Best Beaches in the World for 2024

Who doesn’t love a great beach? Here is our list of the best 30 beaches in the world for 2024. Some of this you may have heard of and others you probably have not heard of. All of these beaches make for great destinations to travel to. Here is our list, in no particular order.

Now when you find your next beach destination, click here to find a deal on a hotel near that beach and book it online. There are 2 booking engines on that page so check them both out along with the cancellation requirements the hotel has for those rates.

Trunk Bay, St. John’s Virgin Islands – The beach has been ranked number 1 on many lists, including our list, of The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024. To get here, take ferry from St. Thomas to St. John. The distance between the Cruz Bay Ferry Terminal and Trunk Bay is just over three miles. Because of how hilly the islands are, it’ll be a 10-15 minute drive from the ferry terminal to Trunk Bay.

Here is our other top 29 beaches in the world for 2024.

Malamala Beach Club, Fiji – Fiji offers you hundreds of beaches dotted across over 300 islands, you can trust that no matter where you choose to stay in Fiji, there will be a beautiful beach nearby. Some of our favorite Fiji beaches also include Mamanuca Islands, Tivua Island, Mamanuca Islands and Natadola Beach, Coral Coast.

Kauaʻi, Hawaii – So many choices in Hawaii to pick from. Our favorite is Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. Located on Kauaʻi. Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on the north shore of Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The town of Hanalei is at the midpoint of the bay.

Grayton Beach, Florida – A hidden gem, often overlooked by American’s. This beach ranked in the top 25 in the world in 2024. Grayton Beach is a small, historic beach village on the Florida Panhandle Gulf coast halfway between Destin and Panama City in Walton County and adjacent to Grayton Beach State Park.

Copacabana Beach, Brazil – Located in Rio de Janeiro this is perhaps the most famous beach in the world, Copacabana has just about everything going for it: roughly 2.5 miles of glorious golden sand, a party vibe, and a dazzling skyline of jagged mountains and art deco and modernist architecture.

Baia do Sancho, Brazil – Located on an island about 220 miles off the coast of Brazil, Baia do Sancho is regularly deemed the world’s best beach. Its UNESCO designation and several government protections help to keep it and the entire Fernando de Noronha archipelago pristine. Access to Baia do Sancho is only by boat or a series of slightly unnerving stone steps and steel ladders built into the cliffs. The nearest airport to Sancho Beach is Fernando De Noronha (FEN). You can catch a taxi from Fernando De Noronha (FEN) to Sancho Beach with Nortax.

Grace Bay Beach, Turks & Caicos – It is an exceptional and extensive white sand beach, located on the northern coast of the island. This beautiful and accessible beach is known for its powder-like shores, warm Caribbean waters, and the off-coast barrier reef that protects the beach from wild Atlantic swells. You won’t find much seaweed, rocks, or pollution here—this untouched beach is part of the protected area of Princess Alexandra National Park.

Gold Rock Beach, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas – Located 25 miles from Freeport, Bahamas. This beach is as pretty as a postcard, with smooth white sands and clear blue waters. This beach is best explored at low tide.

Matira Beach, Bora Bora, Tahiti – This beach is ideal for sunbathing and strolling along sandy shores. This French Polynesian island is small, but mighty. Measuring only 6 miles long and less than 3 miles wide, Bora Bora is packed with stunning beaches, green jungles and ritzy resorts featuring overwater bungalows.

Cocoa Island, Maldives – The Maldives is a chain of 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean The Maldives is one of the most serene, romantic, and wildly scenic destinations in the world. The islands are clustered into atolls, based on their proximity to coral reefs, and are surrounded by azure-colored lagoons. Our favorite among all of the beaches in the Maldives is Cocoa Island but frankly you won’t be disappointed with any beach you find in the Maldives.

Mauritius – located off the coast of Africa just east of Madagascar, Mauritius offers you a number of beaches to enjoy. On the west coast you will get spectacular sunsets but be farther away from the cities of the island. If you want to be closer to the amenities the towns have to offer then check out the beaches on the east side. Either way you won’t be disappointed.

Whitsunday Islands, Australia – Located off the northeastern coast of Australia, A cluster of islands located 55km (34mi) off the Queensland coast, the Whitsundays offer everything you’d expect from a tropical paradise; turquoise waters that meet swirling white sands, beautiful secluded beaches and world-class luxury accommodation. It’s certainly relaxing, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find incredible adventure experiences. The proximity to the Great Barrier Reef means the Whitsundays are a mecca for sailing, diving and snorkelling, and there are plenty of opportunities to tick off some bucket-list worthy activities like swimming with turtles or flying over famous Heart Reef.

Nai Harn Beach, Phuket, Thailand – You will want to make the trek to Phuket and her amazing beaches. Our favorite is Nai Harn but none of the beaches of Phuket will disappoint. Located about an hour flight from Bangkok, you will also appreciate the low prices for hotels, massages and the various excursions offered in and around Phuket. There is even an Elephant Sanctuary where you can go for the day and volunteer. Nai Harn Beach is a quiet, compact seaside resort with a village atmosphere and a slightly hippy vibe. Simple shops sell beachwear and Thai crafts, while casual restaurants specialize in local cuisine. Visitors walk the peaceful grounds of Buddhist monastery Wat Nai Harn, and tree-fringed, freshwater Nai Harn Lake is popular for jogging and paddleboating. Nai Harn Beach itself is known for its fine sand.

Isla Hotbox, Mexico – Isla Holbox is an island north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, in Quintana Roo State. It’s part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve and separated from the mainland by the Yalahau Lagoon, which is home to flamingos and pelicans. The car-free island, between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, is rich in marine life such as sea turtles and whale sharks. Highlights include laid-back Holbox Village and Punta Coco Beach. It is also home to the whale shark, which is one the largest fish in the sea. The seasons and the migration Holbox Officially, the season starts on May 15th and ends on September 17th. Book early and you can swim with the whale sharks.

Railay Beach, Thailand – Soft sand and clean. Railay, also known as Rai Leh, is a small peninsula between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang in Thailand. It is accessible only by boat due to high limestone cliffs cutting off mainland access.

Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda – The pink sand, clear glimmering turquoise waters give you a chance to click Instagram-worthy pictures. Due to its curved crescent moon-like shape, the beach is named after the similar shaped horseshoe. Bask in the sun with your spouse and kids. Rental umbrellas and beach chairs are available at the shacks with a lifeguard on duty during summertime.

Agiofarago Beach, Crete – This beach is off the beaten track on Crete’s southernmost tip. This beach beauty is set beneath a magnificent gorge, Agiofarago translates as ‘Gorge of Saints’. You can get here by boat from Matala or Agia Galini. However the most breathtaking way to arrive is by foot. The 45-minute hike leads you within the vertical walls of the gorge, and you’ll exit dramatically onto the beach with its impeccably blue waters. It might be challenging to reach, but this gem is well worth it.

Magens, Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands – This horseshoe-shaped tropical beach is perfect for all manner of activities, from kayaking and water sports to sunbathing and picnicking. Magens Bay is a bay in the Northside region on Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean.

Shoal Bay, Anguilla – A popular beach with white sand and turquoise water that has its secluded areas as well. Just offshore from Shoal Bay Beach is a beautiful reef with pristine snorkeling and diving conditions. The crowds here are minimal; the vibe is carefree and a far cry from the tourist packed beaches of other islands.

Paleokastritsa, Corfu – With clean water and surrounded by lush greenery, beaches in Corfu Greece attract many visitors every summer. Both organized and pristine beaches are part of the island’s coastline. Many beaches are organized and lined up with hotels, seaside restaurants, watersports centers and beach bars, yet several unspoiled and isolated coves are also situated on the island.  Paleokastritsa is the most famous beach resort, while other impressive beaches include Agios Gordios and Canal D’Amour.

Placencia Peninsula, Belize – Placencia is home to the longest stretch of beach in mainland Belize. Dubbed “barefoot perfect,” it’s the most popular sea and sand getaway in the country, It includes 3 villages with spectacular beaches, Maya Beach, Seine Bight and Placencia Village.

Jimbaran Beach, Bali – The beaches in Bali offer you many different kinds of experiences. The party scenes in beach clubs tend to be in the south, Beaches like Seminyak, Jimbaran and Canggu beaches are the busiest spots. If you want to surfers then head towards the southwest and east coasts for the big-league waves. Look for Uluwatu and Nusa Dua who will offer you some seriously gnarly surf breaks. If you prefer something more laid back then head for the northeastern side where you will find glimmering black sands that are hidden gems for those craving some stillness Most resorts in Bali have their own well-manicured, private beaches with some offering day passes for non-guests. Jimbaran Beach perched on the southern coast is known for two things: sunsets and seafood–and both never disappoint.

Albufeira, Portugal – Albufeira is a coastal city in the southern Algarve region of Portugal. It’s a former fishing village that has become a major holiday destination, with sandy beaches and a busy nightlife strip. Local fishermen now use the modern marina, also a base for diving, dolphin-watching and boat trips. It’s surrounded by candy-colored apartments, with a waterfront promenade.

Con Dao, Vietnam – Con Dao is an archipelago of 16 islands on the southern coast of Vietnam. Once the site of brutal French prisons, Con Dao is now known for its marine life, coral reefs and soft sandy beaches. On the island of Con Son, you’ll find local home stays, budget hotels, and a few high-end resorts, most notably the Six Senses Con Dao, which offers access to the beautiful Dat Doc Beach.

Las Teresitas, Tenerife, Canary Islands – Just a 15-minute drive north of the island’s capital, Santa Cruz. This beach is about one mile long, offering you fine, golden sand and flanked by palm trees, cacti and olive-hued hills. The beach here is gently sloping, and perfect for soaking up the sun in a lounge chair.

Playa La Ropa, Zihuatanejo, Mexico – Zihuatanejo is located on Mexico’s Pacific coast about 145 miles north of Acapulco, This destination features miles of pristine beaches and cobblestone streets. The city is not as commercialized as many of Mexico’s other beloved vacation destinations, allowing you to enjoy some quality rest and relaxation.

Manuel Antonio Beach, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica – The most popular beach in Costa Rica. The park is open every day except TUESDAYS, year round, including holidays, from 7:00am to 4:00pm. It takes about 30 minutes to hike from the park’s entrance to Manuel Antonio Beach. If you’re up for some rainforest exploration, the park is interconnected by hiking trails leading to other beaches within the park. Regardless, you’re practically guaranteed to see wildlife – namely monkeys.

Siesta Key, Florida – Located off the coast from Sarasota, Florida. Siesta Key offers you 8 miles of white sand to spread out on, this Florida barrier island was made for beach bums. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere while relaxing on Crescent Beach, a secluded stretch of sand with an area for snorkeling.

Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California – Pfeiffer Beach is located in the Big Sur region of California. It is one of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast and is well known for Keyhole Rock, a popular photography subject.

Kalanggaman Island Beach – Philippines – Remote is the key word for this beach. With no electricity on the island, and very little amenities around the beach, Kalanggaman Island Beach is the perfect place to switch off from the world and recharge. The best part? You can only access the beach by boat which means a private, exclusive sailing adventure awaits you.