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Top 10 white-sand beaches in the world

Does cold weather have you dreaming of a warm beach in an exotic location? Sun, sand, and surf tempt the winter-weary to enjoy marvelous fun and relaxation. Where the sparkling water meets gorgeous white sand, the penultimate imagination of paradise beckons. Here’s a look at ten of the best white sand beaches from around the world to really perk your desires.

Bora Bora, Tahiti

It’s billed as the most romantic island in the world, and it’s hard to find any reasons to argue with that. Private over water bungalows provide sublime relaxation. Mount Otemanu rises into the sky like spires of a castle, inviting you explore the fantastic panoramas above the glistening beaches. Matira Beach is enchanting while also being exciting. With plenty of water sports, Bora Bora brings all of the best amenities together in one place. Bora Bora

Playa Paraiso, Cayao Largo, Cuba

Cuba you say? It is getting easier for Americans to travel there, as this report in the New York Times Points out. Experience remote and exotic before the exquisite beauty of this stretch of sand becomes more common knowledge. You can take a train ride from the hotel zone. Don’t confuse it with another fantastic beach by the same name in Tulum, Mexico. Playa Paraiso

White Beach, Boracay, Philippines

Unlike the more remote Playa Paraiso mentioned above, White Beach on Boracay is definitely on the map when it comes to white sand tourist destinations. Inviting bars and restaurants that stay open until dawn are steps away from the white sand. The winds in the earlier months of the year make Bulabog Beach on the east side of Boracay a great destination for wind surfers and kite boarders, while White Beach offers exceptional snorkeling and diving. White Beach

The Maldives, Indian Ocean

It’s a big island chain near the Equator, with lots of different resort options for those seeking a sublime getaway or a sport-filled excursion. Try the beaches near the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru for the best of both. With villas spread across the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, guests experience five-star elegance amid grand natural wonder. Maldives

Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy

Located about halfway between Malta and the shores of North Africa, Lampedusa is graced with white sand beaches, crystal clear water, stunning bluffs, Rabbit beach was named the top Traveler’s Choice Beach in the World for 2013 on TripAdvisor. Looking at it makes it clear why it was so honored. Charming villas and hotels in styles from Mediterranean to Caribbean and African offer a nice variety. Rabbit Beach

Langkawi, Malaysia

The word Langkawi, when translated, means “land of wishes.” Part of an archipelago of about 100 islands, it’s full of stunning white sand beaches. The Datai Langkawi embodies the land of wishes with its extraordinary location. Set in the midst of virgin rainforest with pathways leading to gorgeous white sand, the resort sets a high standard. Bountiful natural grandeur and luxurious pampering await. Langkawi

Kauna’oa Bay, Hawaii

This treasure on the Big Island is the classic crescent-shaped white sand beach, lined with palm trees and beautiful blue water. Everything you might imagine a tropical Hawaiian paradise can be seen at one location. Resort hotels offer all the best amenities while the beach calls for you to explore, relax, and experience its serene beauty. Kauna'oa

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

Gorgeous sunsets, sparking white sands under pink granite rock formations and green mountain peaks, and stunning water vistas await. Part of spectacular Freycinet National Park, the natural grandeur will envelop you in its beauty. From camping to luxurious resorts, there is a range of lodging options. About 2 and 1/2 hours drive from Hobart on the East Coast of Tasmania, it’s exotic and enticing. Wineglass

Grand Anse Beach, Seychelles

Located on La Digue Island in this remote chain in the Indian Ocean off the East Coast of Africa, this is truly one of the most beautiful locations in the world. The granite rock formations set against the beach, ocean, and green landscape draw you in. The Seychelles are astounding objects of natural wonder that will stir your imagination to the hilt. The beach does experience big waves – great news if you want to surf while on vacation. Grand Anse

Anse de Grande Saline, St. Barts

The crystal blue water is in the mid-80s year round, while the glistening white sand is favored by naturalists. The marshy salt pool behind the stretch of sand gives the beach its name and is a haven for tropical birds. Taking in the scenery while sipping a nice tropical drink defines a beach paradise. The island promises enough relaxation and recreation to satiate anyone who desires a tropical holiday. Anse de Grande Saline, St. Barts Any of these beaches are worthy of being placed at the top of any list covering the world’s best beaches. Fine white sand, great amenities, natural wonder, and luxurious accommodations await those who dare to venture forth. Get rid of your winter blues straight away when you find yourself literally stepping into paradise. Pierre Fortier is General Manager for Palmex International. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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35 Comments

  1. Above Top 10 white-sand beaches in the world are different nice romantic beaches.
    Our beautiful Ngapali Beach is gorgeous and another Ngwe Saung Beach is most pleasant long beach and white sand against the blue sea in Myanmar South East Asia.
    Fringed with coconut trees, almost all hotel buildings usually face toward the beach. Diving-fishing facilities and boat tours to nearby islands can be arranged.

    1. Jervis Bay has the WORLDS WHITEST sand. Beaches there are more stunning than any listed. Plus it holds the world record for whitest sand.

  2. My beach bucket list… Let’s go ❤❤❤❤ I’ve been to some beautiful beaches…. But these omg…. Look amazing…. X

    1. I think you still miss one of the mildest and softest sandy beaches in the world. Ngurbloat beach or Pantai Pasir Panjang in Kei Islands, Indonesia must be in your list as well.

  3. Whitehaven Beach in Queensland, Australia & Hyams Beach in New South Wales have to go on this list. Absolutely the most beautiful white silica sand, not coral based like many. Never gets hot in the feet. Apparently Siesta Key in Florida is the same.

  4. Great list. I am obsessed with white sand beaches. I do think that there is one in the US that should make a list. Destin, Florida a well hidden paradise.

  5. I have to agree with Lina. Some of the most beautiful sugar white sand beaches are located in Northwest Florida along Destin and Scenic Highway 30A.

  6. These are incredible! I’ll have to add them to my ‘bucket list’ for sure.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

  7. Thanks for the great list. We have some fantastic white sand beaches here in Mexico too, but one of my favorite of all time is still Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda…just stunning!

  8. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy added to my bucket list! Thanks for the great post! Check out some of Mozambique’s beaches too!

  9. Great effort put for this, however, please let your writers know that they should do proper research before having a field day compiling lists like these. I’m from Malaysia and your Langkawi listing is all wrong. I wonder if any of you have actually been there.

    First of all, “Land of Wishes” is wrong – “The magnificent name, Langkawi, is believed to have originated from the abundance of eagles found on the island. The Brahminy Kite, a species of eagle fondly known as “Lang Merah” in Malay, and “Kawi”, meaning marble in Sanskrit, is also unique to the island. Another reference states that the name is a combination of two Sanskrit words, “Langka” (beauty) and “Wi” (innumerable), which means ‘The Place of Immense BeautyÂ’”

    Second – The Detai Langkawi. It’s DATAI Langkawi. If your writer bothered to do some research, you would have visited their website at least before featuring them.

    Third – “KaunaÂ’oa Bay, Hawaii” – That photo is actually the Berjaya Resort in Langkawi Island. Those are the water villa units there. I was just there a couple of months ago too.

    Writing articles or list requires ‘some’ skill and knowledge, not pulling info and photos from the web. I should be contributing this for you as I have pretty much travelled a fair bit.

    Hope someone edits or corrects the mistakes as it can make you look bad for such a well branded blog. Worst, it gives readers the wrong information. That’s not good.

    Regards,
    David

  10. David, I can’t speak to your first two points, but your third point is invalid. The way that they formatted the article is: locale name, paragraph description, then pic. So the pic you think they are attributing to Hawaii actually goes w/ the Malaysia blurb. If you start from the top, you’ll see that’s how it is. You were so tough on them, I just had to point this out! :-)

  11. Hello David

    To address the points you raise…

    1. I notice much of your text here has just been copied and pasted from https://naturallylangkawi.my/EN/Langkawi_History

    If you were to delve further, you might have come across this explanation from wikitravel.org:

    “The name “Langkawi” has two possible origins. First, it is believed to be related to the kingdom of Langkasuka, itself a version of the Malay negari alang-kah suka (“the land of all one’s wishes”), centered in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of “Langgasu” as being founded in the 1st century AD. Second, it could be a combination of the Malay words ‘helang’, meaning “eagle” and ‘kawi’, meaning “reddish-brown” or “strong”, in old Malay.”

    2. I have corrected that typo and changed Detai to Datai.

    3. Tiff is correct. As is pretty much always the case with these kinds of round-ups on A Luxury Travel Blog, they each take the form ‘heading’ (the bit in bold), followed by ‘description’ (the text) and ‘photograph’ (and in some cases some more text after the picture).

    I hope this helps,

    Paul

    PS – If you (or anyone else) would like to be a contributor to the blog, then please get in touch via https://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/contact-us/

  12. Great inspiration, Seychelles is one of our personal favourites. Some of the beaches there are absolutely breathtaking. Great for romantic honeymoons.

  13. This list is a joke! the publisher never has been to Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, FL.
    The bottom line to this beach? You better wear sunglasses most of the time or you will be getting headaches from the glass crystal content in the sand. Don’t believe it? GO THERE! Has won numerous awards for the best on the planet. Very surprised the pub missed it!

    1. Thank you @chuck Patrick! The pictures look amazing. It is now in the top of my list!

  14. Hyams beach in Australia off the coast of jervis bay has the whitest sand in the world according to the guinness book of world records. Iv’e been there and it is absolutely amazing but these are all definitely on my bucket list.

  15. Wow, a great list. It certainly made me miss summer even more. I’ve been to a few amazing beaches in Sicily (Italy), The Dominican Republic and Greece, but these are just unreal. I’d love to visit them all!

    1. How one can forget the best sandy beaches Arambol and Harnal in Goa India

  16. As a Mauritian National, I am offended that none of my country’s beach made it to the list. Home to 50 plus stunning beaches, Mauritius is the place to-go if you are a beach fanatic. In fact, the Trou Aux Beach was awarded the World’s Best Beach in 2011. Besides, all the beaches feature (not just white), rather more appropriately, “SNOW-WHITE” sand, spectacular landscapes, pleasant weather and crystal-clear turquoise waters as far as our eyes can see- rendering that matchless island vibe.
    Rightly referred to as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” it is undoubtedly a perfect summer getaway

  17. Interesting list. It had me looking up Tahiti and Boracay. I’m currently in Da Nang, Vietnam. And the beach here is fantastic, My Khe beach specifically. Penang Island in Malaysia is also great too! I figured I’d check out Langkawi when I go back to Malaysia. But this post made me want to visit Boracay after leaving Da Nang sometime in April. :)

  18. Australia has some beautiful ones, too! I was there in 2017, a magical place for sure. I need to get to more of these once quarantine is over!!

  19. I came across this post as a related topic to the one I was reading, and I’m glad to be resurrecting it from the archives. It makes me reminisce about some of the best beaches I’ve been to just in the last couple of years. It’s pretty cold where I am right now and the pictures here make me wish I could get away for a few days to somewhere warmer and to experience the sands between my toes again. Anyone ever noticed how these top beaches in the world are almost always white sand beaches? Just a random thought.

  20. Stuck deciding if it is Seychelles or Langkawi, but all of the beaches there are absolutely breathtaking.

  21. boy o boy the people commenting here sure have their opinions dont they :) “my beach is better then your beach” who cares, their all beautiful on this planet.
    just get to all of them before u leave this planet haha

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