Ten Breathtaking Beaches for Planning Your Summer Escape

Last Updated on July 14, 2014

Close your eyes and imagine the feeling of a warm salty breeze blowing through your hair, powder-fine sand beneath your feet, and the soft crashing sound of waves on the surf. We all have our own visions of paradise and tranquility, but there’s just something about the beach that brings peace and serenity and beckons us from our busy day-to-day lives.

Are you ready for the ultimate beach escape? Here is a list of ten beaches that have been voted to take your breath away:

Anse Lazio; Praslin Island, Seychelles

Located northeast of Madagascar in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Anse Lazio sparkles with clear, pure water and offers great snorkeling and swimming. It is known for its wide horizon line, which attracts tourists from the Praslin’s area and beyond.

Lanikai Beach; Hawaii, US

Situated within Kailua on the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii, this small, half-mile long beach has consistently been ranked among the best beaches in the world. It is a popular spot for photo shoots and is recognized as being the place to watch the moonrise over Mokuluas.

Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach); Zakynthos, Greece

Known as the “The Shipwreck” (as it is home to the wreck of the ship Panagiotis), Navagio Beach is located on an isolated sandy cove on Zakynthos Island, Greece. It is defined by its sheer limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water, and it attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is known as one of the most famous and highly photograped beaches in Greece.

Eagle Beach; Aruba, Caribbean

Located in Oranjestad, Aruba, Eagle Beach has been rated one of the best beaches in the world, but take caution, it is one of the two beaches in Aruba that allow nudity.

Grace Bay Club (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos)

This 12-mile stretch of soft-white sand has been recognized as the number one beach in the Caribbean and the number two beach in the world. Some of the best resorts in the Caribbean are located on Grace Bay Beach. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing day exploring for starfish, sand dollars and marine life, or enjoy family time seeking other aquatic adventures.

Pink Sands Beach; Bahamas, Caribbean

Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island in the Bahamas is renowned for its pale pink sand, with the beach spanning three miles long and 50-100 feet wide. It is considered as one of the top pink sand beaches in the world. Harbour Island also boasts one of the top dive sites in the world, known as “Current Cut Dive.” This beach is home to fine cuisine, family-style restaurants, deep sea fishing and surf fishing. Day excursions to nearby Eleuthera and Spanish Wells are available for shopping in Dunmore Town.

Whitehaven Beach; Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Named the top Eco-Friendly Beach in the world by CNN.com, Whitehaven Beach is Queensland’s cleanest beach, prohibiting dogs and cigarette smoking. It is known for its white sands and consists of 98% pure silica which gives it its white color. The sand doesn’t retain heat, making it comfortable for a barefoot walk on a hot day.

Radhanagar Beach; Havelock Island, India

Considered one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia, Radhanagar Beach is known for its unique color combination of the greenish-blue colored sea, complemented by the stark white sandy beach. Tourists enjoy riding bicycles on the beach and resting in beach-side cottages.

Siesta Key Public Beach; Florida, US

Winner of the world’s finest, whitest sand, Siesta Key Public Beach extends half a mile along the most pristine white sands in the world. Located on the Florida West Coast, the pure white quartz sand is pulverized into a fine powder. Even under the hottest subtropical sun, it remains cool to the touch, making it one of the best walking beaches in the USA.

Bamboo Island; Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Bamboo Island is one of a group of small islands located about six miles off the coast of Sihanoukville City in southern Cambodia.

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