When many of us think of our “happy place,” we think of the beach. Just close your eyes and picture it: the sound of the waves crashing, the warm sun, the gentle breeze, the swaying palm trees…. It may sound like a fantasy, but perfect beaches really do exist.
There are plenty of reasons why millions of people dream of going to the beach when they plan their getaways: Beaches are synonymous with relaxation, are ideal kid-friendly destinations, and are the perfect antidote to the mid-winter doldrums. If it’s the middle of February and you’re relaxing on the beach with a tropical drink melting in your hand…falling in love to the rhythm of a steel drum band (to quote the Beach Boys), then you’re obviously doing something right. (Speaking of the Beach Boys, here’s the song of the summer the year you were born.)
To compile a list of the 25 best beaches in the world, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a ranking developed by travel booking and review site TripAdvisor as part of their Traveler’s Choice 2022 Best of the Best. They describe the sites they selected as “the beaches that travelers dream of all year long.” (In America, these are the cities with the most miles of beach per person.)
Click here to see the world’s best beaches, according to TripAdvisor
Sure, the Jersey Shore and Daytona Beach may be fun destinations, but they’ve got nothing on the jaw-dropping, idyllic seafront sites to be found in such far-flung locales as Kissamos in Greece, Playa de Muro in Spain, and Cruz Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
25. Yonaha Maehama Beach
> Location: Miyakojima, Japan
> Known for being: Fine powdered and ‘the most beautiful white sand beach of the East’
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24. Balos Lagoon
> Location: Kissamos, Greece
> Known for being: Accessible by boat or hike
23. Bavaro Beach
> Location: Bavaro, Dominican Republic
> Known for being: Turquoise and emerald green waters
22. Nissi Beach
> Location: Ayia Napa, Cyprus
> Known for being: Fun, great atmosphere, and full of life
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21. Magens Bay
> Location: Magens Bay, St. Thomas
> Known for being: White sands, pristine waters, spectacular views
20. Nungwi Beach
> Location: Nungwi, Tanzania
> Known for being: White coral sand that glows even in the dark
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19. Playa Norte
> Location: Isla Mujeres, Mexico
> Known for being: Crystal clear waters with a unique landscape
18. Playa Manuel Antonio
> Location: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
> Known for being: Frequent parties and festivals
17. Playa de Muro Beach
> Location: Playa de Muro, Spain
> Known for being: Turquoise waters, fine sand, and dreamy sunsets
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16. Poipu Beach Park
> Location: Poipu, Hawaii
> Known for being: A series of golden sand crescents
15. Maho Bay Beach
> Location: Cruz Bay, St. John
> Known for being: Coconut palm fringed white sand beach
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14. Siesta Beach
> Location: Siesta Key, Florida
> Known for being: Clean, hard-packed sand
13. Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
> Location: Puako, Hawaii
> Known for being: Landscaped beach and one of few white sand beaches in the area
12. Praia da Falesia
> Location: Olhos de Agua, Portugal
> Known for being: Big waves and golden sand
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11. Cable Beach
> Location: Broome, Australia
> Known for being: Turquoise waters and impeccable white sand
10. Spiaggia dei Conigli
> Location: Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily
> Known for being: Shallow, crystalline waters and golden sand
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9. Baía dos Golfinhos
> Location: Praia da Pipa, Brazil
> Known for being: You can see dolphins near the shore
8. Trunk Bay Beach
> Location: Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
> Known for being: Being St. John’s most photographed beach
7. Baia do Sancho
> Location: Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
> Known for being: You have to pay a fee to visit, difficult to get to
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6. Radhanagar Beach
> Location: Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
> Known for being: Pristine stretch of sand and lush forest
5. Eagle Beach
> Location: Palm-Eagle Beach, Aruba
> Known for being: White sand and turquoise waters
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4. Quarta Praia
> Location: Morro de São Paulo, Brazil
> Known for being: Being quiet, relaxed, and less crowded
3. Turquoise Bay
> Location: Exmouth, Australia
> Known for being: Snorkeling and abundance of marine life
2. Varadero Beach
> Location: Varadero, Cuba
> Known for being: Miles of white sand and being able to walk far out
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1. Grace Bay Beach
> Location: Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
> Known for being: Long stretch of soft white sand
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