10 Places to Visit with Beautiful Beaches

Discover new beaches from the South Pacific to Iceland to explore on your next vacation.

Whether you like to spend your time relaxing on the sand, hiking the coast or taking photographs of dramatic landscapes, you’ll be able to find a glistening coastline worth visiting among these 10 locations with beautiful beaches.

Crane Beach, Barbados
When you step onto Crane Beach, you’ll immediately notice that the sand has a subtle pink hue from crushed coral that has washed ashore. Situated on the southeastern coast of Barbados, Crane Beach is surrounded by cliffs, providing the adventurous with myriad cliff-jumping opportunities. A coral reef creates a natural harbor at Crane Beach; be on the look out for sea turtles while snorkeling in the pristine waters of Crane Bay.

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Playa Bluff, Bocas Del Toro, Panama
The largest beach on Isla Colón, Playa Bluff is a hot spot for professional surfers December through April. There’s plenty of room for lounging or playing beach games, such as coconut bocce ball, thanks to the beach’s three miles of sand. The sea can be rough during surf season, making relaxing and taking in nature the best options, but you can go swimming when the swells are low in the off-season. Playa Bluff is also an active nesting area for leatherback and hawksbill turtles between March and September.

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Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
Located near Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach is protected from wind and large waves by—you guessed it—large granite boulders. This beautiful beach is home to the endangered African penguin; catch a glimpse of one of these waddling birds on the beach or by following boardwalks through the dunes at nearby Foxy Beach. After you’ve had your fill of the penguins, take a swim in the warm, calm waters of False Bay.

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Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón, Iceland
You won’t need your swimsuit at this beach, but you should definitely pack your camera. About a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavĺk, Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon with a black sand beach. You might recognize the landscape from films such as Tomb Raider and Die Another Day. Expect to see large chucks of glacial ice in the water—and even some on the black sand. You may even catch seals swimming in the lagoon.

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Aroa Beach and Muri Beach, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Located in the South Pacific between Hawaii and New Zealand, the Cook Islands are a 15-island country. On the largest island, 26-square-mile Rarotonga, check out Aroa Beach or Muri Beach, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard or just sit back and enjoy the view of the clear blue ocean. Both of these beautiful beaches are on the south side of Rarotonga.

Photo Credit: Andrew Bain / Alamy Stock Photo
Sarakiniko, Milos, Greece
When you arrive at Sarakiniko, you might think you’ve arrived on another planet. White volcanic rocks form the landscape and provide stark contrast against the turquoise waters. The beach doesn’t have much sand; you’ll spot fellow beachgoers laying their towels on the smooth rocks surrounding the cove. This is a great snorkeling spot; if you’d rather stay out of the water, you can explore caves in the rocks or walk to the east end of the beach and see if you can spot the shipwreck off shore.

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Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
White sand, turquoise waters and a marked underwater snorkeling trail make Trunk Bay a popular beach. This beautiful beach has more than a quarter-mile of sand for you to relax on, and the underwater trail is perfect for first-time snorkelers. Expect to see turtles, colorful corals and a variety of tropical fish.

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Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
There are many beaches to explore in Hawaii, but make sure Punalu’u Beach on the Big Island is on your list. When you visit this beautiful black sand beach, you might catch a hawksbill turtle or a green turtle warming itself on the sand. The beach is easily accessible and has a picnic area, but the current at Punalu’u can be strong, so swim with caution. You could also take a short, 5-minute coastal hike to Ninole Cove for snorkeling and swimming.

Photo Credit: Douglas Peebles Photography / Alamy Stock Photo
Tulum, Mexico
Families and couples will enjoy the white sand beaches of Tulum. Located on the southern tip of Riviera Maya, Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Mayans. You can explore the ruins of the seaside port; built on a bluff facing the rising sun, they’re enclosed on three sides by a limestone wall. Afterwards, enjoy the crystal-clear waters by snorkeling or swimming in them, or grab a bite to eat at one of the beachside clubs.

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Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
Head to Whitehaven Beach just off the coast of Queensland, Australia, for a beautiful beach along the Great Barrier Reef. No sandals are required here; the sand is 98 percent silica, meaning it doesn’t retain heat. However, it has a powder-like consistency, so keep precious electronics tucked away. The only way to reach this pristine beach on Whitsunday Island is by boat or seaplane, so plan ahead for a tour.

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