10 Best Beaches in the World Revealed: Australia Still the Champion

We already knew it, but the best beaches in the world are found right here in Australia. Whitehaven Beach in Queensland has been crowned the best beach in the world by Lonely Planet, and a lesser-known Victorian beach, Squeaky Beach, has snuck in second place. Sydney-siders are a little confused at how the judges missed out on the best beaches around Sydney, but according to the website, the list is compiled by Lonely Planet’s travel experts so they must know something we don’t. Nevertheless, these beaches are bucket-list-worthy additions to your yearly travel plans, so let’s check out the list.

1. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland

Location: Queensland, Australia

• Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
• Famous for its powdery white silica sand — 98% pure
• Crystal-clear turquoise waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling
• Best viewed from Hill Inlet lookout for its swirling sand patterns
• Only accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter — untouched and serene

Whitehaven Beach in Queensland has won more “best beach in the world” accolades than we can list. It’s THE bucket list beach to visit because of its powdery white silica sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and untouched serenity. If you’re planning a trip here, the best time to visit is in spring (September to November) when the weather is mild, the humidity is lower, and there’s less chance of summer storms and rains that tend to hit Queensland hard. There are also fewer crowds, as most tourists come during the summer Christmas break.

2. Squeaky Beach, Victoria

Location: Victoria, Australia

• Named for the “squeaky” quartz sand that crunches underfoot
• Surrounded by granite boulders and dramatic headlands
• Calm waves in summer make it ideal for families and body surfing
• Part of a national park with hiking trails and wildlife nearby
• Easily accessible by car and short walk — perfect day trip from Melbourne

Squeaky Beach is named literally. The sand at this top-ranked beach is a quartz type that crunches under your foot when you walk. Like Wine Glass Bay in Tasmania, the cliffs around this beach are what make it one of the best in the world, with a grandeur that you won’t find at many popular beaches in other states like New South Wales or Queensland. This beach has become popular as a long day trip from Melbourne, which is only 3 hours away by car. We recommend visiting in the autumn (March-May) or spring (September-November) shoulder seasons as it gets very busy during the Christmas and summer holidays.

3. Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue

Location: La Digue, Seychelles

• One of the most photographed beaches in the world
• Characterised by giant granite boulders, shallow lagoons, and pink-hued sand
• Calm, warm waters protected by coral reef — great for snorkelling
• Best visited in the late afternoon for dreamy lighting and fewer crowds

If you’ve never heard of Seychelles, we wouldn’t blame you. This archipelago of 115 islands is located in the Indian Ocean off East Africa, and of all the beaches on the list of the best, this is one of the hardest to access. La Digue is an island, and Anse Source d’Argent is the beach Lonely Planet chose for their list. You can access this beach by helicopter from Mahe or Praslin. Alternatively, take a short 15-minute ferry ride from Praslin, or an hour ferry ride from Mahe. Once you arrive you’ll be welcomed by one of the most photographed beaches in the world with giant granite boulders, shallow lagoons, and pink-hued sand.

4. Sunset Beach, Trang

Location: Ko Kradan, Trang, Thailand

• Known for its incredible sunsets — hence the name
• Smaller stretch of golden sand ideal for relaxation
• Isolate, quiet, serene

If you want to get away from the crowds in Thailand, check out Sunset Beach on the country’s southern Andaman Coast. This beach is accessible by foot and boasts one of the best sunset views in the world. There’s no development, no food trucks, no drinks. It’s you, the beach, and a handful of tourists who are willing to make the trek for the views. Take out what you bring in, leave the beach clean, and make sure you’re careful of the coral reef if you want to snorkel.

5. Sarakiniko Beach, Milos

Location: Milos, Greece

• Famous for its moon-like white volcanic rock formations
• Deep blue Aegean waters contrast dramatically with the stark landscape
• Great for swimming and photography
• Unique geological experience — feels like another planet
• Best visited in the early morning to beat the crowds and heat

Just a short ride from Plaka, Sarakiniko Beach is famous for its lunar landscape often compared to the moon. The smooth white rocks contrast against the clear turquoise water and you won’t be able to help yourself by going for a swim. If you plan on visiting it’s important to note that the beach and shoreline are hard to navigate with no shading and no facilities.

6. Haukland Beach, Lofoten Islands

Location: Lofoten Islands, Norway

• Surreal arctic beauty — white sand and emerald-green waters, backed by mountains
• Safe swimming in summer, with surprisingly mild water temperatures
• Incredible northern lights viewing spot in winter
• Popular for kayaking, hiking, and scenic drives
• Often voted Norway’s most beautiful beach

Beaches aren’t the first thing that we think of when we visit Norway, but Haukland Beach in the Lofoten Islands is doing what it can to change that. Now one of the top-ranked beaches in the world, it’s a 10-minute drive away from Leknes, on the north side of Vestvågøy. You can visit by car, pay a donation, and park right next to the beach where you’ll find the Haukland Beach Cafe (open from 11:00 to 17:00, June to September), toilets, waste disposal stations, various activity options, and camping area for hikers, but not permanent residents.

7. Playa Balandra, Baja California Sur

Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

• Shallow, calm waters ideal for wading and paddleboarding
• Surrounded by desert hills and cactus-covered cliffs
• Home to the iconic mushroom-shaped rock formation
• Part of a protected natural area — no commercial development
• Bring your own gear and picnic — limited facilities but unforgettable views

One of the best beaches in the world, Playa Balandra in Baja California is so popular that no more than 450 visitors are allowed to enter at a time and you have to book a timeslot to visit. With that in mind, we recommend booking this one far in advance, but if you’re lucky enough to secure a timeslot you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular beaches on our list. White sand, rocky mountains, and crystal blue waters make this unspoiled beach one of our favourites. To make the most of your time at this beach we recommend a half a day on the beach or a full day to enjoy the clubs around this area as well, Club De Playa El Tecolote is one of our favourites.

8. Pfeiffer Beach, California

Location: California, USA

• Known for its purple-tinted sand and dramatic rock formations
• The iconic Keyhole Arch creates magical sunset views as light streams through
• Hidden gem — accessed via a narrow road, with fewer crowds
• Wild, rugged beauty is perfect for photographers and nature lovers
• Cold water — more for scenery and strolls than swimming

Famous for Keyhole Rock (pictured above) Pfeiffer Beach is located in the Big Sur region of California and has been ranked as one of the best beaches in the world by Lonely Planet. Like many California-based beaches, this is a very popular spot, and if you plan on visiting it’s best to bring your walking shoes as the carpark only accommodates 65 vehicles and fills up quickly in warmer months and on the weekends during holiday periods. People don’t visit this beach to swim, rather the beach is known for purple patches of sand that you can view after rain due to the Manganese garnet that spills off the nearby cliffs.

9. Hanalei Bay, Hawai’i

Location: Hawai’i, USA

• Crescent-shaped bay backed by lush mountains and waterfalls
• Excellent year-round surf for beginners and pros
• Calm summer waters ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking
• Charming nearby town with local art, food, and culture
• Featured in movies like The Descendants for its cinematic beauty

One of the top-ranked beaches in the world, Hanalei Bay is famous for its size, natural beauty, and tourism. However, it’s also been the choice for many movies and was the star in the 2012 film The Descendants which starred George Clooney. Co-producer George Parra said at the time that “Hanalei Bay is unique just by the enormous size of it, very raw and mostly untouched,” and that’s exactly why tourists flock to this region, and this beach, every year.

10. Platja Illetes, Formentera

Location: Formentera, Spain

• Often compared to Caribbean beaches for the clarity and softness of the sand
• Located in the Balearic Islands — a short ferry from Ibiza
• Shallow turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling
• Popular with yachts and luxury travellers, but still relaxed
• Offers both developed beach clubs and untouched stretches of sand

Rounding out the list of the best beaches in the world is Platja Illetes in Formentera, Spain. There’s nothing particularly special about this beach, the sand isn’t snow white, the water is only crystal clear, and the snorkelling locations are not better than those on The Great Barrier Reef, but it’s famous for being one of the quietest beaches to visit in the Mediterranean. Most tourists like to head over for a day’s visit from Ibiza after partying too hard and taking in the marine life.