Everyone dreams of taking a vacation in a warm destination located somewhere in the world and nursing a tasty drink on the beach. The question is, what beach will you be sitting on? This article introduces 17 of the most famous beaches in the world. Get ready to book that trip!
Tikehau Island, French Polynesia
There is always a debate between pink sand and white sand when it comes to choosing a beach. On Tikehau Island, visitors get the best of both worlds. The beach is so beautiful and pristine, it looks like it came off of a postcard. This small island 55 minutes away from Tahiti by plane is home to one of the highest concentrations of fish in the world. Lovers of scuba diving and snorkeling will want to visit Tikehau Island.
Dreamland Beach, Bali
The aptly named Dreamland Beach is located on the Bukit peninsula. It first burst onto the scene for famous beaches in the 1970’s. Since then, Dreamland Beach has become a top surfing destination because of its shore breaks. New resorts have opened over the years but for the most parts, it still retains its surfer-friendly vibe with small shops and cafes on the beach. Visit Kelly’s Warung and try their smoothies, juices, and wraps.
Bathsheba Beach, Barbados
Bathsheba Beach in Barbados is a rugged but breathtaking beach. Surfers and photographers alike both frequent this Caribbean locale. It’s known for the “Soup Bowl” which is when the waves crash into the sand and boulders. This produces a lovely foamy sight to behold. Bathsheba Beach is not safe for swimming due to the rough waters and rocks surrounding the beach but many international surfing competitions are held here though. Plus, the beach and its surroundings make for some of the best Instagram-worthy photos ever.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The beaches of the Cayman Islands are frequented by visitors every year but Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is one of the most well-known beaches in the Island chain. It features a five and a half stretch of publicly accessible beach. Because of this, it’s easy for people to go from hotel to hotel and participate in a diverse array of activities such as beach sports, water sports, and snorkeling. Seven Mile Beach is located on the western side of Grand Cayman.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay is one of the most frequented beaches in Bermuda. It offers snorkeling, beautiful scenery, and plenty of activities. Nearby, visitors are able to visit the Spicelands Equestrian Center to ride horses. The center gives rides down to a gorgeous cove inside the bay. Port Royal Cove features lovely rock formations and pink sands. The shallow waters of the cove are great for young kids to go in the water. Plus there are also hidden caves that are ripe for exploration.
Harbour Island, Bahamas
For those wanting to visit a pink sand beach, look no farther than Harbour Island, Bahamas. This breathtaking beach is the spot for families and couples to enjoy a day on the sand without seeing many people and overlooking beautiful waters. After the beach, people can visit the town of Harbour Island and take a walk down Dunsmore street. There are restaurants to go to like The Landing. Those in need of a cocktail can go straight to Beyond the Reef.
Blue Beach (La Chiva), Vieques, Puerto Rico
Blue Beach in Puerto Rico is considered a top beach in the Caribbean. It’s also not easy to get to. The road to get to the beach is located in the middle of Western National Wildlife Refuge, a former US Navy base. Take one of 21 turnoffs to access paradise and arrive to a thin strip of sand with clear water in many shades of blue. Visitors are able to snorkel on a small cay. Or they can elect to book a guided Island tour to discover hidden spots under the water.
Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands, Mexico
The hidden beach is the first thing you need to know when accessing Playa del Amor in Mexico. It’s surrounded by a huge and very impressive rock ring that serves as an eye for the sun and sky. To get to it, visitors have to swim through an opening that is almost invisible from the water. It also has to be done via a guided tour. Only six people at a time get to be in Love Beach at one time but it’s an experience worth looking into if booking a trip.
Cathedrals Beach, Ribadeo, Spain
Wave carved rocks greet visitors of Cathedrals Beach in Spain. They are over 100 feet high and resemble the buttresses of cathedrals which is why the beach is so aptly named. It’s easy to get to as well. The rocks can be walked through during low tide but be wary of the tide change. It happens rapidly. The Bay of Biscay rises forcing the beach to yield to the surf. Once this happens, there is not much to see until low tide rolls around again.
Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
Anse Source d'Argent is often compared to a Hollywood set design. But this beach in the middle of the Indian Ocean is all real. It features white sands, turquoise water, and palm trees and jungle greens. It is the beach that people fantasize about. So it’s not surprising that this is among the most photographed beaches in the world.
One Foot Island, Aitutaki, Cook Islands
One Foot Island might look familiar to fans of the CBS show Survivor. It has a marooned feel to it that made it perfect for the premise of the show. You can walk the shoreline in about 15 minutes but feel free to take your time. Enjoy the translucent lagoon and coconut trees dotting the shore. A hut that is now a post office provides foot shaped passports to visitors.
Sunset Beach, Brunswick Islands, North Carolina
Sunset Beach is remote but beautiful. This US-based beach has a unique feature that isn’t exactly natural. But it gives visitors the opportunity to write down their thoughts about it and other things. In the 1970’s local Frank Nesmith planted a mailbox and the far end of the beach and filled it with notebooks. The mailbox is continuously refilled so that visitors have the chance to write down whatever strikes them.
Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Samloem Island, Cambodia
Lazy Beach features thatched huts, beautiful water, and super soft sands. It takes about two and a half hours to get to the Gulf of Thailand by boat for those that are interested. But as the name implies, it’s also perfectly acceptable to do nothing except relax. Lay on the sand, walk through the jungle, or nap on porch swings. This is the beach to come to if you want to experience a slower pace of life.
Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island, Florida
Collectors of shells will want to visit Sanibel Island in Florida. This island location is famous for it. Walk Bowman’s Beach and search for conchs, coquinas, sand dollars and other shells that ride in from the Gulf of Mexico in what is known as the Sanibel stoop. Stock up on beach essentials like hats, buckets, and sunscreen from Bailey’s General Store and enjoy the beach!
Shell Beach, Shark Bay, Western Australia
Shell Beach is quite literally made up of seashells. Those who appreciate shells will want to take endless amounts of pictures in this lovely local. It’s part of the Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beach is located on the edge of Western Australia and is made up of white cockleshells. The nearby Pearler Restaurant is made up of shells from this beach.
Lyme Regis, England
If you want your travels to include some Prehistoric finds, look no farther than Lyme Regis in England. Lovers of paleontology and shells alike will love to see the spiral-shaped ammonites and fossils embedded along the coastline of this beach representing 180-million years of history. The Lyme Regis Museum hosts fossil walks put on by guides. A fossil festival is als held in May each year celebrating science and marrying it with food, music, and exhibits.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Don’t be afraid to bring your four-legged friend to Cannon Beach in Oregon. Walk along the ribbon of hard-packed sand with your buddy and enjoy the day. Haystack Rock is an impressive sight looming just off-shore. For those who like competitions, a dog show is held every October at the Surfsand Resort.
Each of the beaches on this list has something for every type of traveler. From the exotic to the adventurous, and interesting, the world offers a broad range of beautiful beaches surrounded by the beauties of nature. Go experience them!
?
