Is it feasible to rank the beaches that are found all over the world? Of course not, as preferences will vary from visitor to traveller depending on factors such as amenities, accessibility, swimming and water sports possibilities, level of safety, sense of place, opportunities for leisure, and scenery. Yet, on the basis of my extensive travels and the fact that I’ve set foot on the sand of a great number of beaches all over the world, I’ve compiled a list of what I consider to be the 10 most breathtaking beaches in the world. The majority of these beaches, which range from sandy to coral and from long to secluded, may be found in some of the most desirable beach locations in the world. This should not come as a surprise. Unfortunately, these beaches are not a secret (anymore), and you will have to contend with a large number of other tourists while enjoying their breathtaking scenery. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you might want to skip the beaches on this list in favour of one of the world’s most stunning (semi-)private hotel beaches or book a room at one of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts instead.

1. TULUM, RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO

Tulum is not only home to some of the most breathtaking Mayan ruins in all of Mexico, but it is also home to some of the best beaches in the world. Here is where one of the best cultural destinations in the world meets one of the best beaches in the world. The ruins of Tulum are those of an ancient walled city that sit on top of a steep cliff that looks out over a breathtaking beach. The region is not really private because it is visited by crowds of tourists every day; however, the extensive stretch of white sand and the beautiful turquoise Caribbean waters more than make up for this drawback.

2. NAVAGIO BEACH, ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE

On the island of Zakynthos in Greece is a secluded sandy cove known as Navagio beach. This beach is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. It is commonly known as Shipwreck Beach due to the fact that it is the location of the wreck of a ship called the Panagiotis, which is thought to have been a smugglers ship in the past. The region is characterised by its steep limestone cliffs, beaches with white sand, and crystal clear water, all of which bring in tens of thousands of tourists each year. The narrow stretch of beach can only be reached by water, although it is possible to get a good view of it from the high point on one of the nearby cliffs.

3. GRACE BAY, TURKS & CAICOS

Providenciales is the most important destination for tourists in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which are made up of a total of forty islands and cays. Here, on the island’s northern coast, you’ll find Grace Bay, a 19-kilometer (or 12-mile) stretch of paradise that combines powdery white sand with crystal clear water and is surrounded on all sides by a coral reef system that offers excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving. Regrettably, in recent years a growing number of resorts and condo hotels have sprouted up along the beachfront. Because of this, it is possible that you will have a better experience on the more secluded hotel beaches of Amanyara or Parrot Cay.

4. WHITEHAVEN BEACH, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

Whitehaven Beach can be found in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef and is one of the beaches that are safeguarded by the Whitsunday Islands National Park. The most well-known beach in Australia is located 4,4 miles (or 7 kilometres) long and is washed by water that features swirls of turquoise, blue, and green. The sand is composed of 98% pure white silica, which gives it a bright colour that is very close to being luminous. You may get to Whitehaven Beach by flying in on a seaplane or helicopter, or you can sail there on one of the many boat tours that are offered in the surrounding area.

5. BAIA DO SANCHO, FERNANDO DE NORONHO, BRAZIL

Baio Do Sancho is found on the secluded island of Fernando de Noronha, which is part of an active volcanic archipelago consisting of 21 islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated about 220 miles (350 km) off the shore of a bay in the northeastern part of Brazil. Cliffs that are approximately 75 metres high and 250 feet in height surround a beach that features glistening emerald sea and powdery white sand. The beach can only be reached by boat or on foot by a dirt trail that passes through a break in a rock wall and has a few dozen stairs that are uneven and covered with sand that is slippery. The beach is an excellent location for activities such as snorkelling and observing stingrays.

6. LONG BEACH, VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA

It’s not just the amazing beauty of tropical beaches that can leave one unable to find words to describe it. The best example of this is Long Beach, which is the longest sandy beach on the island of Vancouver in Canada and features jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery in addition to an unparalleled marine habitat. Its 10 miles (16 km) of unspoiled sand are surrounded by beautiful rainforests and are washed by a cool pounding surf. This beach may be found within the limits of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which is located between Tofino and Ucluelet. During the spring and summer months, this coast is visited by 20,000 grey whales on their annual migration.

7. MAYA BAY, KOH PHI PHI, THAILAND

Maya Bay is a protected bay on the island of Koh Phi Phi in Thailand that is known for its breathtaking beauty. It is easy to see why filmmaker Danny Boyle chose this beach for the cult classic The Beach, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio. The beach features a ring of white sand that is encircled by mangroves and towering limestone walls that are coated by dense flora. The main beach within the bay is about 200 metres (650 feet) long and offers silky soft white sand, as well as beautiful coral and unusual fish swimming in water that is exceptionally transparent. The water is exceptionally clean.

8. ANSE SOURCE D’ARGENT, SEYCHELLES

The dazzlingly white sands of Anse Source d’Argent stretch out over La Digue, one of the 115 islands that comprise this paradisiacal archipelago in the Indian Ocean. This beach is known for being one of the most photographed beaches in the world. The sparkling coastline is set against a backdrop of gigantic granite rocks that have been weathered and worn down by time. The presence of an offshore reef, which shields the water from the swells of the ocean, makes the body of water, which is a beautiful shade of turquoise, an excellent place for swimming Be on the lookout for birds on the verge of extinction and enormous tortoises!