Palms swaying in the gentle breeze, clear blue-green waters lapping the shore, beaches filled with soft white sands, and loads of water sports — can any of these keep a ‘water baby’ away from taking a beach vacation? 

Whether you love digging your toes in the fine white sand or snorkeling in clear warm waters, vacationing at the beach is always fun for the young and old alike. So, what you waiting for? Grab your flip-flops and your swimsuit before the bookings close. 

Check out these 10 beach hotspots from around the world, and opt for the one that suits your idea of a great beach holiday the most. And don’t forget to pack your eco-friendly sunscreen beach people!

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1. Bahamas (Exuma)

If you’re looking for stellar beaches for your next ‘water’ vacation, the Bahamas must certainly find a place in your itinerary. The country is made of many islands and is known to have the clearest water on Earth and boasts of over 2,000 islands and cays. If all this sounds like paradise, a visit to Exuma is a must and here are a few reasons why.

It’s a paradise for those interested in snorkeling. The clear water lets you enjoy colorful marine life, including sharks! You’ll be surprised that pigs in Exuma can swim! And if you’re looking to pet little ‘dragons’, head to Leaf Cay to hang out with the iguanas.

Best beach weather: December to mid-April

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2. French Polynesia

Want to spend a holiday right in the middle of the mighty blue South Pacific Ocean? French Polynesia is the place for you. Capture the mesmerizing colors on the ocean waters of the setting sun as you watch it disappear into the horizon.

One of the most famous beaches of Tahiti is Matira Beach, which is a public beach. Here you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s beauty all around you. Temae Plage Publique is also a public beach, but it rarely gets crowded.

Best beach weather: May to October

3. Mykonos

It won’t be wrong to call Mykonos a beach paradise. Beaches such as Platys Gialos Beach, Ornos Beach, Psarou Beach, Paraga Beach, Elia Beach (next to beautiful Myconian Collection), and Paradise Beach are great for partygoers as well as families and couples. They have everything from swimming and sunbathing, to beach resorts, beach parties, and water sports. 

Mykonos is also known for its restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. The sandy beaches have plenty of bars to quench your liquor thirst and also offer nice walks for active beachgoers.

Best beach weather: September and October

4. Bali

A view that includes volcanic peaks over rice paddy fields is one of which you would not have ever dreamt. However, when you’re in Bali, it can be imagined, and it becomes true. Apart from the volcanic peaks, it is the beaches and coral reefs of Bali that draw visitors and travelers from around the world. Here they get to experience both white sandy beaches alongside dark sand filled ones. 

Most beaches of Bali are located towards the south — Seminyak Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, Jimbaran Bay Beach, etc. The nightlife scene is very vibrant and those of you looking for adventure can try their hand at water sports including amazing surfing. Other beaches and reefs are very popular with scuba-divers and snorkelers where you can swim with manta rays. 

Best beach weather: Between April and early November

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5. Miami

Known for their stunning natural beauty, most of Miami’s beaches are a perfect destination for sunbathing, beach sports, and people-watching. South Beach is lined with restaurants and bars with its shore lined with palm trees. South Pointe Park has a fishing pier and picnic areas, the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of amazing cosmopolitan Miami. 

The spectacular views and the scenic beaches from West Avenue across Biscayne Bay are a photographer’s delight. When there, do try the tasty stone crab claws. Just north, Haulover Beach attracts travelers from around the world due to its stunning dune landscape. 

Best beach weather: Mid-February through May

6. Costa Rica

An expansive shoreline that is tucked between the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Costa Rica has beaches with unique and diverse characteristics. From white sand stretches lined with palm trees to volcanic black sand and naturally rugged beach coves surrounded by tropical rainforest, Costa Rica’s coral seascape is every bit worth exploring. 

Get your snorkeling gear to explore the coral and underwater secrets at Conchal Beach. Another popular beach destination in the country is Manuel Antonio Beach. Here hiking trails and rainforest exploration with wildlife keep you busy. Surfers can grab their surfboards and head out to Tamarindo Beach. 

Best beach weather: Mid-December to April

7. Thailand

Remember the movie The Beach? It was shot on the beaches of Thailand. Some of the world’s most gorgeous beaches are found in tropical Thailand. They are popular around the globe for their beauty and pristine stretches of soft white sand. 

From the lush and exotic Koh Phi Phi to the popular shores of Phuket, the beaches of Thailand stretch across the shorelines of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

The beaches in Krabi and Phuket are popular with most travelers, as are Phra Nang Beach and Buffalo Bay. Pattaya Beach, a 1.5-km-long expansive stretch of white sand, has more than just sand and sea. In the evening, explore its very famous Walking Street and dance your night away.

Best beach weather: November through February

8. Queensland

Queensland offers a distinctive experience with its world-class beaches. Seventy-Five Mile Beach is Australia’s premier four-wheel driving location. It runs along the east coast of Fraser Island and offers a wide variety of wildlife. Whitehaven Beach, voted as the world’s most beautiful beach, is located in the Whitsunday Islands.

Best beach weather: April through October

9. Cape Town

One of the most beautiful cities in the world and dubbed as South Africa’s Mother City, Cape Town has some of the most exquisite beaches on the planet. Camps Bay, Clifton Beach, Llandudno, Fish Hoek Beach, Boulders Beach, Glen Beach — you name it and they have it. 

With so many beaches dotted along its Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines, Cape Town has the sun, sand, and surf beckoning you to spend some time strolling on its soft sandy stretches.

Best beach weather: October to March

10. Seychelles

To experience some of the most out-of-this-world beaches, jet off to Seychelles. Unmatched anywhere in the world, the beaches of Seychelles will give you a sense of being in the lap of paradise. Soft white sand beaches are backed by hills covered by palms and rocky boulders. 

Best beach weather: October and April