11 The Most Famous Beaches in The World

Introduction

Famous beaches in the world that bustle with activity to natural coastal wonders that top bucket lists, these 11 famous beaches have that certainty. And numerous make our list of the best beaches in the world. See if you recognize them all.

Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

At Copacabana Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world, people-watching can be even more captivating than the scenery. Celebrities from Fred Astaire to Madonna have graced the circa-1923 Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel along Atlantica Avenue with its wavy black-and-white mosaic design. Spy on “Cariocas” (native Rio residents) socializing, playing volleyball and drinking coconut water, all in Brazilian bathing suits.

Santa Monica Beach, California

Stretching 3.5 miles, Santa Monica Beach is where nostalgia meets California life. Along the Ocean Front Walk, exercise fans take advantage of retro workout gear while the Marvin Braude Bike Path buzzes with tanned skaters, skaters, and cyclists on perhaps the world’s most famous beach.

Most recognizable is the circa 1909 pier with its street performers, entertainers, historic carousel and solar-powered Ferris wheel. Reserve a room at Shutters on the Beach to be in the mood for the action.

South Beach, Miami, Florida

Glamorous hotels, clubs and restaurants converge on South Beach, but the American Riviera is most famed for its Art Deco feel and too much white sand. Rack up Instagram likes near the 35 brilliantly original lifeguard towers on one of the most excellent general beaches, and rent a DecoBike to explore the 800 Art Deco Historic District landmarks built between 1923 and 1943. Called the Grand Dame of the Art Deco design, the Raleigh Hotel has been a hotspot since 1940.

Renaissance Island, Aruba

The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino’s private manufactured island is the only residence in Aruba to take a selfie with the quirky flamingos, who are happy to oblige in exchange for kibble from a vending machine (bring quarters). The island is only open to resort visitors, though a limited number of day permits are sold each morning. Flamingo Beach is for adults only, but kids can watch iguanas sunbathing on Ren Island’s family-friendly beach.

Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

In 1901, the Moana Surfrider resort unlocked on the south coast of Oahu, cementing Waikiki’s status as a premier vacation spot. More than a century later, a multimillion-dollar renovation has transformed Kuhio Beach and the Waikiki Beach Walk, an open-air promenade filled with live music, nightlife, restaurants, and shops.

Try Hawaiian poke at almost every corner, stick to 10 where Duke Kahanamoku surfed, and scale the 300,000-year-old Diamond Head Crater.

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

You’ve seen this photogenic bay in travel advertisements. Now find out where it is: Navagio Beach on the Ionian island of Zakynthos. Ringed by limestone cliffs, the cove is also known as Shipwreck Beach, thanks to the rusty ship of the Panayiotis, which ran aground here in 1982. Get the must-see tall photo from the lookout near Anafonitria Monastery. Potamitis Boat Trips offers beach tours as well as accommodation at windmills in the Skinari area.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia

Conserved in the Whitsunday Islands National Park on the Great Wall Reef, Whitehaven Beach stretches for six kilometres. Its most familiar section, Hill Inlet, dazzles observers with its multicoloured turquoise water and bleached-white silica sand that changes and swirls with the tides.

Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

According to The Beach’s post-launch travel map in 2000, Maya Bay gets extra tourists than it can handle. Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Flora shut the beach for four months in 2018 for ridge retrieval, and since reopening. Also it has been capped at 2,000 visitors per day, making it the most famous beach in the world.

Those who cut can see the famous sugar sands and 300-foot cliffs in person. Neighboring Phi Phi Don Island is home to the only accommodations on the Phi Phi Islands, including the rustic-chic suites at Zeavola.

Trunk Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands

The U.S. National Park Facility by Laurence S. Rockefeller in 1956. And the Trunk Bay, fortunately, remains free of hotels. Visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands, however, share the pristine beach with cruise ship passengers and schools of tropical fish seen along the 225-meter scuba diving trail.

Get the classic photo of Trunk Bay from the North Shore Road Scenic Lookout. Find a private break rental or book a room at Gallows Point Resort.

The Baths, British Virgin Islands

It’s almost unbearable to take a bad photo at Los Baños, a series of giant granite boulders that adorn the south shore of Virgin Gorda. Of volcanic origin, the famous rock formations create a magical path of sheltered caves, pools and tunnels along one of the most outstanding famous beaches in the world. Consider staying at the treat resort community of Oil Nut Bay.

Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles

Once considered the Garden of Eden, the Seychelles are as close to heaven as you can get on Earth. And without an airport, seaside resorts and cycles replacement cars. Also, the island of La Digue is chiefly idyllic. Its best beach, Anse Basis d’Argent, is the perfect place to marvel at the destination’s substantial granite rocks.