17 Drop-Dead Gorgeous Beaches Worth Planning an Entire Trip Around This Year 💦🏖️
Need a beach vacation and looking for a little travel inspiration? Add these dazzling beaches around the world to your travel bucket list.
After 10 trips around the world visiting more than 175 countries, I’ve been fortunate to see hundreds (maybe even thousands?) of beautiful beaches.
And it’s a question I get all the time, “What’s the most beautiful beach you’ve been to?”
So I decided it was finally time to sit down and share a list of my favorites. Because – let me tell you – several of these are worthy destinations in their own right (never mind the beautiful country they’re located in).
If you’re searching for the perfect stretch of sand for your next vacation…this list is for you. You’ll find the kind of dreamy spot where you can settle in with a good book, order an umbrella drink, and lose track of time. Or maybe even spot a turtle, a sea lion, a flamingo, or a moai (yes, a moai).
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle). All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.
And while you won’t find some of them on flashy lists of the world’s best beaches, they are all beaches that took my breath away the first time I saw them.
A few are well known (and live up to the hype). Others fly completely under the radar. What they all have in common is that they made me want to stay longer than I originally planned.
So whether you’re planning a big summer beach vacation this year or just looking to add a few lesser-known gems to your Travel Bucket List, I’m here to help you find your perfect beach.
So grab a margarita and your reef-safe sunscreen…let’s hit the beach!
1. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
Located on the southwest coast of Crete, Elafonissi Beach feels more like a shallow lagoon than an open stretch of sea. The water here is crystal-clear, calm, and so shallow in places that you can walk for what seems like a mile in water that barely covers your knees.
What makes Elafonissi truly special is the subtle pink sand, created by crushed seashells mixing with powdery white sand.
Add in turquoise waters, protected dunes, and wide-open views, and it’s no surprise Elafonissi was ranked the best beach in the world last year. It’s one of those places that feels almost unreal when you first arrive.
Pro Tip: Best visited as a day trip from Chania or Kissamos, this Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks is my top pick.
Where to Stay: There are no hotels on Elafonissi Beach but if you want to stay nearby, the best options in the area are Lafo Rooms and the Glykeria Hotel. I recommend staying in charming Chania and booking a day trip instead.
Read More: Remote Elafonissi Beach in Greece is the Best in the World (& You’ve Never Heard of It)
2. Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Whitehaven Beach stretches for miles along Whitsunday Island and is famous for its brilliant white silica sand and swirling shades of blue. The sand stays cool underfoot, even in strong sun, which feels like a small miracle in Australia.
Surrounded by clear waters and protected as a national park, this beach feels untouched and wild. The views from Hill Inlet overlooking the shoreline are among the most striking beach vistas anywhere.
Pro Tip: Access is by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, which naturally limits crowds. The best way to visit is this Whitehaven Beach, Snorkeling & Hill Inlet Lookout Day Trip.
Where to Stay: qualia on Hamilton Island or the Intercontinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef.
Read More: This Aussie Archipelago is the Perfect Home Base for the Great Barrier Reef 🦈🐠
3. One Foot Island, Aitutaki, Cook Islands
One Foot Island sits inside Aitutaki’s lagoon and feels like a private slice of paradise. The water is warm, shallow, and so clear it looks more like a natural swimming pool than the open ocean.
You can walk the entire island in minutes, then spend hours floating, snorkeling, or stretching out under a palm tree. It’s quiet, remote, and effortlessly beautiful.
The island is also home to the world’s smallest post office (which is really just a tiny shack) where you can get an adorable foot-shaped passport stamp (I love mine!).
Pro Tip: Most visitors arrive on a lagoon cruise day trip from Rarotonga, but lingering longer is definitely worth it. Don’t forget to bring your passport for the stamp!
Where to Stay: Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort
4. Sunrise Beach, Thailand
Tiny, walkable Koh Lipe is one of my favorite islands in Thailand and Sunrise Beach is a big reason why. Turquoise waters, soft sand, and just enough development to make it comfortable without overwhelming the landscape.
The sea is usually calm, ideal for swimming or kayaking, and the nearby coral reefs make snorkeling easy right from shore. Early mornings are peaceful, with glassy water and golden light.
The island also has an equally beautiful “Sunset Beach” and it’s the perfect place to end the day.
Pro Tip: Sunrise lives up to its name here, and it’s the best time to enjoy the beach crowd-free.
Where to Stay: Ten Moons Lipe Resort or the Idyllic Concept Resort
Read More: Nicknamed the “Maldives of Thailand,” Tiny Koh Lipe is a Little-Known Gem
5. Monterosso al Mare, Italy
Monterosso al Mare is the only one of the five Cinque Terre villages with an actual beach and it’s a real stunner. Located along Italy’s dramatic Ligurian coastline, colorful buildings rise behind the shore, framed by cliffs and vineyards.
It’s the kind of place where you can hike all morning, then spend the afternoon stretched out under an umbrella with a cold drink. Relaxed, scenic, and undeniably Italian.
Pro Tip: It’s easy to hop between the 5 villages by train, hike, or (my favorite) the ferry boats.
Where to Stay: Hotel Baia or Hotel Porto Roca
Read More: Italy’s Fantastic 5: How to Spend 2 Days in the Seaside Towns of Cinque Terre
6. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Nungwi Beach sits on the northern tip of Zanzibar and delivers everything people picture when they imagine a tropical beach. Powdery white sand, warm water, and palm trees lining a long, walkable stretch of coastline.
Unlike much of Zanzibar, tides here are less extreme, which means better swimming throughout the day. Traditional wooden dhows drifting past the shore add to the atmosphere, especially in the late afternoon light.
Watching the changes in tides each day was one of my favorite things about this beach. When the tide is out, the fishing boats tilt to the side, beached on the sand, and you can walk for miles on the sand bars.
When the tide comes in, the fishing boats head out to work, one-by-one, as the water level rises.
Pro Tip: I don’t recommend renting a car and driving yourself in Zanzibar (traffic is chaotic and involves multiple police checkpoints). To get out and explore, hire a private guide through your hotel or book a day tour like this Full-Day Private Stone Town +Spice Farm and Prison Island Tour.
Where to Stay: Zuri Zanzibar (Kendwa Beach)
Read More: Beaches, Spice & Everything Nice – How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in Zanzibar
7. Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Ok, my bias is going to show on this one. We currently live in Waikiki (thanks to my husband’s job transfer a few years ago) and we’re a 4 block walk from this fabulous beach.
And even though I’m lucky enough to see it any old time I like, it never gets old. Living in Hawaii (albeit temporarily) has been a dream. And if you’re considering a visit, I’ve got an entire blog about it called Next Stop, Hawaii.
Waikiki Beach may be famous, but there’s a reason it’s endured for more than a century. Calm, clear waters, Diamond Head rising in the background, and a setting that works just as well for swimming as it does for people-watching.
It’s an ideal beach if you want beauty without giving up convenience. Restaurants, bars, surf schools, and sunset walks are all part of the experience, making it one of the easiest great beaches in the world to enjoy.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the weekly free fireworks show over Waikiki every Friday night!
Where to Stay: Halekulani or The Royal Hawaiian. I also love the Sheraton Waikiki for the incredible infinity pool.
Read More: While Waikiki Beach is an icon, Oahu has lots of great beaches – 10 Gorgeous Oahu Beaches You’ll Adore (& 9 of Them Aren’t Waikiki!) 🌺🏖️
8. White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
White Bay sits on the small island of Jost Van Dyke and is one of the most iconic beaches in the Caribbean. The sand is soft and bright, the water glows turquoise, and boats anchor just offshore all day long.
This beach is also home to the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar, where the famous Painkiller cocktail was born. Most visitors arrive by boat, swim ashore, and earn the bar’s name the old-fashioned way. It’s social, laid-back, and exactly what a Caribbean beach day should feel like.
Pro Tip: Arrive earlier in the day for calmer water and easier access to the beach.
Where to Stay: Most people who visit Jost Van Dyke stay in nearby Tortola where there are plenty of resort options and more amenities. However, if a day trip to the Soggy Dollar Bar isn’t enough for you, try the Ocean View Villas.
9. Waianapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii
Waianapanapa is dramatic in a way very few beaches are. Jet-black sand, lava rock cliffs, and crashing blue water make this beach feel wild and powerful.
It’s the most famous stop on Maui’s legendary Road to Hana and a must-see when you visit the island.
Sea caves, blowholes, and tide pools surround the shoreline, and Hawaiian legends give the area a deeper sense of place. This isn’t a beach for lounging all day, but it’s unforgettable.
Pro Tip: Reservations are required to enter the park, and mornings offer the best light.
Where to Stay: Most people do the Road to Hana as a day trip and stay in the resort areas of Kaanapali or Wailea. But if you want more time to enjoy this lush side of the island, book a night at the Hana-Maui Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence.
Read More: 5 Unforgettable Maui Beaches (Don’t Leave Hawaii Without Seeing #3)
10. La Loberia Beach, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
La Loberia Beach is the perfect example of the wildlife you can expect to find on any given beach in the Galapagos.
While it’s a pebbly beach instead of sandy, what makes this spot special is the wildlife. Sea lions nap on on the warm shoreline, marine iguanas lounge nearby, and birds swoop overhead.
There’s a short hike to get there, but once you arrive, the water is calm and swimmable and the curious sea lions will often swim with you, too! The entire beach feels like a front-row seat to nature doing its thing.
It’s one of the few places where sharing the sand with animals feels completely normal. Like most of the wildlife in the Galapagos, the sea lions are completely unfazed by humans.
Pro Tip: Many day trips from San Cristobal include a stop here for some beach time. This Day Tour to San Cristobal Island with Private Land Tour and Snorkeling is a great pick.
Where to Stay: Start your adventure in Puerto Ayora at the exclusive Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel and island hop from there. For a more budget-friendly alternative, we loved the Hotel Galapagos Suites B&B.
Read More: How to See the Galapagos Islands on a Budget
11. Lalaria Beach, Skiathos, Greece
Lalaria Beach is one of the most dramatic beaches in Greece. Towering limestone cliffs, smooth white pebbles, and electric-blue water give this place a wild, almost cinematic feel.
It’s only accessible by boat, which adds to its allure and keeps it feeling special. The famous rock arch rising from the sea is just as striking in person as it is in photos.
Pro Tip: Boat trips can easily be booked in the Old Harbor on Skiathos, no need to book in advance.
Where to Stay: Azzurro or Petra Nera Skiathos
Read More: With 60 Beaches (& an Airport!) Skiathos is the Ideal Greek Islands Escape
12. Flamingo Beach, Aruba
Located on a private island off Aruba, Flamingo Beach is proof that sometimes a beach really does feel surreal. Soft white sand, clear shallow water, and bright pink flamingos casually wandering the shoreline.
It’s one of the most photogenic beaches I’ve ever visited and I probably have hundreds of flamingo photos from my day there. The flamingos are totally unconcerned with humans and there’s even a special food for sale from a machine on the beach.
Yes, they will eat right out of your hand.
Pro Tip: Access to Flamingo Beach is exclusive to hotel guests at the Renaissance Wind Creek.
Where to Stay: If you want to visit Flamingo Beach, the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort is a must.
Read More: Discover Stunning Beaches & Frisky Flamingos on the Happiest Island in the Caribbean☀️🦩
13. Maya Bay, Thailand
Maya Bay is surrounded by steep cliffs that rise straight out of the sea, creating a natural amphitheater of turquoise water and pale sand.
The 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie, “The Beach” launched this spectacular beach to fame and, with that, came over tourism.
Recent conservation efforts have helped restore the bay, and visitor numbers are now limited. The result is a more peaceful experience that allows the natural beauty to shine.
Pro Tip: The only way to visit is by organized day trip from Phuket or Krabi. This Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip from Phuket is a great choice.
Where to Stay: There are no hotels on Maya Bay. It’s camping only and that requires a permit. Most people choose to stay in the larger resort areas of Phuket and Krabi (the Anana Ecological Resort Krabi is my top pick there). Or, if you want to stay closer to Maya Bay, the best option is SAii Phi Phi Island Village.
Read More: 5 Dreamy Day Trips from Krabi that Prove Thailand is Drop Dead Gorgeous
14. Siesta Key Beach, Florida, USA
Ranked as the best beach in the United States last year, Siesta Key Beach is famous for its powdery white sand, made almost entirely of quartz. It’s cool underfoot, incredibly soft, and stretches for miles along the Gulf Coast.
The water here is typically calm and warm, making it an ideal beach for long swims or lazy afternoons. It’s easygoing, spacious, and consistently ranks among the best beaches in the United States.
Pro Tip: Late afternoon is perfect for swimming followed by sunset.
Where to Stay: Accommodations here are mostly small condos but The Inn on Siesta Key is my top hotel pick.
15. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Poipu Beach is one of Kauai’s most reliable spots for sunny weather and calm water. The crescent-shaped shoreline creates protected swimming areas, making it great for floating and snorkeling.
This is also Kauai’s most reliable beach for wildlife sightings. You’ll often spot Hawaiian monk seals resting on the sand. And Hawaii’s green sea turtles can almost always be found napping on the warm sands, completely oblivious to the beach goers around them.
Pro Tip: Remember to keep your distance from wildlife when you visit Poipu Beach. Hawaiian law requires a distance of 10′ from a turtle and 50′ from a monk seal (make that 150′ if it’s a momma with a pup!).
Where to Stay: Koloa Landing Resort or Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Read More: These 7 Kauai Beaches are Simply Too Gorgeous to Ignore
16. Balos Lagoon, Crete, Greece
Yes, the island of Crete has two beautiful entries on this list. In addition to the pink sands of Elafonissi, the remote beach of Balos is one of the best day trips in Greece.
Located on Crete’s northwest coast, Balos is famous for its swirling white sand and bright turquoise lagoon. It’s one of the best beaches in Greece for pure “wow” factor, and once you’ve seen it, you’ll never forget it.
Pro Tip: Driving there is not a great option as the road is unpaved. The easiest way to reach Balos is by ferry from the Kissamos port. For a more private experience, book the Balos & Falassarna Beach – Jeep Tour w/Loungers & Lunch. This full-day small-group Jeep Tour is one of the top-rated tours on the island.
Where to Stay: There are no hotels near Balos, so I recommend staying in the port town of Chania. The Captain Vasilis Hotel is my top pick for its striking terrace and pristine location in the harbor.
17. Tulum, Mexico
Protected on one side by steep sea cliffs and on the other by a wall that averaged about 16ft in height, Tulum is the Yucatan Mayan word for fence or wall.
With access to both land and sea trade routes, it is those walls and natural barriers that defended the city from invasion. Today this stunning archaeological site is the most popular tourist attraction along the Riviera Maya.
Tulum is known for the best white sand beaches on the Yucatan coast and just below the ancient Mayan ruins lies one of its best, Playa Ruinas.
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting Cancun, Tulum is an easy day trip. This Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote Tour is a great way to experience a little of everything the area has to offer.
Where to Stay: Xela Tulum for beachfront luxury or Mi Amor by La Zebra for a romantic getaway.
So Which Beach is on Your Summer Bucket List?
After circling the globe and standing on hundreds of sandy shores, I’ve learned that the best beach is a personal thing. For some, it’s a lively stretch of sand with easy access and calm water. For others, it’s a remote cove where nature takes center stage.
The beaches on this list are the ones that stayed with me long after I left. Places with natural beauty, memorable settings, and that rare feeling that makes you slow down and soak it all in.
If even one of these inspires your next beach trip or adds a new pin to your travel bucket list, then this list has done its job.
Looking for more great beach destinations? Start here:
27 Tropical Islands So Drop-Dead Gorgeous You’ll Reconsider Your Life Choices 🏝️
5 Incredible Italian Islands to Add to Your Travel Bucket List (#4 is a True Hidden Gem)
15 Stunning Beaches in Greece Worth Planning an Entire Trip Around
