Powder-soft white sands, translucent waters, and dramatic coastal scenery.
Amina DialloGlobal Travel & Nature Editor
Winner
Grace Bay Beach
Overview
Not all beaches are created equal. We audited water clarity, sand texture, surrounding natural protection, marine life, and coastal atmosphere to pick seven world-beating shores.
Winner spotlight
№1Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, is the gold standard of tropical coastlines. Twelve miles of powdery, blindingly white coral sand meet tranquil, shallow turquoise waters protected by an offshore barrier reef, making it virtually wave-free and crystal clear year-round.
At a glance
| Pick | #1 Grace Bay Beach 12 Mile Coast | #2 Whitehaven Beach 98% Pure Silica | #3 Anse Source d'Argent Granite Boulders | #4 Navagio Beach (Shipwreck) Ionian Cove | #5 Baia do Sancho Marine Sanctuary | #6 Pink Sands Beach 3 Mile Pink Sand | #7 Camps Bay Twelve Apostles Backdrop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.9 | 9.8 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Scenery | Iconic | Stunning | Beautiful | Lovely | Charming | Nice | Nice |
| Crowd level | Manageable | Moderate | Busy | Busy | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet |
| Food scene | World-class | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Best season | Spring | Autumn | Spring | Autumn | Summer | Spring | Autumn |
The list
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1Flawless white coral sand and tranquil turquoise barrier reef lagoon.
Best overallWhy buy
Keep in mind
2Swirling tide inlets of brilliant white silica sand and aqua sea.
Pure silica sandWhy buy
Keep in mind
3Dramatic sculpted pink granite boulders framing shallow calm lagoons.
Photogenic granite karstsWhy buy
Keep in mind
4Towering white limestone cliffs encircling a rusted freight shipwreck.
Dramatic cliff backdropWhy buy
Keep in mind
5Secluded cliff-ringed bay with wild dolphins and sea turtles.
Wildlife & divingWhy buy
Keep in mind
6Soft pale pink sand created by microscopic coral organisms.
Unique pink hueWhy buy
Keep in mind
7Dramatic granite mountain ridge meeting Atlantic waves and sunset dining.
Mountain backdrop & vibeWhy buy
Keep in mind
Deep dive
| Feature | Grace Bay Beach | Whitehaven Beach | Anse Source d'Argent | Navagio Beach (Shipwreck) | Baia do Sancho | Pink Sands Beach | Camps Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible by train | |||||||
| Budget friendly | |||||||
| Hidden gems | |||||||
| Photogenic | |||||||
| Family friendly | |||||||
| Local food scene | |||||||
| Guided tours | |||||||
| Quiet escape |
The verdict
Before you buy
Every destination was visited in person by our editors, in season, for a minimum of three days. We judge places on how they feel at 7am, how they treat solo travellers, and whether the food justifies the jet lag.
A great destination is a great destination at the wrong time of year for nobody. Check the best-season note before you book, and remember that the second-most-famous spot in any region is usually the better trip.
The winner of our The 7 Best Beaches in the World ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
We don't pretend to be objective — we're transparent. Each destination is scored by editors who visited in person, on scenery, crowds, food, value and 'would we fly back tomorrow'. The score is an average of those five.
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