Top 7 Best Beaches in the World for Your Next Coastal Getaway

This guide highlights some of the best beaches in the world for a perfect coastal escape—from Thailand’s vibrant Banana Beach and Kerala’s cliffside Varkala Beach to Australia’s pristine Whitehaven Beach and the glowing “Sea of Stars” at Maldives’ Vaadhoo Island Beach. It covers a mix of tropical islands, hidden gems, and iconic shores known for clear waters, scenic beauty, and unique experiences like snorkelling, surfing, and wellness retreats. Whether you're after relaxation or adventure, these top beach destinations offer something unforgettable for every traveller.

Table of Contents 

• Top 7 Beaches Around the World You'll Want to Bookmark

• Banana Beach, Thailand

• Varkala Beach, Kerala

• Whitehaven Beach, Australia

• Butterfly Beach, Goa

• Vaadhoo Island Beach, Maldives

• Trou aux Biches Beach, Mauritius

• Padang Padang Beach, Bali

• Plan Your Beach Getaway with EaseMyTrip

Beach holidays rarely go out of style, and for good reason. Sun, sea, and a stretch of sand can turn even a short break into a proper reset.

For travellers dreaming about their next seaside escape, this guide brings together some of the best beaches in the world, known for clear water, striking landscapes, and experiences that go beyond just lounging under the sun. From tropical islands with powdery white sand to coastlines backed by dramatic cliffs, these destinations represent some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.For travellers exploring a wider mix of coastal escapes, check out best beach destinations in the world and discover more globally loved seaside spots.

With several of the top beaches worldwide listed below, this guide gives a practical starting point for planning memorable beach holidays to some of the world’s most recognised coastal destinations. Pick your favourite!

Top 7 Beaches Around the World You'll Want to Bookmark

Here are a few beaches around the world that stand out for their beauty, character, and unforgettable views. If you're looking for even more stunning coastlines, these 13 beaches so perfect showcase some truly picture-perfect destinations:

Banana Beach, Thailand

Tucked away near Phuket on Coral Island (Koh Hey), Banana Beach is the kind of place that feels straight out of a tropical screensaver: white sand, bright turquoise water, and palm trees framing the shoreline. The beach itself stretches roughly 250–300 metres in a curved, almost banana-shaped strip, which is how it got its name.

Getting there usually involves a quick speedboat ride from Chalong Pier. Just a short distance from the shore, colourful coral reefs attract tropical fish like parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, making it a hotspot for snorkelling.

Travellers can also try kayaking, parasailing, or even clear-bottom kayak tours that let them watch fish and coral glide underneath without getting wet. Thanks to its thriving marine life and postcard-level scenery, Banana Beach regularly appears among the world’s best beach destinations.You can also explore other unique beaches around the world that offer equally distinctive landscapes and experiences.

Varkala Beach, Kerala

If Kerala had a beach that felt straight out of a travel reel, it would be Varkala Beach. Often called Papanasam Beach, this coastal stretch is famous for its dramatic red cliffs that rise above the Arabian Sea, something you rarely see anywhere else in India.

What makes Varkala one of the top beaches of Kerala is that its golden sand, endless blue water, and cliff-top views make sunsets a whole event. Beyond the scenery, Varkala is also known for its wellness and spiritual side.

The beach is believed to have sacred waters, and many visitors take a dip here as part of local traditions. At the same time, the area has grown into a relaxed hub for travellers looking for yoga retreats, Ayurveda therapies, and peaceful coastal stays.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Often ranked among the best island beaches, Whitehaven Beach is famous for its dazzling white sand and bright turquoise water that almost looks unreal in photos. The beach runs for about seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island, and its sand is made of around 98% pure silica, which makes it incredibly soft, powdery, and surprisingly cool to walk on, even on hot days.

One of the most iconic spots here is Hill Inlet, where changing tides swirl the white sand and turquoise water together, creating striking marble-like patterns that are best viewed from the nearby Tongue Point lookout. Getting here feels like part of the adventure: most travellers arrive by boat tours from Airlie Beach, while others opt for scenic seaplane or helicopter rides that offer aerial views of the islands and coral-blue water.For travellers planning beach holidays by time of year, explore top beach places to visit in January in India and abroad for seasonal inspiration.

Butterfly Beach, Goa

Tucked away near Palolem in South Goa, Butterfly Beach feels like a hidden coastal escape surrounded by dense green cliffs and clear Arabian Sea waters. Because there’s no direct road access, reaching the beach already feels like a mini adventure, which is exactly why it stays quieter than Goa’s more popular shores.

Arguably one of the best tropical beaches in India, the name comes from the butterflies that gather here during certain seasons, attracted by the surrounding vegetation and flowers. On the beach itself, visitors might also spot small marine life like crabs, fish, or sea cucumbers in the shallow water, making it a cool little nature pocket along the Goan coast.For travellers planning coastal trips closer to home, explore beach destinations in India for more scenic options across the country.

Vaadhoo Island Beach, Maldives

If there is one beach in the Maldives that genuinely feels unreal, it is Vaadhoo Island Beach. By day, it already ticks every tropical-dream box: powdery white sand, ridiculously clear turquoise water, and calm lagoons perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

But Vaadhoo becomes truly iconic after sunset: this is where the famous “Sea of Stars” phenomenon happens. At night, tiny marine organisms in the water produce bioluminescent light, making the shoreline glow electric blue when waves move or when someone walks through the water. The result? It looks like the ocean is filled with scattered stars.If you’re planning seasonal travel, check where is it hot in February for warm beach destinations during winter months.

During the day, travellers usually spend time snorkelling in the reef, kayaking across the lagoon, or hopping between nearby islands. The water is so clear that colourful coral, reef fish, and sometimes even manta rays can be spotted without going too far offshore.

Trou aux Biches Beach, Mauritius

Often ranked among the most famous beaches in the world, Trou aux Biches Beach in Mauritius is famous for its calm turquoise lagoon, powdery white sand, and postcard-perfect palm trees. The beach sits on Mauritius’ north-west coast, close to the lively town of Grand Baie.

The water is usually calm and shallow, which makes it ideal for swimming or simply floating around without worrying about strong waves. Because the lagoon is protected by coral reefs, it is also a popular place to explore marine life, and glass-bottom boat rides are a common way to spot colourful fish and even sea turtles near the reefs.

What makes this beach stand out for travellers is how easy it is to spend an entire day here without getting bored.For travellers dreaming of romantic seaside escapes, these romantic beach getaways for couples offer perfect inspiration. Visitors often start with a swim in the clear water, rent snorkelling gear to check out the reef, or hop on diving trips to nearby sites like the Water Lily shipwreck.

Padang Padang Beach, Bali

Hidden between towering limestone cliffs on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, Padang Padang Beach feels like a secret tropical cove waiting to be discovered. The beach itself is pretty small (around 110 metres long), but its bright white sand, turquoise water, and dramatic cliff backdrop make it one of the most recognisable beaches on the island.

Getting there already feels like an adventure: visitors walk down a narrow stairway carved between huge rocks before emerging onto the beach, where the ocean opens up in front of them. The waves here are basically legendary in the surfing world; the famous Padang Padang Left break is considered one of the best surf spots globally when conditions line up just right.

Most travellers spend their time sunbathing on the sand, watching surfers take on huge waves, or grabbing fresh coconut water from the little beach shacks nearby. Padang Padang also gained global attention after showing up in the movie Eat Pray Love (2010), which only added to its reputation as one of Bali’s best beach vacation spots. You can also explore the top 5 beaches in Bali to plan a more complete island beach itinerary.

Plan Your Beach Getaway with EaseMyTrip

Not sure where to start? Learn how to find beaches near me to enjoy real fun and discover nearby coastal escapes easily. The best beaches in the world are not just about perfect sand and clear water; they are about the kind of moments that make a trip memorable. It could be watching the sun dip below the Arabian Sea in Kerala or standing on a Maldivian shore that literally glows at night.

For travellers exploring the most beautiful beaches in the world, the real takeaway is that beach destinations are incredibly diverse.For travellers looking to explore beyond mainstream spots, these top 5 coastal destinations in Peru for a beach getaway offer something refreshingly different. With the right planning, visiting these global beach destinations can be easier than it seems. You can also plan smartly with beach holidays on a budget to enjoy great stays without overspending.

Whether someone is planning a tropical island trip or simply researching the top beaches worldwide for a relaxed holiday, EaseMyTrip helps travellers organise trips with easy booking, transparent pricing, and zero booking fee on flights. So, compare fares and book flights directly through EaseMyTrip to find the best value deals.