Life’s supposed to be a beach. Well, that’s the idea if you’re heading off for a well-deserved break. But there are beaches, and then are superb beaches. And the best of the best has been revealed.
As the summer holiday season beckons, The World’s 50 Best Beaches has unveiled its annual list. It’s a culmination of days spent by their judges, Beach Ambassadors and the World's 50 Beaches team exploring beaches worldwide. Here’s the top 15:
1. Entalula Beach, Philippines
Entalula Beach, Palawan, is one of those places you have to see to believe. It is set apart by towering limestone cliffs that rise sharply behind a stretch of soft white sand, creating one of the most visually striking settings in the world. It sees fewer visitors and that space is felt immediately on arrival. The water is exceptionally clear, with calm conditions that make it easy to swim and simply take it all in. With access only by boat, it remains quieter and helps preserve its more natural feel.
2. Fteri Beach, Kefalonia, Greece
Fteri Beach on Kefalonia is tucked away in a secluded cove, surrounded by dramatic white cliffs, and is accessible primarily by boat or via a hike down a steep trail. Its isolation contributes to its pristine and serene atmosphere, setting it apart from more tourist-heavy destinations. Majestic white cliffs frame the beach, curving around a stretch of striking white pebbles mixed with sand, which meets the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea.
3. Wharton Beach, Western Australia
Wharton Beach stands out for its remote location and striking coastal views. Its isolation ensures it rarely feels crowded, even on perfect summer days, providing a peaceful escape. Nestled in the Duke of Orleans Bay area, the beach features crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine white sands, creating a tranquil setting for beachgoers. Noted for excellent opportunities for dolphin spotting, it remains a remarkable gem that embodies the rugged beauty of Australia's southern coast.
4. Nosy Iranja, Madagascar
Nosy Iranja off Madagascar’s coast is a truly unique destination made up of two smaller islands: Nosy Iranja Be and Nosy Iranja Kely. What makes this place so iconic is the sandbar that connects the two islets at low tide, creating a rare and breathtaking landscape. The famous 2km sandbar disappears as the tide rises, with the clear turquoise water concealing the pristine white stretch of sand. Nosy Iranja is also a haven for marine life, including nesting sea turtles.
5. Mamanuca Beach, Fiji
Mamanuca Beach on Vomo Island feels hidden from the rest of the world. It welcomes you with tall palms and dense vegetation bordering a wide stretch of soft white sand. Positioned on the island’s sheltered side, it stays protected and easy to swim in during the day. This part of the island has very little development, and it’s not unusual to have long sections of the beach alone.
6. Shoal Bay East, Anguilla
Anguilla is famous for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and Shoal Bay East stands out as one of the most beautiful. Despite its popularity, it always feels quiet and serene. Framed by laid-back beach bars and swaying palm trees, Shoal Bay East exudes a relaxed, unspoiled charm. You can easily find a quiet spot to enjoy the stunning powdery white sand and calm, crystal-clear waters. The beach often features gentle waves, making it perfect for swimming or snorkeling along the nearby coral reefs.
7. Dhigurah, The Maldives
Dhigurah Beach stands out for its unusually long stretch of coastline and the sandbar that extends far into the lagoon at the top. It’s easily reached from the village, yet quickly feels removed, especially as you continue toward the far end where the sandbar begins. Here, you will find a narrow ribbon of soft white sand that pushes out between shallow, crystal-clear water on both sides. The conditions are typically calm, making it ideal for long walks and amazing swims. It’s a true tropical paradise.
8. Playa Balandra, Mexico
Despite its popularity, Playa Balandra in La Paz retains its incredible untouched beauty thanks to strict regulations that limit development, visitor numbers, and activities that could disrupt its natural state. As part of a protected natural area, the beach remains clean and unspoiled, offering visitors a stunning beach experience. The area is renowned for its shallow, calm waters and the distinctive mushroom-shaped rock formation known as 'El Hongo.' The shallow waters across the entire bay make it particularly appealing for families and those looking to unwind.
9. Koh Rong, Cambodia
Koh Rong Beach, just off Cambodia’s mainland, is known for its long, uninterrupted stretch of powdery white sand and clear, shallow water. Reached by boat, much of the coastline remains lightly developed, which helps preserve a slower, more relaxed feel. The soft sand slopes gently into calm, turquoise water, making it easy to spend hours in and out of the sea.
10. Donald Duck Bay, Thailand
Situated within the protected Similan Islands National Park, Donald Duck Beach is only accessible during the park’s open season, typically from November to May, with closures during the monsoon helping preserve its natural condition. This limited window, along with controlled access, keeps visitor numbers relatively low compared to many other Thai island beaches. Reached by boat, the beach features clear turquoise water and large, rounded granite boulders, including the distinctive formation that gives it its name. Fine white sand lines the shore, with calm, transparent water that’s well-suited for both swimming and snorkeling.
11. Cayo de Agua, Venezuela
Cayo de Agua in Venezuela is known for its distinctive sandbar, which connects two sections of the island, creating a remarkable path through the sea that seems to disappear into the horizon. This incredible feature alone makes it a captivating destination for those who appreciate unique and breathtaking beaches. Located in the Los Roques archipelago, the beach is part of a national park, ensuring its pristine condition is preserved. The turquoise waters around Cayo de Agua are shallow and incredibly clear, making it ideal for basking in the water for hours.
12. Cala Macarella, Spain
Cala Macarella in Menorca forms a near-perfect horseshoe-shaped cove, where clear turquoise water sits between steep limestone cliffs and dense pine forest. The bay’s enclosed shape offers reliable shelter from wind and swell, which means you will find consistently calm, glassy conditions that are less common along more exposed stretches of the Mediterranean. Its location within a protected area keeps development minimal and the overall setting largely intact.
13. One Foot Island, Cook Islands
One Foot Island is not only a perfect, quintessential tropical escape but also a remote gem within the Aitutaki atoll, offering a distinctly serene beach experience that stands out in an area renowned for its stunning natural beauty. As visitors walk around the island's soft sandy shores, they can soak in the breathtaking views of the shallow, clear lagoon.
14. Princess Diana Beach, Barbuda
Princess Diana Beach is a long stretch of pale pink-tinged sand with very little development and extends for miles. The lack of infrastructure, combined with consistently low visitor numbers, ensures a peaceful feel that is increasingly rare in the Caribbean. The sand is fine and soft, and the water is clear and often calm.
15. Turquoise Bay, Western Australia
Turquoise Bay truly lives up to its name with some of the most radiant turquoise waters you might ever see. The beach is undeveloped, maintaining a sense of untouched natural beauty where the desert meets the sea. This remote location within Cape Range National Park means fewer crowds and more space to explore the sandy shores and surrounding scrubland. The bay, part of the incredible Ningaloo Reef, is renowned for its snorkeling, providing up-close encounters with diverse marine life in crystal-clear conditions.
To view the rest of the best beaches worldwide, click here.
Andy Probert is a freelance journalist whose work about global travel news, aviation, business and human-interest features has appeared internationally in print and digital formats.
