The World's 50 Best Beaches©

Welcome to the most definitive list of beaches ever assembled — a diverse collection of off-the-beaten-path slices of paradise from every hidden corner of our planet.

To create The World's 50 Best Beaches©, FlightNetwork has consulted 600+ of world's best travel journalists, editors, bloggers and agencies — the people who do this for a living — to gain insight from their opinions and expertise. By asking the top travel professionals, Flight Network has created the most trustworthy and accurate list out there to inspire travelers and help choose their upcoming winter holiday destinations.

Be prepared to embark on a journey to powder white beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, volcanic coastlines, and snow-capped mountain peaks steps from the sea. This comprehensive list will take you from the azure waters of Oceania to the postcard-worthy shores of Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia and everywhere in between.

No 1 Grace Bay

Grace Bay Beach, inTurks and Caicosis the most iconic and awe-inspiring stretch of sand in the world, and you'll know you've set foot on one of the most spectacular beaches the moment you arrive. The protective and remarkably colorful barrier reef, which sits 1.6 kilometres off the shore, keeps the ocean swells at bay, making Grace Bay one of the most ideal places to soak in warm Atlantic waters. Swimmers enjoy consistent plush sands without the annoyance of rocks, seaweed or pollution.

No 2 Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach in Australia will make you believe in love at first sight. Composed of 98-percent silica, the sand here is some of the whitest on Earth. But the baby-powder-like sand isn't all that makes every visit to this piece of paradise one to remember. Visitors can only access this 7 kilometers of coastline along the warm, clear waters of the Coral Sea by helicopter or seaplane to experience this spectacular island.

No 3 Anse Lazio

Anse Lazio inSeychellesplaces each visitor into their own tropical paradise with soft, golden sand and sunlit atmosphere. Crystal clear water and lush coconut palms backed by granite boulders create a setting that feels more like a dream than real life. Anse Lazio is recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, known for its picturesque views and vivid colors.

No 4 Pink Sands Beach

Pink Sands Beach has a fairytale-like name, and you'll understand why when you set foot on the beautifully colored sands. The nearly 5 kilometres of stunning coastline, saturated in golden sun and pink plush ground, will plant itself in your memory forever. Harbour Island inthe Bahamasis home to inviting stretches of coastline and mellow waters protected by an offshore coral reef. This portion of the island is an especially dreamy part, known for its pale pink sand made from the bright red and pink shells of the microscopic Foraminifera insects.

No 5 Navagio Beach

Navagio Beach inGreecewill dazzle your tropical dreams into reality as blue and white beauty immesh to create a shipwrecked oasis. In fact, you will not be able to get the clear, crystal blue waters and fine gravel sand off your mind for decades to come. The remoteness of the island only adds to the spectacular and unique atmosphere of Navagio onZakynthosIsland. The baby blue waters and towering golden cliffs absolutely enchant travelers with its exotic features and atmosphere. The shipwrecked Freightliner MV Panagiotis, washed on the gravel beach, only adds to the uniqueness of the paradise.

No 6 Baia Dos Porcos

Tucked away in theFernando de Noronhaarchipelago in Brazil is Baia Dos Porcos, also known as the "Bay of Pigs," one of the most awe-inspiring beaches to experience. The myriad of blues meddle in perfect harmony on the still water filled with rock formations, including the iconic "Dois Irmaos" rocks which means the "two brothers." Even better - the beach is likely to be all yours, as it requires a trek to get to, and you have to pay per day to stay on the island, limiting the number of daily visitors.

No 7 Playa Paraiso

Playa Paraiso in theRiviera Mayais a quintessential beach destination for travelers on the hunt for perfection. Stunning white sands and bright teal waters combine to create a beach unlike others inMexico. The thousands of annual tourists will agree that Paraiso's waters are always welcoming and calm while a bounteous coral reef rests just offshore for an adventurous snorkeling or scuba diving session.

No 8 Hyams Beach

No place on earth invites you to relax and unwind quite like the luxuriously soft white sands of Hyams Beach. Located on the SouthCoast of New South Wales, this postcard-worthy stretch of sand along theJervis Bayinvites visitors to enjoy underwater adventures in crystal waters or sink their toes into the whitest sands in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records.

No 9 Hidden Beach

Imagine a beach completely tucked away inside a cave with a cavernous opening in the roof to let the perfect amount of sunlight enter. That isMexico'sHidden Beach, and it's undeniably one of the most interesting beaches in the world. Located just a 1-hour-long boat ride from Puerto Vallarta on the Islas Marietas, the only way to reach the golden sand at Hidden Beach is to jump off a boat and swim or kayak through a tunnel to shore.

No 10 Trunk Bay

Trunk Bay's beauty has been so life-changing to so many people that it was donated to the National Park Service more than five decades ago. Today, it remains one of the best-preserved beaches in the world. Venture to Trunk Bay Beach in theUS Virgin Islands, where you will find a 205 metre underwater snorkeling trail, roughly .5 of a mile of silky sands and a number of different amenities to make your visit that much more enjoyable.

South Africa's Boulders Beach has made it to number 50 on the World's 50 Best Beaches. Plush white sands. Ancient granite boulders. Small penguins. The deepest blue waters stay protected and calm, hidden amongst the granite so that your swim is peaceful and serene. As a national landmark, Boulders Beach and its penguin inhabitants remain clean and welcoming for their 60,000 annual visitors. Travelers will find themselves tanning in the average 22°C weather and 295 days of sun, splashing in the many rock pools or strolling along the beach's boardwalk through nature's beauty. Whatever you find yourself hoping for in a tropical vacation, Boulder Beach has it all.

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