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First, a confession — there is no ‘best’ beach destination. Every beach has its own personality, from secluded coves to wide swathes of golden sand to palm-shaded bays littered with volcanic stones. Your best beach is purely a subjective superlative. What’s more, an isolated villa on a private island might be perfect for a couple’s romantic beach holiday, but a few years later, you might prefer a slightly larger stay with plenty of children’s activities.

So, instead of a definitive list, consider this a starting place. Then, call to speak to one of our specialists — they’ve spent decades searching for the most beautiful beaches in the world and can help you find the best one for you, whether you're looking for a great family beach vacation or simply want to unwind under the palm trees for a week.

1. The Maldives

Snorkelling through shimmering shoals of fish and over rainbow-bright corals with a marine biologist. Relaxing into a massage in the wavering light of an underwater spa. Lazing away your days on a white-sand beach under the sun. Waking to the gentle sound of waves just a few feet from your bed. Few destinations so perfectly capture the languid pleasures of a tropical vacation than the Maldives.

This widely scattered archipelago in the Indian Ocean tops our list for many reasons, including exquisite beaches, lively corals, and reliable tropical weather. The islands also boast a wide range of exceptional hotels, from luxe overwater bungalows to tiny villas on remote islands.

In fact, much of your trip will be dictated by which island you choose to visit. This decision is a pleasantly agonizing task, but your specialist can help you match the right island with your style of travel.

Best time to visit the Maldives

The dry period, from January to April, is the best time to visit, with comfortably hot days and warm nights. You’ll be treated to tropical blue skies, low humidity, and ample sunshine.

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit the Maldives.

2. Seychelles

Powder-soft sands dotted with boulders shaped by time and tides. Crystal-clear shallows and pristine waters that shelter thriving reefs. Vibrant-green jungles thrumming with endemic bird species, including the flamboyantly gothic-looking black parrot. Tiny private islands where the only traffic is the giant tortoises. Few places so perfectly capture the ideal of barefoot luxury as the Seychelles.

Deep in the Indian Ocean, this archipelago offers exceptional diving and snorkelling. Many of the stays have vibrant house reefs just offshore, or you can head to more remote hot spots. You can also spend a day on a catamaran hopping between sandy bays and remote islets on a trip.

For on-land adventures, follow a private guide into the islands’ jungled mountains to see rare birds and plants. On a private tour of Praslin Island, you can explore traditional Creole homes and enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking mangroves.

For the best experience, we suggest combing a few stays, like a beach-side villa on the laid-back main island of ²Ñ²¹³óé followed by a few days on Denis Island, where you can stay in one of a few spacious cottages on a wild and remote private island.

Best time to visit the Seychelles

It's best to time your Seychelles trip in April, May, October, or November. You can visit during the rest of the year, but that’s when trade winds can push seaweed up onto the beaches, though your specialist will point you to the best hotels to avoid this.

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit the Seychelles.

3. Thailand

Stretched out along more than 3,000 km (1,800 miles) of coastline, °Õ³ó²¹¾±±ô²¹²Ô»å’s beaches vary wildly. You can find bays dotted with striking karst crags, swathes of pearly sand shaded by palm trees, and secluded islands where you feel pleasantly isolated from the world. Additionally, thanks to the climate patterns of the region, you can always find beach weather somewhere in the country.

Of course, Thailand is perhaps the most popular beach destination in Southeast Asia, bustling with visitors and stacked with anonymous hotels. Despite this, our specialists can point you to the quieter corners where you can still have a relaxing beach stay. We can recommend hotels with character and arrange experiences that help to illuminate the country’s coastal culture.

For instance, you can cycle, kayak, and hike through the coastal rainforest of Khao Sok National Park. Or we can arrange for you to paddle a canoe with a guide through the sea caves and limestone islets around Phuket. Or you might board a boat to explore Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, for some of °Õ³ó²¹¾±±ô²¹²Ô»å’s best snorkelling.

Best time to visit Thailand

With a very varied weather cycle, Thailand is a year-round beach destination, as long as you remain flexible about where you want to visit. The west coast is best from November to March, while the east coast has sunshine and clear skies the rest of the year.

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit Thailand.

4. Mauritius

Few tropical destinations pack as much into a small island as Mauritius. The palm-fringed island is ringed with beaches, azure waters, and vibrant coral reefs that teem with turtles, dolphins, and fish of all stripes. You can easily while away your trip sunning on the sand, swimming in the shallows, or snorkelling in the marine parks.

However, the island offers so much more to do and see. You can follow a private guide through the ebony forests of Black River Gorges National Park, searching for any of the endemic bird species, including the rare pink pigeon.

Or you can explore the rich culinary heritage of the country, which has been spiced by the island’s Indian, European, African, and Chinese influences. We can arrange for you to share a meal with a local family in their home.

And in Port Louis, you can take a private tour through the market — the busy heart of the city — before visiting one of the country's oldest and most impressive mansions, Eureka, which has been converted into a museum showcasing the island’s history.

Best time to visit Mauritius

With sunshine, blue skies, and warm temperatures most months, Mauritius is a great destination almost year round. You’ll find the hottest weather in October, November, and December, though that coincides with the most visitors.

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit Mauritius.

5. Antigua

A laid-back island with a colourful personality, Antigua has a different beach for every day of the year, making it home to several of the top beaches in the Caribbean. You could easily spend your days here bouncing from one tiny cove to the next, swimming through shimmering turquoise water, snorkelling among teeming reefs, and relaxing in the shade of the wind-blown palm trees.

There's plenty to do off the beaches, too. To soak up the tropical views, you might take a scenic drive along Fig Tree Drive or board a helicopter for a birds-eye-view of the volcano on nearby Montserrat.

For a taste of local culture or history, visit Nelson’s Dockyard, where the admiral served for three years, or take in a cricket game — it’s the national sport here and much beloved. On a Sunday afternoon, you might also head to Shirley Heights to listen to the ringing rhythms of a traditional steel band, a weekly highlight for locals and visitors alike.

The best time to visit Antigua

Sitting close to the Equator, Antigua’s climate is gloriously hot and sunny year-round, with only minor seasonal variations. The driest and busiest months are January to April. Officially, hurricane season runs from July to November, however, the risk of hurricanes is very low.

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit Antigua.

6. Mexico

Much more than simply a beach destination, Mexico is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a rich cultural experience as well as time to enjoy the sun and sand. What’s more, after visiting Chichén Itzá’s ruins and exploring Mexico City from Frida Kahlo’s perspective, you’ll have a whole panoply of choices when it comes to beaches.

You might venture to the Mayan Riviera, on the Yucatán Peninsula â€” home to the best-known beaches. To avoid the crowds, we suggest venturing away from the usual hotspots to Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox. You’ll find the same Caribbean waters and white sands as on the mainland, but with a much quieter atmosphere.

If you prefer Pacific rollers to placid seas, head west to Zihuatanejo, a fishing community sprawling along the hills above a protected bay. This is the beach from the end of The Shawshank Redemption, but it’s remained largely undiscovered by visitors and is a quiet option for a relaxed end to your trip.

Best time to visit Mexico

For blue skies, dry days, and sun, visit between December and April, with the coolest temperatures falling between December and February. ‘Coolest’ is relative, of course — you’ll still find plenty of days averaging about 28C (82F).,

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit Mexico.

7. Dubai

Though it’s best-known for its glitzy excess, Dubai makes for a sun-drenched beach destination. This is, after all, home to artificial islands shaped like palm trees and year-round sun, as well as temperatures that vary from hot to very, very hot. The sand here is a rich gold and the turquoise waters of the Gulf are warm.

You’ll have a broad choice of water-side resorts — we suggest staying in Jumeirah Beach Residence, a local enclave on the Palm itself, or choosing a hotel near the Dubai Marina.

Away from the beach, there’s plenty to do as well. VIP tickets to the Burj Khalifa get you access to the world’s fastest elevator and panoramic views from the world’s tallest building. A guided tour of the Al Fahidi Historical District reveals the city’s older, less-gilded roots. Or you might venture into the desert for a chance to glimpse the rare wildlife that still lives outside the city.

Best time to visit Dubai

Avoid the most extreme temperatures by visiting during the ‘cool’ season, September to April. Summer is very hot, but the crowds disperse, making it a good option if you’re comfortable with scorching temperatures.

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit Dubai.

8. Hawaii

Scattered like emeralds across the sapphire depths of the Pacific, the islands of Hawaii are best known for their palm-shaded beaches, clear waters, and the bright leis everyone gets at the airport. It’s easy to simply spend your whole trip here bouncing from beach to beach, admiring the different shades of gold, white, black, and even green and red sands — the kaleidoscopic palette is a result of the volcanic forces that are still shaping this island chain today.

You can also explore those same forces on a private tour through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Your expert guide will take you into the park to see fields of black lava cooled into otherworldly ripples. Or you can take a guided hike into the deep-green misty heart of the rainforests.

For more watery experiences, you might visit Molokini, a partially submerged caldera that shelters a bustling underwater ecosystem, including whales if you visit between January and March. For a more intimate encounter with marine life, you can strike out under the cover of starlight to go snorkelling with manta rays.

Best time to visit Hawaii

Hawaii is a year-round destination, with pleasantly tropical weather whenever you visit. For the warmest temperatures and sunny skies, go between March and September.

Read our separate guide for more about the best time to visit Hawaii.

9. French Polynesia

Tahiti. Bora Bora. Moorea. Taha'a. The very names of the French Polynesia's islands conjure images of jungle-topped volcanoes, sun-gilded lagoons, and long lazy stretches of silky white sand. This remote archipelago within an archipelago promises languid days soaking up the South Pacific sun and sultry nights in thatched-roof bungalows overlooking the starlit sea.,

The neon-blue waters off the islands are bursting with marine life — brightly scaled tropical fish, sleek sharks, mysterious and graceful mantas, and (from July to November) humpback whales. You can opt for a catamaran tour to explore the hidden bays and coves of the different islands and watch the sun sink into the Pacific.

If you want to head inland, there’s plenty to discover there, too. You can hike through the mountains, take a food tour, or enjoy a song and dance performance — traditional Polynesian culture still underpins every aspect of life here, including songs and dances. To dig into the roots of this culture, you can take a tour of ancient sites like Puamau and the Royal Village of Maeva, where hundreds of stone structures still stand.

Best time to visit French Polynesia

May and September offer the best combination of low humidity, comfortably hot temperatures, and fewer crowds. If you’re looking for steamy days and don’t mind more visitors, consider visiting between June and August.

Read our separate guide for more on the best time to visit French Polynesia.

10. Barbados

If you want to experience all the wondrous variety of the Caribbean in a single island, consider Barbados. On the west coast, you’ll find gently sloping beaches of white sand, shaded by palms and dotted with luxe resorts. On the east coast, Atlantic waves crash down on rugged, rocky shorelines that are almost completely undeveloped.

Heading into the island’s interior, you’ll find historical houses and rum distilleries — Barbados is widely believed to be the birthplace of the drink. At the 1703 Mount Gay Rum Distillery, you can explore the dark history that created the island’s signature tipple.

The wilder eastern side of the island isn’t conducive to long days in the sun, but it has a singular charm. A guided tour of the area includes shopping in the glamorous Holetown, a visit to historic Speightstown, and a stop at St Nicholas Abbey, a lovingly restored Jacobean mansion where you can glimpse the island’s turbulent history before indulging in a rum tasting.

Best time to visit Barbados

With tropical-blue skies, sunny days, and warm temperatures, Barbados is best between December and June. The rest of the year, you might encounter the occasional storm or, rarely, a hurricane.

Read our separate guide for more on the best time to visit Barbados.