There are so many amazing beaches all over the world. Of course, what one person thinks is the best beach might not appeal to others. We have included a variety on this list to appeal to people of all interests. If you love water sports, there are ones here for you. If you love nothing more than remote beaches and the sound of the waves as the backdrop to your day, then we have some of those in here as well.
The author of this article is lying on the beach right now (in Cyprus), writing this article on his phone, drinking a cocktail (or two), hoping that this will give the article some authenticity compared to writing it back in the Frugal Expat office.
1. Fig Tree Bay
First on the list is Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus, one of the most amazing beaches and one of the writers' favorites.
Fig Tree Bay is a child-friendly beach. The crystal-clear water remains thigh- to waist-high for about 25 meters out, providing a safe environment for young children to have fun in the sea without it being too deep.
At the end of the beach, there's a little rock pool where kids can play and look for crabs, fish, or cool rocks.
The sunbeds, managed by the town council, are reasonably priced at €2.50 per bed and the same for an umbrella. However, be warned; they can all be taken by 10 a.m.!
What's nice about this beach is that public toilets are just 100 meters away, which means there is one less thing to worry about.
If you are feeling adventurous, Fig Tree Bay offers plenty of water sports, such as parasailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
2. Pangkor Laut (Malaysia)
This beach is most people’s idea of paradise. It’s on a remote island off the coast of Malaysia called Pangkor Laut, owned by the one hotel on the island and only accessible via boat a few times a day. You can only get to this beach on a bus that runs a few times daily. We spent many afternoons here on our honeymoon; sometimes, we were the only people on this section of the beach.
The best part was lying under the trees, just listening to the waves, with nothing else around except Instagram boyfriends taking endless pictures of their girlfriends, who didn’t truly appreciate just “being there” because if they weren’t on Instagram, they weren't there! This beach is never crowded, as most people are on the other side of the island around the pool.
3. Sanna Bay (Scotland)
You might think adding a Scottish beach to the list is controversial. However, if you look at some images of these beaches and have to guess where they were taken, you may think it is the Caribbean, as the sea looks very blue. The one to visit in Scotland is Sanna Bay, which is full of wildlife. You might even see the fantastic White-Tailed Eagle, the UK’s largest bird of prey.
The beach consists of four small sandy bars with dunes behind them, which creates a mini sanctuary and is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon.
Parking facilities nearby are good; you can always find a space due to its remoteness. We recommend walking there by taking the coastal path from Portuairk.
4. Bondi Beach (Australia)
If you had to name the most popular beaches in the world, Bondi would surely be up there, and that's the reason it's made it onto our list. It's iconic due to the white sand in the pictures and how popular it is with those brave enough to surf there. If surfing isn’t your thing, plenty of cafes and pubs exist. You could also walk or jog around the coastal path, which goes up high over the cliff tops, where you can enjoy the superb views.
5. Noosa Beach, Australia
This is the most popular beach near Brisbane. The sheltered area is to the north, and the open, windy area is to the south, perfect for surfers. Speaking of surfers, a surfing festival in March will not be missed.
It's not just about the beach itself, though. It's located close to plenty of designer shops, cafes, and restaurants so it could be the place for a perfect day out. You can grab food when you get bored of lying in the sun. We recommend Noosa Surf Club, which comes highly recommended as it has a beachside view and an ever-changing menu of fresh items.
Overall, it's just a great beach for the whole family with something for everyone. Leave Dad at a nearby bar, take the kids surfing, or lie back and people-watch.
6. Matira Beach, Bora Bora
When it comes to writing an article about amazing beaches, we couldn’t leave Matira Beach, which is often describedas one of the best in the world. It's the only public beach on the island, as the rest are privately owned, but it stretches for over a mile, so there is always space for everyone to find their little sanctuary.
Swimming here is pretty safe, as the sea is calm, warm, and shallow. We recommend taking your snorkel if you can, as fish spotting here is fantastic. This also means it's an excellent sea for children to play in, especially if they fear water.
You won’t find any sun loungers here or restaurants and bars on the front, which we like, as it's almost untouched and doesn't feel as touristy (even though it is).
Matira Beach is a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon on the postcard-perfect island of Bora Bora.
7. Navagio Beach, Greece
Next on our list is Navagio Beach, better known as Shipwreck Beach, located on the Zante island.
While you can’t technically visit the beach (it's closed due to loose rocks), it's on our list as a one-off stunning location you must visit while on the island. You can view the beach from the viewing platform, which can get crowded as everyone is queuing up to take pictures. Another option is to visit on a boat trip to get closer.
It's an excellent spot for photos and taking in the unique landscape. Prepare for a bit of a wait at the viewpoint, but the views are worth it—a perfect day out for families who want to do something a little different.
8. Praia de Marinha, Algarve, Portugal
We are in Europe again, with Praia de Marinha in The Algarve, Portugal.
One of the most famous and pretty beaches in the Algarve, it has impressive views and is an excellent place for exploring. Above the beach are high cliffs with a footpath that gives you fantastic views over the beach.
The crystal clear water is the perfect backdrop for a day at the beach, but it can get jam-packed, especially during the summer months. We recommend you get here early to avoid the crowds and then head off to explore the caves and coves as the beach gets busier. You can also hire a kayak or take a boat trip to get up close to the archways.
The only downside of this beach is the parking, which can be a nightmare. There just aren’t enough spaces for the number of people visiting, so we recommend getting a bus or, as said before, just getting there early.
9. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Next on our list is Nungwi in Zanzibar, Tanzania. We're making sure to cover beaches from all over the world, and we felt this was one of the best in Africa, as Zanzibar is an island paradise.
This beach is so beautiful that it might just make your Instagram followers a little too jealous. The water is crystal clear, perfect for a swim, and you can even swim with dolphins just a few kilometers away. If you are lucky enough, you might get to see some turtles.
Nungwi offers something for everyone. On one side, you'll find luxury hotels for those looking to splurge, while the other has a laid-back vibe with beach bars where you can have a cold beer and watch the fishing boats. It's also an excellent area for snorkeling and kitesurfing, and the Kite Club is highly recommended.
10. Zlatni Rat, (Golden Horn Beach) Croatia
Croatia is one of the countries that we feel hasn’t entirely been found by many tourists, which means now is the perfect time to explore it before it becomes more developed. There are also plenty of islands to visit, and Zlatni Rat can be found on the island of Bol.
This is a lovely beach with lovely views, but the water makes it special. It's so clear and warm, making it the perfect place for a swim. The beach is very pebbly, and we recommend you take some swimming shoes; otherwise, it might hurt your feet.
If water sports are your thing, there's a water sports center where you can hire kayaks and paddleboards. For the most adventurous amongst you, there is also an inflatable assault course on the water, which is as fun to watch as to take part in.
Plenty of restaurants and bars are nearby for when you have had enough of the beach.
11. Anse Lazio, Seychelles
During our research for this article, Anse Lazio came up repeatedly and is regularly voted one of the world's best beaches. If beaches had a beauty pageant, this one would be Miss Universe.
Postcard-perfect scenes with crystal clear blue water and silky white sand make this place so perfect. The sea is usually calm, with gently rolling waves that make swimming and relaxing easy.
If you cannot lie on the beach all day, head to the left-hand side of the beach just after the big rocks for some snorkeling. You will be rewarded with some fantastic sea life.
One pro tip to take away from our research is that you can park for free at Le Chevalier restaurant as long as you are dining there.
Bring your hammock, sip a cold drink (hopefully a cocktail), and enjoy one of the world's most amazing beaches.
12. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands
Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands is so beautiful that it might make you question every other beach you've ever visited. The sand is whiter than white (if possible) and looks like it's been sprinkled with fairy dust. The sea is a milky blue, ideal for swimming or just frolicking around to cool down. The waves don’t generally get too big; they are just enough to keep you on your toes but not rough enough to worry about.
With panoramic views stretching for miles, it's the ideal escape from everyday life and the perfect place to walk hand in hand together for a lovely evening walk.
What's nice about this beach is that even though it has hotels and condos nearby, it still feels like it could be in the middle of nowhere. It's never overcrowded, and people don't try to sell you stuff every two minutes. Is this beach heaven on earth? You need to go and try it yourself to find out.
13. Boulders Beach, South Africa
Next on our list, we’re back in Africa for a beach with a twist – penguins! Yes, you heard that right. Boulders Beach in South Africa is home to an adorable colony of African penguins.
Boulders Beach is stunning with its clear waters and large gray boulders and is filled with charming little birds. If you're lucky, you might even spot some fuzzy chicks.
Visitors are treated to amazing views and plenty of photo opportunities, thanks to the raised wooden platforms that allow you to see the penguins without disturbing them. You might recognize some spots from the Netflix show “Penguin Town.”
The water here is surprisingly not as cold as other Cape Town beaches since it’s on the Indian Ocean side of the peninsula. It’s calm and perfect for a peaceful swim. You can swim around and climb over some boulders to get a closer look at the penguins – just remember, no touching!
Cool Beaches To See Around the World
Getting to some of these places might not be Frugal, but we hope you found this article helpful and that there was a beach on the list that sounds perfect for you.
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I’m Steve. I’m an English Teacher, traveler, and an avid outdoorsman. If you’d like to comment, ask a question, or simply say hi, leave me a message here, on Twitter (@thefrugalexpat1). Many of my posts have been written to help those in their journey to financial independence. I am on my journey, and as I learn more I hope to share more. And as always, thanks for reading The Frugal Expat.