World's Top Beaches

It's getting cold out there so I thought it would be fun to revisit some of my favorite beaches, enjoy!

Playa del Amor, best known by tourists as Lover's Beach is an absolutely beautiful semi hidden cove backed by spectacular rock formations. It is located on the Baja peninsula in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, take a boat a from the Cabo marina and be sure to arrange a return trip as boats are rare after 4pm. The beach itself is stunning, a photographer's dream with pristine turquoise waters crashing up on the sand. Be sure to pack what you will need: water, snacks and the like as there are few services offered and also your snorkel gear as a few feet to the left is Pelican Rock which you can choose to jump off of or snorkel around and enjoy all the different tropical fish.

 

Hot Water Beach is a world famous beach located along New Zealand's Pacific coast just south of Mercury Bay at the northeast tip of the Coromandel Peninsula. What makes this beach so great? Volcanoes on the eastern edge of New Zealand's North Island develop huge underground reservoirs of superheated water. Over time, this water will escape to the surface; cooling on the way, and opening two hot springs at the beach! Head there and dig your own spa in the sand! You'll need: a pail to scoop out your sand and a bucket to bring some cooler water from the ocean as the temperature from the hot springs can go up to 64ºC (147ºF), for those looking for a snack there's a cute shop selling ice cream, drinks and sandwiches in the parking lot. A word of caution Hot Water Beach's rip tides have claimed a few unaware visitors, get some lessons from the volunteer lifeguards on how to swim in rip tides before venturing into the ocean.
(Photo courtesy of Steve and Jen Copley)

 

Dance under the full moon at Sunrise Beach in Haad Rin on the southern tip of Ko Pha Ngan, in the gulf of Thailand. Discovered by backpackers in the 80s, the beach has become a popular place to be especially during full moon where approximately 25000 tourists flock there each month. Enjoy fresh oysters and crabs on the floating bar, a traditional Thai boat serving delicious food and drinks. Once your belly is full, head to the Drop-In or Cactus bar for drinks, pumping music, and live fire shows! For those seeking tranquility, the nearby Sunset Beach is where you will to want to be to avoid the thriving nightlife influx from Sunrise Beach.

 

The world's most photographed jetty can be found at Pigeon Point beach in Tobago. It is often considered Tobago's most beautiful beach and there is no arguing that fact. A long stretch of powdery white sand, warm opalescent water, and the fact that you feel like you're in a postcard make up the key reasons for me choosing this beach. The beach also boasts full tourist amenities; bathrooms, showers and beach-chair rentals, souvenir and water sports shop as well as bars and a restaurant so no need to pack up the rental everything you could possibly need is sold at the beach. There is a small fee however to access this little piece of paradise set at TT$18 (US$3) per person, children aged 6–12 are half-price and children under 6 are free. Don't let the entrance fee deter you, the beach is right out of a Caribbean fantasy.
(Photo courtesy of Kp93)

 

Take a load off in a rustic thatched bungalow on the secluded Sok San beach on the island of Koh Rong, Cambodia's second largest island. This beach caters to those seeking blissful tranquility, it is almost deserted, undeveloped, and truly a gift from mother nature. Explore the bay, swim and snorkel in the warm turquoise water, or go on a trek around the island where a tropical jungle filled with thousands of palm trees and the occasional waterfall will greet you with open arms. If you're digging the rustic scene you'll want to head here in the next year or two as rumors are circulating of a massive resort being built on the island.

 

Dive the rich corals surrounding Naama Beach in Na'ama Bay a coastal resort town in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Located near the Red Sea, it provides some of the most unbelievable underwater scenery and calm warm water making it an extremely popular destination for scuba divers from all over the world. The beach doesn't only cater to scuba divers there are a range of water sports available including windsurfing, kitesurfing, para-sailing, boating, canoeing, and of course just plain sun soaking. The Ras Mohammad National Park is nearby, the nightlife is is thriving and there is also plenty of shopping to be done at the local Bedouin handicraft stands.
(Photo courtesy of Marc Ryckaert)

 

Anse Source d'Argent is a famous beach on the island of La Digue, Seychelles. It is often voted the most beautiful and photographed beach in the world. Anse Source d'Argent is so stunning the combination of white sand, popping azure-blue water and dark granite boulders regularly overwhelms its visitors. There's not much to do on the beach except for snorkel, but its sheer beauty will assault your senses. Tourists spend hours just looking around at the scenery over-saturated with color and many have found it hard to relax here as it is almost impossible to put your camera down.
(Photo courtesy of Waltermera182)

 

Porto da Barra Beach is located in the city of Salvador, Brazil. The beach possesses the perfect qualities for swimming and sunbathing: the water is clear, calm, waveless, and warm. I chose this beach over others in Brazil, because it is the only beach in the country facing west giving way to magnificent sunsets over the water. I am not the only ones fascinated by this fact: at sunset many beachgoers will stand in ovation and applaud! End your day by sampling one of the many restaurants that line the beach.
(Photo courtesy of Luan)

 

Spend the night in a hammock gazing at the stars on the untamed Tayrona Beach, in Tayrona National Park on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Witness monster waves crashing into rocks the size of houses, watch the noisy howler monkeys or go surfing (the riptide is strong so experience goes a long way here). Another great activity is hiring a guide to take you to a native village in the nearby mountains, it is quite the cultural experience plus you get to trek through a virgin rainforest. By far the greatest thing about Tayrona Beach is that it is undeveloped, the national park status has kept developers at bay so you can just simply enjoy your natural surroundings.
(Photo courtesy of Ben Bowes)\

 

Playa Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's most breathtakingly beautiful beach. The beach is a stunning half mile long, pristine white sand crescent dividing green vegetation to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other. It is found within the Manuel Antonio National Park, expect to see all kinds of monkeys, sloths, lizards, as well as a number of different animals. There is plenty to see and do so plan to stay at least for the day. Make sure to pack your flashlight for the walk or drive home, there are no streetlights in the area.

 

Dhermi Beach won my heart and I've nicknamed it the best off the beaten path beach in Europe. Located in Dhermi, Albania, the pebbled beach is spectacular; amazingly clear water, delicious restaurants to choose from, and great water sports. Grab a drink at the end of the day at the Havana Beach Bar, a real popular place with the local youth, and camp out at the beach when you're done. A little insider tip: rent a speed boat and visit the Gjipe Bay anchor and trek up the Gjipe Canyon and marvel at the waterfall of Petasma, it is quite the sight!

 

Gaze out at the most intensely azure colored waters on what they call the closest island to paradise: the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia. Pamper your feet on the white powdery sand of Kuto Bay, the most sublime beach in the South Pacific. Watch the locals perform their traditional dances, eat the local fare sold by women right on the bay, its delicious. The photo ops are literally endless, Kuto Bay is downright beautiful. Snorkeling is a definite must do, the corals are bright and the tropical fishes even brighter, you might even spot a barracuda. Take the time to rent a canoe in the afternoon and try to make til sunset, the view is indescribable.

 

Go shell collecting on the beautiful Puka Beach in Boracay, an island in the Philippines. Unlike the famous White Beach, Puka Beach is much quieter and there are some days where you will find yourself almost completely alone. It is the perfect spot for a romantic picnic for two! The seafood at Tesebels, the little restaurant on the beach, is exquisite and fairly priced we recommend the crab or the calamari. Make sure to make arrangements (especially on a slow day) for your return trip back to the hotel as boat and bicycle renters tend to leave if there's no one around.
(Photo courtesy of Tomas Tam)

 

One of the pearls of Croatia is Hvar Island, where I find my next beach, a magnificent pebbled, clear watered gem: Hvar Beach. Located on the longest and sunniest island in Croatia, Hvar Beach has been deemed the "sunniest place in Europe". The island is known for its lavender which you will see over the rolling hills in the background. Don't forget to buy a bottle of lavender oil, the beautifully painted bottle makes a great souvenir. End your day at the beach with a local favorite rabbit and potato at the Golden Shell, indulge and try the home brewed fig brandy it's very strong but the locals say one a day will keep you healthy!
(Photo courtesy of Vhorvat)

 

In Cape Town, South Africa is the affluent suburb named Clifton. Clifton Beach is a magnet for the discerning traveler, white sand, designer bikinis and shimmering blue water. The beach is well stocked with amenities; good changing rooms and bathrooms, umbrella and chair rentals, vendors galore and backed by Cape Town's renown restaurants. If you love to surf, and do water sports Clifton Beach is well equipped. Try to stick around until sunset as the views are beyond spectacular!
(Photo courtesy of Tyhopho)

 

Pamper yourself in the luxurious seaside town of Biarritz, the Grande Plage their main beach is a world class surfing destination. Surf not your thing? Its a great place for just laying in the sun as well! Biarritz located on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast, in south western France has been banking on the sea for centuries, renowned since 1854 when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) built a palace on the beach (now the Hôtel du Palais). Indulge and treat yourself to a 3 course meal after a day of sunbathing at Aux Alizés a delicious restaurant specializing in Basque delicacies, with prices fixed at about 20 Euro.
(Photo courtesy of Pinpin)

 -Tracy Smith