Top 7 Beaches in the World

As someone who spends a great deal of time by the sea, I’m frequently asked which beaches around the world are my personal favourites. For me, the appeal of these destinations goes beyond their scenery. What makes them memorable is the way they feel connected to the landscape, culture, and natural surroundings. Of course, a little remoteness only makes the experience more special.

7. Balos Bay, Crete, Greece

I first discovered this beach in 2002 during a family holiday. Back then, unless you happened to have access to a private boat, getting there meant driving along an extremely rough and challenging road. Once the road came to an end, we continued on foot, and gradually the spectacular view appeared: an enormous rocky formation joined to the mainland by a narrow stretch of pink sand. The most unforgettable sight was the dark outline of a shipwreck sitting offshore against the otherwise brilliant blue-green sea. Even better, we had the entire beach almost entirely to ourselves.

When I returned only three years later, the atmosphere had changed considerably. Tourist boats were bringing groups of visitors to the beach for day trips, and rows of beach chairs and umbrellas had appeared along the shore. Balos Bay was still absolutely worth seeing, but choosing the right time to visit had suddenly become much more important.

6. Aitutaki, Cook Islands

The remarkable combination of intense blues and vivid greens across the Aitutaki lagoon created one of the most beautiful natural colour palettes I have ever encountered. Although this atoll is relatively isolated, the journey is well worth the effort and expense. I had the opportunity to visit while travelling aboard the National Geographic Orion, sailing from Rarotonga through Kiribati toward French Polynesia.

We stopped at one of the small islands within the lagoon, where postcard-perfect palm trees lined the shore. The extremely shallow water around the island created wonderful opportunities for photography, while fish and dolphins were abundant throughout the surrounding waters. The contrast between the tropical vegetation, clear lagoon, and brilliant colours made the setting especially memorable.

5. Abel Tasman, New Zealand

Exploring Abel Tasman is a wonderfully rewarding way to experience a spectacular part of a country already famous for its natural beauty. The area offers several ways to enjoy the coastline. You can arrange for Abel Tasman water taxis to drop you at one location and collect you somewhere else later in the day, allowing you to hike through the park while stopping along the way to enjoy waterfalls, beaches, and suspension bridges.

For those who prefer a longer adventure, a similar journey can be completed with overnight camping stops. Sea kayaking provides another excellent way to explore the coast, and the wide variety of beaches means there is something to suit almost every kind of traveller. For anyone planning a trip around New Zealand, this remarkable section of coastline deserves a place on the itinerary.

4. Tulum, Mexico

Tulum combines a long expanse of white sand and powerful surf with charming small boutique hotels scattered along the coast. One of my personal favourites is Sueños, where hammocks and bean bags create an ideal setting for simply slowing down and relaxing. It is difficult to imagine a better destination for a laid-back beach escape.

Still, if you eventually want a break from spicy mezcal drinks and generous servings of tacos or tortilla soup by the sea, Tulum offers plenty of alternatives. Several kitesurfing schools operate along the beach, and visitors can also try stand-up paddleboarding. A short drive inland brings you to cenotes, underground freshwater caverns where openings in the rock allow sunlight and snorkelers to enter.

Scuba diving is another excellent option and one I would strongly recommend. During one dive, I encountered striking halocline effects and stalactites, an experience that ultimately inspired me to begin cave-diving certification with Bil Phillips of Speleotech, an accomplished cave explorer and instructor.

3. Praia do Leão, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Praia do Leão tends to receive less attention than nearby Baia do Sancho, which is frequently celebrated as the star attraction of the area. Yet Praia do Leão has a much wilder and more secluded character. You can reach it by walking from nearby Praia do Sueste, which itself is worth visiting for opportunities to see young lemon sharks in the shallow water, as well as for swimming and snorkeling. Alternatively, you may be able to get there by hitching a ride.

This is not a beach for swimming, and there are no facilities selling food or drinks, so bringing plenty of water is essential. Instead, find a comfortable place in the sand, watch the waves continually break along the shore, and take some time to reflect. The setting is ideal for imagining your own interpretation of Baudelaire’s Man and the Sea while listening to the surf.

2. Anakena, Easter Island

Easter Island is an extraordinary destination in its own right, and Anakena reflects much of that same sense of mystery and wonder. Seven moai statues stand overlooking the pink sand and the natural harbour, where the water takes on a beautiful turquoise colour.

Although the beach attracts a considerable number of visitors, its size means that it rarely feels overly crowded. There are also several attractive viewpoints in the surrounding area, making it an easy place to spend an entire afternoon reading, swimming, and taking in the scenery.

Of course, it is almost impossible to visit without thinking about the ancient civilisation that created the moai. Who were the people who built these enormous statues? How did they accomplish it, and what motivated them to do so? These are among the many fascinating questions surrounding Easter Island that may never receive definitive answers.

1. Aldabra, Seychelles

Aldabra represents true remoteness. The atoll is uninhabited apart from a small environmental research station and can only be reached by boat. It is the second-largest coral atoll on Earth and is one of only two places in the world, alongside the Galápagos, where giant tortoises live. Their presence remains one of the natural mysteries associated with this extraordinary environment.

The giant tortoises are far from the only remarkable animals here. Large coconut crabs can be found hiding among the trees, displaying shades that range from purple to orange and yellow. Beyond the lagoon lies some of the world’s finest scuba-diving territory, offering another reason for adventurous visitors to make the journey.

In the shallow waters beside the white-sand beaches, small blacktip reef sharks can often be seen moving through the lagoon. They may even approach out of curiosity to investigate visitors. Because Aldabra is so isolated, you can spend your time here surrounded by extraordinary wildlife and scenery while encountering very few other people. In this remote corner of the Seychelles, genuine solitude is part of the experience.