World’s Best Beaches: Which Ones Make Your List?

By Hal Amen On May 27, 2009 · 19 Comments

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Photo above: notsogoodphotography, Feature photo: the trial

Summer is coming (for the Northern Hemisphere, anyway). The long sunny days. The sweaty skin. The surf.

It’s a time when many take to the beach to relax or get their sport on, and the Guardian’s travel section recently released a top-10 list of the world’s best stretches of sand.

Who’d they ask? People who know their beaches — marine biologists, surfing instructors, and divers, among others.

Photo: notsogoodphotography

Here’s what they came up with:

1. Kapalua Bay, Maui, Hawaii, U.S.
2. Hossegor, France
3. Hyams Beach, New South Wales, Australia
4. Porthtowan, Cornwall, United Kingdom
5. Bingin Beach, Bali
6. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Island
7. Sifah beach, Oman
8. Namotu, Fiji
9. Punta Lobos, southern Chile
10. Pease Bay, Scotland

Look at the geographical diversity of this list. You can literally find your favorite anywhere in the world.

They offer different colors and textures of sand, different crowds, different surf breaks…different ways to enjoy the summer.

We at Trips want to know: what are your favorite beaches? Where can you be found come June 21, and what will you be doing there? Let us know in the comments!

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Matador has covered a variety of beach-related topics, from the Best Nude Beaches in the World to Simple Beach Yoga for Backpackers.

Need help figuring out your family summer travel plans? Maybe a photo essay of reader-recommended family destinations is what you need.

About The Author

Hal Amen

Freelance writer Hal Amen edits Matador Trips. His personal travel blog is at WayWorded.

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view all → Hal Amen

http://www.surfergrl.co.uk Kat

Yippee – I live near Porthtowan. It is indeed lovely, but crowded in the surf these days.

And boo – only been to Hossegor out of the rest of the list!

June 21 I’ll be on the cliffs overlooking one of the UK’s best breaks – Porthleven reef. Another super-crowded break, very competitive, but very rewarding too…maybe not on June 21 though, as I’ll be recovering from the Masked Ball which takes place there every year! getmaskedup.com if you’re in the area!

But my very favourite beach is my home break in Wales…can’t tell you where as it’s crowded enough!
http://www.evaholland.com Eva

Interesting list! Certainly not predictable. I’m a little skeptical about the UK landing two spots out of ten while North America has none, though…

Where will I be June 21? Celebrating the summer solstice under the midnight sun in Whitehorse, Yukon… and a long, long way from the nearest beach.

http://matadortrips.com/ Hal Amen

It is a list from the Guardian after all, Eva.

Have fun in the Yukon!

http://collazoprojects.com Julie

Vieques, Puerto Rico. There are dozens of beaches, some of which are unnamed, and are rarely touristed.
Stephen

Visiting various beaches throughout the carribean I am rarely blown away. There are so many that I cannot remember the name for but the one that is most recent and stands out would be Long Bay, in Antigua.
Long Bay was amazing to me not for the sand or overall beach but the 10 yard walk out to a beautiful coral reef. If you have your own snorkle equipment feel free to just head on out, those who don’t worry they rent snorkle equipment right on the beach with flippers.
http://thetravelersnotebook.com David Miller

ocean beach, san francisco.

cold, windy, not the cleanest. but it’s free. no curfews (see huntington beach), no worries about your dog on a leash, no worries about getting in trouble for drinking a beer or making a bonfire . . .and it can get epic.
http://matadortrips.com/ Hal Amen

Bantayan Island, in the Philippines, has been home to my favorite beach yet. Bright sand, warm water, and a lone palm tree. Paradise.

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/pinaytraveller Pauline

I agree! Actually, I’m wondering why none of the Philippine beaches landed in this list.:) Here’s a little trivia: Bantayan Island is supposedly ‘the center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world.’ How about that…

http://thelonglayover.blogspot.com Carlo

Here’s a little known spot in Vietnam: Jungle Beach. It’s a rustic beach resort run by an ex-pat Canadian. You have to get dropped off somewhere between Hoi An and Nha Trang at some dodgy petrol station, the driven down a dirt track for 30 mins or so. It’s very isolated…but not for much longer unfortunately. A bigger resort is going up beside it. Shame.
Madison the Mermaid

The most beautiful beach to me is a freshwater beach of Traverse Bay, Michigan. Clear water, beautiful blues, and very cold! Still my favorite place to be. But on June 21st, you’ll find me at Topsail Island Beach in North Carolina. More likely the north side, its less crowded. I have pics of both of these beaches on my profile, you’ll see why I like them!
arno

what about long beach in ‘Tofino’ on the westcoast of vancouver island middle of nowhere, epic beach weathered and wild

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/vagabonderz Carlo Alcos

Good call on Tofino! Of course I’m biased…but it’s not your typical sun-drenched, leisure beach. In the same vein, I think anywhere along the Oregon Coast is gorgeous…wild, crazy and beautiful. (but maybe I’m getting more into coasts than specific beaches)

http://bayarea-wedding-photography.com/about.htm Amanda is a Traveling Photographer

I’ve been to beach one in Maui – it’s great! The was the saddest / most lonely trip ever. Don’t go to Maui by yourself ! ;(
I also like Lanikai beach in Oahu A LOT.
I’m drooling over the Bali beach photo from the article.
Mercedes

BRAZIL!

beaches in florianopolis, ect
http://www.travelblog.org/bloggers/joncasssouthkorea Jon Wick

Boracay, Philippines

…but don’t tell anyone, it’s THAT good…
http://www.migrationology.com Migration Mark

I think a beach on the island of Zanzibar should be on this list. The East African island has some splendid isolated beaches.
http://www.journeyidea.com/ Glenn Fernandes

Thanks for the big list. According to me, Chaia beach in Italy is very good.
http://none edwin

philippines beaches is the best
http://www.monicaprelle.com Monica Prelle

5. Playa San Augustin, Oaxaca, Mexico
4. Pavones, Costa Rica
3. Big Sur, California
2. Lavena, Fiji
1. Punakiki, New Zealand

World’s Best Beaches: Which Ones Make Your List?

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