Located in Southern California, Huntington Beach is known for its beautiful ten mile long sandy shore. Its nickname is “Surf City USA” as it is home to many surfing competitions and some of the most renowned surfers for its ideal surfing conditions with waves reaching 15 feet and higher. Outside of surfing, there are many popular attractions and sights for tourists and locals to visit. One of the most famous being the Huntington Beach Pier, as it is one of the longest piers along the West Coast. This 1,850 feet long pier allows visitors to take in the breathtaking views and enjoy the ocean breeze. In addition, it hosts various activities such as fishing, dining, and shopping. An average of 11 to 15 million people annually visit Huntington Beach. 

Over the years, Huntington Beach has won multiple awards for its outstanding views and activities, the most notable being Best Beach Town in The US in 2023. 

Florida, one of the most notable locations for crystal blue waters, is home to Siesta Key Beach. Siesta Key Beach is located right off the coast of Sarasota. Its unique white sand is made of 99% pure quartz, as it stays cool to the touch even in the summer. This eight mile long beach offers many activities for everyone including paddle boarding, snorkeling, and even kayaking. Siesta Key is so popular because of its calming environment and shallow waters. 

Siesta Key Beach has won numerous awards including the 2025 #1 Best Beach in the US and #4 Beach in the World by TripAdvisor.

A tiny but stunning cove located on the island of Sardina is known for its natural beauty. In the 1960s a landslide occurred resulting in what we know now, Cala Goloritze. Across its length of 150 meters lies the Aguglia di Goloritzé, a 143 meter high limestone pinnacle, alongside a natural limestone arch. Despite its beauty it is not easy to get there as the only options are either taking a boat or hiking. In addition, during the summer months only 250 people are allowed to access the beach each day. With its turquoise water and unique beauty has made it the ideal summer location for many. 

Cala Goloritze won The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2025.

Over a two mile long coastline in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii lies the infamous Waikīkī Beach. Waikīkī consists of multiple smaller beaches, Queen Surf Beach, Waikīkī Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach, and Kūhiō Beach. Waikīkī is the perfect place for surfers, especially beginners as the waves are very gentle. Surfing wasn’t always an inclusive experience as only Hawaiian Royalty surfed, but that was until Duke Kahanamoku, who grew up in Waikīkī beach, was able to share the experience with the world. Waikīkī’s beauty brings in around four million visitors each year including some of the most renowned celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Amelia Earhart, and even Elvis Presley. 

Awarded by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) in 2022, Waikīkī beach won the “Best Restored Beach” award. 

The award winning Grace Bay is known for its clean turquoise water and soft white sand. It is located on the northeast coast of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. The three mile beach is very pristine as there is no rocks, seaweed, or pollution. Grace Bay is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and many more activities. About a mile away locates a barrier reef which protects the beach from swells of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Grace Bay has won World’s Leading Beach Destination by the World Traveling Awards and also won World’s Best Beach by Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice. 

Cancún Beach attracts millions of visitors for its unique sand and Mayan culture. The 17 mile patch of sand is a pure white color and is 70% coral from Parrotfish. Cancún Beach is located off the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Because of its location, the temperature remains fairly consistent year round, making it an ideal tropical get-away. It is perfect for boat rides, swimming, and relaxing. Cancún has a rich Mayan history and culture as it is home to many beautiful sites. One of these includes the Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is an ancient Maya city that housed around 35,000 people starting in 550. 

Cancún Beach won Mexico’s Leading Beach Destination 2024 by the World Travel Awards. 

The Outer Banks consists of around 300 barrier islands, primarily Currituck Bank, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. It stretches about 200 miles along the coast of North Carolina, starting from Back Bay, Virginia. The Outer Banks attracts more than five million visitors each year as it offers various attractions, beautiful beaches, and historical landmarks. Some of these attractions include lighthouse tours, wild horse tours, and climbing sand dunes. The Outer Banks, specifically Kitty Hawk Beach, is known for the Wright Brothers achievement of successfully inventing and flying the first airplane. 

The Outer Banks has won various awards such as the #1 Best Family Beach Vacation in the USA from the U.S. News & World Report. 

Along the coast of Maryland and Virginia, is Assateague Island. It spans 37 miles long and offers biking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, and much more. There is lots of wildlife as you may find wild horses and unique species of animals. This includes wild ponies, deers, and whales. There are even over two hundred different species of birds. The beaches are very clean making it an ideal place to relax. Assateague Island attracts over 3.2 million visitors each year. 

Assateague Island has not won any awards for the beach itself, although it has received recognition multiple times. 

Known for its breathtaking beauty in Kefalonia, Greece is Fteri Beach. It is fairly small and has restricted access, making it a more secluded destination. To get to the beach you will have to buy tickets to hike or to arrive by boat. There are no amenities or facilities on the beach, so all visitors are recommended to bring any necessities they may need. Fteri Beach has crystal clear water and contains both sand and white pebbles. Surrounding the beach are beautiful white limestone cliffs. Fteri Beach is perfect for swimming, relaxing, and exploring various coves.

Fteri Beach ranked fourth on the Forbes, The World’s 50 Best Beaches For 2025.