Not all beach trips are created equal. Some travelers want powdery white sand and a cocktail in hand. Others want reef breaks and board wax. Some want a secluded cove with no footprints, while families need calm water and nearby amenities. The perfect beach depends entirely on what you are looking for.

This guide organizes the world's 30 best beaches by what they actually deliver, so you can skip the guesswork and find your ideal shoreline.

Party Beaches

These beaches combine beautiful sand with lively social scenes, beach clubs, and an energy that keeps going after the sun sets.

1. Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza, Spain

The epicenter of Ibiza's beach party culture. A long stretch of golden sand lined with beach clubs — Ushuaia, Bora Bora, and Hi Ibiza are all right here. DJs spin from midday, and the party runs seamlessly from sand to club.

Water temperature: 20-26C (June-September)
Best months: June through September
Vibe: High-energy, international, unapologetic hedonism
What to know: Sunbeds at beach clubs cost 20-50 EUR but include drink credit. Free sand space between clubs.

2. Koh Phangan, Thailand (Haad Rin Beach)

Home of the original Full Moon Party, which has drawn travelers since the 1980s. Haad Rin is a crescent of soft sand backed by bars and fire dancers. The monthly party draws 10,000-30,000 people.

Water temperature: 27-30C year-round
Best months: December through April (dry season), but Full Moon runs monthly
Vibe: Backpacker energy, neon paint, bucket cocktails
What to know: Book accommodation months in advance for Full Moon. Half Moon and Black Moon parties are mellower alternatives.

3. Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Four kilometers of iconic sand framed by dramatic mountains. Vendors sell caipirinhas, futevolei (footvolley) games run constantly, and the atmosphere on New Year's Eve is unmatched.

Water temperature: 22-26C (November-March)
Best months: December through March (summer)
Vibe: Social, loud, festive, democratic
What to know: Rent a chair and umbrella from vendors (about 20 BRL). Do not leave valuables unattended.

4. Mykonos (Paradise Beach), Greece

The party beach of the Aegean. Paradise and Super Paradise beaches have been hosting daytime parties since the 1960s. Tropicana and Cavo Paradiso are legendary.

Water temperature: 22-26C (June-September)
Best months: June through September
Vibe: Glamorous, international, loud
What to know: Beach club entrance is free but sunbeds cost 30-60 EUR. Boat taxis run between beaches.

5. Tulum Beach, Mexico

A stretch of powder-white sand backed by jungle and anchored by bohemian-chic beach clubs. Tulum manages to feel both wild and curated. Papaya Playa Project and Vagalume host excellent parties.

Water temperature: 26-29C year-round
Best months: November through April (dry season)
Vibe: Boho-luxe, wellness meets party
What to know: Beach clubs charge 500-1,500 MXN minimum spend for a daybed. Sargassum seaweed can be an issue May-August.

Family Beaches

Calm waters, gentle slopes, nearby facilities, and enough to keep children entertained all day.

6. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Consistently ranked among the world's best beaches, Grace Bay is 5 kilometers of impossibly fine white sand with calm, shallow turquoise water. The absence of waves makes it ideal for small children.

Water temperature: 25-29C year-round
Best months: Year-round, though November-April is peak
Vibe: Upscale, tranquil, family-oriented
What to know: Resorts line the beach but the sand itself is public. Snorkeling is excellent right off shore.

7. Eagle Beach, Aruba

A wide, flat beach with the famous fofoti (divi-divi) trees leaning in the trade winds. The water is calm, lifeguards are present, and resorts with kids' clubs are within walking distance.

Water temperature: 27-29C year-round
Best months: Year-round (Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt)
Vibe: Relaxed, safe, predictable sunshine
What to know: Free access, public facilities nearby. Palapas (thatched umbrellas) are first-come-first-served.

8. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece

A stunning lagoon beach with pink-tinted sand and water that rarely exceeds knee height for dozens of meters offshore. Children can wade safely while parents enjoy one of Europe's most beautiful beaches.

Water temperature: 22-26C (June-September)
Best months: June through September
Vibe: Natural, uncrowded (arrive early), slightly remote
What to know: Limited facilities. Bring your own food and water. The drive from Chania takes about 90 minutes.

9. Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand

A manageable, family-friendly beach on Phuket's west coast. Gentle waves in high season, plenty of shade from casuarina trees, and restaurants and shops right behind the sand.

Water temperature: 28-30C year-round
Best months: November through April (calm seas)
Vibe: Friendly, accessible, good infrastructure
What to know: Red flags mean strong currents — respect them. Surf lessons available in low season.

10. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

A long sweep of coral sand with crystal-clear water and a gentle slope that lets kids wade far out. High-end resorts, public access points, and proximity to George Town make logistics easy.

Water temperature: 26-30C year-round
Best months: November through April
Vibe: Polished, safe, resort-backed
What to know: Public access points every few hundred meters. Stingray City is a short boat ride away.

Hidden Coves and Secluded Beaches

For those who want solitude, these beaches require effort to reach — and reward it handsomely.

11. Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach), Zakynthos, Greece

A dramatic cove accessible only by boat, with a rusted shipwreck half-buried in white sand and vertical limestone cliffs on three sides. The water is an almost unreal shade of blue.

Water temperature: 22-26C (June-September)
Best months: June through September
Vibe: Dramatic, photogenic, awe-inspiring
What to know: Only reachable by boat from Porto Vromi or Zakynthos Town (20-30 EUR round trip). Go early morning to avoid crowds. The viewing platform above is spectacular.

12. Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles

Massive granite boulders frame shallow pools of warm turquoise water on this impossibly photogenic beach. Reached by bicycle through a coconut plantation.

Water temperature: 27-29C year-round
Best months: April-May and October-November (between monsoons)
Vibe: Otherworldly, quiet, romantic
What to know: 115 SCR entrance fee through L'Union Estate. Bring snorkel gear. Low tide exposes more beach.

13. Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach), Marietas Islands, Mexico

A beach inside a collapsed volcanic crater, accessible through a short swim tunnel. You emerge into a circular cove open to the sky — completely hidden from the outside.

Water temperature: 24-28C year-round
Best months: November through May (calmer seas for the swim)
Vibe: Surreal, adventurous, bucket-list
What to know: Strictly limited to a small number of visitors per day. Book authorized tours from Punta de Mita well in advance. You must be a reasonably strong swimmer.

14. Balos Lagoon, Crete, Greece

A sandbar connects Crete to the Gramvousa peninsula, creating a shallow lagoon of water that shifts from turquoise to pink depending on the light and depth. Remote and wild.

Water temperature: 22-26C (June-September)
Best months: June and September (warm but fewer crowds)
Vibe: Raw natural beauty, uncrowded if you time it right
What to know: Reachable by boat from Kissamos or a rough dirt road plus a 20-minute hike. No shade — bring an umbrella.

15. Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

On the Na Pali Coast, accessible only by swimming from the adjacent Kalalau Beach or by kayak. No trail access. Two soaring sea cliffs frame a golden sand beach that feels genuinely lost.

Water temperature: 24-27C year-round
Best months: May through September (calmer ocean)
Vibe: Adventurous, primordial, jaw-dropping
What to know: The swim from Kalalau is about 100 meters through open ocean. Only attempt in calm conditions. No permits required for the beach itself, but reaching Kalalau requires a permit.

Surfing Beaches

Where the waves are the main attraction.

16. Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii

The most famous wave in the world. Banzai Pipeline breaks over a shallow reef with terrifying power and hollow perfection. The North Shore season (November-February) draws the world's best surfers.

Water temperature: 24-27C year-round
Best months: November through February for big swells
Vibe: Intense, competitive, spectacle
What to know: Pipeline is for experts only. Watch from the beach — the show is free. Nearby Sunset Beach and Haleiwa offer more accessible waves.

17. Hossegor (La Graviere), France

The best beach break in Europe. Heavy, hollow waves break over a sandbar that shifts with each storm. The Quiksilver Pro (now WSL event) put Hossegor on the map.

Water temperature: 16-22C (coldest January, warmest August)
Best months: September through November for consistent swell and warm(ish) water
Vibe: Serious surf town with French coastal charm
What to know: Powerful shorebreak. Intermediate surfers should stick to La Sud or Les Culs Nus. Wetsuit required year-round (3/2mm summer, 4/3mm winter).

18. Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

A world-class reef break beneath dramatic cliffs and an ancient Hindu temple. The wave peels perfectly left along the reef, and the cave entrance to the lineup is an experience in itself.

Water temperature: 27-29C year-round
Best months: May through September (dry season, consistent swell)
Vibe: Spiritual, international surf community, iconic
What to know: Intermediate to advanced. Booties recommended for the reef. Single Fin bar above the cliff is the best sunset spot on the island. Board rental 50,000-100,000 IDR per day.

19. Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

One of the longest and most perfect right-hand point breaks in the world. Supertubes section is where the pros compete, but the wave has rideable sections for all levels.

Water temperature: 17-22C (warmest January-March)
Best months: June through August (winter swells)
Vibe: Laid-back surf town, friendly locals
What to know: Wetsuit essential. Great white sharks are present — surf in groups and stay aware. The town is affordable and welcoming.

20. Taghazout, Morocco

A growing surf destination on Morocco's Atlantic coast with consistent waves, affordable living, and a charming fishing village atmosphere. Anchor Point is the showpiece wave.

Water temperature: 17-22C (warmest July-September)
Best months: October through March for swell
Vibe: Relaxed, affordable, surf-camp culture
What to know: Beginners can learn at the beach breaks; the point breaks are for intermediates and up. Surf camp packages run 300-500 EUR per week including accommodation, lessons, and meals.

Luxury Beaches

Where the sand meets five-star service.

21. Bora Bora (Matira Beach), French Polynesia

The iconic lagoon of Bora Bora is one of the most photographed places on earth. Matira Beach is the only public beach on the island — a sliver of white sand with overwater bungalows in the distance.

Water temperature: 26-29C year-round
Best months: May through October (dry season)
Vibe: Honeymoon luxury, unreal beauty
What to know: Bora Bora is expensive. Budget 500-2,000 USD per night for overwater bungalows. Matira Beach itself is free. Lagoon tours by boat are the best way to experience the water.

22. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Seven kilometers of silica sand so fine it squeaks underfoot. The swirling turquoise and white patterns at Hill Inlet lookout are otherworldly.

Water temperature: 24-28C (November-April)
Best months: June through October (dry, cooler, fewer stingers)
Vibe: Natural luxury, pristine, national park setting
What to know: Only accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter from Airlie Beach. Day trips from 150-300 AUD. No permanent structures on the beach.

23. Anse Lazio, Praslin, Seychelles

Consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches on earth. Takamaka trees provide shade, granite boulders add drama, and the snorkeling is excellent.

Water temperature: 27-29C year-round
Best months: April-May and October-November
Vibe: Natural luxury, peaceful, photogenic
What to know: Free access. Restaurant at one end. Go early morning for the best light and fewest people. Watch for currents during the southeast monsoon (June-September).

24. Maldives (Veligandu Island Beach)

The Maldives is the gold standard for luxury beach travel. Veligandu stands out for its 300-meter sandbank extending into the lagoon — a private beach that seems to float in the ocean.

Water temperature: 28-30C year-round
Best months: November through April (dry northeast monsoon)
Vibe: Ultimate seclusion, honeymoon, once-in-a-lifetime
What to know: All-inclusive resorts start at 300-600 USD/night. Guesthouse islands offer budget options from 80-150 USD/night with comparable beaches.

25. Trunk Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands

A crescent of white sand in Virgin Islands National Park with an underwater snorkeling trail marked with plaques identifying coral and fish species. Managed by the National Park Service.

Water temperature: 26-29C year-round
Best months: December through April (dry season)
Vibe: Polished, accessible, educational
What to know: 5 USD entry fee. Snorkel gear rental available. Arrive before 10 AM for parking. The snorkeling trail is one of the best beginner snorkel experiences in the Caribbean.

Snorkeling Beaches

Where the underwater world is the main event.

26. Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

A volcanic crater bay turned nature preserve with over 400 species of fish. The reef is shallow and protected, making it one of the best snorkeling spots for all abilities.

Water temperature: 24-27C year-round
Best months: May through September (calmer water)
Vibe: Protected, educational, awe-inspiring
What to know: Reservations required (25 USD for non-residents). Mandatory conservation video before entering. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays for reef recovery.

27. Coral Bay, Western Australia

The Ningaloo Reef begins right at the shore here — no boat needed. Swim out 10 meters and you are floating above pristine coral with tropical fish, turtles, and small reef sharks.

Water temperature: 22-28C (warmest January-March)
Best months: March through July (whale shark season March-July, manta rays May-November)
Vibe: Remote, raw, frontier snorkeling
What to know: Free shore snorkeling at Bills Bay. Whale shark tours run 350-450 AUD. The nearest major city (Perth) is a 12-hour drive or 2-hour flight.

28. Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

A dark volcanic sand beach at the base of the Pitons with a marine reserve extending from shore. The contrast of black sand, green mountains, and turquoise water is extraordinary.

Water temperature: 27-29C year-round
Best months: December through June
Vibe: Romantic, dramatic, boutique luxury
What to know: The resort charges non-guests for beach access, but kayaking to the reef from nearby Anse Mamin is free. The reef starts in waist-deep water.

29. Surin Islands, Thailand

A remote archipelago in the Andaman Sea with some of the clearest water in Southeast Asia. The coral coverage here has recovered beautifully, and the diversity rivals anywhere in the region.

Water temperature: 28-30C year-round
Best months: November through April (park is closed May-October)
Vibe: Wild, remote, unspoiled
What to know: Day trips from Khao Lak (about 2,000-3,000 THB). Overnight camping available on the islands. Sea gypsies (Moken) communities can sometimes be visited respectfully.

30. Koh Rok, Thailand

Twin islands in the southern Andaman Sea with talcum-powder sand and visibility exceeding 30 meters. The coral gardens are shallow, colorful, and teeming with clownfish and parrotfish.

Water temperature: 28-30C year-round
Best months: November through April
Vibe: Pristine, quiet, national park
What to know: Accessible by speedboat from Koh Lanta (1,200-1,800 THB day trip). Camping tents available on Koh Rok Noi. Part of Mu Ko Lanta National Park — 400 THB entry fee.

How to Choose Your Beach

When planning a beach trip, consider these factors:

Water temperature: Tropical beaches (near the equator) stay warm year-round (27-30C). Mediterranean and temperate beaches fluctuate significantly — check before you book.
Season: Most beach destinations have a peak season with calm seas and a low season with rain or rough water. Off-season offers lower prices but potentially less ideal conditions.
Access: Some of the best beaches require boats, hikes, or rough roads. Decide whether the journey is part of the adventure or an obstacle.
Facilities: Family beaches need restrooms, shade, and food nearby. Adventure seekers may prefer raw, undeveloped shoreline.
Crowds: The most famous beaches are famous for a reason — but also crowded. Early mornings and shoulder season are your allies.

Use TripGenie to plan a beach itinerary that matches your style. Our AI considers water conditions, seasonal timing, and your personal preferences to recommend beaches you will actually love — not just ones that look good on a postcard.

30 Best Beach Destinations for Every Type of Beach Lover