The 20 Best Beaches in the World

With thousands of beautiful beaches around the world, choosing the top 20 is an almost Herculean task. After much consideration, the following beaches were chosen as standouts in their category. To achieve a well-rounded selection, you'll find iconic favorites, surf destinations, pink stretches, protected areas, isolated islands, sandbars and more. The common denominator? All 20 are bound to inspire your next vacation.

Looking for more beachy inspiration? Check out our picks for the best family-friendly beaches and the top-secret beaches around the world you have to visit.

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands is easily one of the most otherworldly. It's also one of the most protected thanks to its location in Whitsunday Islands National Park, home to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Exuma Islands are known for their sandbars — long sandy stretches that extend into the ocean. But they're only accessible during low tide, such as the Mile-long Sandbar. It also goes by Big Farmer's Cay.

If you only come to France for Paris, you're missing out. The French Riviera is home to some of the best beaches on the planet, from Cannes (host of the famed film festival) to Saint-Tropez (think ultra-luxury). If you can only swing one beach day while in France, go to Nice. The beach itself is picture-perfect and the town has inspired painters for centuries, from Chagall to Matisse. Once an Italian city, you'll enjoy savoring some French-Italian lunch spots and boutiques in Nice.