Ten destinations to broaden your horizons: from the Seychelles to Thailand, from the Arabian Sea to the East China Sea, here are ten beaches that capture what nature does best. This list makes no claim to be definitive, but every beach here is worth the journey.
Anse Source d’Argent – Seychelles (Indian Ocean)
Situated on the south-western coast of La Digue island, Anse Source d’Argent is consistently ranked among the most photographed beaches in the world. What makes it unique: granite boulders shaped by millennia of erosion into organic forms that contrast with brilliantly white sand and deep turquoise water. The lagoon, sheltered by a coral reef, stays calm and shallow at high tide, making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Cape Vidal – South Africa (Indian Ocean)
Cape Vidal lies within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in December 1999. A marine park where golden dunes meet coastal forest and pristine reefs. Sea turtles come ashore to nest on this stretch of coast, and humpback whales pass by during the austral winter (June to November).
To discover more of South Africa’s coastal treasures, see our guide to the most beautiful beaches in South Africa.
Whitehaven Beach – Australia (Coral Sea)
Seven kilometres of sand that is 98% pure silica: that is Whitehaven Beach, in the Whitsunday Islands, within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This almost surreally white sand does not retain heat and stays cool underfoot even in the height of the Australian summer. The water shifts from blue-green to turquoise with the tides and the position of the sun, creating scenes that change from hour to hour.
Get my travel insurancePink Sands Beach – Bahamas (Caribbean Sea)
Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island in the Bahamas owes its rosy hue to fragments of red coral and shells mixed into the white sand. The colour shifts with the light: pale pink at dawn, a deeper coral shade under the midday sun. Set against the turquoise of the Caribbean Sea, the chromatic contrast is striking.
Ari Atoll – Maldives (Indian Ocean)
Ari Atoll is the largest in the Maldives archipelago. Made up of dozens of islands, some home to resorts while others remain largely untouched, it is also one of the most renowned diving sites in the archipelago: whale sharks and manta rays are regularly spotted here.
To plan your stay in the Maldives, see our guide to 20 must-see things to do in the Maldives.
Navagio – Greece (Zakynthos, Ionian Sea)
Shipwreck Bay, accessible only by boat from the island of Zakynthos, is framed by limestone cliffs that plunge straight into the Ionian Sea. At its centre: the rusting wreck of the Panagiotis, a smugglers’ vessel that ran aground in the 1980s and has since become one of the most photographed subjects in Greece.
Check before you go: the beach has been closed to the public since September 2022, after an earthquake caused rockfalls into the bay. The closure was extended in 2024. Excursion boats can approach to within around 40 metres of the shore, and a viewing platform has been built at the top of the cliffs. Check the current status with your travel agent or local authorities before booking.
Playa Ruinas – Mexico (Tulum, Caribbean Sea)
At Tulum, Maya ruins stand directly above the Caribbean Sea on a clifftop. Tulum is the only known Maya city built by the sea. The ancient watchtower, whose name “Tulum” means “wall” in Yucatec Maya, has faced the water for centuries. At the foot of the archaeological site’s stairway, the beach offers a swim in intensely blue water, with the ruins as a backdrop.
Mandrem – India (Goa, Arabian Sea)
Among Goa’s many beaches, Mandrem has a quieter atmosphere than the larger coastal resorts. Slightly off the main tourist trail, it lends itself to long walks along the Arabian Sea and sunsets over an unobstructed horizon.
Yonaha Maehama – Japan (Miyako-jima, Okinawa)
Japan is not the first place that comes to mind for picture-postcard beaches. And yet Yonaha Maehama, on Miyako-jima island in the Okinawa archipelago, stretches for 7 km of white sand alongside remarkably clear water. The beach has been ranked number one in Japan by TripAdvisor. It remains far less crowded than many of its tropical counterparts, and that is precisely what makes it special.
The Okinawa archipelago is also a playground for divers. If the underwater world appeals as much as the shoreline, our guide to the best destinations for diving will give you more ideas for underwater exploration.
Kaw Kwang – Thailand (Koh Lanta, Andaman Sea)
Koh Lanta island, in the Andaman Sea, is home to several remarkable beaches. Kaw Kwang stands out for its particularly shallow water, which makes swimming easy, and its fine sand with few pebbles. The atmosphere here is calmer than on the beaches of Phuket or Krabi.
If you are looking for when and where to head for sunshine outside the busiest periods, our guide where to find sun in February offers practical options by season.
FAQ
Which is the most beautiful beach in the world?
No ranking is universal: it all depends on what you are looking for. Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles, Whitehaven Beach in Australia and Pink Sands in the Bahamas feature regularly in international rankings. Every beach in this selection has its own strengths: sculpted granite boulders, silica sand that stays cool underfoot, or a unique rosy hue.
Is Navagio Beach (Greece) open to visitors?
The beach has been closed to the public since September 2022, after an earthquake caused rockfalls into the bay. The closure was extended in 2024. Boat excursions allow you to see the bay and the wreck from the sea, to within around 40 metres of the shore. Check the current status with local authorities or your travel agent before you go.
What is the best time to visit these beaches?
The ideal period varies by destination: November to April for the Maldives and Thailand’s Andaman coast; April to November for the Whitsundays in Australia; June to September for Okinawa in Japan; December to April for the Bahamas. Check official travel advice before booking.
Do you need travel insurance for these destinations?
Yes. Medical costs abroad can be very high, particularly in Australia, Japan or the Bahamas. A Yupwego travel insurance policy covers medical care and repatriation if a health problem arises, without you having to pay the full costs upfront in most situations.
Can you combine several of these destinations in a single trip?
Some combinations are logistically straightforward: Tulum and the Bahamas fit naturally into a Caribbean itinerary; the Seychelles and the Maldives are both in the Indian Ocean. Covering all ten destinations in a single trip, however, requires serious long-haul planning. Start with one region, and come back for the rest.
