Not all beaches are created equal. Some are nice. Others are like…mind-blowing. The ones that make you stop and say to yourself, ‘Wait, is this even real life?’ Although the latter is few and far between, we’ve hunted them down for you.
From palm-covered coastline in Sri Lanka to clear Mexican waters, the Kiwi crew has gathered a list of the world’s most beautiful beaches that every beach bum will appreciate.
Best Beaches for Relaxation and Serenity
Saud Beach, Pagudpud, The Philippines
Skip the crowds in Boracay and trade them for some peace and quiet up in northern Luzon at Pagudpud’s Saud Beach. Shores lined with ‘Bangka’ boats, waves rolling in from Bangui Bay, and minimal crowds; that’s the vibe here. Your first thought will probably be, ‘Does this bad boy ever end?’ But it’s actually only a few kilometers long.
The 10-12 hour bus ride from Manila usually scares off the ‘influencer’ crowd, so you’ll have Saud’s stunning calm ocean all to yourself. Just watch out when you’re having a dip. There aren’t that many rocks, but the jellyfish can be a bit of a hassle to dodge. Foreigners have to pay a small entrance fee of PHP 57.60 (€0.91) on arrival. For Filipinos, it’s only PHP 20 (€0.32).
Amed Beach, Bali, Indonesia
Everyone talks about the popular spots in southern Bali, like Canggu and Seminyak. But the north never seems to get as much love. And you know what’s up there? Amed Beach, with its black volcanic sand and the towering Mount Agung in the distance.
Finding a place with a real, local atmosphere in Bali these days is rare, but Amed Beach is an exception. The water’s so clear you’ll have no trouble spotting all the fish swimming around, which is why it’s popular among snorkelers. If that’s your thing, don’t forget your mask, but if you do, it’s all good; you can rent one for just IDR 25,000 (€1.33) for the day.
Plage d’Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
Come and catch a sunset over the Atlantic at Plage d’Agadir in Morocco. With six miles of endless orange sand that’s so bright it will almost blind you, it’s no wonder Agadir gets so much attention. Yeah, the nearby resorts do bring in a bunch of tourists, but once you see how huge this beach is, you’ll barely even notice; it’s that big. If you walk a little further down from the main entrance on the promenade, you’ll be able to find a quiet space to kick back. Since Plage d’Agadir is such a popular beach, there’s loads of extra stuff to do besides your lounging for the day; jetskiing, anyone?
Hidden Beach Gems You Won’t Want to Miss
Khlonghin Beach, Koh Kood, Thailand
You’d think every gorgeous beach in Thailand has been found by now, right? Well, some have, but Khlonghin Beach on Koh Kood is still flying under the radar. It’s peaceful and way less commercialized than the other spots on this island in the Gulf of Thailand, and honestly, it feels like more Thais come here to chill than tourists.
When the sun’s out, it makes the already crystal-clear water sparkle like crazy. Don’t stress if the sun gets too intense, though. There are plenty of coconut trees that you can hide under. Some of which even have swings. If you get hungry, the nearby Khlong Hin Beach Resort has got you covered for a bite to eat.
Playa Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico
There’s a real charm to beaches along the Pacific Coast, and Playa Chacala in Mexico’s Nayarit state is a perfect example of this. A favorite for body surfers because of the calm waves, this is the kind of spot where you can just park yourself up for the day, chill on a hammock, and let the sound of the Pacific waves wash over you. The beach itself isn’t huge; it’s only about 300 meters long, but because it’s somewhat of a local secret, it rarely sees large numbers other than people who live in Nayarit and a handful of tourists. Chacalilla is the little area where it’s located, which has got all the basics you’ll need during your visit, like restaurants, shops, and an ATM.
Most Picturesque Beaches for Perfect Photos
Dalawella Beach, Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
No doubt you’ve seen the photos of Sri Lanka’s beaches, and most likely, they were of Dalawella Beach in the very south of the country. Only a short 5-minute tuk-tuk ride from Unawatuna, prepare to step into pure paradise.
A lot of people flock here to get an Insta-worthy shot of them swinging on the rope swing from the palm tree out over the ocean. It does make for quite the picture. But like all good things that get famous, it now has a fee of around LKR 500 (€1.53), so be prepared to pay. Another cool place on Dalawella Beach to snap is Wijaya Rock. This rock creeps up from the sand, and when the tide is in, it can look proper dramatic, especially if you climb up on top.
Now, if you aren’t exactly into fancy photos, Dalawella Beach is still well worth a visit. I mean, who could say no to the possibility of seeing turtles? I know I wouldn’t turn that opportunity down. It’s common to see these little guys swimming close to the shore, even if you don’t bother renting one of the snorkels. Just please leave them be, though; there have been reports of people getting up close and rubbing and feeding them. Don’t be that traveler. Let them live their lives without disturbance. After a day in the sun, one of the Wijaya Beach Restaurant pizzas will surely go down a treat.
Om Beach, Gokarna, India
In a country as big as India, you can count on there being tons of nice beaches. Om Beach in Gokarna has got to be up there with some of the most idyllic. It’s on the West Coast, just a few hours south of Goa (you know, the place everyone raves about for its beaches), so you can bet it’s pretty amazing being in the same neighborhood.
A sense of calm can be felt at Om Beach that you never knew existed in India, an utter far cry from the northern chaos in the likes of Delhi. Between the verdant green rolling hills and the rocky natural formations you can jump up on to watch the sun go down, it’s no wonder Indians like here to seek some well-needed respite from daily life.
If the thought of sitting on a sunbed all day fills you with boredom (I know it does for me), you’ll have the opportunity to take a banana boat ride out at sea or do some scuba diving. You’ll also come across a few fishermen who offer boat rides to a few nearby beaches starting from IDR 400 (€4.21).
Ky Co Beach, Qui Nhơn, Vietnam
People have been talking about Ky Co along Vietnam’s south-central coast a lot lately, and it’s well deserving of the hype. The remote nature of Ky Co gives it a rugged edge. Getting there isn’t as easy as other beaches in the region, which adds an extra layer of adventure to the experience. Because of where it’s situated, you can only reach it by either taking a boat or hiring a moped and driving across mountains.
The boats can be found in the Eo Gio area; fares cost between VND 250,000 (€8.69) and VND 400,000 (€13.90) for a return ride, usually with a meal. But bear in mind, these are sort of like package tours, so if you want your own freedom, I suggest you hire a motorbike from the city of Quy Nhon and go that way. The rental should only cost around VND 100,000 (€3.48) for the day; ensure you have a license. The drive will take a little over 30 minutes, but when you arrive, you’ll then have to pay VND 10,000 (€0.35) to park the bike and VND 120,000 (€4.17) for the entrance fee. Unfortunately, the area where the bike parking is located is quite far away, so there’s a minivan that brings you to the beach (VND 50,000 (€1.74)).
As I said, there’s a really wild feel to Ky Co Beach; maybe it’s the little straw cabanas or the fact that it has managed to dodge development for now. Some people like to camp here, too, but keep an eye on the forecast ahead of time; the last thing you want to do is get water-logged in a remote location like this.
Best Beaches for Water Sports and Adventure Lovers
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, USA
A name we’ve all heard of, Waikiki Beach is the beach everyone loves on the Hawaiin island of Oahu. It’s no accident; it’s got everything you want: pristine turquoise seas, plenty of sunbathing spots, amazing views of Diamond Head, and, of course, water sports!
You name it, you can do it at Waikiki Beach. The waves here are just right for surfers, even for the novice kind. But don’t try it without a teacher. They’ll be able to show you all the right tricks in a lesson to make sure you can stand on your own two feet (prices start from $70 (€63.79).
Surfing not your thing? It’s not for me either. Sometimes, you just want to take part in a leisurely activity that doesn’t absolutely destroy you, and that’s easily doable at Waikiki Beach. Head out on kayak, or see how long you can last on a stand-up paddleboard before you fall in. Anyone who digs the SUP should consider booking a SUP fitness class. Yes, they’re a real thing; it’s like SUP, only you do a workout on the board (prices start from $75 (€68.35).
Le Morne Public Beach, Le Morne, Mauritius
Le Morne Public Beach is hard to miss, thanks to the iconic Le Morne Mountain, which pretty much every outdoor enthusiast ends up hiking at some point while they’re in Mauritius.
But hey, trust me on this one: the beach itself is well deserving as much of your time as the peak. Yes, the backdrop is insane, but the Le Morne Public Beach is picture-perfect: long stretches of soft white sand that are all yours. If I’m picking somewhere to lounge with a good book and a tropical smoothie in hand, it’s definitely here.
Kitesurfing is hugely popular at Le Morne Public Beach. The reason for this is its location in the south of Mauritius, which has plenty of favorable tradewinds for this type of watersport. Additionally, shallow waters in the lagoon make it easy for beginners like yourself to learn the basics.
Since you’ll be in the area, you might consider tackling Le Morne Mountain itself. From afar, most assume you can’t climb it because of its odd shape. But the good news is that you can, and there are rules to say that you need a guide, but if you’re uncomfortable going alone, it’s recommended. The 3 to 4-hour climb won’t be easy; a few tricky parts require some concentration, especially the closer you get to the top.
Sink Your Feet Into the Sand at One of These Stunning Beaches
Regardless of what type of traveler you are, everyone loves to take some time to hit the beach when they’re on holiday. You might just like switching off from reality for a while or enjoy the excitement of stumbling upon a hidden shoreline. No matter how you look at things, these beaches are exactly what you need.