights into the country are limited.

30. Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia

The gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, with a free swimming lagoon, a marina and boat trips to Whitehaven Beach. Marine stingers are present in the region's waters from about November to May, so wear a stinger suit when swimming in the sea.

29. Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia

Iconic high-rises tower above a long stretch of golden sand where surf breaks roll in reliably and the nightlife pulses year-round.

28. Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

The long public beach just outside Manuel Antonio National Park, free to use, with monkeys often in the trees behind the sand.

27. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece

Steep white cliffs plunge down to a beach of white pebbles and sand, with water that shifts between sapphire and aquamarine depending on the light.

26. Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

The main beach inside Manuel Antonio National Park: white sand, warm Pacific water and rainforest where monkeys and sloths are often seen. The park is closed on Tuesdays, and tickets must be bought online in advance from SINAC, Costa Rica's national park service, with ID.

The World's Best 100 Beaches: #25-1

25. Crane Beach, Barbados

Pink-hued sand beneath dramatic coral cliffs, with Atlantic waves that are perfect for bodysurfing and a historic hotel perched above.

24. Jolly Beach, Antigua

One of Antigua's longest beaches, Jolly offers calm water, powdery sand, and a relaxed atmosphere away from the cruise-ship crowds.

23. Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Four kilometers of cultural spectacle where football matches, capoeira circles, and sunbathers share the sand against a mountainous skyline.

22. Playa Conchal, Costa Rica

A beach made of crushed seashells near Brasilito in Guanacaste, with clear water and rocky reef for snorkeling.

21. Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands, Mexico

The 'Hidden Beach' sits inside a collapsed crater in Islas Marietas National Park and is reached by swimming through a short tunnel at low tide. Access is restricted: landings are limited to licensed tour operators with a daily cap, and the beach has been closed for long stretches since 2016 to let it recover.

20. Anse Lazio, Praslin, Seychelles

Granite boulders, takamaka trees and fine white sand on Praslin's northwest coast make Anse Lazio one of the best-known beaches in the Seychelles.

19. Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The girl from Ipanema may have started the legend, but the beach sustains it with golden sand, dramatic Dois Irmaos peaks, and unmatched people-watching.

18. Palm Beach, Aruba

The liveliest beach on the island, Palm Beach buzzes with water sports, beachfront resorts, and reliable Caribbean sunshine year-round.

17. Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, South Africa

Home to a colony of African penguins, a critically endangered species, in Table Mountain National Park. Swimming is allowed at the sheltered beaches next to the colony, and the birds are best seen from the boardwalks at Foxy Beach. A conservation fee applies, and the penguins must not be touched or fed. It was No. 45 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.

16. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Once known mainly as a dhow-building and fishing village, Nungwi on Zanzibar's northern tip has white sand, sunsets over the sea and water that stays deep enough to swim at most states of the tide, unlike Zanzibar's east-coast beaches, where the sea retreats far out at low tide.

15. Doctor's Cave Beach, Montego Bay, Jamaica

A private beach club on Montego Bay's Hip Strip that charges a day entry fee. Its reputation began in the 1920s, when the British osteopath Herbert Barker wrote about the supposed healing properties of its water. Today the draw is warm, clear water inside the Montego Bay Marine Park.

14. St. Jean Beach, St. Barths

Watch small planes land dramatically overhead as you lounge on this glamorous beach, split by a rocky headland into two distinct bays.

13. Dickenson Bay, Antigua

A mile of calm, turquoise water and white sand on Antigua's northwest coast, with water sports and beachfront restaurants within easy reach.

12. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora's best-known public beach, a long point of white sand on the island's southern tip running into a lagoon of many shades of blue, with Mount Otemanu inland.

11. Champagne Beach, Vanuatu

A curved bay of white sand and very clear water near Hog Harbour on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu's largest island, and a regular stop for cruise ships from Australia.

10. Ngapali Beach, Myanmar

A long, palm-shaded beach on the Bay of Bengal near Thandwe in Rakhine State. It was Myanmar's main beach resort, but the Arakan Army took control of the area in 2024 during the country's civil war, Thandwe airport has closed, and tourism has largely stopped. As of October 2026 the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Rakhine State; check your own government's advice before considering a trip.

9. Long Beach, Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada

Pacific surf, old-growth rainforest and sea stacks on Vancouver Island's west coast, between Tofino and Ucluelet in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where a Parks Canada pass is required. Rip currents form around the larger rocks and islands, and drift logs can roll in the surf, so stay off the logs.

8. Kata Noi Beach, Phuket, Thailand

A small beach between forested headlands south of Kata, with good snorkeling in the calm season (roughly November to April). During the southwest monsoon, from about May to October, red flags mark dangerous rip currents; do not swim when they are up.

7. Cabo San Juan del Guia, Tayrona, Colombia

Reached by a hike through Tayrona National Park, this beach has boulder-framed coves, hammocks under the palms and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta behind it. It was No. 32 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026. The park charges an entry fee and closes for short periods each year for ecological recovery, so check the dates with Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia before going.

6. Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

A powerful Pacific surf beach inside Las Baulas National Marine Park, which protects the largest leatherback turtle nesting colony on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Females come ashore to nest roughly between October and May; follow the park's rules on night-time access during that season.

5. West Bay Beach, Roatan, Honduras

Warm Caribbean water, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef just offshore, and a relaxed island vibe make West Bay one of Central America's crown jewels.

4. Playa Rincon, Samana, Dominican Republic

A wild, undeveloped beach several kilometers long on the Samaná Peninsula, backed by coconut palms and forest. It can be reached by road from Las Galeras or by boat.

3. Macao Beach, Dominican Republic

A public beach in La Altagracia province near Punta Cana, with golden sand, low cliffs and Atlantic waves that make it one of the few surf beaches in the Dominican Republic.

2. Cala Mariolu, Sardinia, Italy

A small cove of white and pink pebbles beneath limestone cliffs on Sardinia's Gulf of Orosei, with very clear water. Most visitors arrive by boat from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese.

1. Playa de Muro Beach, Mallorca, Spain

Fine white sand, shallow turquoise water and the Serra de Tramuntana mountains across the bay. Playa de Muro runs for about five kilometers along the Bay of Alcúdia on Mallorca's north coast, has held Blue Flag status, and is backed by dunes and the S'Albufera wetland natural park, so even in peak season there is room to spread out. The water stays shallow for a long way out, which makes it a good choice for families.

Before You Go

• Seasonal closures. Maya Bay in Thailand closes every year from August 1 to September 30. Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica is closed on Tuesdays. Colombia's Tayrona National Park closes for short periods each year.
• Bookings and caps. Cala Goloritzé needs a booked permit from April to October. Manuel Antonio tickets are sold online in advance. Landings at Playa del Amor in the Marietas Islands are limited to licensed tours.
• Travel warnings. Check your own government's advice before planning a trip to Ngapali (Myanmar) or Margarita Island (Venezuela). As of October 2026 the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Rakhine State, where Ngapali is, and against all but essential travel to most of Venezuela.
• Dangerous water. Sneaker waves at Reynisfjara, high-surf shorebreak at Hapuna, monsoon rip currents at Kata Noi and stinger season in tropical Australia (Airlie Beach, Cable Beach) are the main hazards on this list. Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow the flags.
• Seaweed. The Mexican Caribbean (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal) can get heavy sargassum landings in the warmer months; conditions vary from week to week.