There’s something spellbinding about the ocean, which holds about 96.5 percent of the Earth’s water. It could be for its distinctive salty smell, roaring or calming waves crashing on the shores, or the sensation its sand gives once it gets between the toes. Well, with the ocean covering about 71 percent of the earth, it means there are numerous beach destinations around the world to satisfy the needs of beach bums yearning to take a break from reality. Some have deserted and secluded shorelines perfect for relaxing, while others stand out with thrilling water excursions. Whatever beach lovers crave, these 10 ocean destinations promise a coastal vacation like no other.
Each destination has a recommendation of its top beaches and the best time to visit.
10 Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town has a diverse but impressive selection of fun-packed beaches sprinkled along the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastline. The Oudekraal Beach boasts enormous boulders along the golden shoreline, plus milkwood trees adding shade when the sun is hot. Scuba divers love the variety of marine life, while beachgoers find the seating areas with picnic tables ideal for admiring the stunning ocean views with friends and family.
Although the water in Llandudno Beach is icy cold, the giant granite boulders, with a few hidden ancient caves, add to its natural beauty, especially during sunsets.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Clifton, Boulders, Fish Hoek, Bikini, Camps Bay, Buffels Bay
- Best Time To Visit: March to May, October when there’s mild weather and fewer crowds, December to February
9 Queensland, Australia
With hundreds of world-class beaches, beach enthusiasts have a wild and unique experience when visiting Queensland, Australia. Snorkelers go to Tangalooma Beach for a close encounter with dolphins, stingrays, and turtles. And the calm waters also favor stand-up paddle boarders.
Travelers choose how adventurous or relaxing their visit to Main Beach will be by either cliff jumping into the crystal clear waters or lazing around on the beach. The quiet atmosphere of the beach makes it a perfect chill-out spot.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Whitehaven, Broadbeach, Main, Duranbah, Burleigh Heads, Radical Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Nudey
- Best Time To Visit: April to October
8 Fiji
Adventurers sink their toes in soft sand and enjoy the sun’s warmth as they take in the natural beauty of some of Fiji's best beaches. Lovebirds will love igniting their spark or starting their married life together on the postcard-worthy Honeymoon Beach on Turtle Island. The privacy is unmatched as the beach only accommodates up to 14 couples.
Vomo Island offers the kind of beaches people see on screensavers due to the chalk-white sand and azure waters. But a hike to Mt Vomo gives a bird's eye view of this slice of heaven in Fiji. Tourists planning to spend several nights in Fiji can book any of these luxurious all-inclusive resorts.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Mana Island, Yasawa Island Beaches, Seagrass Bay, Natadola Beach
- Best Time To Visit: June through September (peak season), Late October to early November (optimal tropical conditions)
7 Seychelles
Beach enthusiasts experience Mother Nature's generosity when they tour the Seychelles Archipelago. Exquisite, powdery sands and clear turquoise waters along the extraordinary shorelines guarantee an unforgettable coastal getaway in Seychelles. Anse Source d'Argent Beach offers the ultimate beach experience with its white sand, granite boulders, and emerald waters teeming with exotic marine life.
Snorkelers make discoveries on Anse Lazio as they explore the crystal clear waters to see moray eels, damselfish, and checkerboard wrasse. The best time to visit the beach is early mornings to take a peaceful walk or dip in the calm waters.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Anse Source d’Argent, Anse Marron (La Digue), Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio (Praslin), Anse Intendance (Mahé)
- Best Time To Visit: April and May, May and September (cheapest time), October and November
6 Maldives
Maldives hosts some of the world's best beaches with white, soft sands and waters with mesmerizing shades of blue. Nature lovers fall for Dhigurah Island due to the abundant sea turtles and whale sharks. And probably, since it's one of Maldives's islands, perfect for those on a budget. Vacationers escaping the busy life find seclusion at Fulhadhoo Island.
The magical Mudhdhoo Beach is famous for viewing bioluminescent plankton, giving it a starry effect when the water laps on the shores at night. Additionally, as tourists take a romantic walk along the beach, they see the halo reef, home to stingrays and clownfish, without getting into the water.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Seaside Finolhu, Bikini Beach, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
- Best Time To Visit: November to April (outside monsoon season), March and April excluding Easter holidays (for quieter resorts and dry weather)
5 Turks And Caicos
Turks and Caicos is a leading tropical destination for its turquoise waters, exotic marine life, and white sandy beaches. Grace Bay Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Turks and Caicos, is world-famous for its luxury resorts and the extensive barrier reef offering the best scuba diving and snorkeling sites.
A snorkeling cruise takes adventurers to the barrier reef off Grace Bay Beach to discover the intricate coral topography. The Bight Reef is the only easily reachable reef offering views of vibrant coral, fish, stingrays, and turtles.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Grace Bay, Taylor Bay, Turtle Tail, Leeward Beach, Mudjin Harbour, Long Bay Beach, Half Moon Bay
- Best Time To Visit: April through June (minimum rains), Late August to early November (lowest accommodation rates)
4 Bora Bora, French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a dream come true for the discerning traveler. It's world-famous for its drop-dead-gorgeous natural beauty above and below sea level and the distinct vanilla scent.
One of the most scenic islands in French Polynesia is the unspoiled paradise of Bora Bora, with more than 50 shades of blue and turquoise. Besides the luxurious resorts, adventurers reconnect with nature's best gifts by swimming with graceful stingrays and sharks. Those looking for seclusion find it here, as Bora Bora gets fewer crowds due to its exclusivity.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Matira Beach, Sofitel Bora Bora Private Beach, Piti Aau
- Best Time To Visit: May to October (dry season) November to April (fine temperatures)
3 Philippines
The Philippines boasts picture-perfect beaches with teal waters plus golden and white sand. Whether travelers are looking for a quiet beach to recharge or a lively beach to get active or party their hearts out, the Philippines has something to offer everyone. Adventurers looking for a lesser-known destination with a relaxed vibe go to the remote Catanduanes Island, home to Toytoy Beach.
But for a pink-hued sunset stroll or bike ride along a pristine 7km shoreline, Long Beach 2 is the best choice.
- Top-Rated Beaches: White Beach, Balabac, Boracay, El Nido, Nacpan Beach, Paradise, Sandira Beach, Saud Beach
- Best Time To Visit: December to February (cool temperatures)
2 Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest combines rugged cliffs and dunes with vast refreshing waters to give adventurers an authentic beach experience. Cannon Beach in Oregon tops the list for its natural beauty and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to see magnificent whales. Oregon also hosts Manzanita Beach, where beachgoers stroll along the stretch of sand barefoot or walk in the evening as they enjoy a gorgeous sunset view.
And kite lovers find a paradise along the 30 miles wide Long Beach Peninsula in Washington.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Brandon's Beach, Myers Creek Beach, Cobble Beach
- Best Time To Visit: June through early September, late September through October
1 Maui, Hawaii
Nicknamed the Valley Isle, Maui is a must-visit island boasting unparalleled natural scenery ranging from lush tropical forests to mind-blowing black, golden, and red beaches. The Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach offers an awe-inspiring view of the contrasting black sand and blue water, ideal for Instagram-worthy pictures.
But the five crescent-shaped golden sand Wailea Beaches exude privacy and are perfect for a serene vacation. Besides snorkeling in the early mornings and swimming in the calm waters, Wailea Beach has a 1.5-mile Coastal Walkway. Tourists take a stroll as they take in the beauty of wildflowers and hibiscus trees.
- Top-Rated Beaches: Makena Beach, Honolua Bay, Honokalani Beach, Hanalei Bay, Papohaku, Lanikai
- Best Time To Visit: April to early October (off-season periods)