Top 7 Beaches in the World

As someone who spends a great deal of time visiting beaches, I’m frequently asked which beaches around the world stand out most to me. The places that leave the strongest impression are not defined by scenery alone. They also have a special relationship with their surroundings, landscape, and natural environment. Being difficult to reach or far from the crowds only makes them more appealing.

7. Balos Bay, Crete, Greece

I first discovered this beach in 2002 during a family holiday. At that time, reaching Balos was quite an adventure. Unless you happened to have access to a private boat, the main option was to drive along an extremely rough road that was difficult to navigate. Once the road came to an end, the remaining journey involved hiking downhill, gradually revealing the enormous rock formation and the narrow ribbon of pink sand linking it with the mainland.

One of the most memorable sights was a shipwreck visible in the distance, its dark remains contrasting sharply with the surrounding blue-green water. Even more remarkable was the fact that we had the entire beach to ourselves.

When I returned only three years later, the experience had changed considerably. Tourist boats were bringing visitors to the beach for day trips, and beach chairs and umbrellas had appeared along the shore. Balos was still absolutely worth seeing, but finding a quieter experience now requires choosing the timing of your visit carefully.

6. Aitutaki, Cook Islands

The incredible combination of colors at Aitutaki Lagoon is one of the most beautiful natural scenes I have ever experienced. The intense contrast between the different shades of blue and green makes the lagoon particularly spectacular. Although this atoll is relatively isolated, reaching it is well worth the effort and expense.

I was fortunate to visit Aitutaki while traveling aboard the National Geographic Orion on a journey from Rarotonga through Kiribati toward French Polynesia. During the visit, we stopped at one of the islands within the lagoon, where postcard-like palm trees lined the landscape.

The extremely shallow water surrounding the island created ideal conditions for photography, while fish and dolphins were plentiful throughout the area. The combination of tropical vegetation, crystal-clear water, and abundant marine life made the experience especially memorable.

5. Abel Tasman, New Zealand

Abel Tasman offers an unforgettable hiking experience through one of the most spectacular natural environments in an already remarkably scenic country. There are several ways to explore this section of coastline. Visitors can arrange for a water taxi to drop them at one location and collect them elsewhere later in the day, allowing them to hike through the landscape while stopping along the way at beaches, waterfalls, and suspension bridges.

For those who prefer a longer adventure, similar routes can be completed over several days with overnight camping stops. Sea kayaking is another popular option, providing a different perspective on the coastline and surrounding waters.

With so many beaches, trails, and outdoor activities to choose from, Abel Tasman feels like an ideal destination for anyone who enjoys adventure and nature. It is a coastal area that should be high on the list for travelers planning to explore New Zealand.

4. Tulum, Mexico

With its long expanse of white sand, powerful waves, and small boutique hotels, Tulum is an ideal destination for relaxing by the sea. Many of the accommodations feature comfortable hammocks and bean bags that make it easy to spend an entire day enjoying the beach.

However, there is much more to Tulum than relaxing with spicy mezcal cocktails and eating tacos or tortilla soup beside the water. Several kitesurfing schools operate along the beach, while stand-up paddleboarding provides another way to explore the coast.

A short drive inland leads to cenotes, underground freshwater caverns where openings in the rock allow sunlight and swimmers to enter the water below. Scuba diving is also available and is highly recommended for adventurous visitors.

One particular dive, featuring dramatic halocline effects and stalactites, left such a strong impression that it inspired me to begin cave-diving certification with Bil Phillips of Speleotech, an experienced cave explorer and instructor.

3. Praia do Leão, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Praia do Leão is frequently overshadowed by nearby Baia do Sancho, which receives much of the attention and acclaim. Yet Praia do Leão offers a wilder and more secluded experience.

The beach can be reached on foot from nearby Praia do Sueste, which is also worth visiting. Praia do Sueste provides opportunities to see young lemon sharks in the shallow water, as well as to swim and snorkel. Another option is to find a ride to Praia do Leão.

Swimming at Praia do Leão is not recommended, and there are no facilities or concessions on the beach, so visitors should make sure they bring plenty of drinking water.

Instead, the best approach is to sit quietly on the sand and watch the powerful waves breaking along the shore. The isolation and dramatic scenery create the perfect atmosphere for reflecting on the ocean and perhaps imagining your own interpretation of Baudelaire's Man and the Sea.

2. Anakena, Easter Island

Easter Island is an extraordinary destination in its own right, and Anakena Beach is a fitting example of what makes the island so special.

Seven moai statues stand overlooking the pink sand and natural harbor, where the surrounding water takes on a striking turquoise color. Although the beach attracts a reasonable number of visitors, its size means that it rarely feels uncomfortably crowded.

Several attractive viewpoints can be found around the area, making Anakena an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon swimming, reading, relaxing, and taking in the scenery.

Of course, it is almost impossible to sit beneath the moai without thinking about the ancient civilization responsible for creating them. Questions about who built these enormous statues, how they were constructed and transported, and why they were created remain part of the mystery of Easter Island, with some answers perhaps destined to remain unknown.

1. Aldabra, Seychelles

Aldabra represents true remoteness. There are no permanent human settlements, aside from a small environmental research station, and reaching the atoll requires traveling by boat.

It is the world's second-largest coral atoll and is famous for being one of the very few places outside the Galápagos where giant tortoises live. Their presence on such an isolated island remains a fascinating mystery.

The giant tortoises are not the only unusual animals found here. Large coconut crabs can be seen among the vegetation, displaying shades of purple, orange, and yellow as they move through the trees.

Beyond the lagoon, the surrounding waters also offer some exceptional scuba diving. In the shallow areas around the white-sand beaches, small blacktip reef sharks are often present and may even approach curious visitors.

Because Aldabra is so isolated, travelers can experience the remarkable sensation of being among only a handful of people for many miles in this distant corner of the Seychelles.