Sun and Fun: Riverdale Travel’s Ultimate List of Best Beaches Around the World
It doesn’t get much better than kicking back on a sunny, sandy beach. The tricky part is deciding which one to hit. That’s why we’ve made a list of the best beaches around the world!
Hang ten in the Maldives or maybe stride into the sparkling Caribbean for a snorkel. No matter what kind of beach vacation you envision, Riverdale Travel has an escape for you.
We are constantly updating this list to add new destinations and additional details, so bookmark this page and come back when you need some sun and fun!
Caribbean Beach Destinations
With more than 700 islands, the Caribean region offers hundreds of destinations with pristine, sandy beaches. Let your Riverdale Travel consultant plan the ideal trip by sharing your unique wants and needs. We’ll match you with the perfect beach destination.
Here are some of our favorites!
Aruba
The Caribbean no doubt has its shares of breathtaking beaches, and Aruba is no exception. Eagle Beach was voted Trip Advisor’s 3rd Best Beach in the World.
Like quiet beaches? Try Baby Beach. Snorkeling is fabulous here under the shallow waters of Mangel Halto.
Barbados
Carlisle bay is best known for its calm, sheltered waters, perfect for swimming and scuba diving.
Or, go on board a clear kayak as you journey on the water’s surface to see different shipwrecks below, each filled with fascinating marine life. A one-of-a-kind curiosity to say the least!
Cuba
You’ve probably heard that Cuba looks like you traveled through a time machine back to 1950. And that’s a fact!
Please take note that the simplest legal way to travel to Cuba is to sign up for a “People-to-People” (P2P) educational program such as those offered by tour companies licensed by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This might be the only way to come near the beaches of Cuba.
Ask one of Riverdale’s travel consultants for help about this, and check out our blog about visiting Cuba!
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has top beach holiday destinations in the world, not only for its all inclusive resorts, but also the awesome beaches. Punta Cana is considered one of the best.
Bávaro Beach, famous for its wide stretch of palm-fringed coastline and turquoise blue waters, is another destination that’s perfect for a cocktail under a beach umbrella.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
South of George Town near the ports, Smith Barcadere in the South Sound of Grand Cayman is terrific for taking photos and is a phenomenal place for snorkeling and beginner swimmers due to the unique drop-off formations – all with the convenience of public restrooms, picnic benches and outdoor showers.
This destination is also convenient too for cruisers; Caribbean cruise ships stop right on the beach!
Jamaica
Frenchman’s Cove has been a movie location spot and is popular with Hollywood A-Listers.
Jamaica’s Doctor’s Doctor’s Cave Beach is another popular beach in Montego Bay and has a legendary story. There was once a physician who was convinced there were healing properties to the waters of Doctor’s Cave Beach, and as a result, the beach became very popular and thus named accordingly.
It is also located near the “Hip Strip,” so you’re right in the happening vibe. Ya, Mon!
Puerto Rico
Culebra is one of the major islands in Puerto Rico’s archipelago and is where you’ll find Flamenco Beach. With beautiful blue skies above your head and warm white sand beneath your feet, this Caribbean beach destination is enough to make you feel like you’re on cloud nine.
Puerto Rico’s beaches are ideal for swimming, unwinding, or simply laying out with some suntan oil. Try Crash Boat beach in Aguadilla, another popular beach featuring a vast range of activities for everyone to try.
St. John
St. John’s North Shore features the world’s most beautiful beaches, all with white sand, crystal clear blue waters, shallow waters for snorkeling, and coconut palm trees. Try one, or try them all!
Here’s what’s on the relaxing beach menu: Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay Beach, Maho Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Salomon Beach, Gibney Beach, Caneel Bay, or Honeymoon Beach – somewhere to visit after your wedding plans.
St. Kitts, St. Kitts, and Nevis
If you want a secluded beach with pristine waters, try Banana Bay located on the tip of the southeast peninsula. Peninsula beaches will require a taxi or car to get out of this oasis, but it’s beyond worth it.
Another popular beach is Cockleshell Bay, a water sports lovers paradise spanning over two miles long. It’s also home of the world famous Reggae Beach Bar.
St. Lucia
Explore Reduit Beach, probably the most famous beach on the Island of St. Lucia, due to the resort hotels sprinkled along the beachfront as well as cruise ship visitors.
In St. Lucia, there are plenty of water activities for every interest and nearby eateries to satisfy anyone’s taste buds.
St. Maarten (St. Martin)
Here you can simply pick a beach based on your preferences of solitude, romance, or family fun. Bring the entire family to Simpson Bay Beach or Le Galion Beach where kids can play safely in calm, shallow waters sheltered by a large coral reef.
On a honeymoon? Explore Lover’s Beach.
Prefer adventure and exploring? Then Cupecoy Beach or Mullet Bay Beach is for you – and also near the island’s only golf course.
The Bahamas
There are 16 islands in which to explore The Bahamas’s colorful coral reefs and beaches.
Pack your sunglasses and beach towel and head to the powdery pinkish glow beach, Pink Sands Beach. Located in Harbour Island, it has been called the world’s most beautiful beach by an international variety of magazines.
Turks and Caicos
The world-famous Grace Bay Beach on the north coast of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, is lined by some luxury resorts and protected by a beautiful barrier reef, which also hides some fantastic scuba diving sites.
The soft white sand and clear water of Grace Bay really has to be seen with the naked eye to appreciate the sublime beauty!
U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands consists of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas, and 50 other surrounding minor islands and cays, so you can expect another assortment of pristine beaches.
The Magens Bay Beach in St. Thomas is popular and perfect for families since this area is calm and tranquil – perfect for children or new swimmers.
Mexico Beach Destinations
- Acapulco, Pacific Coast
- Puerto Vallarta
- Playa del Carmen, Yucatan Peninsula
- Cancun, Yucatan Peninsula
- Cozumel, Yucatan Peninsula
- Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, Baja California
- Manzanillo, Pacific Coast
- Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula
- San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos, Baja California
Brazil Beach Destinations
- Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro
Greece Beach Destinations
- Crete
- Corfu, Ionian Islands
- Mykonos, Cyclades
- Santorini, Cyclades
Spain Beach Destinations
- Ibiza, Balearic Islands
- Malaga, Costa del Sol, Province of Malaga, Andalucia
- Marbella, Costa del Sol, Province of Malaga, Andalucia
- Nerja, Costa del Sol, Province of Malaga, Andalucia
- Palma de Mallorca, Majorca, Balearic Islands
- Tenerife, Canary Islands
Venezuela Beach Destinations
- Margarita Island, Coastal Islands, Insular Region
South Africa Beach Destinations
- Camps Bay, Western Cape
- Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Kenya Beach Destinations
- Lamu Island, Coast Province
- Malindi, Coast Province
Indonesia Beach Destinations
Morocco Beach Destinations
- Essaouira, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region
Philippines Beach Destinations
- Boracay, Aklan Province, Panay Island, Visayas
Thailand Beach Destinations
- Phuket
- Ko Samui, Surat Thani Province
French Polynesia Beach Destinations
- Bora Bora, Society Islands
- Moorea, Society Islands
Australia Beach Destinations
- Byron Bay, New South Wales
- Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
- Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland
- Sydney, New South Wales
The Seychelles Islands
- Archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa
France Beach Destinations
- Nice, French Riviera – Cote d’Azur, Provence
Maldives
- Country in Asia’s Indian Ocean
Chile Beach Destinations
- Vina del Mar, Valparaiso Region
Egypt Beach Destinations
- Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai, Red Sea and Sinai
United States Beach Destinations
- Kauai, Hawaii
- Maui, Hawaii
- Miami Beach, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Saint Pete Beach, Florida
- San Diego, California
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
Central & South America Beach Destinations
- Belize
- Liberia & Guanacaste, Costa RIca
- San Jose & Pacifica Coast, Costa Rica
- Roatan, Honduras
- Panama City, Panama
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Lima, Peru