The Best Beaches in the World

Cut off from the rest of the mainland of Krabi province by high limestone cliffs, Railay Beach is only accessible by boat, making it one of Thailand's most peaceful and beautiful beaches.

Australia's East Coast is home to some legendary beaches—Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is particularly heavenly. Over on the West Coast, Turquoise Bay in the Cape Range National Park is equally gorgeous. Just watch out for those sharks.

While the coastal section of Olympic National Park is rockier than it is sandy, it's still worth visiting Ruby Beach for the views alone.

One of the best places for snorkeling on Kauai's north shore, the coral reefs at Tunnels Beach are suitable for divers of all skill levels.

Set upon the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth, this natural limestone arch is the perfect secluded cove for your next Insta-worthy travel diary.

There are too many beautiful white sand beaches in Seychelles to even count, but Source d'Argent on La Digue is known for being one of the best.

The ancient Mayan ruins overlooking the white sand beaches and bright blue waters of Tulum feel a world away from Cancun, which happens to be just a two hour drive north.

For those who prefer to get off the beaten track, let the gleaming gem of Cala Goloritzè be your reward. Accessible by boat or an athletic hike, this tiny beach is a dream spot for climbers (the nearly-150 meter rock spire just up the beach offer spectacular views) as well as for those who just enjoy a pristine private spot to lounge.

The massive sand dunes alone are reason to book a trip to Walvis Bay. But you'll also want to come to this beach on Namibia's Skeleton Coast for the wildlife—you're likely to spot flamingos, seals, whales and even hyenas here.

With the rise of tourism in Myanmar, there are plenty of places to stay in this beach town on the Bay of Bengal–but don't fear that it's lost its charm, it still maintains its sleepy fishing village vibe.

While San Francisco might not be the sunny beach town you would imagine to see on a list like this, Baker Beach is worth visiting for the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fair warning: the northernmost end of the beach is clothing optional.

Large granite boulders line the coast at the southern tip of Virgin Gorda, forming shallow pools that make The Baths an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

The luxe beach houses here might try to overshadow this coastline, but the beach itself is still the most beautiful part of this Cape Town suburb.

If you're looking for untouched beaches, head to southeast Sri Lanka to enjoy the wide open sands of Tangalle Beach.

Surrounded by cliffs, this small beach outside of Lagos is one of the most beautiful in Portugal's Algarve region.

Even though Trunk Bay is St. John's most visited beach, this quarter mile stretch of pristine white sand on the island's north shore is worth braving the occasional crowd.