's Top 50+ Beaches
-
Brighton Beach // Australia
TineImWunderland Known for its brightly-decorated beach boxes, Melbourne's Brighton Beach lies to the south of the Central Business District on the eastern shores of Port Phillip. Stretching for close to a kilometre in length, it has the form of two gentle concave arches, so that from the air it looks similar to a long bow.
Widest at its northern end, it narrows… read more »
-
Cow Bay // Australia
A treasure of Australia's tropical north, Cow Bay Beach occupies a stunning part of coastal Shire County. Part of the Daintree Rainforest and the Wet Tropics UNESCO World Heritage Site, the nearby township has a population of just 202 permanent residents, which seems like a shocking statistic given its astonishing natural beauty.
Backed by forested hills, Cow… read more »
-
Asbury Park // USA
Fred170 Hitting its heyday in the 1920s, Asbury Park Beach in New Jersey remains an attractive proposition for those seeking out a day beside the Atlantic Ocean waves. Rated as one of the state's top beaches, in more recent times it has had some allure with the surfing community, while still drawing in those looking to relax on a wide expanse… read more »
-
Punalu'u Beach // USA
Famartin Perhaps the most famous of Hawaii's black sand beaches, Punalu'u is located on the southeast coast of the Big Island. Along with the spectacle of jet black sand contrasting the verdant greens of the palm trees behind, the beach here is also known for its turtles.
Both the rare hawksbill and Hawaiian green turtles (Honu) frequent Punalu'u's black sands. Another endangered… read more »
-
Playa Chen Rio // Mexico
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
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
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 »
-
Meeks Bay // USA
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
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 »
-
Hobe Sound // USA
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
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
© 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
© 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
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
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 »
