It’s no question that narrowing down a list of the best beaches in the world is a Herculean task. Luckily, we at Traveler have the Readers’ Choice Awards, our annual survey of the hotels, resorts, cruises, spas, and destinations you, our readers, love the most. With the help of an eye-watering crowd 757,109, we’ve gathered a formidable bunch of beaches ranging from family-friendly crowd pleasers to romantically secluded boltholes, the always balmy Caribbean to Türkiye’s Aegean shores. Proud as we are of this list’s exciting geographic eclecticism, there’s no rule saying you can’t spend the day lounging around Meads Bay in Anguilla and heading to Shoal Bay the next. Embrace the por qué no los dos spirit by sunbathing, surfing, swimming, or doing absolutely nothing on the beaches in the world, as voted on by you. And if you prefer the convenience of sticking closer to home, read our guide to the best beaches around the United States according to the RCAs here.
15. Bondi Beach, Australia
Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach sports a sweeping, kilometer-long curve of golden sand, between two headlands, lashed by surf waves. What makes this Eastern Beaches wonder even more unusual is it’s an urban affair, combining swimming and surfing with big-city buzz. Locals love it, tourists flock here, and Bondi's massive on Instagram. Even on crowded summer weekends, you’ll find a spot on the shore or lawns fringing the beach (there are barbecues at the northern reserve). People love jogging barefoot on the sand or along the street art-lined esplanade. Bondi’s hip boutiques, centered on Gould Street, offer stylish shopping; don’t miss nearby Aquabumps Gallery for surf photos (151 Curlewis Street). This is heaven for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers. Fitness freaks love to flex at Bondi, while party people prefer the many beachside bars and pubs. It’s also the starting point for the scenic six-kilometer Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. —Sophie Davies, contributing writer
14. Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica
Located in Negril, Seven Mile Beach—not to be confused with Grand Cayman’s beach of the same name—is Jamaica's longest. So you'll never have to worry whether or not there's a spot for you in the sand. There is free entry for visitors with chock-a-block full of lively beach bars and clubs where you can let your hair down with a little help from a Red Stripe (or two). The northern end of Seven Mile Beach is just under a two-hour drive from Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay. Getting to the southern end, where the sand turns to dramatic cliffs, adds another 45 minutes to the journey. Stop at one of the on-site bars, like Sun Beach, to get your classic "toes in the sand, drink in hand" shot.
13. Playa Palomino, Colombia
The river meets the sea at Playa Palomino and makes for a doubly beautiful landscape somewhere between a stunning Caribbean beach and a lush riverfront. Seated in northern Colombia in the seaside department of La Guajira, Playa Palomino is uniquely appointed with a landscape made for adventure. Kick back and go tubing down the river's flow, or if you're looking to chase an adrenaline rush, head to the waterfalls and cliffs to go climbing and rappelling. Edenic and alive more than quiet and sleepy, this is a beach for those looking for active fun.
12. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
It’s no surprise that Seven Mile Beach is consistently considered one of the world’s most beautiful, on this list and many others. The pillow-soft white sand and dazzlingly teal waters are reason enough to pay a visit to the Cayman Islands after all. This renowned stretch of sand is Grand Cayman’s crown jewel, and the quieter northern stretch is away from all the busier central areas crowded with tourists. Here, the atmosphere is a world away from it all, with sparser crowds and a more laid-back beach experience, making it an ideal spot for those who prefer tranquility or simply a moment to breathe away from the party.
11. Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Surely, sands of the sugar white and golden varieties are a bit old hat by now, as beloved as they are. If you're in the mood to shake it up and become the envy of your Instagram followers, you can't go wrong with visiting a pink sand beach on your next summery vacation. And one can't think of pink beaches without thinking of Harbour Island. This sundowner darling draws crowds for its colorful sand, sure, but also for its swimmable water, colonial cottages, and excellent restaurants within the vicinity.
10. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
Stepping onto Grace Bay, you could search vigorously in all directions and not peep a single soul. Across its generous 12-mile allotment of sand, you'd be pressed to find footprints other than your own. Life is easygoing here, where scarcely any building grows taller than two stories, and there's not one blinking traffic light around to pay any mind. Turks and Caicos can still feel comparatively lo-fi compared to St. Barts or the Caymans, but it has recently bloomed into a bit of a Caribbean hot spot, in no small part because it's an easy three-and-a-half-hour direct flight from New York.
9. Eagle Beach, Aruba
Visitors who have laid footprints on the sands of Eagle Beach consider it among their favorites they’ve ever been to. It’s no wonder it consistently ranks as one of the best in the world. Eagle Beach is a happy home to many of Aruba’s “low-rise” boutique hotels, resorts, and timeshares. It is an easy, breezy way to experience the beauty of Aruba’s most popular beach, without having to do much other than just strolling across the street. Its long stretch of powdery white sand seems to go on forever, so there is never a problem finding a good spot here. With numerous cafés lined up along the beach, along with jet ski and other water sports rentals, it is easy to spend the entire day on Eagle Beach, fully satisfied.
8. Shoal Bay, Anguilla
For a tiny island, Anguilla has a wealth of beaches considered by many to be the best in the Caribbean, and there’s always a friendly vibe wherever you choose to lounge. The powdery white sands and incredibly clear waters of Shoal Bay East are reason enough to spend a few hours in the sun, but the strip of nearby bars and beach shacks provides a reason to stay even longer. The Margaritas at Olas Tacos Bar & Grill are the stuff of local legend and the perfect precursor to the lobster pizza at next-door Madeariman. —Nicola Chilton, contributing writer
7. Meads Bay, Anguilla
Further west, Meads Bay is the “main” beach, spread out between Malliouhana at one end and the Four Seasons at the other. In between is a stretch of smaller hotels, restaurants, and bars, including French restaurant Jacala, where steak tartare is prepared table-side by host Jacques, and the calamari risotto will have you in raptures. For foodie highlights, the colorful Beach Shack at Meads Bay for a barefoot lunch of chipotle-lime tacos or mahi mahi fish rice bowls with corn salsa and jerk sauce. Blanchards—its sister restaurant, next door—is more formal, ideal for a sunset dinner of grilled crayfish and seafood salads. —N.C.
6. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen is like most towns in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a once-sleepy fishing enclave now known worldwide. But unlike Cancún's overdeveloped, tower-lined hotel strip to the north or Tulum's increasingly nightlife-heavy beach scene to the south, Playa del Carmen still seems to strike the necessary balance of accessibility and exclusivity. As such, the area has blossomed into one of the most coveted areas in the region, where barefoot luxury meets coastal charm. The town’s original allure remains intact: a paradise where cerulean Caribbean waters lap against powdery white shores. The downtown, while it continues to expand, is all about relaxed charm, with the pedestrian-only Quinta Avenida playing host to restaurants with outdoor terraces and boutique shops that offer the necessary wares for a day on the water. —Michaela Trimble, contributing writer
5. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
A third of Culebra is a national wildlife refuge visited annually by 50,000 seabirds drawn to its tropical forests, grassland, and mangroves. The hot spot for human visitors, however, is Flamenco Beach, where mainland Puerto Ricans come to camp, party, and dance on the long stretch of white sand. Sip a rum drink and work up the courage to join the couples dancing the bomba, and you'll see why this tiny island is Puerto Rico's best-kept secret. Two rival watering holes compete for the best place to spread cheer and rumors, especially among the expat community: Mamacita's, where the blender is always buzzing, and the Dinghy Dock, whose quirky cast of regulars makes you feel like you're part of the island family. —Bob Payne, contributing writer
4. Playa de Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
To see Puerto Vallarta at its finest, Playa de Los Muertos is the Mexican city's beach-going easiness turned up to the max. The Malecon traces the shoreline, making for an easy walking path without sand getting in every nook and cranny. For a change in scenery, stroll across the footbridge over the Cuale River where the rainforest and mountains panoramically surround. Come back and watch the sunset by the pier to round off a perfect day on the Mexican Pacific coast.
3. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Pause for a moment to conjure an imaginary Bermuda beach in your head. Once you’ve got it, you’re probably looking at Horseshoe Bay Beach, one of the island’s most iconic—and most trafficked—stretches of pink sand, located in Southampton Parish. Horseshoe Bay Beach is public, so there’s no entry fee. It’s easily accessible by bus—though occasionally gruff, the drivers will also be sure to point out when you need to get off to reach your destination. Horseshoe Bay is so indelibly Bermuda that it’s also where the island hosts its biggest beach party of the year: Beach Fest, the hedonistic extravaganza that kicks off the cricket tournaments over Cup Match weekend each July. —Katherine Cusumano, contributing writer
2. Iztuzu Beach, Muğla, Türkiye
Due to the loggerhead sea turtles that thrive here, İztuzu Beach has had protected status since 1988. Sunbathing in nesting zones is prohibited, as is the use of sun loungers and parasols, and access to the beach is banned between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. It’s popular among tourists staying in nearby Dalyan, plus day trippers from Marmaris. Given the area’s protected status, there’s not much in the way of lodging right near the beach. Instead, book a room in one of the hotels in the town of Dalyan; the family-run Crescent Hasirci Hotel is just eight minutes away from İztuzu by car and gives off charming bed-and-breakfast vibes. For more on Türkiye's summertime offerings, read our guide on the best beaches in Türkiye here. —Matt Ortile and Connor Sturges
1. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
This beach is a 2.5-mile stretch of pristine, powdery-soft, white sand. But while the seaside landscape and views are certainly a big draw at White Beach, so is the seaside social, dining, and nightlife scene. Boracay has long been deemed a party destination because of its lively bar, lounge, and club culture, with people dancing to live music and DJs while sipping on cocktails by the beachfront. There’s a wealth of options, depending on your budget: The beach is divided into “stations,” with Station 3 being the most affordable and Station 1 being the most luxurious. However, you’ll find that most food and shop options are in Station 2. There’s also the exclusive Station 0—the northernmost tip of the island, which is a lot more upscale. Curious about other beaches in the Philippines? Read our guide to the best beaches in the Philippines and the best beaches in Southeast Asia here. —Jasmine Ting, contributing writer
