Beach, please: 20 jaw-dropping shores to add to your bucket list ASAP

Craving sun-kissed shores, crystal-clear waters, and unforgettable sunsets?

The world is brimming with breathtaking beach destinations that offer more than just sand and surf. From hidden tropical gems to iconic coastlines, these 15 beaches promise adventure, serenity, and picture-perfect moments. 

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a romantic, or a laid-back traveller, these coastal escapes are calling, based on the most stunning spots featured by Conde Nast and similar top-tier travel authority sources:

1. Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia

Lush palm-fringed shore overlooking dolphins and whales, powdery white sand — an intimate tropical escape. Standout for its wildlife spotting off the jetty. Great for swimming, beachside dining, reef snorkeling, and coastal walks through secret coves.

2. Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Secluded behind soaring cliffs, accessible only by boat or swim. There are no roads leading to it, the only way to get to the beach is by boat. But it is worth all the trouble. Iconic for its cinematic beauty (featured in Raiders of the Lost Ark). Ideal for adventurous beachcombing, secluded sunbathing, and photo safaris in a remote paradise.

3. Brekon (Breckon), Shetland, Scotland

Wild, windswept and rugged, far from tourist trails. Praised for its raw coastal beauty and dramatic Atlantic views. Perfect for tidal pool exploring, soothing walks, photography, and experiencing remote northern landscapes.

4. Essaouira Beach, Morocco

Offering dramatic waves and wide-open sands on the Atlantic coast, it is also known as the “Wind City of Africa,” and is a magnet for kitesurfers and windsurfers. What makes it special: Consistent strong winds create epic conditions for watersports. It also boasts Bohemian, historic charm with UNESCO-listed old town nearby. Stunning sunsets, seaside camel rides, and vibrant local atmosphere. Top activities include kitesurfing & windsurfing, beach volleyball and camel riding, sunset photography, as well as exploring Essaouira’s medina and fresh seafood stalls.

5. Ora Beach, Maluku, Indonesia

Tropical paradise with vivid turquoise waters and pristine sands. Renowned for vibrant reefs and marine life. Activities include snorkeling, diving, island hopping, and relaxing in secluded luxury resorts.

6. Mona Vale Beach, NSW, Australia

Twin sandy coves separated by a rock platform with an ocean-fed lap pool. Soft waves, rock pools, and dolphin sightings—perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, family beach days, and casual foreshore walks.

7. Dune du Pilat, Arcachon Basin, France

Europe’s tallest sand dune backs a sweeping Atlantic beach. Standout for panoramic dune climbs and unmatched coastal scenery. Try sandboarding, paragliding, and scenic cycling through pine forests.

8. Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, UAE

A long stretch of soft white sand with views of the iconic Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach offers swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Enjoy beach clubs, seaside restaurants, and strolls along the palm-lined promenade in vibrant Dubai.

9. Saadiyat Beach, Abu Dhabi, UAE

This pristine, family-friendly beach is famous for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. Relax in luxury, spot nesting hawksbill turtles, swim, or try paddleboarding. Nearby luxury hotels and cultural attractions enhance the experience.

10. Tel Aviv Beach, Israel

Urban beaches like Gordon and Frishman in Tel Aviv combine Mediterranean relaxation with city energy. Swim, surf, play volleyball, or enjoy vibrant nightlife and beachfront cafes, all steps from the city’s bustling cultural and historical sites.

11. Hidden Beach (El Nido), Palawan, Philippines

Secluded behind limestone cliffs; accessed through a keyhole tunnel. Crystal-clear lagoon, bone-white sand — highlights include cliffside sun-soaking, snorkelling, boat rides, and exploring secret lagoons.

12. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines

Iconic powder‑white stretch renowned for silky sand and calm waters. Perfect for sunset strolls, kite-flying, island hopping, parasailing, and vivid nightlife along a buzzing beachfront strip.

13. The Maldives

With endless turquoise horizons and soft powdery beaches, the Maldives is honeymoon central. This private lagoon resort is set apart by its seclusion. For couples looking beyond the usual post-wedding trappings, the property has packages tailored to cultural sensibilities, including halal dining options and gender-segregated events.

14. Gantheaume Point, Broome, WA, Australia

Scenic red-rock coastline with sunrise dinosaur footprints (130m years old) at low tide. Ideal for fossil spotting, tide pooling, coastal walks, and romantic sunset photography. Just a short drive from Broome in Western Australia, this iconic site is renowned for its striking red pindan cliffs, creating a landscape that is both visually stunning and unique to the Kimberley region. Anastasia’s Pool is natural rock pool was modified by a lighthouse keeper for his arthritic wife, adding a touch of local history and romance to the site.The Gantheaume Point Lighthouse, originally built in 1905 and later replaced, stands as a coastal landmark and offers panoramic views of the coastline.

15. Siesta Beach, Florida, USA

Glittering quartz-sand beach dubbed “white sugar sand”—the only North American beach recognized globally. Relaxing shallow Gulf waters, ideal for families, swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and vibrant waterfront dining.

16. Zarautz, Basque Country, Spain

Spain’s top beach with a two-mile stretch of fine sand and consistent surf. Surrounded by a lively town and gourmet pinchos (or pintxos, a type of Basque-style tapas, typically small snacks, often served on a piece of bread and held together with a toothpick or skewer). Great for surfing, seaside promenades, and cultural immersion.

17. Nugal Beach, Makarska, Croatia

Hidden pebble cove reached via scenic hike. Renowned for its crystal waters and cliffside vistas. Ideal for swimming, sunbathing, cliff jumping, and a remote Adriatic escape. Nugal Beach stands out for its secluded pebble cove cradled by dramatic cliffs and pine forests, offering crystal-clear waters and naturist-friendly vibes, as per beach Atlas. Top activities: swimming, snorkeling, hiking the Osejava trail, sunbathing.

18. Zlatni Rat, Brac, Croatia

Iconic horn‑shaped spit shifting with currents. Favoured for wind‑surfing, kite‑surfing, swimming, and cycling through pine forest-backed scenery. Zlatni Rat stands out for its unique, shifting horn-shaped beach that changes with the tides and winds. Top activities: windsurfing, kiteboarding, snorkelling, sunbathing, paddleboarding, and cycling nearby coastal trails.

19. Navagio Beach (Shipwreck), Zakynthos

Accessible only by boat, this legendary cove hosts the famous rusted freighter resting on brilliant white sands. Towering limestone cliffs frame turquoise waters, making it one of the most photographed destinations in the Mediterranean, as per Conde Nast and Travel + Leisure.

What makes it stand out: Dramatic cliff setting, iconic shipwreck, Instagram-worthy views. Top activities: Boat tours, cliff-view photo ops, swimming in sheltered waters.

20. Anse Georgette, Praslin, Seychelles

Secluded, preserved sandy bay between boulders and Takamaka trees. Known for stunning natural beauty and exclusivity — best for intimate beach days, snorkeling, birdwatching, and strolling tropical gardens.