There is enchantment at the spot where sea and land meet—the music of waves over the beach, the feel of sand under you, and the infinite horizon to unfold before you. Beaches are an individual retreat, a comeback to nature's simplicity, and a way to get soaked in some of the finest scenery in the world. From powder-white beaches to cliffs-lined beaches, a travel guide to some of the world's most beautiful beaches follows, which are worth a spot on your holiday wish list.

 

Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

 

Widely known as the world's most photographed beach, Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue Island is a work of art by nature. Gigantic granite boulders, smoothed and chiseled by time, create isolated coves over shallow blue-green waters. Pink sand picturesquely blends with greenish palms in the distance and crystal water in the foreground. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the tourist crowd and have the best magic light for photography.

 

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

 

Deep within the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, there is Whitehaven Beach over seven kilometers down Whitsunday Island. The beach is composed of 98% silica that gives it that amazing white shine without any solar absorption of heat—perfect to go barefoot even in blazing hot weather. One of the most breathtaking views on Australia's coast is from the otherworldly white and blue maelstrom in Hill Inlet. Take a seaplane or helicopter-ride for maximum bird's-eye panorama.

 

Maya Bay, Thailand

 

Infamously used as the setting for the movie "The Beach," Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh was forced to close its doors to tourists for a few years to allow it time to recover from over-tourism. Reopened with visitor numbers strictly controlled, this beautiful cove ringed by towering cliffs of limestone provides a more sustainable experience. Green water is filled with vibrant sea life, and snorkeling is recommended. Be warned that pre-booking is necessary because of visitor limits. 

 

Baia do Sancho, Brazil

 

Consistently voted one of the world's most stunning beaches, Fernando de Noronha's Baia do Sancho is worth the effort to reach—descending into perilous ladders in crevices of rock—but more than worth it. The pristine crescent of golden sand is lined with emerald forest and bordered by ocean so clear that you can observe sea turtles offshore. The surrounding marine sanctuary is perfect for snorkeling and diving.

 

Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach), Mexico

 

One of nature's prettiest shoreline features is this beach on Mexico's Marietas Islands—a skylit crater roof shining down onto a hidden sandy cove. Accessible only at low tide, by swimmers through a short underground passageway, this "secret beach" gives the visitor an experience that will never be forgotten. The number of visitors is tightly regulated to preserve this fragile world.

 

Navagio Beach, Shipwreck Beach, Greece

 

On the white pebble beach of this lovely cove on Zakynthos island rest the weathered remains of a smuggler boat, making one of the Med's most recognizable photos. With the overhanging limestone cliffs above and smudges of glinting blue water, Navagio has only a boat track. View point above the cliffs is almost as breathtaking as the beach.

History meets tropical heaven in Tulum, where Mayan ruins precariously hang off cliff faces over an isolated beach. The contrast between ancient stone structures and Caribbean blue water is an extremely atmospheric sight. Beyond the archaeological site, the beach stretches for miles, with sections of it varying from hippie beach clubs to patches of sand untouched.

 

Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

 

Not all idyllic beaches are sun and swim. Reynisfjara's black volcanic sand strewn with smoothed pebbles and bordered by basalt columns rising up toward the heavens like organ pipes is a far cry from tropical trysts. Atlantic waves strong as might crash against the shore, and monolith rock formations rise up out of the water. Go at sundown for a journey out of this world—but watch out for the treacherous waves.

 

Conclusion

 

From sun-whitened tropical beach sand to volcanic rocky shores of Nordic beaches, the world's most beautiful beaches are as diverse as they are varied. Each and every one of them is a product of geology, climate, and culture. Whether it is your requirement for adventure, for peace, or for the beauty of nature, these beach gems provide experiences that are memorable and bind us to the earth's most elemental forces. As you plan your beach-holiday schedule, be sure to practice responsible tourism—footprints and clicks behind and leave these spots of beauty intact for the years to come to enjoy.