21 Best Beaches in the World You Must Visit

The best beaches in the world, stretching from Kenya to Cornwall, with shimmering sands and turquoise waters.

Serenity and peace of mind may be found on many sandy shores across the globe but these award-winning best beaches in particular are so fantastic that they have been decorated with the Wow factor at the World’s Best Beach Awards 2018 presented by Beach Inspector.

1,595 beaches in 52 holiday regions have been tested and digitized by Beach Inspector. And here are the best beaches in the world that will blow you away.

Manda Bay, Kenya

Photographed with the drone, the beach Manda Bay seems almost drawn. But we swear the picture is real – a wonderful place. Situated at the rear of Manda Island, Manda Bay is perfect for snorkelling and if you are lucky you might even spot whale sharks.

Manda Bay, Kenya

Diani Beach, Kenya

Africa’s most famous beach shines in the truest sense of the word: the white sand can dazzle you. The 12-km long Diani Beach is on the Kenyan coast about 35 kilometres south of Mombasa. The beach is a nature conservation area, as is the underwater world here with 18 different reefs providing a fantastic diving location.

Diani Beach, Kenya

Cala Mariolu, Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia’s most beautiful beach and tourist magnet Cala Mariolu has water that is almost more turquoise than turquoise itself. The beautiful bay Cala Mariolu lies on the steep coast in the east of Sardinia, north of the city Tortoli. The dream beach can be reached primarily by boat from Arbatax, Santa Maria Navarrese or Cala Gonone and the cliffs sit majestically above the white pebble beach. Snorkelling is a real must in this wonderful scenery.

Cala Mariolu, Italy

Playa de Cofete, Fuerteventura, Spain

Playa de Cofete is not a classic holiday beach – you should not go swimming because of the current. The beach is rather a stunning nature experience, which stretches over 11 kilometres. The long natural beach, in the Cofete National Park, with the mighty Jandia mountain range as a backdrop sets a majestic scene, which is unique not just for Fuerteventura but in the whole of Europe.

Playa de Cofete, Spain (photo: Beach-Inspector GmbH)

Pai Plong Beach, Ruffian, Thailand

The view from the water to Pai Plong Beach can almost be described as a jungle feeling. The beach is completely enclosed by steep rocks with magnificent vegetation. The path via the “Monkey Trail“ to Pai Plong Beach is steep, but it is well worth the effort. It only takes a few minutes to get here, where it is much quieter than at the larger beaches of Ao Nang. This dream bay is surrounded by steep cliffs with eye-catching, lush greenery at the base and covering the cliff face.

Pai Plong Beach, Thailand

Canto de la Playa, Dominican Republic

The Canto de la Playa is a dream beach on the Isla Saona in the east of the Dominican Republic. Canto de la Playa has exactly what makes the Caribbean dream for many people: Wonderful white sand, countless beautifully curved palm trees and enchanting turquoise water. The beach is especially popular with those who want to get married.

Canto de la Playa, Dominican Republic

Playa de ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

50 shades of blue: The water at Formenteras Playa de ses Illetes offers more shades of blue than many a colour palette in art lessons. Together with the view of the Isla de Espalmador and the endless expanse of the beach, Playa de Ses Illetes is a real beauty. Playa de ses Illetes is the most popular beach of Formentera and in spite of being located in a conservation area, has plenty of amenities. There are two water-sports outlets, several restaurants and you can also sail from here by catamaran to the nearby island of Isla de Espalmador.

Playa de ses Illetes, Spain

Trou aux Biches Beach, Mauritius

Dreamlike sand, dreamlike sea, dreamlike palm trees – Trou aux Biches Beach in the north island is a dream beach through and through and even more beautiful than its tough competition on Mauritius. diving and snorkelling are also great options at this public beach. In the evening you should definitely not miss out on the sunset which covers the beach in golden light.

Trou aux Biches Beach, Mauritius (photo: Beach-Inspector GmbH)

Dolphin Reef Beach, Israel

Dolphin Reef Beach looks like an oasis with tree houses and would be a real eye-catcher even without its popular inhabitants. The dolphins are not locked up and only stay because they like it as much as we do! Metre-high greenery, a huge tree house and the wild dolphins here make it so special.

Dolphin Reef Beach, Israel (photo: Beach-Inspector GmbH)

Semeti Beach, Lombok, Indonesia

Untouched nature and no beach chairs, sunshades or souvenir vendors! The Semeti Beach on Lombok is a barely known and completely natural jewel – in view of its beauty it will hopefully remain so!

Semeti Beach, Indonesia

Nui Beach, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Nui Beach can be reached quickly from Koh Phi Phi. Getting here by boat is easy, leaving behind theuntouched beauty of this little treasure is more difficult.

Nui Beach, Thailand

Playa de los Muertos, Costa de Almeria, Spain

Playa de los Muertos means “beach of the dead”. But we also give a clear recommendation to the living. It’s not without reason that Playa de los Muertos is regularly named among Spain’s most beautiful beach – a real feat in light of the big competition!

Playa de los Muertos, Spain

Praia de João de Arens, Algarve, Portugal

Although (or because) Praia de João de Arens is a remote and spectacular rock bay, not too many tourists come to this picturesque beach. All to the joy of those seeking relaxation, who take the idle path.

Praia de João de Arens, Portugal

Cala Conta, Ibiza, Spain

Cala Conta in western Ibiza offers pure island feeling. With a view of the island of Illa des Bosc in front of it, the light and fine sand Ibiza is known for and bright blue water as far as the eye can see, Cala Conta is a real eye-catcher. It’s not without a reason that Cala Conta is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches on Ibiza.

Cala Conta, Spain

Playa Punta Uva, Costa Rica

Playa Punta Uva is an absolute figurehead for Costa Rica. The beach is the perfect proof that the dream of a Caribbean beach does not only come true in the Dominican Republic & Co. The palm trees slope almost to the water and snorkeling in the clear water is an experience!

Playa Punta Uva, Costa Rica

Playa de las Conchas, Lanzarote, Spain

Playa de las Conchas is a true natural spectacle. The feeling of standing on the beach is hard to describe. An extraordinary play of yellow sand, red rocks and blue sea!

Playa de las Conchas, Spain

Koh Nang Yuan Beach, Koh Tao, Thailand

Three islands surrounded by turquoise water and connected by two sandbanks – with Koh Nang Yuan Beach, nature has created a postcard motif par excellence!

Koh Nang Yuan Beach, Thailand

Blue Lagoon, Cyprus

Documentary legend David Attenborough filmed here and Greek deities fell in love right on this beach. The myth about the immortal love that can be found in the Blue Lagoon is still alive today. At least with the Blue Lagoon one falls in love for sure.

Blue Lagoon, Cyprus

Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall, Great Britan

You may not think of the UK first when it comes to beautiful beaches – but that’s a mistake and Porthcurno Beach is the best proof! White sand surrounded by majestic rocks with lush greenery will convince you…if you didn’t already know.

Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Whitehaven Beach is only reachable by boat or seaplane and leaves almost every travel lover speechless in the face of its beauty. The white sand of the beach is so fine that it could not even scratch sun glasses.