We’ve all heard of Miami’s South Beach. Featured heavily in iconic films such as Scarface, Miami Vice, Baywatch, Goldfinger, and Ride Along, it’s one of the world’s most famed and instantly recognizable beaches. With its iconic Ocean Drive, renowned restaurants, luxury shopping, opulent hotels and resorts, and bustling nightclubs, South Beach is possibly the world’s most popular beach destination. Additionally, Miami Beach – South was named theBest Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world's foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach.”
When you arrive at South Beach, you’ll immediately notice the beach’s incredible views. From the sand, beachgoers marvel at Miami Beach’s skyline. With its art-deco architecture, dramatic modern high-rises, and sky-scraping palm trees, the skyline is arguably South Florida’s most iconic sight.
Once you walk onto South Beach’s glistening golden sand, you’ll see that South Beach is more than just a tourist destination. It’s a naturally stunning beach in its own right. With vibrant turquoise water and glistening golden, it’s the perfect place to lounge and enjoy nature while just steps from the big city. While you’re there, be sure to catch South Beach’s vibrant sunsets, which peak at around 7 pm.
Santa Monica Beach, located in the city of Santa Monica, is a highly popular 3.5-mile-long beach with light brown sand. This beach, also known as Santa Monica State Beach, is divided into three main sections: Santa Monica Beach - North Beach (which is also known as Santa Monica - North Beach and Santa Monica North Beach), Santa Monica Beach - Pier Beach (which is also called Santa Monica - Pier Beach and Santa Monica Pier Beach), and Santa Monica Beach - South Beach ( which is also called Santa Monica – South Beach, Santa Monica South Beach, and Ocean Park Beach).
Santa Monica Beach—North Beach is quieter, offering a more peaceful experience, while Pier Beach is at the center and features the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica Beach - South Beach, also referred to as Ocean Park Beach, is situated to the south of the pier.
Santa Monica Pier, stretching 1,650 feet, is a well-known landmark and draws millions of visitors annually. It is an iconic pier that was initially opened in 1909 and has been designated as a Santa Monica Historic Landmark - this pier offers a large variety of things to do including a popular amusement park named Pacific Park that has the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, fun rides for kids (including a 1920s carousel), an arcade, an aquarium at the end of the pier named Heal The Bay Aquarium, and interesting concessions and shops. If you are planning to fish from the Santa Monica Pier or from any part of Santa Monica State Beach, please follow the local fishing regulations that can be found on the website of California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Santa Monica Beach is also frequented by snorkelers and scuba divers, and visitors may spot wildlife such as seals, sea lions, and migrating whales at certain times of the year. If you’re into biking or skating, the Ocean Front Walk (also called the Santa Monica Boardwalk) offers a scenic path with oceanfront views and passes by various restaurants and shops. The North Beach Trail section includes unique artwork inspired by local plant and animal life. A portion of another famous biking trail named the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (also known as The Strand) is also located along Santa Monica State Beach - this popular 22-mile oceanfront biking, jogging, and roller-skating trail mostly runs parallel to the coastline of the Santa Monica Bay.
Located in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is a beautiful and extremely popular beach with light brown sand and nearby palm trees. This beach is located in the popular touristy neighborhood of Waikiki. The beach’s name in Hawaiian means "spouting water" - the beach received this name because in the past multiple springs and rivers used to flow around this beach – as another fun fact Waikiki Beach was used by Hawaiian nobility for surfing. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the United State and was named the 4th Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach.” It is important to note that Waikiki Beach is a part of a larger beach area that stetches for almost two miles that is also called Waikiki Beach – in addition to Waikiki Beach, this larger beach area is composed of seven other beaches including Duke Kahanamoku Beach (also called Kahanamoku Beach and Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park), Fort DeRussy Beach (also known asFort DeRussy Beach Park, Gray’s Beach (also known as Grays Beach, Halekulani Beach, Kawehewehe, and Grey’s Beach), Royal Hawaiian Beach (also known as Waikiki Beach Center and Royal Moana Beach), Kuhio Beach (also known as "The Ponds", Kuhio Ponds, and Kūhiō Beach), Queen’s Beach (also known as Queen Kapiolani Beach , Queen’s Surf Beach, and Kapiolani Beach Park), and Kaimana Beach (also known as also known as Kaimana Beach Park, Kaimana’s Beach, Waikiki at San Souci Beach, Sans Souci Beach, and San Souci Beach).
Waikiki Beach is constantly threatened by erosion – some of Waikiki Beach’s parts have been significantly reduced in size due to erosion. There are multiple rocky jetties and seawalls near Waikiki Beach – the beach’s southwestern portion particularly has many rocky seawalls near it. Although most of the portions of Waikiki Beach have lifeguards, there are some portions that do not have lifeguard deployment – these portions are located near 2055 Kalia Road, in front a hotel named the Halekulani Hotel, and adjacent to another hotel named Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. In addition to lifeguards,
Located in the village of Bondi Beach, just four miles east of the Sydney central business district in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Bondi Beach is a one-kilometer-long, world-famous, immensely popular crescent-shaped golden sand beach with many rocky portions. The beach is positioned between two rocky headlands and has a beautiful backdrop of renowned Bondi Beach Park, Bondi Skate Park, Bondi Pavilion, Campbell Parade, beachfront bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels, a shopping center, and a nearby supermarket, namely Woolworths Metro Bondi Beach, which together offer incredible views. The beach is home to the world's first lifesaving club, the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club, and the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, which is a federation club. These clubs were involved in the largest rescue ever on February 6th, 1938, in a single day, known as 'Black Sunday.'of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.
Located on the northwestern coast of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of Greece, Navagio Shipwreck Beach - also known as Navagio Beach, Shipwreck Beach or Zante Navagio Shipwreck Beach - is a small beige sand beach with a few rocky portions. This iconic beach is positioned on the shores of the Ionian Sea, and the beach has a beautiful backdrop of towering white limestone cliffs and the rusting remains of the MV Panagiotis shipwreck that lie on its shore.
Navagio Beach, Greece, is well-known for the wreck of the MV Panagiotis, a smuggler ship carrying contraband goods when it was pursued by the Greek Navy. It eventually crash-landed on the beach during stormy weather and bad visibility around Zakynthos Island in 1980. The beach is one of the most photographed beaches in the world, and is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach
If you went to Rio De Janeiro and didn’t go to Copacabana Beach, did you go to Rio at all? There’s a reason this beach is so world-renowned and the inspiration for Barry Manilow’s 1978 hit song, “Copacabana.” This magnificent beach spans four kilometers and is divided by “postos,” markers that help divide the beach by activities and groups that frequent there. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even befriend many of the fun-loving Cariocas and get a deeper experience with the vibrant Brazilian culture.
During the day, there’s a plethora of activities to do at Copacabana like sailing, water skiing, surfing, hiking, biking, and spiking volleyballs. Beach chairs and umbrellas welcome all beachgoers to lounge and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Copacabana is split by 6 postos. North of Copacabana, posto 1 establishes a quieter section known as Leme Beach where older locals and kids from the nearby favelas like to hang out. Posto 2 marks the end of Leme Beach, and activity starts picking up on the beach. Here you’ll find plenty of opportunities to join the locals in games of volleyball, football (soccer), and frescoball. Posto 4 has a section of palm trees where you can enjoy the shade and watch slackliners try their hand at gravity-defying acrobatics just feet off the ground. The southern end of Copacabana, between postos 5 and 6, is the best area to surf, paddle board, and swim. The Copacabana Fort acts as a windbreaker that prevents waves from getting too choppy inviting surfers of all experience levels.
If you’re looking to slow down the pace over a meal, sit down at Churrascaria Palace, one of the best churrascarias (traditional Brazilian barbecue restaurant) in town, where waiters bring out some of the juiciest and well-prepared meats you will ever have. If you want something a little quicker or more casual, drop by Joaquina, a restaurant just south of posto 1 at the north end of Copacabana. With an ocean-facing location, outdoor seating, and traditional Brazilian cuisine, you won’t be disappointed by the experience.
As the day comes to a close and the nightcrawlers start to come out from their mid-day siestas, Copacabana transforms into a night owl’s haven. If you’re looking for live music at a hole-in-the-wall dive bar, drop by Bip Bip, a Copacabana staple just west of posto 5 famous for bringing local musicians to play some of the best choro and samba music around. If you want something a little roomier, check out Mariuzinn Disco Club. With two bars, two dance floors, and an upstairs balcony to top it off, you’ll be sure to have an authentic Brazilian night out.
Located within the popular and beautiful coastal resort of Playa del Carmen along the Riviera Maya in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico, Playa del Carmen is a long and wide white sand beach. The beach is positioned along the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean coast and has a beautiful backdrop of many oceanfront buildings, including hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, a promenade lined with many shops, and a large park popularly known as the Parque Los Fundadores, which together offer Instagram-worthy views. Playa del Carmen is part of the Riviera Maya, a tourism corridor that attracts millions of visitors each year, contributing significantly to the local economy and emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism practices and conservation efforts while protecting the natural environment and marine life.
Spiaggia Grande is a stunning beach located in Câdesédda/Calasetta, Italy. It stretches for about 800 meters and boasts crystal-clear turquoise water and white sand
Located on the southwest coast of La Digue Island in the Seychelles, Anse Source d'Argent is an 1100-meter-long and 20-meter-wide immensely popular white sand beach with unique granite rock formations. The beach is often considered one of the most photographed beaches and is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world due to its natural beauty and crystal-clear waters – it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. The beach is part of the well-known L'Union Estate and has a spectacular backdrop of gigantic granite boulders, tall palm trees, and a fruit bar, adding allure to its beauty, which together provide Instagram-worthy views of the Indian Ocean.
Located on the southwestern tip of the island of Virgin Gorda, part of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, The Baths - also known as The Baths of Virgin Gorda - is a 500-meter-long beige sand beach with many rocky portions. The beach is well-known for massive granite boulders up to 40 feet in diameter, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the British Virgin Islands. These boulders were formed through volcanic activity and eroded by the sea over millions of years. The boulders create a series of scenic grottos, tunnels, arches, and tidal pools. The beach is positioned on the southern end of the famous Spanish town, between Spring Bay and Devil's Bay, and has a beautiful backdrop of cliffs, dense vegetation, and a beachfront cafe that offers Instagram-worthy views. The beach is part of The Baths National Park, and it is worth noting that these boulders are protected by law, and visitors are encouraged to respect the natural environment.
As the timeless, immaculate, and stunning beach that it is, Grace Bay takes the cake as our top travel destination in the world. The bay embodies that classic, luxury beach feel that we've seen on every magazine cover and every women's fragrance commercial.
Grace Bay is the quintessential beach for honeymooners and bachelors alike, rich with beachside massage treatments, lavish resorts, and vibrant marine life. Located in the Turks and Caicos Islands, this beach is the icon of the Caribbean, and offers beachgoers a relaxing resort experience. Grace Bay Club, among others, offers the ultimate vacation accommodations, including rooms with breathtaking ocean views, supreme customer service, delicious food and drinks, and beachside lounges -- not to mention its location right on the sand. The resort has a romantic, serene ambiance, as well as an adventurous one, with accommodations for various boat tours on the beach.
The calm waters of this reef-protected destination are perfect for sailing, and many boat tours offer only the best of snorkeling, diving, and whale watching. M & J's Charters is a popular company for boat tours, giving beachgoers the fishing and snorkeling experience of a lifetime! The tours visit Iguana Island and finish with a private island barbeque overlooking the most beautiful waters in the world. Scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters of Grace Bay is an especially fulfilling experience, with coral formations, warm waters, and rich marine life to make your jaw drop. Ocean Vibes Scuba and Watersports offer excursions with conch diving, parasailing, and more, and each trip comes with a steady flow of island drinks. Overall, Grace Bay is simply as perfect as it gets.
Popular white sand beach with many facilities- lifeguard, bathroom, lounge/umbrella rental; surfing spot; close to many restaurants and shops.
Located in the southern part of Ko Phi Phi Le island, Maya Bay – also called Maya Bay Beach and Maya Beach – is an extremely popular, beautiful, curve-shaped, 250-meter-long beach with light brown sand and nearby oceanfront limestone cliffs. This beach is located in the Krabi Province of Thailand and it is a part of a national park named Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
Lonely Planet listed this beach as the third best beach in the world in its January 2024 edition. The British newspaper The Independent also listed this beach as one of the 13 best beaches in Thailand, and it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.
Maya Bay Thailand is usually open for visitors between 7 am and 6 pm.
Tulum Beach is an incredible destination, with Mayan ruins sitting atop rocky cliffs that overlook the bright, turquoise sea. The beach is the perfect mix of historical and modern, with the archeological remains and beachfront resorts sharing the same sand. Tulum is made up of multiple semi-private and public beaches, all along the same coastline and all equally as beautiful.
Playa Ruinas is the main beach, with the stunning Mayan ruins sitting just above it. The formerly walled city is surprisingly well-preserved and takes you back in time to A.D. 250, when the civilization once thrived. Playa Paraíso is a classic beach paradise, complete with looming palm trees, scattered beach huts, and a vast expanse of fine, white sand. Beach yoga, snorkeling, and boating are among the most popular activities here in addition to strolling along the shoreline without a care in the world. Las Palmas is another stretch of sand that offers its visitors peace and quiet; with no vendors, restaurants, or resorts directly on the beach, Las Palmas is the perfect escape while still enjoying the famous Tulum area.
The resorts at Tulum Beach are absolutely exquisite. Our favorite is Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, as seen on ABC's The Bachelor in Paradise. This luxury resort boasts a large water park, a golfing green, yoga lessons, deep-sea fishing, and more, although the best thing to do here is simply relax on the breathtaking, private beach. Overall, Tulum Beach is a shockingly beautiful vacation destination and never fails to wow its guests.
Located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco in the city of Essaouira, Essaouira Beach - also known as Plage Tagharte - is a three-kilometer-long and wide golden sand beach. The beach is adjacent to the famous Port de Essaouira and has a spectacular backdrop of many oceanfront buildings, including shops, bars, restaurants, and luxury hotels, which together provide incredible views of Mogador Island.
Connecting South Beach and North Beach is Mid-Beach, which is considered by many to be Miami’s beach neighborhood of the moment. Located near a number of large parking garages, Mid-Beach is easily accessible and convenient. Covering Collins Avenue from the 25th to 50th Streets, Mid-Beach, with its stunning beachfront and views, vibrant atmosphere, diverse amenities, is a destination for Miami beachgoers looking for the liveliness of South Beach with a more upscale and traditional twist.
Separated from bustling Collins Avenue by a raised boardwalk, Mid-Beach is pristine and has kept its natural beauty in the face of massive urban development. It has vibrant turquoise water, glistening white sand, and is lined with lush greenery and tall trees. Its walking paths lead to benches and trails with panoramic views of the Miami Skyline, the Florida coastline, and Fisher Island.
If you’re looking to do more than just lie on the sand during your beach day, Mid-Beach has you covered. Mid-Beach has bike paths, fishing areas, volleyball courts, and a variety of water sports such as sailing, jet-skiing, snorkeling, and paddle-boarding, which promise to keep adrenaline junkies entertained. And, if you’re with kids, take them to the Indian Beach Park Tot Lot located at 46 and Collins Ave. There you will find swings, slides, climbers, canopies, and other fun play areas where the little ones can roam freely.
And while Mid-Beach is already a destination during the day, it absolutely comes alive at night. After the sun sets, Mid-Beach offers world-class nightlife and dining. Looking to party at one of the world’s most popular and exclusive nightclubs? Go to Club LIV at the Fontainebleau Hotel, a celebrity favorite hotspot that offers the ambiance of an ultra-exclusive lounge with the energy of a nightclub. Want the best handcrafted cocktails in Miami? Go to the Broken Shaker, an award-winning bar known for its incredible drinks. If you’re looking for a fun night without the hangover, go to Malibu Farm, a California-style eatery with possibly the best panoramic ocean views in Miami. When you’re ready to call it a night, head over to the Fontainebleau Hotel and get your beauty sleep at one of the city’s most iconic hotels.
Airlie Beach is a popular Australian resort town on Queensland’s Whitsunday Coast. Though it is mostly known as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, it is also a fantastic destination in its right, with a vibrant club scene and plenty of water-side activities. The Airlie Beach Lagoon, a man-made swimming area, is situated right in the center of Airlie Beach. Its shallow waters are free of stingrays and perfect for children to play in. Beachgoers can tan on the shore and watch the cruises depart from the nearby ports – the Port of Airlie, Abell Point Marina, and Shute Harbor. Tired of water activities? The town is also known for its excellent nightlife, with options ranging from backpacker bars to nightclubs. Popular outdoor clubs include Magnums Beach Club, Boatys, and the Shed bar, both have plenty of seating and relaxed atmosphere. Boom Nightclub and Mama Africa are favorite local haunts. Paddy’s Shenanigans is a popular Irish pub that you won’t want to miss out on. With its beautiful beaches, nightlife, and abundance of shops and eateries, Airlie Beach is a vibrant beach-side hub perfect for a day of fun and adventure on the Whitsunday mainland.
