The Best 7 Beaches In The World That You Should Actually Visit

When it comes to the best beaches in the world, most people think of the famous names such as Bondi Beach in Sydney or Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Hawaii. It’s true, most countdowns seem to feature these famous beaches and the same old names that we already know from around the world.

However, let’s be honest, the tourist crowds can often take away from the experience and while those beaches are certainly nice, there are much nicer, albeit lesser known, stretches of sand to consider.

In this article, we avoid the obvious and look at seven of the best beaches that you should actually visit:

1. Kendwa Beach, Zanzibar

Although best known for Stone Town, spices, and the infamous slave trade, Zanzibar is home to some of the most sensational beaches in the world. In fact, this tiny landmass, in the Indian Ocean, was the setting for the Bounty chocolate bar commercials during the 1990s and it’s easy to see why!

Unlike Paje on the east coast of Zanzibar, the sheltered north beaches offer some of the better swimming conditions on the island. With the barrier reef, this is also the perfect place to snorkel or scuba dive, and explore the marine life amidst some very colorful coral. As for the sand, few beaches in the world are blessed with the squeaky clean sands you will find in this part of the world. This is especially true of Kendwa Beach where an immense and rather empty beach stretches for several kilometers without interruption.

Where to Stay: Find great deals at hotels in Unguja and then travel less than an hour to reach Kendwa Beach.

2. Polihua Beach, Lanai, Hawaii

Sunset Beach and Waikiki Beach in Oahu are two of the most famous beaches in the world. However, Polihau Beach in lesser known Lanai is arguably more attractive and enjoyable from the perspective of most tourists.

Featuring a desert-like landscape, the island can feel rather remote at the best of times and this isolation also extends to the beaches. Situated on the northwestern coast of Lanai, Polihau Beach has a two-mile sandbar which is also home to thousands of green sea turtles. Moreover, this is also a great place to spot migrating whales and breath in the pollution-free air in the midst of nature.

In spite of the remote location, you can easily reach Polihau Beach in a rented four-wheel drive vehicle or a private tour is easily arranged from the “Garden of the Gods” in Lanai. More importantly, the insane beauty, of this area, ensures that the journey to get there is more than worth the effort.

Where to Stay: You can often find cheap travel deals in Hulapoe Bay which is a great starting point to reach Polihau Beach in Lanai.

3. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Seven Mile Beach was initially the subject of heavy-handed advertising by the local tourism board, but the sheer scale of the beach ensures that the experience is never crowded. Situated on the western shore of Grand Cayman, the surf is especially gentle, while the sand is fine and softer than you can imagine.

In case you might be asking yourself, the beach is not seven miles long, but this 5.5 mile stretch is still more than big enough to make it easy to escape the crowds. Seven Mile Beach is also public property which means that visitors can stroll this beach whether they book a waterfront hotel or not.

With a gentle breeze, reliable weather, and azure waters, Seven Mile Beach may be busy in part,s but you can always find a quiet spot to experience the local tourism slogan - ‘seven miles of nothing but you and the sea.’

Where to stay: It’s worth looking for cheap travel deals in a waterfront hotel just so you can walk outside and watch the sunrise each morning.

4. Lucky Bay, Western Australia

Bondi Beach and Whitsunday are most often the subject of interest for visitors to Australia, but the land down under has some equally attractive beaches without the crowds. That is to say, Bondi is almost always crowded, while Whitsunday Islands is the number one natural attraction on the east coast.

Meanwhile, Western Australia can seem remote or untouched in comparison and this is definitely the case with Lucky Beach near Esperance. Located at the heart of Cape Le Grand National Park, this near-perfect beach is not only ideal for swimming, but also home to spectacular views of the Recherche Archipelago.

What’s more, Lucky Beach is regarded as “the whitest beach in Australia” and the contrasting turquoise waters make for a truly romantic site. As if that’s not enough, the beach stretches for 5km and while you will find very few people here, you should still expect visitors, for even the kangaroos like to hang out on Lucky Beach.

Where to Stay: Esperance hotels are good for travel deals and the town is just a 45 minute drive from Lucky Beach.

5. Coronado Beach, California, United States

Florida and California have some incredible options which could easily have been featured on this list of the best beaches in the world. In fact, California has multiple beaches worth mentioning, but we have to choose one and Coronado Beach gets out vote on this time.

Featuring a high concentration of a silver mineral called mica, the sand on Coronado Beach has an unmistakable shine which is what likely makes it so popular on Instagram. It’s also quite a long stretch for this part of California with just over one and a half miles of uninterrupted beach. In spite of it sitting on the peninsula of San Diego, this beach is also surprisingly quiet and has the kind of low-key atmosphere that you might hope to find in ‘SoCal’. Coronado also has many lifeguards and the Pacific surf makes this one of the most scenic places to surf on the entire coastline of California.

Where to Stay: You can find cheap travel deals and hotels next to Coronado Beach, but the area is just as accessible from San Diego.

6. Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand

Thailand is the king of cheap travel and Railay Beach is the kind of place that it’s magnificence hits you smack dab in the face. Surrounded by jungle and bordered by limestone cliffs, this is also one of the most unique and spectacular beaches in the world. In fact, you will find no vehicles, in the nearby town, and the beach itself is only accessible by boat.

But what might this mean for you?

It guarantees peace and quiet! You see, Railay Beach is quite well-known, but with several adjoining beaches, everything is spread out. That being said, the beaches at Railay East and Railay West are slightly more relaxed, but for those who want some action, you can still snorkel, kayak, climb, and scuba dive in the area. For this reason, Railay Beach is also the kind of place where you can be exploring the small café’s and restaurants in town, but then find yourself immersed in nature just a few minutes later.

Where to Stay: Ao Nang is a small hub with good travel deals and Railay Beach is a short walk from this town.

7. ?le de Ré, Bay of Biscay, France

?le de Ré is known to the locals as the "White Island," but this only begins to explain what you can expect on this stunning beach in the Bay of Biscay. That is to say, you will find beautiful pine forests and majestic dunes here, along with pale, soft sands, and surprisingly calm waters.

?le de Ré is also connected to La Rochelle, a medieval city with colorful facades and a wonderfully quiet ambiance. As you can imagine, this is why many celebrities spend their vacation in the bay, for the region offers a perfect mix of civilization and relaxation.

At the same time, the main highlight is always the beach itself; with refreshing waters and a light summer breeze, this is arguably one of the most enticing beaches in Europe. On the other hand, there is still no real need to visit Rochelle as the beach is also accompanied by a lineup of seafood shacks with the ‘fruits de mer’.

Where to Stay: La Rochelle is a city with various travel deals and accommodation options for every budget.

What have we missed? What beaches do you know that should be on our list?

Let us know in the comments!