Quick answer: For sand and sea, the standouts are the Maldives, Seychelles, Bali, the Greek Islands and Maui — sorted by region and style.
The world’s best beaches range from overwater-bungalow luxury to wild surf coasts. These twelve cover every kind of beach trip.
The 12 best beach destinations
Maldives
The benchmark for tropical luxury — overwater villas and house reefs.
Seychelles
Granite boulders, powder sand and turquoise water in the Indian Ocean.
Bali, Indonesia
Surf, beach clubs and culture, all at great value.
Greek Islands
Crystal Aegean coves across Crete, Naxos, Milos and beyond.
Maui, Hawaii
Classic Pacific beaches, snorkeling and the Road to Hana.
Phuket & Krabi, Thailand
Limestone karsts, islands and lively beach towns.
Algarve, Portugal
Golden cliffs and hidden coves on Europe’s sunniest coast.
Tulum & Riviera Maya, Mexico
Caribbean sand, cenotes and ruins by the sea.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
White sand, spice-island culture and dhow sailing.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Dramatic cliffs and chic seaside towns (pebble, not sand).
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
The dream lagoon — overwater bungalows and a turquoise centerpiece.
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Protected, pristine Atlantic beaches with incredible marine life.
How to choose
Pick by trip type: luxury and honeymoons (Maldives, Seychelles, Bora Bora), value and surf (Bali, Thailand, Algarve), or beaches-plus-culture (Greek Islands, Amalfi, Zanzibar). Check the dry season for each region before booking.