Top 15 Best Places To Travel Beaches

The best places to travel beaches span continents and cultures, each offering something no photograph can capture. From Italy's hidden Cala Goloritze to the Philippines' pristine Entalula Beach, these shores define perfection differently.

Whether you seek the pink sands of Indonesia or the penguins of South Africa's Boulders Beach, each destination writes its own story in salt and sand.

1. Cala Goloritze, Italy: Limestone Cathedral

Cala Goloritze doesn't welcome lazy tourists. The one-hour hike down Sardinia's eastern coast rewards you with water so clear you'll question your eyesight. The 143-meter limestone spire stands guard like a ancient sentinel.

I arrived at dawn once, when the water held that perfect mirror stillness. By 10 a.m., the first boats appeared, but those early hours belonged to the rocks and the silence.

Access by land requires hiking boots and commitment. The trail starts near Su Porteddu. Boats anchor offshore—swimming to the pebble beach takes ten minutes in calm seas.

2. Entalula Beach, Philippines: Secret Lagoon

El Nido's Entalula Beach hides behind limestone cliffs that seem carved by giants. The lagoon opens like a secret—turquoise water surrounded by walls that block everything except sky.

Kayaking through the narrow entrance feels like discovering Atlantis. Local bancas navigate the passage with engines cut, respecting the cathedral quiet inside.

Visit during the dry season, November through April. Monsoon swells make the entrance dangerous. Filipino boat operators know these waters by heart—trust their weather judgment.

3. Bang Bao Beach, Thailand: Fishing Village Grace

Bang Bao on Koh Chang offers something rare—a working fishing village that hasn't forgotten its purpose. The wooden houses on stilts extend into the Gulf of Thailand like fingers testing water temperature.

The beach curves gently, protected by the pier's embrace. Local longtail boats painted in blues and yellows rest between fishing runs. You can buy your dinner directly from boats returning at sunset.

Avoid the rainy season from May to October. The wooden walkways become slippery, and rough seas keep fishing boats moored for days.

4. Fteri Beach, Greece: Cliff Walker's Reward

Fteri Beach demands payment in sweat. The 30-minute hike down Kefalonia's western cliffs tests your knees, but the payoff stops conversations mid-sentence. White pebbles meet water so blue it looks artificially enhanced.

No tavernas. No sunbeds. No WiFi. Just limestone cliffs, Ionian Sea, and the sound of waves sorting pebbles by size.

The path starts near Divarata village. Wear proper shoes—flip-flops guarantee a twisted ankle. Bring water; the climb back up doubles the time and triples the thirst.

5. Pk 9 Beach, French Polynesia: Road Marker Paradise

Tahiti's Pk 9 Beach takes its name from a simple road marker—kilometer post 9 on the coastal highway. Sometimes paradise hides behind the mundane.

Black volcanic sand absorbs heat like a solar panel, but the trade winds provide constant relief. Coconut palms lean seaward, their fronds clicking in the breeze like nature's wind chimes.

I once watched a Tahitian woman weave palm fronds while her children played in the shallows. She taught me that patience creates beauty, whether weaving baskets or waiting for perfect waves.

6. Canto De La Playa, Dominican Republic: Caribbean Simplicity

Canto De La Playa stretches along the northern coast where the Atlantic Ocean meets Caribbean expectations. Palm trees provide natural umbrellas, and local vendors sell fresh coconuts with holes cut by machetes that have opened thousands before.

The water temperature hovers around 80°F year-round. Morning brings glass-calm conditions perfect for swimming. Afternoon trade winds create small waves that local kids ride on pieces of styrofoam.

Negotiate taxi fares before leaving Cabarete—drivers know tourists overpay. The local rate from town runs about 200 pesos, roughly $4.

7. Anse Source D'Argent, Seychelles: Granite Sculpture Garden

Anse Source D'Argent appears on more desktop wallpapers than any beach has a right to. The granite boulders, polished by a billion tides, create natural pools and archways that frame perfect photographs.

But forget the camera for a moment. Wade between the rocks at low tide. Small fish dart through the shallows like living jewels. The water stays shallow for 100 meters, making it safe for children and snorkeling beginners.

The entrance fee to L'Union Estate includes access to the beach. Ox-carts transport visitors from the gate—the slow pace suits this timeless place perfectly.

8. Nosy Iranja, Madagascar: Twin Island Connection

Nosy Iranja consists of two islands connected by a sandbar that appears and disappears with the tides. High tide separates them; low tide creates a white sand bridge you can walk across in bare feet.

The journey from Nosy Be takes two hours by boat. Hawksbill turtles nest here from October to March. Local guides know which beaches to avoid during nesting season—disturbing them brings bad luck and hefty fines.

Pack everything you need. The islands offer no shops, no restaurants, no ATMs. Just beach, ocean, and the rhythm of tides that have connected and separated these lands for centuries.

9. Ofu Beach, American Samoa: Pacific Perfection

Ofu Beach stretches for miles without interruption—no hotels, no bars, no crowds. The barrier reef creates a natural swimming pool 200 yards from shore, where tropical fish outnumber visitors by thousands to one.

The village of Ofu has 289 residents who treat visitors like welcomed guests, not tourism statistics. Local families often invite strangers for Sunday barbecues where conversation flows easier than the beer.

Inter-island flights from Tutuila run twice weekly. Book early—the plane holds 19 passengers, and locals get priority during school holidays.

10. Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos: Sand Engineering

Grace Bay's sand feels like powder between your toes because it is—microscopic particles of coral and shells, ground fine by Caribbean waves and sorted by currents that understand perfection.

The 12-mile beach curves gently, protected from Atlantic swells by Conch Cay. Water visibility often exceeds 100 feet. You can see your shadow on the bottom in 15 feet of water.

Conch Bar Caves lie 20 minutes inland. The limestone caverns stay cool year-round, offering relief from midday sun that can burn skin in minutes.

11. Turquoise Bay, Australia: Drift Snorkeling Highway

Turquoise Bay in Western Australia offers drift snorkeling—enter at the northern end, let the current carry you south, and exit at the parking area. The Ningaloo Reef runs parallel to shore, creating an underwater highway of coral and fish.

Whale sharks visit from March to July. Swimming with these gentle giants requires no scuba certification, just basic swimming skills and the ability to follow a guide's simple instructions.

The nearest town, Exmouth, lies 60 kilometers south. Stock up on groceries and fuel—the coast offers spectacular isolation but few services.

12. Boulders Beach, South Africa: Penguin Commute

African penguins waddle across Boulders Beach like commuters who forgot their briefcases. The granite boulders create protected pools where families of penguins raise chicks while tourists photograph from respectful distances.

The penguins follow strict schedules—morning beach departures for fishing, afternoon returns for rest and socializing. They've adapted to human presence but maintain their wild dignity.

Entry costs 76 rand for adults (about $4). The wooden boardwalks protect both penguins and visitors. Swimming is allowed at nearby Boulders Cove, but the penguins own the main beach.

13. Pink Beach, Indonesia: Coral Dust Dreams

Pink Beach on Komodo Island gets its blush from microscopic red coral mixed with white sand. The color changes throughout the day—pale rose at dawn, vibrant pink at sunset, silver under moonlight.

Komodo dragons live on this island. They don't frequent the beach, preferring inland hunting grounds, but guided tours are mandatory. The dragons earned their fearsome reputation honestly.

Liveaboard boats from Labuan Bajo offer the best access. Day trips rush the experience—this beach deserves unhurried appreciation and multiple light conditions.

14. Shoal Bay East, Anguilla: Caribbean Crescendo

Shoal Bay East stretches for two miles of sugar-white sand and water that transitions from pale green shallows to deep blue depths. The beach faces southeast, catching morning sun and afternoon trade winds perfectly.

Local beach bars serve rum punches that taste like vacation should—strong enough to matter, sweet enough to forget why you need them. Johnno's Beach Stop has served the same recipe for 30 years.

The British territory uses Eastern Caribbean dollars, but US currency works everywhere. Taxis charge fixed rates—$25 from the airport, regardless of negotiation skills.

15. Detwah Lagoon, Yemen: Arabia's Hidden Coast

Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island exists in a world apart. The lagoon stretches for miles, separated from the Arabian Sea by a thin barrier of sand and coral. Flamingos feed in the shallows while dragon's blood trees watch from nearby hills.

Socotra evolved in isolation, creating plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. One-third of the island's plant species exist only here. The beaches remain pristine because few visitors make the journey.

Access requires flying through Abu Dhabi or Cairo, then a small plane to Socotra. The island offers basic accommodations and extraordinary landscapes—priorities that suit adventurous travelers perfectly.

These best places to travel beaches wait patiently for your footprints. Some demand hiking boots and determination. Others welcome flip-flops and lazy afternoons. Each offers something money can't buy—moments when the world stops rushing and starts breathing.

Pack light. Bring curiosity. Leave room in your memory for the way salt air tastes at sunrise and how sand feels when no one else has walked on it. The beaches remember every visitor, but they save their secrets for those who arrive quietly and stay long enough to listen.