When you think of summer, one image most certainly pops into your mind- the beach! Yes, even if you live in parts of the world where it is warm year round, there is just something about summer and beach days that go so well together.
Across all corners of the global, there are amazing beaches, some well known and some that are off the beaten path. The Princess and I have not had a chance to get to all of these amazing waterfront locales. That is why we reached out to travel bloggers to help us put together this list of the Best Beaches in the World. Some you may have heard of and others might be new, but all of these beaches are certainly worth visiting when your next cruise port gets you within travel distance.
Who doesn’t love a beach day?
If we have missed your favorite spot, let us know in the comments section what you think should be on this list of the Best Beaches in the World.
Travel Bloggers Pick the Best Beaches in the World 2015
Black Sand Beach, Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland
Jennifer Melroy From Made all the Difference Travel Blog
My favorite beach is a little unusual. I wouldn’t recommend swimming there, but it is well worth a visit even in the winter. The Black Sand Beaches of Vík, Iceland are known for the volcanic sand and puffins. This was my first stop on my Winter Iceland Road Trip.
The Unique Black Sand Beach Makes the List of Best Beaches in the World
The puffins are only there in the summer, but the cliffs along the beach provide a great place to view them. I sit on the cliff and watch the large waves crash on the sand. The wet black sand glistens in the surf; I can’t help but to enjoy the view.
Blue Lagoon, Ölüdeniz, Turkey
Ana Sánchez from Ani on the Road
Turkey is a very surprising country where, besides mosques, bazaars, and Ottoman architecture, you will find breathtaking landscapes and incredible beaches.
Blue Lagoon Beach
Regarded as one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean, the Blue Lagoon in Ölüdeniz (Fethiye) is one of my favorite beaches in Turkey. Not only it is a beautiful beach with warm crystal clear waters, but also the best place to do paragliding in Turkey.
Even if you are afraid of heights, I highly recommend you try this experience. The most amazing views of Olüdeniz Beach are the ones you will get from the air.
Boracay, Philippines
Aileen from I Am Aileen
At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to travel the world, and today, I am a digital nomad and entrepreneur living a sustainable traveling lifestyle! As someone who comes from this so-called ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas’, the Philippines has a lot of magnificent beaches to offer to any traveler. Apart from the famed spots in El Nido, Coron, and Cebu, I think that the best beach — not only in the country but also in the world — would have to be the white sandy beaches of Boracay!
Sandy Beach of Boracay, Philippines
I have traveled to different parts of the globe and have seen various beaches, but the beauty in this pristine island is unmatched! Though it has now evolved into quite a touristy spot, there are still a LOT of sections in the island wherein you can take a moment to enjoy your own little paradise. To find a comprehensive map and the list of things that you can do in this world-renowned haven, come check out my Boracay Guide.
Bora Bora, Polynesian Islands
Laura Lynch from Savored Journeys
One of the most beautiful beaches in the world is the small Polynesian island of Bora Bora. The second you arrive at the regional airport on the island and catch a glimpse of the clear blue water and the pristine white sand, you know you’ve found an unrivaled paradise.
Beach Front Bungalows at Bora Bora
The setting is perfect for honeymooners who love the privacy and enchantment of overwater bungalows with the iconic Mount Otemanu looming in the background, but Bora Bora is an incredible beach vacation for everyone because it has world-class scuba diving, hiking, water sports and all the opportunities you might need for relaxation. Check out more of our favorites: 8 Incredible Beach Destinations.
Cala Goloritzé, Italy
Claudia Tavani from My Adventures Across the World
Claudia is from Cagliari (Sardinia) and is obsessed with traveling. For her, Cala Goloritze (Sardinia) may well be paradise on earth. A UNESCO site, this beach has no road or even sea access, but can only be reached through a hike starting at the Altipiano del Golgo, near Baunei, on a path crossing some thick Mediterranean vegetation covering the view of the sea. Once this finally opens up, the view is simply spectacular.
A view of Cala Goloritz, Italy
The beach is tiny, the water is freezing due to the presence of some freshwater springs, and the colors vivid. There is a 10 metre high arch at the far right side and a pinnacle of Cala Goloritze which is perfect for rock climbing.
Caramoan, Philippines
Aleah Taboclaon from Solitary Wanderer
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,100 islands, which means that for water lovers, it’s the best place to be. There are thousands of great beaches to choose from, from the highly touristy Boracay and Puerto Galera to a number of unknown and unnamed beaches that only locals know about.
The Tranquil Waters at Caramoan, Philippines
One of my favorite beach is the beautiful sandbar in Manlawi Island in Caramoan, Camarines Sur. When you get there during low tide, you will see a vast stretch of white sand. Together with the crystal clear waters and the blue sky, the whole place screams perfection. Visit when you can!
Chankanaab National Park, Mexico
Lance and Laura from Travel Addicts
Cozumel, Mexico is an extremely popular port of call for cruise ships in the Caribbean. And many visitors to Cozumel find their way to Chankanaab National Park
Beach front shot of Chankanaab Beach
Chankanaab Beach is on the southern end of the island of Cozumel, Mexico, a short cab ride from the cruise ship terminal. Located inside the Cozumel National Marine Park, this is a great place for snorkeling or learning to scuba dive, but most visitors come here for the beach. A broad sandy beach leads down to areas of sharp exposed coral, but there are several places where you can wade into the water. Chankanaab is paradise!
Columbus Cove, Haiti
DB from EatSleepCruise.com
Who wouldn’t love a private beach resort all to themselves? Well, travelers on Royal Caribbean cruises know that you can have your own entire private island, Labadee, Haiti, complete with multiple beaches. Columbus Cove, with access to a water park, snorkeling, wave runners, and a beach side barbecue is the resort’s most popular beach.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of lounge chairs, sand, and sun for everyone to enjoy this clear and pristine beach. After visiting this spot, you may not want to return to your cruise ship! Of course, enjoying the beach is one of many things you can do while on Labadee.
Beach Goers at Columbus Cove in Labadee, Haiti
Elafonissi, Crete
Sofie from Wonderful Wanderings
I fell in love with Elafonissi when I was in Crete. This beach is located at the south-west edge of the island and although it’s pretty big and there’s a large parking spot, you need to know that it’s there because you won’t see it from the road.
Enjoying the Clear Waters of Elafonissi, Crete
It’s a large sand beach with very shallow water – ideal for kids or if you just want to get your feet wet. What makes this beach special is that there are micro-organisms in the water that make the sand look… pink! This effect is biggest in spring, but even when you go there in October, like I did, you can still see a pink line where the sea touches the beach.
Fryers Beach, Antigua
Gabby and James From The Globe Wanderers
If you find yourself in Antigua, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the 365 beaches on offer. Wherever do you start? Fryers Beach. That’s where. Nestled just around the cove from Jolly Beach (one of the busiest beaches on the island), Fryers Beach is unspoiled and idyllic. With its crystal clear, turquoise water and soft white sand you’ll be living the Caribbean dream.
You Might be One of the Only Beach Goers at Fryers Beach
Don’t be surprised if you’re the only people on the beach either – it’s blissfully quiet – you could even get your secret bits out if you’re that way inclined. And if a day in your own personal paradise wasn’t enough, just amble up the hill for a pina colada at Dennis’, one of the best locally owned bar/restaurants on island, for sunset. If that’s not a perfect day and a perfect beach, then I don’t know what is.
Hanalei Bay, Hawaii
Betsy from Passing Thru
You’ll recognize the beach at Hanalei Bay because you’ve seen it in the movies – South Pacific, The Descendants, Uncommon Valor, Dragonfly. The semi-circular bay is an impossibly perfect backdrop for surfing, swimming, sunbathing, sailing, stand-up paddling, traditional Hawaiian canoeing, or simply strolling.
A Rainbow at Hanalei Bay, Hawaii.
Hanalei Bay beaches identify by several names depending upon where you are: Black Pot (named for the large black pot from which traditional hukilau fish were shared by the community) by the iconic Hanalei Pier, Pavilion, Pine Trees, Waioli, Waikoko. Rare is the day you won’t see a rainbow at the beach, and daily sunset is a spectacle not to be missed in any season. A complete map of Hanalei Bay can be found here.
Long Beach, Koh Rong, Cambodia
Alejandro Nuñez from My Journey Around the World
A few kilometers from the busy tourist town of Sihanoukville in Cambodia there is an island which has not yet been completely touched by civilization.
There are no streets or paths, and the moment you leave your hotel you will be stepping into the sand. Electricity is from a generator and probably will go off in the middle of the night. The island is small and has a few nice beaches but in the other side of the island hides one of the best beaches I’ve seen in Asia.
The Untouched Beauty of Long Beach
Long Beach with white sand, turquoise waters, and kilometers of solitude where no traces of civilization can be seen. It is not easy to get here but certainly is worth the effort.
If you come, my advice is forget to stay in a hotel instead rent a tent in the town and stay in Long Beach for a day or two, you won’t regret it.
The Maldives
Tanj from A Travelogue by Brock and Tanj
Tanj from A Travelogue already visited the Maldives for the nth time, and she still can’t stop dreaming about it. Why? Because Maldives is like heaven on earth. It’s a paradise! The Maldives is known all over the world as one of the most luxurious beach destinations.
Could the Maldives be Paradise on Earth?
It’s a surreal feeling walking on these pristine, white sand beaches and turquoise waters. It is said to have the whitest and finest sand in the world – every beach lovers’ dream. Flying over the islands and seeing the green atolls is just an unreal and unique experience. There is simply nothing like Maldives.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Charles McCool from McCool Travel
Almost every summer for the past 18 years, my family has spent at least one week at an oceanfront house on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We generally go to the town of Duck—but a little further north is Corolla (home to packs of wild horses) and south is Kitty Hawk (where the Wright Brothers had their first flight).
Sunrise over the Outer Banks of North Carolina
The Outer Banks barrier islands have a series of decorative lighthouses which might have prevented some of the 3,000 shipwrecks; although Blackbeard is also blamed for many. I love getting up just before dawn for amazing sunrises.
El Pozo Beach, Spain
Inma and Jose from A World to Travel.
Inma and Jose run A World to Travel. site focused in unique experiences around the world, photography, music festivals and the great outdoors. Hard to choose only one, since we Galicians live in paradise. But let’s make an effort and call dibs on EL POZO BEACH, one of the best kept secrets of Muros and Noia estuary, in the West Atlantic coast of Spain. Every afternoon we find ourselves in our base, we go on a photography sunset session and this one is our chosen spot many times.
A Marvelous Shot of El Pozo Beach
Here’s a picture we snapped a few days back where we mixed the stunning landscape with some steel wool craziness. I think it speaks for itself!
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Jon and Kach from Two Monkeys Travel
We are Jon and Kach of Two Monkeys Travel, a travel blog promoting a truly sustainable and successful life of travel. We recently traveled to Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, where the laid back Latino Pura Vida lifestyle is fused with classic Caribbean cool.
Horse Riding in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
One day we rode horses along the palm lined beaches, riding between trees and galloping across the sand, dipping in and out of perfect turquoise water, before turning to face into the horizon and wading into the warm Caribbean Sea. It was the perfect way to explore Puerto Viejo.
Railay, Thailand
Sharon Gourlay from Where’s Sharon.
Sharon Gourlay from Where’s Sharon Family Travel Blog shares adventures with preschoolers to help you do it too. Currently traveling in Thailand, her family found this gorgeous beach in southern Thailand. It is not just a beautiful tropical beach, its setting is just superb. It’s surrounded by limestone cliffs and is only reachable by boat – there are no roads here.
Railay, Thailand Beach Accessible Only by Boat
Getting here is part of the fun. It’s a short boat ride from Krabi or Ao Nang (which also has a nice beach), and it only adds to the beauty when you step off the boat into the clear, warm waters to walk up to the beach.
Secret Harbor, St. Thomas
John Roberts from In the Loop Travel
It’s easy to go with the crowd when exiting a cruise ship in St. Thomas, one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean. But we try to explore the good stuff beyond the crowds at In The Loop Travel, seeking unique adventures that keep you active and fit, too. We discovered a real gem of a beach in St. Thomas. A little bit of research led us to Secret Harbor, a fairly secluded spot that offers wonderful reefs within a quick swim of the shore for prime snorkeling.
Toes in the Sand at Secret Harbor, St. Thomas
Locals selling beer from coolers and a nearby bar on the beach, complete with flat-screen TVs and tasty lunch offerings, top off a fun and relaxing beach getaway. John Roberts writes about adventure travel, fitness and cruising at InTheLoopTravel and going to the beach is only one of his favorite things to do while in St. Thomas.
Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Jen from The Trusted Traveller
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands of Queensland, Australia is quite simply heaven on earth. This picture perfect beach, accessible only by boat and seaplane, boasts pure white sand made of 98% silica, crystal clear water, and a remote surrounding that is completely untouched.
It is Worth the Trip to Get to Whitehaven Beach
It is no wonder that Whitehaven is repeatedly named as one of the best beaches in the world year after year.
Wollongong, Australia
Paula McInerney from The Contented Traveller
Wollongong, NSW is a major beachside city located one hour south of Sydney. Wollongong means, ‘between the mountains and the sea’ and that is literally how it is. The escarpment runs down one side and the sea runs down the other. There are 17 surf beaches and innumerable rock pools. Having 17 surf beaches, Wollongong is a mecca for surfers.
Surfs Up at Wollongong Beach
Wollongong is also a café culture and the two work hand in hand. No one lives far from the beach, and we do live a beach lifestyle with lots of things happening here. This is the hometown of Paula and Gordon of Contented Traveller and when they are not traveling, they are at the beach. Their favorite beach is North Wollongong Beach, because it is a minute away from their home and close to cafes and restaurants.
Comments
Do you agree with our fellow travel bloggers’ Best Beaches in the World? What would you add to our list? Drop us an anchor below to tell us what beach you love to visit to help your fellow cruisers find the Best Beaches in the World.
23 comments
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Fabulous beaches. Some I have been to; I should devote a few months to visit the others. Thank you for including my entry. beaches near orlando
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Youssef
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Elaine Schoch
I love Chankanaab National Park in Mexico! This is a great list you’ve complied – all great spots.
DB
Thanks Elaine for the comment. Glad you liked the list. We appreciate all of the great traveler bloggers sharing their favorite beaches. We will be in Mexico in 2017, and hope to visit Chankanaab while there. In the meantime, safe travels and thanks for reading!
Robert
Wow, some beautiful beaches! I’ve done a lot of traveling and seen a number of beautiful beaches, but have been to only one of your picks. Just goes to show you how big our world really is! Great post!!
Melissa
Ohhh Aitutaki, Cook Islands needs to be on here!!! 🙂
McCool Travel
Fabulous beaches. Some I have been to; I should devote a few months to visit the others. 😀 Thank you for including my entry.
whileimyoungandskinny
Gave me serious wanderlust!
JR
Fantastic list. Now, I have to start making more travel plans. It never ends!
DB
Thanks for the comment JR! We agree, now we have to make it a point to get to all of these beaches while they are still around. I guess any excuse to travel is a good excuse. Appreciate you reading the post and getting booking those trips!
contentedtraveller
Thanks for sharing our favourite beach North Wollongong and the opportunity to see some other great ones
DB
Thanks for the contribution. All great beaches and we can’t wait to get out there and explore each and every one of them, especially some of those down under! Safe travels.
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com
I would love to visit Antigua just for that beach alone!
Donald Bucolo (@dbucolo)
I hear you Aleah. We are actually visiting Antigua later this year and hopefully we will have a chance to visit the beach. Appreciate the comment!
Sofie
Thanks for having me!
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thank YOU Sofie for the contribution. We have never been to Crete, but we will be sure to check out the “pink sand” when we finally do visit. Appreciate the comment.
tanjtrubiano
Awesome list of best beaches around the world! 🙂
DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise)
Thanks Tanj! Appreciate your comment and your pick for best beach in the world! Safe travels.