"Lanikai Beach" by Niksnut via Flickr Creative Commons

Since much of the world is concentrated near the planet’s coastlines, a trip to the beach is a common theme anywhere on earth. You can find descent beaches everywhere from England to Chile, but the very best beaches on Planet Earth lay somewhere in the tropics. The clear water paired with the hot sun is an unbeatable combination to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you find yourself in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, or a tiny seaside village in Thailand, you can’t go wrong.

  1. Lanikai, Oahu Hidden away in a little known eastern corner of Oahu sits the crystal water and empty white sands of this idyllic Hawaiian hamlet. While others are stuck in the hordes at Waikiki, you’ll be enjoying the pristine natural environment along with the Victoria Secret swimsuit shoots that occasionally take place here.
  2. Bora Bora, French Polynesia While nearby Tahiti has the name recognition, Bora Bora has the better water and more tranquil atmosphere. There’s only a few small beaches on around the lagoon, but the over water bungalows and completely over water resorts here are among the world’s finest.
  3. The Maldives Shallow coral filled clear waters, the most luxurious over water bungalows in the world, and not a car or polluted beach in site. A paradise if there ever was one.
  4. Parque Nacional Tayrona, Colombia As security in Colombia has returned to safe levels, stretches of pristine coast like this one are beginning to pop up on everyone’s itinerary. Crystal clear water backed by lush forest makes this the most idyllic beach in Colombia.
  5. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil Only the very wealthy can afford a trip to this idyllic marine reserve with just a few extremely luxurious resorts. Models, celebrities, and jet setters have made this their secret getaway.
  6. Tenerife, Canary Islands Tenerife is a favorite retreat for Brits and Europeans who flock to the man made and natural black sand volcanic beaches that dominate the Canaries.
  7. Seychelles Islands This beach and diving paradise in the Indian Ocean is Africa’s best kept secret. Celebrities like Paul McCartney are just some of the initial visitors to the posh resorts, but many others are catching wind.
  8. Marquesas Islands These jagged volcanic islands like Hiva Oa, 800 miles northeast of Tahiti, are covered in lush green tropical forests and the occasional upmarket bungalow. Gauguin scenes and wild horses only build on the exotic charm.
  9. Aruba Aruba’s white sandy beaches frequented by honeymooners and jetsetters are idyllic in every way, especially Palm Beach, considered one of the top beaches in the world by many.
  10. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand These idyllic islands near Phuket were the scene of the enchanting scenes from the movie The Beach. Vertical rock faces rise right out of the water hiding tiny coves, caves, and tiny beaches of legends.

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