's Top 50+ Beaches

  • Playa Chen Rio // Mexico

    Playa Chen Rio

    Playa Chen Rio is located on the east coast of Cozumel. Curving slightly as it meets the Caribbean Sea, it has slightly less protection from the waves than beaches on the opposite side of the island, but is nonetheless a mesmeric place to spend a few hours – or even days.

    Its white sands sweep down from low grass-covered dune-like formations… read more »

  • Playa Rinconcito // Mexico

    Playa Rinconcito
    Dan Nevill

    The westernmost section of broad sand which stretches for around 500 metres Playa Rinconcito forms part of the crescent of Playa Mazunte.

    Sloping gently into the turquoise waters the beach consists of a light golden sand, backed by rolling hills covered in native flora and basic thatched structures acting as cafes and restaurants during high season. The beach is primarily the… read more »

  • Kings Beach // USA

    Kings Beach
    Ken Lund

    Kings Beach sits on the stumpy promontory that drops down from the northern shores of Lake Tahoe. On the California side of the state line, it lies on Agate Bay and extends for around a quarter-mile. The neat gridiron of streets stretching inland means beachgoers are never far from parking, places to eat and drink, or somewhere to try their… read more »

  • Vikingsholm Beach // USA

    Vikingsholm  Beach
    Jonathan Fox

    Set on the shores of an almost closed-in Lake Tahoe bay, Vikingsholm Beach is located within Emerald Bay State Park on the southwest of the lake. Overlooked by a 1920s mansion now open to the public between May and September each year, the beach is reached via a steep trail not recommended for those with limited mobility.

    Those who do make… read more »

  • Meeks Bay // USA

    Meeks Bay
    Ian Gratton

    Positioned between Tahoma and Rubicon Bay on the western side of Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay Beach sits amid some of the finest lakeshore views around. Lying on its golden sands, beachgoers have views of the mountains while being ringed by the deep green and straight trunks of the pines of an area of national forest.

    Easy to access and incorporating restrooms… read more »

  • Noosa North Shore // Australia

    Noosa North Shore
    texaus1

    Just across the river mouth from Noosa Main Beach is a different world altogether. You won't find any beachside bistros or boutiques here, just mile after mile of pristine sandy beach.

    The beaches of Noosa North Shore form an unbroken stretch all the way from the Noosa River to Double Island Point over 50 kilometres to the north. Given the… read more »

  • Blind Creek Beach // USA

    Blind Creek Beach
    William "Patrick" MacFall

    This pristine stretch of sand is located on Hutchinson Island on Florida's Treasure Coast. Set about as far away from any of the crossings from the mainland, it is probably no coincidence that Blind Creek is an official clothing-optional beach. Far away from prying eyes and coastal development this is the perfect place to relax and work on that all-over… read more »

  • Hobe Sound // USA

    Hobe Sound
    Erik Cleves Kristensen

    Situated on Jupiter Island on Florida's Atlantic facing "Treasure coast", Hobe Sound oozes natural beauty. Something of a rarity on this stretch of coast, Hobe Sound is one of the few public beaches in Martin County. To either side are the enclaves of the very wealthy - this is one of Florida's most exclusive neighborhoods.

    Being on the Atlantic coast, Hobe… read more »

  • Isle of Palms Beach // USA

    Isle of Palms Beach

    These stunning white sands and calm waters are nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, just 12 miles from the charms of Charleston. Lifeguards are on duty, there are changing areas, and a snack bar to satisfy rumbling tummies. 

    Alcohol, glass bottles, plastic bags and straws are all banned on the beach as well, to keep it as… read more »

  • Scilla Beach // Italy

    Scilla Beach
    © Dega180

    Crystal clear waters and a rugged backdrop are the hallmarks of this particular seaside stretch, but there's so much more to Scilla Beach than that.

    This picture-perfect spot's the main beach in the pretty fishing village that it shares its name with, in Italy's lesser-trodden tourist trail in the south west of the country.

    Keeping watch over the beach is the town's… read more »

  • San Nicola Arcella // Italy

    San Nicola Arcella
    © Valter Cirillo

    This small seaside town sits in Italy's sleepy south west, and its main beach is a top-notch spot for some serious chill time.

    Set in a cosy cove, this pebbled stretch is fairly off the beaten track, so you can be assured that there won't be throngs of tourists disturbing your sunbathing session.

    Facilities-wise, there are a handful of umbrellas - it's… read more »

  • Le Castella // Italy

    Le Castella

    Nestled along Calabria's eastern coastline, with a front-row view of the Ionian Sea, this peaceful spot packs a whole lot of history into its beachside village.

    The beach itself is a sand-and-shingle mix, with a distinctly rocky backdrop and clingfilm-clear waters for company. There's not a ton of space to move around in, but with its off-the-beaten-track feel and a mostly… read more »

  • Grotticelle Beach (Capo Vaticano) // Italy

    Grotticelle Beach (Capo Vaticano)
    Alexander van Loon

    With its soft white sands, bold blue waters and rugged mountainous backdrop, Grotticelle Beach is an idyllic, Insta-worthy stretch of shoreline.

    Located in Italy's south west, the beach is set in a secluded bay at the foot of the rock formations which stand behind it.

    While some areas of the beach are reserved for the exclusive use of the swish hotels nearby,… read more »

  • Playa del Aljibe de la Cueva // Spain

    Playa del Aljibe de la Cueva

    Separated from its neighbouring beaches by low walls of natural rock, Playa del Ajibe de la Cueva is just south of the village of El Cotillo on Fuerteventura's northwest coast. Approximately 400 metres in length, it is primarily formed from fine sand a beautiful golden colour.

    Particularly population with the island's young people, Playa del Ajibe de la Cueva is also… read more »

  • Cap d'Agde Naturist Beach // France

    Cap d'Agde Naturist Beach
    jean-louis Zimmermann

    Located on the French Riviera, not far from the city of Montpellier is Cap d'Agde. This Languedoc resort only really dates back to the late 1960s when it grew around the large marina that was built. 

    There are several sandy beaches around the town but the biggest is the 5 kilometre long Cap d'Agde naturist beach. Stretching from the port of… read more »