Beaches
The best places for a beach day are Aruba, Grand Cayman, Key West, Cozumel and Nassau. Aruba's Eagle Beach has powder-white sand and palapa shade, and Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach is a long crescent of coral sand. Key West has Fort Zachary Taylor, Smathers and South Beach, and Cozumel has Playa Palancar, a long, white, quiet beach with lounge chairs.
Where it's best
Eagle Beach has wide powder-soft sand, gentle water entry, rentable chairs and umbrellas, and palapa shade. Arashi Beach, Baby Beach and Palm Beach are also recommended for swimming.
Seven Mile Beach is a long crescent of coral sand on the west coast, with a beach restaurant that rents chairs and umbrellas. Cemetery Beach is a quiet public beach in West Bay, shaded by Seagrape trees, with a few people.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park has a beach for swimming and sunbathing, and it is one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset. Smathers Beach is a long stretch of sand with picnic areas and restrooms, and South Beach is steps from Duval Street.
Playa Palancar is long and white, with lounge chairs, hammocks and a bar and restaurant along the sand. Chankanaab Park has beach chairs, hammocks and umbrellas, Paradise Beach has free entry, and Mr. Sancho's Beach Club and SkyReef Cozumel offer loungers by the water.
Cable Beach has white sand, clear water and beach clubs, and Paradise Island has Cabbage Beach and Paradise Beach with white sand and turquoise water. Junkanoo Beach looks over Nassau Harbor, and Rose Island is a private escape built around its beach.
Votsalakia is an organized public beach with pebbles and calm Saronic Gulf water, near the marinas of Mikrolimano. Beaches along the Athens Riviera range from undeveloped to ones with umbrellas, bars and restaurants, and you can swim from them.
Lindbergh Bay Beach is a public beach across from the airport, with a park beside it for picnics and play.
West Bay Beach is a mile of white sand with shallow clear water and a reef for snorkeling about 30 yards from shore. Camp Bay Beach has untouched white sand and turquoise water away from crowds.
Perissa Beach is a long black sand and pebble shore, free to use, with parasols and chairs in summer and bars and restaurants along the sand. Kamari has black pebbles and tavernas along the front, and Red Beach is closed to entry because of landslide danger and is seen from the cliff viewpoints.
No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire is a sandy stretch reached by water taxi, with no running water or toilets. Ocean Oasis Beach Club offers day beds, cabanas and swimming from the sand, and at Slagbaai beach visitors can relax, bring their own lunch and watch flamingos from a short distance.
Super Paradise is a lively sandy beach with drinks on the sand, and Elia Beach has soft white sand, loungers and umbrellas. Fokos Beach is a quiet volcanic beach reached on horseback, and Rhenia Island is for swimming from a boat in clear water.
Lindos Beach lies below the ancient Acropolis, and nearby St. Paul's Bay has good swimming. Tsambika Beach has long golden sand, shallow warm water and tavernas close by.
Long Beach runs about 10 km as a sandy strip for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing, with a beach bar. Ladies Beach is close to town with sand and shallow water, and the bays of Dilek Peninsula National Park have blue and emerald water.
Kukumba Beach at Old Belize is a 350-foot stretch of soft sand with thatch-roof huts and colorful lounge chairs. Slides, a rope swing and water trampolines are there too.
Potamos Beach has golden sand and clear water, reached by bus out of the city.
Chill Island has powdery white sand, clear water, complimentary beach chairs and a beachside grill. Harbor Beach has shallow water for families, Hideaway Beach is a quieter stretch for adults, and Coco Beach Club is for club guests only.
Ocean Cay is a day on its eight beaches, including Lighthouse Bay, North Beach and South Beach, about 10 minutes from the pier, each with a lifeguard on duty while it is open.
Savikko Park, called Sandy Beach, is a local favorite for a scenic stroll and photos. Lena Loop Picnic Area is a tucked-away, usually empty beach with eagles and sandpipers to watch.
Rotary Beach, also called Bugge Beach, is sandy and rocky, three miles south of Ketchikan town. A causeway lets tidewater into a warm, protected pond, and the beach is a good spot for a family picnic.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Stingray City, Barrier Reef and Starfish Beach
Cultural Museum, Island Sightseeing with Optional Beach Drop Off
Shark Ray Alley and Caye Caulker Beach Break by Boat
Hop-on Hop-off Athens Highlights Tour (Athens, Piraeus & Beach Riviera)
Aruba Coastline, Urirama Cove, Beach and Horseback Riding
Island Boat Cruise, Iguana Park, Snorkeling and Beach
