If you’re seeking inspiration for a truly out-sand-ing beach break, read on.
An annual ranking of the 50 best beaches in the world reveals 2023’s top strips of sand – and they are the definition of dreamy.
The guide has been created by Big 7 Travel, which generated it by analysing Blue Flag locations, the social media popularity of beaches and the thoughts of its editorial team.
By AILBHE MACMAHON FOR MAILONLINE
50. KOEKOHE BEACH, OTAGO, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND: ‘The scenic, sandy beach at Koekohe is mostly famous for one thing – the Moeraki Boulders,’ says Big 7 Travel, adding: ‘The mysteriously round stones scattered across the beach weigh several tonnes.’ If you’re a keen photographer, take note – the travel site says that ‘early morning and late afternoon are the prime times for photography, when brilliant soft sunlight is cast across the rocks’
49. MYSTIC BEACH, VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA: Big 7 Travel describes Mystic Beach, located on the southern coast of Vancouver Island, as an ‘enchanting’ stretch of sand. It says: ‘Set along the Juan de Fuca Trail, the white sandy beach is set against a lush forest, with a picturesque waterfall cascading right into the brilliant blue sea’
48. KEEM BAY, ACHILL ISLAND, IRELAND: Big 7 travel reveals: ‘Keem Bay is a breathtaking rural and sheltered beach surrounded by cliffs on Ireland’s largest island – Achill Island. Its gleaming white sand rivals tropical islands and the water is superbly clear.’ In a nod to Ireland’s infamously wet weather, the travel site adds that the beach is ‘beautiful even on a rainy day’
47. ISLA ROBESON, SAN BLAS ISLANDS, PANAMA: ‘For castaway fantasies, it doesn’t get much better than Isla Robeson,’ says Big 7 Travel, adding: ‘Many claim it’s where Robinson Crusoe’s famous protagonist was shipwrecked.’ The travel site says that you can expect ‘crystal clear waters, swaying palm trees and talc-soft white sands’ on a visit to the isle, which lies in the San Blas Islands
46. TUGBOAT BEACH, CURACAO: Big 7 Travel praises the ‘vibe’ of this beach, saying: ‘The pebbly cove is lined with cute beach shacks and bars with a hippy, artistic atmosphere. It’s famous for its art shacks, where you can paint your own souvenirs.’ The travel site adds: ‘As the name suggests, there’s a shipwrecked tugboat, which makes this beach an excellent snorkelling spot.’ Image courtesy of Creative Commons
45. YONAHA MAEHAMA BEACH, MIYAKOJIMA, JAPAN: ‘Set on the little-known island of Miyakojima, Yonaha Maehama Beach is a pristine 7km- (four-mile) stretch of white sand, lapped by clear, crystalline waters,’ declares Big 7 Travel. It continues: ‘While it might look like the stuff of desert island fantasy, there are plenty of facilities and activities to enjoy here too’
44. PUNTA DEL’ESTE, URUGUAY: Big 7 Travel reveals that this beach is ’rolling in fun-loving celebrities’ during the summer months. It notes: ‘Technically, it’s two beaches – Playa Mansa and Playa Brava. The former offers course blonde sand while the latter is mostly white sand.’ The travel site adds that ‘a giant sculpture of a half-buried hand’ (above) divides the two beaches
43. MAUNDAYS BAY, ANGUILLA: Big 7 Travel says that this beach boasts ‘white-sand shores and clear, azure waters’. It continues: ‘This is picture-perfect Caribbean territory. For an extra-special outing, head here at night to see the glittering lights from neighbouring St Martin Island. It’s beautiful’
42. RHOSSILI BAY, GOWER PENINSULA, WALES: Big 7 Travel says that it takes a ‘bit of a hike down a steep cliff-top path’ to reach this beach, but once you make it there you can enjoy ‘three miles (5km) of golden sands’. The travel site adds: ‘It’s a popular surfing spot, or you can just relax and enjoy the beach – it’s kept pristine under the watchful eye of the National Trust’
41. DREAM BEACH, NUSA LEMBONGAN ISLAND, INDONESIA: Of Dream Beach, Big 7 Travel says: ‘When the tide is in and the current’s particularly strong, the turquoise waters cloak the whole of the white sands – you can watch from the swings or the beach bar.’ The travel site adds that when the tide goes out, you can explore the beach’s rock pools. Image courtesy of Creative Commons
40. CHAMPAGNE BEACH, VANUATU: ‘One of the world’s most picturesque beaches, this spot has clear blue waters and sparkling sand,’ says Big 7 Travel, adding: ‘Once you’ve worked up an appetite for swimming, you’ll be grateful for all those fresh fruit stalls, freshly prepared crab and lobster, and cute beachside shacks too’
39. GRUMARI BEACH, BRAZIL: Big 7 Travel says: ‘Copacabana and Ipanema might get all the fame, but those in the know hotfoot to Grumari Beach.’ It adds that the beach, which ‘boasts fine golden sands and emerald-green waters’ is ‘backed by bottle-green rainforest’
38. PIG BEACH, BIG MAJOR CAY, BAHAMAS: ‘This Insta-famous beach is all over social media,’ declares Big 7 Travel. The beach is famously inhabited by pigs, the travel site reveals, though it notes that ‘no one quite knows how the pigs got there’ as they’re not native to Big Major Cay island. Fancy visiting? Big 7 Travel says that travellers can ‘book a day trip boat ride to see this beach’s pristine waters and swim alongside piglets’
37. BARCELONETA BEACH, BARCELONA, SPAIN: Big 7 Travel says that this busy beach ‘perfectly captures the energy’ of Barcelona. The travel site reveals: ‘It’s heaps of fun with music, beach bars, and volleyball,
and it’s surprisingly clean for a city beach.’ It also notes that it’s ‘entirely manmade – its golden sands were shipped over from Egypt’
![36. LE MORNE, MAURITIUS: ‘This long golden stretch sits under the majestic Le Morne mountain on the southwestern tip of Mauritius,’ says Big 7 Travel. It continues: ‘Combining miles of white sand with soaring casuarina trees [a type of flowering plant] surrounded by turquoise waters, it’s one of the island’s most stunning sights. It’s popular with windsurfers and kite surfers too’](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/02/08/73871443-12363987-image-a-73_1690962081809.jpg?resize=634%2C423&quality=89&ssl=1)