7 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

By Solomon Wiesen, TLV Beaches. Last reviewed October 2026.

This is our list of the seven most beautiful beaches in the world for 2026, with the best times to visit and a few tips to make the most of your beach trip!!!

1. Whitehaven Beach, Australia

• Location: Whitsunday Island, Queensland
• Proximity to Major City: A flight from Brisbane to the Whitsunday Coast, followed by a boat ride from Airlie Beach.
• Why It’s on the List: Whitehaven Beach is famous for its white silica sand and turquoise water. The tides at Hill Inlet leave swirling patterns in the sand that photographers love.
• Best Time to Visit: May to September, during the dry season, offers perfect weather.
• Local Tips: Take a scenic flight for aerial views of Hill Inlet and pack biodegradable sunscreen to protect the water.

2. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles

• Location: La Digue Island, Seychelles
• Proximity to Major City: A ferry ride from Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, on Mahé Island.
• Why It’s on the List: It has granite boulders, shallow lagoons, and powdery white sand, and it is a top spot for photography.
• Best Time to Visit: April, May, October, and November for mild weather and fewer crowds.
• Local Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds and rent a bike to see the rest of La Digue.

3. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

• Location: Providenciales Island, Turks and Caicos
• Proximity to Major City: 90-minute flight from Miami, Florida.
• Why It’s on the List: Grace Bay Beach has clear water, soft white sand, and coral reefs, which makes it a good base for snorkeling and diving.
• Best Time to Visit: Late April to May, before the hurricane season and after peak tourist months.
• Local Tips: Book a sunset cruise and snorkel at nearby Coral Gardens Reef.

4. Tel Aviv Beach, Israel

• Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
• Proximity to Major City: Right in central Tel Aviv, 30 minutes from Ben Gurion Airport.
• Why It’s on the List: Stretching about 14 km (nearly 9 miles) along the Mediterranean coast, Tel Aviv beaches combine soft golden sand with a modern hi-tech city right behind them. From surfing at Hilton Beach, socializing on Bograshov beach, to relaxing at Gordon Beach, each stretch has its own crowd.
• Best Time to Visit: March to June or September to November, when the weather is pleasant and the city less crowded.
• Local Tips: Stroll along the Tayelet Promenade at sunset, then walk over to the nearby Carmel Market for authentic Israeli street food.

5. Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach), Greece

• Location: Zakynthos Island, Greece
• Proximity to Major City: A 1-hour flight from Athens to Zakynthos, followed by a boat ride.
• Why It’s on the List: A secluded cove ringed by tall cliffs, with clear water and the famous shipwreck of the MV Panagiotis.
• Best Time to Visit: May to early October for sunny weather and calm seas.
• Local Tips: Take a morning boat tour to beat the crowds and capture the best light for photos. Check the rules before you book: in recent years the Greek authorities have restricted landing on the beach because of the risk of rockfalls from the cliffs, so many tours only view it from the water.

6. Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas

• Location: Harbour Island, Bahamas
• Proximity to Major City: 2-hour flight from Miami, followed by a short ferry ride from North Eleuthera.
• Why It’s on the List: The unique pink-hued sand, colored by the red shells of tiny sea creatures called foraminifera, is the reason people come. The water is calm and there is a lot of marine life.
• Best Time to Visit: December to April, during the dry season.
• Local Tips: Rent a golf cart to get around the island, and try conch fritters at local eateries.

7. Matira Beach, Bora Bora

• Location: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Proximity to Major City: A 50-minute flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora.
• Why It’s on the List: Matira Beach has palm trees, a clear lagoon, and coral reefs, and it is often called the most romantic beach in the world.
• Best Time to Visit: May to October, during the dry season.
• Local Tips: Bring snorkeling gear for the reef, and watch the sunset from the beach with a tropical drink in hand.

What is your favorite beautiful beach on the planet in 2026?

These seven beaches cover a lot of ground, from quiet coves to a city beach. Pink sand in the Bahamas, cliffs in Greece, or the lively shore of Tel Aviv: pick the one that fits your trip.

The 2026 rankings

If you want this year’s verdict rather than ours, two lists landed in 2026. World’s 50 Best Beaches put Entalula Beach, on its own small island in Palawan in the Philippines, at number one for 2026, with Fteri in Greece second and Wharton Beach in Western Australia third. The panel is built from more than 1,000 travel professionals and a set of beach ambassadors, and each beach is scored on eight things: uniqueness, wildlife, untouched nature, the sound of nature, ease of getting into the water, calm water, lack of crowds, and the odds of perfect conditions on the day.

Tripadvisor published its own Travelers’ Choice beach awards in February 2026, drawn from reviews rather than a judging panel, which is why the two lists rarely agree. Ours is a shortlist of beaches worth the flight, not a popularity contest.

Sources: Time Out on the World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026; Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Top Beaches 2026.

Solomon Wiesen

Solomon (Shlomo) Wiesen is the author and photographer behind TLV Beaches. Originally from New York, he moved to Israel in 2011 and lives in Tel Aviv, a short walk from Frishman and Bograshov beaches. Every guide on the site is written from the beach, with more than 200 of his own photos of the Tel Aviv coast. He works in marketing, SEO and startups.