The 50 Best Beaches In The World In 2023

Mountains are certainly pretty, reaching toward the heavens, and cities are exciting, assaulting our senses through their variety of experiences, but can any setting touch us as deeply as the beach? The feeling of the sand between our toes, the gentle whispering of the water as it advances and retreats, and the salty breeze pushing past, almost as a constant, all combine to have a hypnotic effect. Beyond the simple pleasures of feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a trip to the beach (as well as pleasantly fatigued from all that swimming!), science backs up the assertion that for the human race, being near the coast is good for general well-being.

In a 2013 study, conducted by scientists in the United Kingdom, people living within a few miles of the coast were found to be in better health, both in terms of their physical energy and mental wellness, than those living further away from the shore. While a visit to any beach is time well spent, some beaches truly stand out from the pack. Browse the list below, it will be sure to ramp up your wanderlust.

The sand of Whitehaven Beach in Australia is made up of 98% silica, which means it's both very soft and cool, making it perfect for walking through barefoot. A popular spot for yachts, ferries, and motorboats, the beach stretches a little over four miles. While it doesn't have a reef, and therefore much in the way of snorkeling or scuba diving opportunities, its water is so clear that you can still see fish swimming by without any gear.

This beach's signature feature is its residents — African penguins. Boulders Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, has picturesque granite boulders that frame its boardwalks and serene rock pools.

Rapa Nui (popularly known as Easter Island) is most famous for its moai, the iconic large-headed stone figures with mysterious origins. But it's also home to spectacular beaches. One of two beaches on the island, Anakena Beach has a dark, rocky coastline characterized by coconut palm trees, white sand, and six of the moai.

Cancún's Playa Delfines features clear water that stays warm even at night, white sand that's comfortable to walk on, and waves that are perfect for surfing.

Best known as the birthplace of French surfing, La Côte des Basques remains a premier destination for surfers from around the world.

A 13-mile beach, Varadero Beach in Cuba is just 24 yards wide on average but has plenty of beauty in its aquamarine waters and fine, white sands.

Natadola Beach generally has gentle waves, although it's best to visit during mid-high tide for safety. Clean sand and clear waters make this the perfect spot for exploring the wonders of the bay's reef.

Taking up three miles of Maui's western shore, Ka'anapali Beach was the first planned resort area in Hawaii and is today marked by five hotels and six condominium villages facing the shore. Every evening at sunset, a cliff-diving ceremony is held at the Puu Kekaa (Black Rock) cliffs, where a diver lights torches alongside the cliffs before diving off of them in a reenactment of a dive by a Hawaiian king.

Located on Fernando de Noronha, a Brazilian archipelago that limits visitors for the sake of preservation, Baía do Sancho (Sancho Bay) can only be reached via boat or by climbing 230 feet down three sets of stairs. The climb may get a bit dizzying — but so are the views once you're onshore or under the water.

Locals and visitors alike enjoy cooling off at Dubai's Jumeirah Open Beach, a public beach complete with lifeguards and bathroom facilities with showers. Beachgoers seeking drier recreation can check out the nearby running track or spend their time basking in the sun on the sand.

Located in the southwestern English region known as the West Country, Woolacombe Beach is a three-mile-long getaway that welcomes families and surfers to its shores.

Once recognized as the best beach in America, Clearwater Beach is a paradise where beachgoers can take in beautiful sites of the shore or enjoy plenty of great live music and beachside restaurants. 

Radhanagar Beach in the territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has fine, white sand that sits against a striking backdrop of lush, bright green rainforest.

Like many other beaches on this list, West Bay Beach in Honduras has fine, white sand, palm trees and bright, blue-green waters.

Set on a headland in the north of the country, the name of this beach translates to "Sugar Pylon," on account of the conical hill that rises at the end of the sand. It's an easy hill to climb, and from the top, the views take in the expanses of the clear Caribbean Sea and the inviting, honey-colored sand.

A colorful beach you have to see to believe, Pink Sand Beach gets its pretty pale color from foraminifera, microscopic insects with bright pink or red shells. Their bodies are crushed and washed ashore by the ocean's waves after they die, mixing them in with sand and bits of coral. The sand is smooth and cool here, making it a popular place to explore barefoot and on horseback.

Named for the sea turtles that are known to lay their eggs there, Tortuga Bay is an excellent place to experience the biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands. Relax in the light blue waters and wait to come across species such as marine iguanas, white-tip sharks and, of course, Galápagos turtles. Tortuga Bay is also known to be a bird-watching destination, home to pelicans, ground finches, and flamingos.

Located on Achill Island in Ireland, Keem Bay is a remote beach surrounded by sweeping cliffs and mountains.

Known in the local language as Tapuaetai, this is one of a number of small islands that sits in a large, crystal clear lagoon in the South Pacific. One Foot is tiny, easy to walk around, and is usually visited as part of a cruise tour, with travelers drawn by the archetypal South Pacific swaying palms and impossibly clear water.

This small island located off the coast of this southern African nation has many fine beaches all around its coast. What's remarkable about such an attractive destination is that it has managed to stay relatively undeveloped, with only a few places to stay. This has ensured that the strips of sand, fronted by the astounding waters of the Indian Ocean, are pristine.

Soft, bright white sand is sandwiched between bright green trees and clear, turquoise-tinted waters at Diani Beach in Kenya. Beachgoers can swim with dolphins and sea turtles as well as take to the land with guided forest hikes to explore the monkey sanctuary or visit the nearby coastal national park.

The most picturesque way to get to this beach is by walking from Hahei Beach. A track runs along the top of a cliff before descending down to sea level, where you'll find the geological wonder that is Cathedral Cove. The arch opens up to an intimate cove with a small sandy area to put down your stuff in preparation for a swim. Be sure to take photos of the rock formation offshore, locally known as Te Hoho.

The island of Zanzibar is home to Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a dizzying combination of cultural influences. It's also where to find this stunning beach, one with breathtaking sunsets, warm water year-round, and plenty to do nearby after the sun drops behind the horizon.

Unlike many of the beaches on this list, Reynisfjara isn't one that is suitable for swimming. The water here is powerful and capricious, and there are giant basalt towers rising in the water just offshore (and occasionally on the beach). But the black-sand beach is worth seeking out for the sheer magnificence of the scenery here.

Stretching for about two miles along the southwestern coast of Grenada, Grand Anse Beach's soft white sand juts out of a lush green landscape, which is home to some of the best resorts in the Caribbean.