These 10 beaches around the world deserve to be on your travel bucket list

Great beaches usually have a few things in common—powdery soft sand, inviting waters as well as gorgeous views. But bucket list beaches—the ones you want to go out of your way to visit at least once in your life—all offer something so unique you’ve got to see it for yourself.

From an epic plane spotting patch of sand in the Caribbean to a beach inhabited by penguins in South Africa, plus some top seashores with jaw-dropping scenery, here’s 10 beaches to put on your bucket list.

Benagil Cave Beach in Lagoa, Portugal

Benagil cave in the Algarves

Sunshine pours into the Benagil Cave in Algarve, Portugal through a circular skylight in the limestone rock, providing a beautiful color palette of earthy orange and bright blues. Those planning to visit this iconic sea cave can only do so through a limited number of boat and kayak tours.

The Baths National Park in the British Virgin Islands

Wade between gigantic boulders in Baths National Park

The British Virgin Islands are full of spectacular beaches, from the idyllic cove area that Rosewood Little Dix Bay sits on to the buzzy White Bay in Jost Van Dyke where bartenders are garnishing painkillers with fresh-grated nutmeg. But no visit to the BVI is complete without a swim at The Baths. Massive boulders, some as big as 40 feet in diameter, stud the beach and visitors can wade through tidal pools in the cavernous seascape of smoothed over boulders.

Maho Beach in Sint Maarten

Watch planes land at Maho Beach in Sint Maarten

Planespotters will find paradise on the Dutch side of St. Maarten at Maho Beach where a steady stream of airplanes fly directly overhead while making their descent to land just across the way at Princess Juliana International Airport. Wade in the turquoise waters, lounge on the beach, or sip a tropical cocktail at one of the beach bars like Sunset Bar and Grill or Tortuga. Both establishments have flight trackers so you can know where the planes are coming from and when they’re scheduled to touch down.

Harbour Island Bahamas

Coral Sands on Harbour Island in the BahamasAdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_1772adkalhb5fiv5vddbH1_ iframe

Harbour Island is a pink sand beach that looks like it could have been a muse for the bubblegum-hued one in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. The sand’s pastel shade comes from microscopic coral insects called Foraminifera that have bright pink shells full of holes. The resulting pink sand is most noticeable when the sea is calm, which is usually between December and May. Stay on the island at Coral Sands, where delightful design touches include shell-clad furnishings, punchy pink-striped umbrellas, and hand-painted wallpaper.

Navagio Beach in Zakynthos, Greece

Aerial view of the famous Shipwreck Navagio Beach

An abandoned ship rumored to have been smuggling contraband cigarettes has been resting on Navagio Beach since 1980. Surrounded by 600 foot cliffs, “Shipwreck Beach” is a popular photo spot on the Zakynthos, one of the Ionian islands. Crews have been working on the beach to help prevent landslides but it's set to reopen in summer 2025.

Jervis Bay, Australia

Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay in Australia is among a limited number of places in the world where you can witness bioluminescence, which is when chemical reactions within plankton cause the water to look like it’s glowing in the dark with neon blue. It’s tough to predict when you’ll witness the bioluminescence phenomenon, and while it can happen any time of year, it does tend to occur more frequently in warmer months.

Praia da Falésia in Albufeira, Algarve, Southern Portugal

The golden sandy beach of Praia da Falésia

Praia da Falésia in Olhos de Agua, Portugal tops the list of best beaches according to Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. The scenic beach features high cliffs that deliver a beautiful earthy red contrast. Down below, a calm beach and gentle waves are great for families.

Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, South Africa

Boulders Beach in South AfricaAdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_1dn2adkalhb5fiv5vddbH1_ iframe

Penguins are the star residents at Boulder’s Beach near Simon’s Town. Visitors who want to see the African Penguin colony can do so from a respectable distance at the boardwalk and viewing area that connects to Foxy Beach. Beach-goers here can swim, snorkel, and pack a picnic to enjoy at low tide.

Twelve Apostles in Australia

12 Apostles Beach in Australia

In Victoria, Australia, the Twelve Apostles is a group of limestone rock stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean and look as though they’re floating. This bucket list beach, which is a highlight of The Great Ocean Road, is best witnessed at sunrise or sunset when you can see them. Or, for another vantage point, take in the sights from a helicopter ride.

Reynisfjara Beach in Vik, Iceland

Reynisfjara Beach

With black sands, basalt columns, and, if you’re in luck, Northern Lights, Reynisfjara is a cinematic beach along the southern coast of Iceland. Waves broke down lava chips to form this striking black sand beach, a non-tropical alternative to add to your beach bucket list.

Yahoo CreatorBrittany AnasBrittany Anas is an award-winning journalist covering all the sweet things in life, from travel to home to food and beverage. She is based in Denver, Colorado. FollowFollow