Top 19 Most Beautiful Beaches In The World

Photo KnowInsiders

With all due respect to mountain people, there's simply nothing in this world like a beautiful beach. Whether your personal beach style is rustic and remote or well-equipped and lively, our curated list offers a peek into some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

What makes a great beach all depends on the traveler. Some prefer wide stretches of sand with ample activities and throngs of people to watch, while others desire deserted shorelines with calm waters.

Take a look at top 19 most beautiful beaches in the world

19. Durdle Door, Dorset, England

18. Bal Harbour Beach, Miami, USA

17. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii, USA

16. Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, Canada

15. Cala Gat, Cala Ratjada, Spain

14. Freedom Beach, Phuket, Thailand

13. Cala Goloritzè, Baunei, Italy

12. Margate Beach, Kent, England

11. Cala Saona, Formentera, Spain

10. Blue Point Beach, Ungasan, Bali

9. Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

8. Praia do Camilo, Lagos, Portugal

7. Tenby North Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales

6. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, USA

5. Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

4. Tropea Beach, Calabria, Italy

3. Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand

2. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

1. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali

Check Out Full Details:

19. Durdle Door, Dorset, England

1,040 metres, 233 pictures per metre

Home to the most famous stone arch anywhere in the world, Durdle Door is probably the most photographed landmark along the Jurassic Coast.

Unlike many of the other destinations on this list, this beach is a mix of pebble and shingle which makes it feel even more unique and worthy of an Instagram post.

There are no rubbish bins on the beach, therefore all visitors should take their rubbish home with them.

Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is an extremely popular beauty spot.

Access to the pebble and shingle beach is on foot via a path and steps over the hill from Lulworth Cove or down from the Car Park (charges apply) which is located on the cliff top at Durdle Door Holiday Park. There is a 20 minute walk along a steep downhill path, plus a further 143 steps down onto the beach (trainers or walking boots are needed for this walk, flipflops are not recommended). There is only one set of steps to access the beach, therefore you may have to queue to ensure social distancing of 2 metres.

At the base of the chalk cliffs a number of caves can be seen which have been carved out by the sea. Please do not enter them as cliff falls are common.

Photo Wallpaper Abyss

Bathing is possible in places, however the beach shelves steeply in places, therefore please supervise your children at all times as there is no lifeguard.

Barbecues and fires are not permitted at any of the beaches or grassland areas on the Lulworth Estate. Overnight camping is not permitted on beaches, clifftops or elsewhere (apart from pre-booked camping at the Durdle Door Holiday Park).

If you have never been to Durdle Door before and want to know what facilities are available and how to get to the beach from the car park, you can watch this short video on Facebook.

18. Bal Harbour Beach, Miami, USA

1,360 metres, 239 pictures per metre

Photo The Landon Bay Habour

Bal Harbour is a small enclave where you're guaranteed to find a bit of peace and quiet away from buzzing Miami life.

Locals recommend that you get to the beach early to watch the sunrise and after that, you can follow the scenic path that runs through Bal Harbour. This picturesque walk will guide you to one of the many brunch spots located along the shoreline.

See & Do

The beach in Bal Harbour is difficult to access--it's "private," meaning residents get to it through the club and travelers through their hotels--but worth a visit for the calm surf and wide layout. For more action, head one mile north to the Bill Bird Marina Marina at Haulover Beach Park, where the largest cache of charter fishing boats in Miami awaits customers who want to make a day of it.

Haulover Beach Park, nested between the Intracoastal and the Atlantic, gets a lot of play because a portion of the one-and-a-half miles of beaches here is the only nude beach in Miami, which contrasts sharply with well-to-do Bal Harbour. But if you turn left, there's the well-known kite-flying stand, Skyward Kites, that's been operating for eighteen years, running workshops, birthday parties and other events for enthusiasts. It's an odd juxtaposition, but that's Miami for you.

Eat

Bal Harbourites don't appreciate fast food--in fact, you won't find a single fast-food joint in the entire town--but they do love them their Carpaccio. You'll find this Italian restaurant, located in Bal Harbour Shops, packed 24/7, and that'll be the first recommendation to escape any resident's lips as well. But don't let other Bal Harbour Shops establishments escape your notice: Brasserie La Goulue serves up some stunning French fare, and Makoto matches Nobu for high-end Japanese. In One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa and The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, both signature house restaurants are main attractions, but none more so than J&G Grill, the Miami outpost of master chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Party

Not exactly a late-night kind of town, Bal Harbour nonetheless does have some offerings for the owl, as well as his or her pussycats. Drinks are always being poured at Carpaccios and Makoto in Bal Harbour Shops, and at the lobby bar in the The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, you can catch live music in the evenings along with some freshly shaken martinis.

Shop

Glamorous, exotic and sultry--it sounds more like a model than a mall. But Bal Harbour Shops, with its collection of Prada, Hermes, Versace, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Chanel (the list of enviable goods goes on and on), really is an elegant place to shop, whether your intentions are to browse or buy. Celebs agree--sports and hip-hop personalities are often spied here, enjoying the boutiques and restaurants as well as the open-air corridors, decked out in tropical foliage, that refresh flagging energy.

17. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii, USA

804 metres, 246 pictures per metre

Thought to be one of O'ahu in Hawaii’s hidden gems, this is one of those rare tourist attractions that is actually enjoyed by locals too. That tells you a lot about how special it is.

The sand is fine and powdery, the water is crystal clear, and the Mokulua Islands make for a stunning backdrop. You might even see a sea turtle swimming in the water.

16. Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, Canada

473 metres, 246 pictures per metre

Photo Afar

Affectionately known as ‘Kits Beach’ to locals, number 16 on the list has something for everyone. From sunbathing to extreme watersports, ‘Kits' has you covered.

With designated areas for swimmers, you can enjoy a doggy paddle while embracing the Vancouver skyline and surrounding mountains.

Swimming in the Pacific Ocean is one of the great pleasures of Kitsilano Beach. There are sections specially designated for swimming enthusiasts, so you don’t have to worry about colliding with kayaks or boats. Whether you’re a doggy-paddler or a front-crawler, the amazing views of the Vancouver skyline and the surrounding mountains are sure to enhance your swim.

The enclosed Kitsilano Pool is a good alternative to ocean swimming if you’re surf averse, though don’t let the word ‘pool’ fool you – the water here is almost as salty as that in the Pacific – but considerably warmer. Views from the open-air pool are just as lovely as from the ocean, of course.

15. Cala Gat, Cala Ratjada, Spain

40 metres, 246 pictures per metre

Sitting on the outskirts of Cala Ratjada, this is the second-smallest beach on the list measuring in at just 40 metres long. Though it’s small, it has a lot to offer - there is a mix of trees and clifftops encircling Cala Gat.

The water is crystal clear and the sand is picture-perfect golden, making it every Instagrammer's dream.

14. Freedom Beach, Phuket, Thailand

300 metres, 247 pictures per metre

The tranquil sea that surrounds Freedom Beach is the definition of turquoise. Dubbed as ‘the Pearl of Phuket,’ it’s tucked away in a tiny cove that’s surrounded by a tropical jungle and tall coconut trees.

This beach offers just two quaint restaurants, that allow you to embrace the white sand and crystal-clear water while eating Pad Thai.

Photo Masiup

Freedom Beach in Phuket is a 300-metre-long strip of white sand near Patong. The beach is set in a superb bay dotted with granite rocks and surrounded by hills covered by a thick jungle. Its exclusivity comes from its rather challenging accessibility, but it's well worth the effort.

Apart from sunbathing, you can enjoy beach soccer (2 mini-goals are available), beach volleyball, and snorkelling in the area. The shallow waters at both ends of the beach are home to superb underwater life. There are no jet-skis or noisy marine leisure activities at Freedom Beach – the only audible engines are those of the long-tail boats in the distance.

There are 2 ways to get to the Freedom Beach parking lot, located some 200 metres above the bay. If you're coming from the southern end of Patong Bay, follow the road that climbs up the hill, turn left at Amari Coral Beach, pass Baan Yin Dee Resort and, at the bottom of the hill, take a left toward Avista Hideaway Resort which is 700 metres away from the Freedom Beach parking lot.

The other entrance to the same road/path is just before the top of Patong Hill, on the road from Patong to Karon Beach. Coming from Patong, the path to Freedom Beach parking lot is on the right, just after Rasta Baby Bar (on the left-hand side of the road).

READ MORE: Top 15 Best Places to Visit in Thailand

13. Cala Goloritzè, Baunei, Italy

166 metres, 248 pictures per metre

A small-but-special beach, Cala Goloritzè’s waters features unbelievable shades of blue and green. It sits at the base of a deep ravine, which was naturally created by a landslide in 1962 - a prime example of Sardinian paradise.

The uniqueness of this spot makes the experience of snorkelling among colourful sealife even more memorable.

12. Margate Beach, Kent, England

200 metres, 265 pictures per metre

If you had to describe a classic British seaside resort, Margate Beach is exactly that. This beach is pretty much timeless, featuring a tidal pool, funfair rides, and amusement arcades. It's one to visit for traditional English seaside fun and entertainment.

Visitors young and old spend the day here and make the most of the several seafood stalls, restaurants and bars along the seafront.

11. Cala Saona, Formentera, Spain

140 metres, 282 pictures per metre

Like a scene straight off the front of a European postcard, Cala Saona offers visitors the chance to spend all day sunbathing, swimming, and chilling out right up to 9 pm when the sun begins to set.

Once the clock strikes nighttime, it’s then the ideal location to sip on a mojito and take in the pink-hued sunset.

10. Blue Point Beach, Ungasan, Bali

105 metres, 287 pictures per metre

This beautiful coral beach can only be accessed via a secret, narrow gap among the cliffs enclosing the beach. The difficult trip makes it feel like even more of a treasure.

Photo Trip Advisor

You can soak in the naturally occurring pools or catch rays on the soft sand. If you’re more of a foodie, you can visit one of the seafood restaurants dotted alongside the coast and watch the surfers while you eat.

The beauty of the beaches in Bali called Blue Point Beach, Distance from Kuta beach is about 45 minutes, by passing through the winding roads and up and down. Location Blue Point is still a one-way to the temple of Uluwatu, Padang-padang beach, and Dreamland. This beach is situated in the village of Pecatu, namely at the southern tip of the Badung regency.

Actually the original name of this beach is Suluban. Near the beach there is a hotel called Bluepoint Villas, so Suluban better known as Bluepoint. The hotel is quite well known outside of Bali and was used for shooting advertising a brand drinks, starring Miss Universe. 'Suluban' adoption of the word 'mesulub' which in Balinese language means "in bali have to stoop to walk through a gap in the cliff". This may be because the road to this beach you must go down through a narrow road between the coastal cliffs.

READ MORE: 9 Bizarre Things to Do in Indonesia That Should Try

9. Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

420 metres, 323 pictures per metre

At Boulders Beach you will get the chance to be surrounded by its most famous residents - a colony of African penguins. It’s actually the only place in the world where you can get this close to these special creatures, which is why over 60,000 people visit the beach each year.

8. Praia do Camilo, Lagos, Portugal

100 metres, 325 pictures per metre

Possibly one of the Algarve’s most iconic beaches, Praia do Camilo's golden sand and crystal clear, azure waters are an Instagram opportunity waiting to happen.

To get sand in between your toes, you’ll need to climb down the 200 wooden steps that wind their way down through the orange-toned cliffs.

7. Tenby North Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales

770 metres, 343 pictures per metre

Photo The Orfy

Strong environmental, educational, safety and access efforts have earned this location a prestigious Blue Flag Beach award. Tenby North Beach is a slice of Welsh paradise.

Enclosed by the pastel-hued townhouses and rugged cliffs, this east-facing beach is a self-made suntrap so you can enjoy the Welsh weather all day long.

It's of no surprise to us here in Wales that Tenby is one of the most popular picture spots in the world.

In fact, North Beach in the Pembrokeshire town has come top for the most photogenic in the UK, beating other stunning sites like Durdle Door in Dorset and Brighton seafront. See where in Wales you can have the best seaside day out, here.

And it's up there among the best in the world too, coming seventh in the top 10 of most photogenic beaches across the globe, more than earning its place amongst the likes of Kelingking Beach in Bali and Australia's Bondi Beach.

Research carried out by finance site, money.co.uk, analysed more than 26 million Instagram hashtags associated with the world’s most popular beaches and found that Tenby's popular beach - which is famous for its pastel-coloured houses overlooking the harbour - had 343 pictures shared on Instagram for every metre.

6. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, USA

570 metres, 345 pictures per metre

As one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Island of Oʻahu in the neighbourhood of East Honolulu, Hanauma Bay looks like something straight out of Disney’s Moana.

As well as looking good, it also does good as the first Marine Life Conservation District in the State. It is aiming to re-establish the pristine marine ecosystem that attracts so many visitors.

5. Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

182 metres, 403 pictures per metre

Photo Initari

This stunning stretch of sand is also known as Shipwreck Beach. In 1983, a boat smuggling cigarettes into Greece and washed up at the location.

Since then, it has widely been considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country thanks to its huge surrounding cliffs and crystalline waters.

This is the beach that features on practically every postcard of Zante. You’ve probably seen it in glossy coffee table books featuring beautiful shots of Greece. It regularly gets a mention on those lists of “best beaches in the world“. On the Greek island of Zakynthos it’s known as Navagio beach, but to tourists as Shipwreck beach or Smuggler’s cove.

Navagio is certainly one of the most photogenic beaches in Greece. That rusty old wreck, stranded on the crescent of pale sand, framed by the steep limestone cliffs and the turquoise sea, make a winning photographic combination. You can get that postcard shot yourself, from a metal platform that juts out from the cliff above the beach, where you’ll also find a taverna, ice cream van and stalls selling local honey and souvenirs. A couple of years ago I stood on the metal platform and took the postcard shot you see above, but on this summer’s visit to Zante I thought it was about time that I paid Navagio beach a personal visit.

4. Tropea Beach, Calabria, Italy

115 metres, 423 pictures per metre

Photo Amazon

A classic Italian resort bursting with charm, Tropea Beach aptly sits on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is also called the Costa degli Dei, or the 'Coast of the Gods,’ making it a fan-favourite for both tourists and locals.

As you relax on the beach, you are surrounded by dramatic cliffs with eyes on the historic town centre which looks over the epic scenery.

3. Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand

450 metres, 587 pictures per metre

Photo Shuttershock

Once a laid-back fishing village in Krabi, Railay Beach is now a world-class tourist destination. What makes this place feel even more special is that it's cut off from the rest of the mainland by a row of steep hills, which means you can only get there by boat.

With a mix of striking limestone cliffs jutting out into the ocean and endless stretches of white sand, this beach is bursting with character.

2. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

1,000 metres, 1,776 pictures per metre

Photo Freepik

One of the biggest attractions in Australia for tourists and locals alike, the crescent-shaped sand of Bondi Beach is conveniently positioned just 7km away from the Sydney Central Business District.

Getting its name from the Aboriginal word ‘Bondi’ meaning “water breaking over rocks,” this beach offers both stunning scenery and a vibrant city vibe to its visitors.

1. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali

80 metres, 4,227 pictures per metre

Photo Balicheapesttours

Crowned the most beautiful beach in the world, Kelingking Beach in Bali is just 80m long and for every glorious metre, there are 4,227 pictures taken.

It’s no surprise that this is a popular photo location when you consider the famous cliffs in the shape of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, amazing backdrop of the bright blue sea and greenery from the tropical plants.

This hidden beach located in the village of Bunga Mekar, on the southwestern coast of Nusa Penida Island, which are accessible via a 40 to 50 minutes boat ride from Sanur.

An incredible hidden beach which framed by towering, steep cliffs, deep turquoise blue waters further embraced by powdery white sand with the most amazing view like heaven on earth.

The secluded beach itself is down a rugged 400m cliffside hike, however the view of Kelingking is arguably more popular than the beach itself.

From the viewpoint, visitors look down onto the white sand enveloped by the famous limestone headland that reaches out into the Indian Ocean.

Kelingking actually translates into English meaning Pinkie a term referencing the smallest finger on the hand.

Photo Balicheapesttours

Just like a pinkie promise, the land does also appear to take the form of a Kelingking or pinkie finger.

Kelingking Beach is the top destiantions on Nusa Penida Island. However visiting Kelingking viewpoint is one of the most famous things to do in Bali.

Where the viewpoint that is hard to believe that it's real, when you see it for the first time, and 100% guranteed the most spectacular place you will have ever seen.

The reason why Kelingking Beach is such a popular location is that the cliffs form the shape of a T-Rex (think Jurassic Park logo).

What Are The 10 Best Beaches In America - Latest Ranking by Dr. Beach Every year, Dr. Beach (Leatherman) ranks the best U.S. beaches based on 50 criteria. Take a look at the Top 10 Best US beaches ...

Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Vietnam Owning about 2,000 miles of coastline, Vietnam naturally has no shortage of beautiful beaches. Recently, Forbes has published its top 10 most beautiful beaches in ...

Top Stunning Beaches around the World! Having summer vacation but don't know where to go. Enjoying your time on the beaches would be a perfect idea. Here are the top ...

Top 5 magnificent beach escapes in and around New York Sun soakers, water sport enthusiasts, and nature lovers rejoice – we’ve got a brilliant selection of sun-drenched beaches here that suit every taste. So grab ...