A beach holiday is all about blissful relaxation (and finding sand in your suitcase on your return home). Breathe in salty sea air in the Seychelles, dive beneath the pristine waters of the Philippines or dig your toes into South Africa’s silky dunes. From local shores like the UK’s windswept Holkham Beach to the land down under on Australia’s peaceful Palm Cove, the ultimate beach escape awaits. Flip-flops and sunglasses packed? Read on for our roundup of the best beaches in the world...
- Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
- Pamalican, Philippines
- Boulders Beach, South Africa
- Benguerra Island, Mozambique
- Tsarabanjina, Madagascar
- Palm Cove Beach, Australia
- Holkham Beach, UK
- Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
- Fakarava, French Polynesia
- Elafonisi Beach, Greece
1
Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
Best for: picture-perfect views
First up on our list of the world’s best beaches is Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles. Sitting pretty in laid-back La Digue, this iconic beach is characterised by its glass-clear shallow waters and weathered granite boulders. Used as a backdrop in films like ‘Crusoe’ and ‘Cast Away’, its pearly white sands fill up quickly, so arrive in the early morning to dodge the crowds and soak up the sun in peace. Take a refreshing dip, relax beneath the shade of lush palm trees, or hop on a bike (the island’s preferred mode of transport) to explore more. For camera roll gold, head south along the shore and wade through the shallows beyond the first few boulders, where a secluded bay awaits.
Image by Vanessa Martin
2
Pamalican, Philippines
Best for: scenic scuba diving
Just an hour's flight from Manila, the tiny island of Pamalican is famed for its pristine sands and world-class diving. Tucked away in the remote Cuyo archipelago, it lies between Palawan and the Visayas. Snorkel past colourful coral reefs just 300m from the shore or dive beneath the water’s surface, where you might spot hawksbill turtles, eagle rays and shimmering schools of fish. Warm up on Pamalican’s seemingly endless strip of white sand, try your hand at windsurfing or hop aboard a banca (traditional boat) for an idyllic cruise.
Image by Sonia Szostak/Fotolia
3
Boulders Beach, South Africa
Best for: penguin spotting
Boulders Beach in South Africa is next up on our list of the best beaches in the world. Stretching along False Bay coastline, within Table Mountain National Park, this rock-fringed beach is renowned for its African penguin colony. Along with these feathered, waddling locals, keep an eye out on the horizon for Cape Fur Seals, playful dolphins and even whales between August and October (if you’re lucky). You can observe the penguins from one of three boardwalks and a dedicated viewing platform, or for a different perspective, jump in a kayak and glide past these endearing creatures in the water.
Image by Maria Korneeva / Getty Images
4
Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Best for: coral reefs
Benguerra Island, the second largest in the Bazaruto Archipelago, offers a relaxing retreat in Mozambique. This palm-fringed beach boasts powdery sand dunes and gin-clear waters just under nine miles from the mainland. Sitting pretty within a protected marine reserve, you can snorkel or dive along Benguerra’s two-mile coral reef for the chance to see reef sharks, turtles and vibrant schools of fish. Or venture inland, where freshwater lakes are home to lurking crocodiles and long-legged flamingos. As the day draws to a close, catch the sunset from a dhow (traditional wooden sailing boat) and watch as fiery red and orange hues paint the sky.
Image by Nektarstock / Adobe Stock
5
Tsarabanjina, Madagascar
Best for: remote relaxation
Exclusive and secluded, Tsarabanjina earns its place among the world’s best beaches. Perched off Madagascar's northwest coast in the Mitsio Archipelago, this tropical island is home to three velvety beaches and is only accessible by boat. Peppered with thatched bungalows and swaying palm trees, relaxation is practically guaranteed. For an active afternoon, snorkel through the turquoise waters and challenge yourself to an aqua gym class. Or take it easy and sink your toes into the sand as you savour a refreshing cocktail.
Image by jc collet/stock.adobe.com
6
Palm Cove Beach, Australia
Best for: laid-back watersports
According to one of our Australia travels specialists, Meg, the country’s sparkling coastline is one of the reasons she loves Australia so much. The country knows a thing or two about beautiful beaches, and Palm Cove is proof. Just a half-an-hour drive north of Cairns in tropical Queensland, this soft stretch of sand offers a scenic escape. And with only around 2,000 locals in Palm Cove’s sleepy village, you won’t have to compete for a sunbathing spot.
Start your day off right with a sunrise kayak through Palm Cove’s glistening waters, or stretch your legs on a stand-up paddleboard. Fancy a dip? Stick to the netted enclosures (especially during the summer ‘stinger season’) or swim in the patrolled area of the beach.
Image by Rowan/stock.adobe.com
7
Holkham Beach, UK
Best for: windswept walks
A little closer to home, Norfolk’s Holkham Beach is next on our list of the best beaches in the world (and yes, we may be a little biased given our co-founder Tom is from Norfolk…). Stroll along the vast sandy strip or explore the towering coastal dunes, where marsh helleborines, pyramidal orchids and sea bindweeds commonly grow. Part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve, the beach attracts flocks of wintering birds and serves as a crucial breeding site for little terns, ringed plovers and oystercatchers, which nest along the shore. The sprawling sands are ideal for horse riding, while the nearby park offers winding marked cycling routes. Afterwards, nothing will revive you quite like a local pub lunch of fresh seafood and local samphire.
Image by Andrew Michael/robertharding / Getty Images
8
Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
Best for: sugar-white shores
For a perfectly crescent-shaped beach, visit Wineglass Bay in Tasmania. Backed by striking pink granite mountains and verdant green forests, it’s no wonder this beach is a bucket-list favourite. Swim in the brilliant blue waters that lightly lap the shore or explore the wilderness of Freycinet National Park. For staggering views of the bay, hike up the bush trail to reach the lookout, or for a slower pace, hop in a boat and enjoy a picturesque cruise along the coastline.
Image by mtphoto19 / Getty Images
9
Fakarava, French Polynesia
Best for: snorkelling adventures
Top-notch snorkelling is just the beginning in Fakarava. As one of French Polynesia’s largest atolls, you can expect sun-drenched sands and warm turquoise waters. Plunge below the surface and explore the impeccably preserved coral reefs, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Snorkel past hawksbill turtles and unicornfish, or for an adrenaline rush, dive into Fakarava’s Tumakohua Pass – also dubbed the ‘Wall of Sharks’ – where many grey sharks gather to rest. Ready to relax? Dry off with a stroll through the nearby village of Tetamanu or unwind on the unspoilt beaches.
Image by LifeofRileyDesign/Getty Images/iStockphoto
10
Elafonisi Beach, Greece
Best for: a beach that blushes
Last but by no means least is Elafonisi Beach, one of the best beaches in Greece. Tucked away in the southwest of Crete, Elafonisi is renowned for its candy-floss pink sands. Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and nab a spacious sunbathing spot. The shallow lagoons make this an ideal beach day for families, with little ones free to paddle safely, while keen snorkellers might spot loggerhead sea turtles and schools of scorpionfish further afield. On breezy afternoons, stick to the water and enjoy windsurfing, or stay dry and explore the rolling dunes dotted with cedar trees.
Image by SIAATH / Getty Images
Written by Amy Larsen | Header image by Vanessa Martin
