Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches In The World

 

10. Lindquist Beach, St. Thomas

Part of a protected 21-acre area called Smith Bay Park, this white-sand beach has shallow, calm turquoise water ideal for everyone in the family to enjoy a swim. After a dip, head to either the right or left side of the shore, where you can enjoy a packed picnic of conch chowder in the coconut grove or under the sea grape trees. Typically quiet during the week, the beach becomes livelier on weekends, as locals tend to throw small parties.

9. Orient Bay Beach, St. Martin

Not everyone wants to go to the beach to relax—here, you can party all day with the scenic white sand and blue waters as your backdrop. Plenty of bars and clubs dot the entire stretch, and since it’s so populated, getting (and staying) here is easy, as it’s only about two miles from the airport. Even more daring beachgoers will want to wander to the southern end of the stretch, where there’s an area for nudists.

8. Treasure Beach, Jamaica

The six-mile-long coastline is actually divided up into a number of coves, with four of them being open to the public. While you’ll be charmed by the sleepy fishing villages located at each of them, you can also enjoy some spectacular swimming and snorkeling along the untouched rock shorelines. Less of a tourist spot, the local community is made up of writers and artists creating an inviting cultural scene.

7. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Matira is perhaps the most famous of Tahiti’s beaches, and for good reason: The mile-long stretch of silky, powder-white sand slopes gently into a shallow emerald lagoon, and is backed by a thick curtain of palms and tropical foliage. Added bonus: It’s one of the only public-access beaches in Bora Bora, so you won’t need to pay five-star resort prices to enjoy its beauty. Come early to stake out a spot.

6. Palm Beach, Aruba

The two-mile-long strip on the northwest side of the island is filled with activities to keep you busy all day and night. Try your hand at parasailing or snorkeling before sitting down to enjoy a barefoot lunch at Pelican Pier Bar during the day; then, head to the nearby casinos, restaurants, and nightclubs at night to make your lazy day a bit more lively.

5. Reduit Beach, St. Lucia

Located about ten minutes south of Pigeon Island National Park, you’ll get far-off views of Fort Rodney while lounging on your towel. And whether you’re looking for a spot to go windsurfing or a place to grab a bite to eat, this beach—framing picturesque Rodney Bay—has everything you need: It’s within walking distance of Reduit Beach village and luxury resorts, but still retains a relaxed, beachy sense perfect for a quiet getaway.

4. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Shockingly, Palawan remains steadily under the radar, even though it continues to rank highly in our Readers’ Choice Awards. El Nido alone is home to around 50 white sand beaches—it’s impossible to choose just one—all of which are set around dramatic limestone formations and boast the finest and whitest sand you’ll ever see. The water is so blindingly blue it makes the Caribbean Sea look murky in comparison. And the sunsets? Well, they’ll ruin you for life. Consider yourself warned.

3. Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Well-known as one of the world’s best places to watch big wave surfing in winter (the beach is home to the Vans Triple Crown), the water here becomes as calm as a lake in summer, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling. After a day spent in the sand and surf, don’t towel off and head home just yet: Above all, as its name suggests, it’s the sunsets that really seal the deal for visitors.

2. Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

Also known as Cathedral Beach, Honopu—like Waipio Valley—is quite difficult to reach. For starters, it’s not accessible except by water, so to get there, you must swim from an offshore boat, or from neighboring Kalalau Beach (a quarter-mile swim). But the trouble is worth it: Think cumin-colored sand bordered by soaring, vegetation-cloaked cliffs—and, most times, not a soul in sight. Fun fact: It’s served as a location on such films as Six Days, Seven Nights, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and King Kong.

1. Honokalani Beach, Wai’anapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii

With its jet-black shore, lapis lazuli waters, and thick, jungle-like foliage, Honokalani Beach is a photographer’s dream. Besides lying lazily on the “sand”—actually made up of of tiny lava pebbles—there’s plenty to do: you’ll find seaside lava tubes and sea caves carved into the lava cliffs along the shore. It’s wild, unspoiled Hawaii at its best, and a necessary stop en route to Hana.