Explore the world’s top 10 beaches, each a paradise of pristine sands, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking scenery. These destinations offer the perfect escape, whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or natural beauty.
Copacabana Beach in Brazil
Copacabana Beach is located in the Babin Kuk area. It is situated at the tip of the Lapad Bay and provides spectacular views of the Adriatic and the nearby islands, just 6km from Dubrovnik. One of Dubrovnik’s most popular beaches shares its name with the legendary beach in Rio de Janeiro. There must be some sort of obsession with Rio in Croatia because this is not the only Copacabana beach in Croatia. Even Osijek, a city in northeast Croatia, has a river beach and recreational center also named after Copacabana.
But let’s go back to Dubrovnk’s Copacabana… It’s a long shingle beach with the possibility of renting sun umbrellas and deck chairs. There you can enjoy different water sports activities: water polo, water skiing, surfing, banana riding, canoes, pedaling, etc. Parachute rides are exceptionally popular as you can catch the whole panorama of this magnificent part of Dubrovnik. For children, there are sea slide chutes on the beach and the grown-ups can rest in a beach bar or a beach restaurant. The beach also hosts windsurfing regattas and Dubrovnik’s local water polo teams matches. Besides a pleasant rest on a beach are offered many different activities with which you can have fun, such as riding on the bananas, water skiing, and parachuting. You can also take a tour of the peninsula with scooters or kayaks to see the imposing city walls.
Waikiki in Hawaii
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City & County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. This Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikiki and one of the best-known beaches in the world. The neighborhood extends from the Ala Wai Canal (a channel dug to drain former wetlands) on the west and north, to Diamond Head on the east. The name means spouting fresh water in Hawaiian for springs and streams that fed wetlands that once separated Waikiki from the interior.
Waikiki has long been a place of relaxation. In particular, the area was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s. The beach has had its problems with erosion, leading to the construction of groins and beach replenishment projects. For example, in the 1920s and 1930s sand was obtained from Manhattan Beach, California, and transported via ship and barges to Waikiki. Since 2001, there have been free movies on the beach. Many tourists from around the world can view a movie on an outdoor 30-foot screen. This particular free movie event in Waikiki is called “Sunset on the Beach”. Sunset on the Beach typically shows movies of no higher than a PG rating. Recently, they showed Enchanted.
Cancun in Mexico
Cancun, Mexico, offers an eclectic mix of activities and entertainment. Its sparkling bluish-purple waters are perfect for swimming and wild water sports. Known for its vibrant nightlife, Cancun is the ultimate party destination. It’s the most popular vacation spot in Mexico, with endless activities to fit into your vacation. Relax by playing sand volleyball or race over the waves on a wave runner. For deep sea diving enthusiasts, Cancun’s reefs and marine life are a must-explore.
After an action-packed day, unwind in a hammock with a taco and a pina colada. Once refreshed, experience Cancun’s world-renowned nightclubs and karaoke parties with fruity tequila drinks. The next morning, rejuvenate by lounging at your hotel’s infinity pool. Cancun guarantees more fun in the sun than you ever imagined, making it a remarkable vacation destination.
Surfer’s Paradise in Australia
Surfers Paradise is a large commercial center set on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Since Jim Cavill renamed the area across the Nerang River from the town of Southport to Surfers Paradise people have flocked to what has become the most dynamic urban beach destination in the country. Surfers Paradise Beach has acted as a magnet to a wide variety of colorful and larger-than-life characters. Iconic names such as Iron Man Trevor Hendy, Bikini innovator Paula Stafford, and Meter Maids founder,
Bernie Elsey has contributed in different ways to the area’s colorful history. Huge skyscrapers tower above the wonderful beaches, and make up part of the lively and modern town. There are plenty of wonderful shopping arcades around Surfers Paradise, as well as fantastic nightlife and some fun attractions. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic spot, take a day trip to Byron Bay, just over the New South Wales border. For the 30-something and older crowd, Byron Bay provides an intimate and more relaxing atmosphere with the right touch of shops and restaurants. If you want a break from the beach, a short drive inland provides opportunities for camping, biking, and hiking, as well as a chance to visit a number of national parks and nature reserves.
Negril in Jamaica
Negril, Jamaica, embodies the spirit of “chill” with its laid-back vibe at Beaches Negril Resort. Set along the famous Seven Mile Beach, this low-rise, all-inclusive resort welcomes guests with fresh ocean breezes and vibrant West Indies colors. Spanning 20 lushly landscaped acres, the resort features spectacular gardens, a sprawling Pirates Island waterpark, and numerous activities for the whole family.
Topless bathing is common along Negril Beach, with sections near Cosmo’s Restaurant allowing full nudity. Major resorts like Hedonism II and Grand Lido have private nude beaches with strict privacy measures. For those seeking tranquility, Long Bay Beach Park at the northern end of Negril Beach offers a peaceful escape with picnic tables and changing rooms, free from the usual beach hustlers and crowds. This serene spot remains uncrowded, even in peak seasons, providing a perfect retreat in Negril’s tropical paradise.
South Beach in Florida
World-famous South Beach is called SoBe by locals. It is known for its spectacular nightlife, fine dining, Art Deco area, trend-setting design influence, annual hosting of MTV award shows, and of course its beautiful beach. As its name suggests, South Beach is the section of Miami Beach that defines the lower part of the peninsula. With hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, and oceanfront hotels, today’s South Beach is considered to be one of the most popular hotspots in the U.S. Visitors immediately taste its international flavor as sidewalks echo not only English but also Spanish and German languages. As it becomes a favorite European tourist destination, South Beach has become tolerant of the European custom of topless sunbathing, particularly at Lummus Beach.
South Beach, Miami, offers a vibrant mix of sun, sand, and nightlife. While topless sunbathing is occasional, the majority of the beach is open to the public. As night falls, South Beach lights up with lively entertainment along Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive, with restaurants, luxury shops, and entertainment venues. Visitors can also explore Lincoln Road or visit nearby areas like Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Once a coconut plantation, Miami Beach evolved into a bustling resort destination during the 20s-50s, characterized by its iconic Art Deco architecture. Today, it attracts visitors worldwide seeking sun, beaches, and entertainment. Celebrities like Madonna and Jennifer Lopez have made South Beach their home. The 15-mile-long beach hosts various events, including art exhibitions, volleyball tournaments, and music festivals. The Art Deco district features 800 retro-modern buildings, while museums like the Bass Museum and Wolfsonian Museum showcase diverse artifacts. Miami’s Design District is a hub for top designers to showcase their latest creations.
Phi Phi in Thailand
Phi Phi Island is Thailand’s island superstar. It’s been in the movies. It’s the topic of conversation for travelers all over Thailand. For some, it’s the only reason to touchdown in Phuket. Even with all the hype, it doesn’t disappoint.
Phi Phi’s beauty is a large chunk of the allure. The islands, when approached by boat, rise from the sea like a fortress. Sheer cliffs tower overhead, then give way to a beach-fronted jungle. It’s love at first sight. The second part of the why-we-love-this-place story is attitude: few places on the planet are this laid-back. Of the two islands, one is completely free of human inhabitants (Phi Phi Leh), and the other is without roads (Phi Phi Don). There’s no schedule, no hustle-and-bustle, no reason to be in a hurry. As an added bonus, Phi Phi is affordable. Destinations this beautiful are often reserved for those who can pay dearly. That’s not the case here; Phi Phi has something for every budget. You might be surprised – that perfect beachfront room costs less than you expect.
Boracay in Philippines
Boracay Beach is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc,
Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays that make up the municipality of Malay). It is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.
Tenerife in the Canary Islands
Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is a very popular holiday destination with sun-seekers from the UK and many other parts of the world. One of the island’s main attractions is its sandy beaches. Not surprisingly the main tourist resorts in the south of the island are where some of the best beaches are to be found. Tenerife Beach has natural black volcanic sandy beaches. It has a very exotic appeal to them, as well as golden sand and white sand beaches. It has been specially made with tons of sand that were brought over from the Sahara.
On Tenerife you have plenty of choice and some of the beaches are in large resorts, whilst others are on the seafronts of much smaller fishing villages. Some of the island’s best beaches are in the hot and dry south but there are equally popular ones in the cooler north of Tenerife too.
Temperatures range from 68F to 77F, and the water temperatures range from 66F to 72F. The island receives about 29 days of rain each year, although the South is far more arid than the North. The beaches are busiest at Christmas and Easter when northern Europeans flock to the sun, and during August when the Mediterranean countries are on holiday. May and November are the slowest months.
Natadola Beach in Fiji
Natadola Beach is the most beautiful white-sand beach in Fiji. Natadola’s lush beauty and variety of recreational activities, from snorkeling to horseback riding, draws vacationers from around the world. Relatively isolated and remote, Natadola Beach is the finest beach in Viti Levu and one of the best in Fiji. Natadola is a curved, pristine white sandy beach bounded by palm trees that stretches 1.6km ( mi) and slides into crystal-clear azure waters. Off the shore, the reef forms a splendid lagoon of clear and shallow water, providing a safe environment for swimming at all tides. However, caution is required as strong rips have been reported at the end of the beach, where the rocks are.
The beach and its surroundings remain fairly undeveloped, but yet various resort projects are currently under development and may make the beach much busier in the future. Natadola Beach is located South of Nadi on the West coast of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island. When traveling to Fiji, visitors are often given the advice to get out of the main island as soon as they can to explore some of the hundreds of smaller and nicer islands around. While we can’t disagree with that, Natadola Beach may well be the exception to the rule. Definitely a must-see and a good reason to stay on Viti Levu for a little while.
Airport transportation:
Brisbane is 48 miles (77 km) from Surfers Paradise. From the airport, you can either rent a car or catch a coach to the Gold Coast. If you are not in a rush to hit the surf, the city of Brisbane is a nice place to visit and has plenty of shops and restaurants to occupy your interests.
Timing:
Surfers are busiest during the Australian summer season, December — February when the beaches are frequented by tourists, locals, and crowds of young students on summer break. In addition to being the most crowded, the summer months can get very hot and humid with an occasional rain shower. Don’t forget your sunscreen; you can burn it in minutes. We prefer visiting in late spring (October/November) when there are fewer crowds and the water is just warm enough for swimming.
Travel Tips:
As the name suggests, Surfers Paradise is just one of the many great surfing areas on the eastern coast of Australia. You don’t have to be able to show off Hawaii Five-O style to try it out. There are plenty of rental shops and instructional camps for all levels. Alternatively, you can use a boogie board or just plain body surf. The best surfing is beyond the sandbar a short swim from the beach; keep in mind that the swim back to shore can be difficult, especially after an active day of surfing.
Getting There:
Nearest major international airport: Phuket for Asian and European routes, and Penang, Malaysia, for direct flights from North America. It is common for travelers to fly into Bangkok and combine a stay on Ko Phi Phi with a visit to other destinations in Thailand.
Travel Tips:
Especially if you are traveling with children, be aware that there is relatively little to do during the day at Ko Phi Phi, so bring some good books and plan to relax the days away.
While you are there:
Krabi, which is a two-hour boat ride from Ko Phi Phi Beach. Its environs have some nice beaches in their own right, but what is so striking about this region of Thailand is the jagged cliffs and limestone outcroppings. The Similan Islands, about 80 miles away from Ko Phi Phi, offer some of the world’s most amazing diving. The islands can only be visited with an extended cruise. A few companies on Phi Phi run such tours to the Similans and offer 5-day / 4-night cruises with 1 or 2 dives. Tours departing from Phuket are also available.