Southeast Asia's Finest Shores
Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand, is accessible only by boat, enclosed by towering limestone karsts that create one of the most dramatic beach settings on Earth. The west side faces spectacular sunsets, while Phra Nang Cave Beach around the headland has turquoise water so clear you can see fish from the shore. Combine beach time with rock climbing — Railay is one of the world's premier climbing destinations. El Nido in Palawan, Philippines, is consistently ranked among the world's best beach destinations. Island-hopping tours navigate between hidden lagoons, white-sand beaches backed by jungle-covered limestone cliffs, and coral gardens teeming with tropical fish. The Bacuit Archipelago here feels like a private paradise. In Indonesia, the Gili Islands (Trawangan, Air, and Meno) off Lombok offer car-free beaches with excellent snorkeling and diving right from the shore.
Mediterranean and European Beaches
Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on Zakynthos, Greece, is one of the most photographed beaches in the world — a crescent of white sand surrounding the rusting hull of a smugglers' ship, enclosed by towering white cliffs. It is accessible only by boat from Zakynthos town or Porto Vromi. The viewpoint above the beach offers the classic photo opportunity. Elafonissi in southwest Crete has pink-tinged sand created by crushed shells and coral, with water so shallow you can wade to the small island offshore. Playa de Ses Illetes in Formentera, Spain, has Caribbean-clear water just a short ferry ride from Ibiza. Praia da Marinha on Portugal's Algarve coast features golden sand framed by dramatic ochre cliffs and sea arches — it is regularly voted Europe's most beautiful beach. The Mediterranean beaches peak from June through September, with shoulder months offering warm water and fewer crowds.
Caribbean and Americas
Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos is a 5-kilometer stretch of powder-white sand and impossibly turquoise water protected by a barrier reef. The snorkeling is excellent, the sand is soft enough to sink into, and the beach never feels crowded despite its fame. Trunk Bay in St. John, US Virgin Islands, has an underwater snorkeling trail through coral reefs just meters from a palm-fringed beach. Tulum Beach in Mexico combines Caribbean beauty with the dramatic backdrop of ancient Mayan ruins perched on cliffs above the turquoise sea. The stretch from the ruins south to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is lined with boutique hotels and beach clubs. In Brazil, Fernando de Noronha's Baía do Sancho is consistently ranked the world's best beach — a remote, pristine crescent accessed by climbing down between rock formations, with spinner dolphins playing in the waves offshore.
Indian Ocean and Oceania
The Maldives needs no introduction — over 1,000 islands scattered across 26 atolls, each surrounded by bathwater-warm lagoons and coral reefs. The house reefs at resorts like Vilamendhoo and Fulidhoo offer some of the best snorkeling in the world, with manta rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles as regular companions. For budget Maldives, stay on local islands like Maafushi rather than private resort islands. Whitehaven Beach in Australia's Whitsundays is 7 kilometers of pure silica sand so white it does not retain heat — you can walk barefoot even at noon in summer. The swirling blue-and-white patterns at Hill Inlet, where the tide shifts sand and water, are extraordinary from above. Anse Source d'Argent in the Seychelles, framed by giant granite boulders and lapped by calm, shallow water, has appeared in more advertisements and films than possibly any other beach on Earth.
Tips for Beach Travel
The best beach experiences come from timing your visit right. Research the wet and dry seasons — arriving during monsoon season means rough seas, closed boat services, and swimming warnings. Reef-safe sunscreen (avoiding oxybenzone and octinoxate) is increasingly required at popular snorkeling and diving beaches and protects the coral ecosystems that make these beaches special. For photography, visit beaches at sunrise or the golden hour before sunset — midday light washes out the turquoise water colors. Bring a waterproof phone case for snorkeling shots. If a beach is famous, it is likely crowded during peak hours — arrive early morning or late afternoon for a more peaceful experience. Many of the world's best beaches are in marine protected areas with entry fees of $5 to $20 that support conservation. Use Periplo to build a beach-focused itinerary for any coastal destination, with daily plans that balance beach time, snorkeling, local exploration, and dining.
