Although this is an incredibly subjective viewpoint of a writer, people are always in search of where the ‘most beautiful beaches in the world’ lie. Cramming the beauty and diversity of the world’s coastlines into a structured list is not an easy thing to do. Not to mention, when comparing Frommers to the Lonely Planet to Wikitravel, the order and the contenders are much debated. Nonetheless, from a little bit of research and a little bit of personal experience, here is a well thought out (yet bias) list of the Top 5 most beautiful and esthetically pleasing beaches in the world.
5) Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu), Maui, Hawaii
South of Hana Bay, a popular tourist destination on the island of Maui, is this isolated red cliff enclosed beach. The beach gets its red sand from lava cinders off Ka’uiki. To arrive at this beach, a steep slippery trail must be taken, Although swimming is not recommended due to strong rip tides, it is truly enjoyable to wander off the beaten path and take pleasure in a different experience in this red sandy cove.
4) Tayrona National Park, Columbia
Located on the Caribbean coast near Santa Marta in Columbia, the beautiful coastline has 4 popular beaches to visit: Canaveral, Arrecifes, El Cabo and La Piscina. A small park entrance fee allows you to explore the 150 km of land and 30 km of maritime in 5 days. Enjoy camping in hammocks, watching howler and titi monkeys, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.
3) Tulum Beach, Mexico
Once serving as a point of defense against sea and land invaders, Tulum is now one of Mexico’s most visited ruins. South of the ruins are the white limestone beaches and the spectacularly blue water of Tulum Beach. Both historic and visually mesmerizing, the Tulum beaches are a must see in Mexico.
2) Palawan, Philippines
Palawan is an island province of the Philippeans in the South China Sea in the northwest and Sulu Sea in the southeast. As one of the most diverse (terrestrial and marine) islands in the Philippines, there are over 50 white sandy beaches with crystal clear water that are incredibly private. You will also discover enthralling lagoons with peaceful green water and caves that bring you to private beaches. In a word…paradise!
1) Whitehaven Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia
Consistently rated amongst the top beaches in the world, Whitehaven Beach makes the top of the list once again. A quick ‘Google image’ search will promptly prove why these beaches are the most photographed in Australia. These wind and tide swept beaches are formed from the tide shifting the sand and water to create a blend of white sands and turquoise waters. They are the ultimate fusion of beauty and truly are something to see.