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The World’s 50 Most Beautiful Beaches for Ultimate Relaxation

A warm, sunny beach towns? Yes, please.

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There’s nothing that brings on that I-need-to-be-there feeling quite like a tropical beach. A getaway to somewhere exotic, like Fiji or Bora Bora, where all that’s on your itinerary is to sip a cocktail and gaze into the turquoise waters ahead sounds pretty blissful.

If you’re seeking a slice of paradise, we’ve compiled a list of the 50 best beaches in the world to put on your bucket list.

1

Lanikai Beach — Hawaii

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Located on Oahu's northeastern shore, Lanikai Beach is one of Hawaii's best beaches. Due to its offshore coral reef, the water is super calm throughout the year, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling, as well as sailing and windsurfing.

BOOK NOW Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach

BOOK NOW Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

More: These Are the Most Beautiful Islands in the World

2

Laucala Island — Fiji

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This breathtaking private island is the stuff of travel dreams. From rainforest walking tours to horseback riding right on the beach, there are endless activities to thrill you or chill you out. You'll feel like you've discovered an untouched part of the Earth on your visit here.

BOOK NOW Laucala Island Resort

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3

Siesta Beach — Florida

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Located on Florida's Siesta Key, near downtown Sarasota, this stunning strand regularly tops "best of" lists due to its soft white-quartz sand (which stays cool even when the temps soar).

Siesta also has lifeguard stands and a shaded picnic area, both of which make it great for families.

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BOOK NOW The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

4

Banana Beach — Phuket, Thailand

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This hidden beach in Phuket, Thailand is one of the most jaw-dropping destinations you can visit while feeling like you're on a private island. It's secluded, vast, and offers plenty of opportunities to snorkel and swim around in crystal-clear waters.

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BOOK NOW La Flora Resort Patong

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5

Fire Island — New York

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One of the best beaches in New York is the famed Fire Island. Known for being a great summer getaway for beachgoers in the LGBTQ+ community, the island has plenty to offer for every type of traveler.

The tranquility and natural beauty of Fire Island is also unmatched. Whether you're looking for peace or a party, this beach locale has it all.

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BOOK NOW Fire Island Hotel & Resort

6

Bora Bora — French Polynesia

Bora Bora Beaches, French Polynesia
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The island of Bora Bora is famous for its jaw-droppingly beautiful beaches like Matira, which has calm azure waters and shallow lagoons. One of the best ways to experience the lagoons is to stay in a resort that offers fabulous over-the-water bungalows that are popular with honeymooners.

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BOOK NOW The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

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7

Trunk Bay — U.S. Virgin Islands

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Widely considered one of the best beaches in the US Virgin Islands, Trunk Bay is the pride of St. John, which was named one of the top Caribbean islands by Travel & Leisure.

Located in Virgin Islands National Park, this spectacular strand is known for its azure waters, soft white sands, and 225-yard-long underwater snorkeling trail.

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BOOK NOW Hotel Cruz Bay

8

Nassau — Bahamas

Nassau, Bahamas
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The beaches of Nassau, such as Cable Beach, are definitely a major draw, especially for those who like to snorkel or go scuba diving. Some of the top diving spots include Trinity Cave and the Blue Hole, a deep natural hole with large schools of tropical fish.

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BOOK NOW Sandals Royal Bahamian

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9

Miami Beach — Florida

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Work on that golden Miami glow during the day in Lummus Park, which is in the heart of South Beach, then party at night. SoBe's clubs attract world-renowned DJs, and the beaches are full of attractive people, making this a hub for both nightlife lovers and beachgoers.

BOOK NOW Beacon South Beach Hotel

BOOK NOW The Betsy — South Beach

10

Mission Beach — California

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If it's a family-friendly vacation you're looking for, consider San Diego's Mission Beach. It has miles of lifeguard-patrolled beaches, and the waters are calm, so they're perfect for beginner swimmers.

On cloudy days, there are tons of other attractions nearby to keep the kids occupied, such as the San Diego Zoo.

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BOOK NOW La Valencia Hotel

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11

Culebra — Puerto Rico

Culebra, Puerto Rico
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This tiny island, 17 miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, doesn't have high-rise resorts or fancy restaurants. But it does have a low-key vibe, empty beaches and some incredible snorkeling on the beaches in Luis Peña Channel Natural Reserve. Keep an eye out for stingrays and sea turtles!

BOOK NOW Hillbay View Villas

12

Pinney's Beach — Nevis

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Did you know that Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis? This little-known island has a small museum dedicated to the founding father. It also has plenty of gorgeous strands, including 4-mile-long Pinney's, with just a sprinkling of local businesses, including Sunshine's beach bar, where everyone ends up at some point.

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BOOK NOW Montpelier Plantation

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13

Sanibel Island — Florida

Sanibel Island, Florida
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Sanibel Island is a low-key spot on Florida's west coast that's known for its abundance of seashells. People come from all over to do the "Sanibel stoop," which is what island dwellers call combing the beaches for one-of-a-kind seaglass finds.

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BOOK NOW Sundial Beach Resort and Spa

14

Puerto Vallarta — Mexico

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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This Mexican resort town appeals to everyone from couples to spring breakers. They all appreciate that Puerto Vallarta's many bars and clubs are always lively. There are also plenty of water sports, including banana boat rides and parasailing.

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BOOK NOW Hacienda San Angel

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15

Long Bay Beach — Turks and Caicos Islands

Long Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos Islands
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Turks and Caicos is known for its world-class fishing. The waters surrounding the island chain are filled with blue marlins, making this a great year-round fishing spot. Long Bay can have rough surf at times, but this also makes it a great place for kiteboarding!

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BOOK NOW The Oasis at Grace Bay

16

Hanalei Bay — Hawaii

Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
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Hawaii has some of the world's most photographed beaches, many of which are popular with surfers. In fact, some of the top surfers in the world are from Kauai, and Hanalei Bay has some of the best conditions — the surf is consistent, and there are waves for all levels.

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BOOK NOW Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

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17

Pensacola Beach — Florida

Pensacola, Florida
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Choosing the best beach to visit in Florida may seem like a task, but Pensacola is one of the more affordable towns in the state, and award-winning Pensacola Beach is a quick 20-minute jaunt from the city center. There are also local hangouts to grab lunch nearby.

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BOOK NOW Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach

18

Harrismith Beach — Barbados

Harrismith Beach, Barbados
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This hidden gem of a beach on the island of Barbados is the perfect place for a secluded day of rest and relaxation. To get to it, you must descend a flight of stone steps that have been carved into a cliff overlooking the sea. Once you arrive, you'll enjoy pure seclusion.

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BOOK NOW Cobblers Cove

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19

Gulf Shores — Alabama

Gulf Shores, Alabama
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In addition to gorgeous white-sand beaches, Gulf Shores hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Hangout Music Festival and an annual National Shrimp Festival, so there's plenty to do apart from working on your tan.

BOOK NOW Perdido Beach Resort

BOOK NOW Hampton Inn Gulf Shores

20

Horseshoe Bay Beach — Bermuda

Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
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The island of Bermuda is famous for its pink-sand beaches, and one of the most spectacular is Horseshoe Bay, located on the south shore. Expect bathtub-warm turquoise water and pink-hued sand at this crescent-shaped beauty.

BOOK NOW Fairmont Southampton

BOOK NOW Elbow Beach

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Dana Baardsen
Senior Editor at BestProducts.com
Dana is the former Parenting Editor at BestProducts.com, where she’s been using her degree in nutrition and food science and experience in parenting editorials to cover trending topics in the family and fitness industries since 2012; Her work has been featured on Fit Pregnancy, Refinery 29, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Men’s Health, Parents, and more. Dana also reported for the health vertical at NBC Universal’s iVillage.com for two years and in 2018 she edited the book, The Cool Girl’s Guide to the FODMAP Diet. In a previous life, Dana coached nutrition at WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) centers and fitness facilities in New York City, New Jersey, and beyond. She’s also certified in corporate wellness management and food and alcohol management.
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Jill Fergus
Travel Editor

Jill is the former travel editor at BestProducts.com, showing her expertise on everything from the Best Rooftop Bars in NYC to the 30 Most Beautiful Cities in the World;  the NYC native has previously worked at Travel & Leisure and has written articles for The New York Times, InStyle, Huffington Post, and Fodors. Recent trips have included the Bahamas and Natchez, and Patagonia and Vietnam are high on the bucket list. Though she’ll deny it, she is kind of obsessed with buying refrigerator magnets from the places she visits.

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