[category]
[title]
Recently named the sixth-best beach in the world, this spot is famous for its sweeping coastline—but few visitors know about its hidden trail that emerges only when the tide recedes.
Lonely Planet’s travel experts scoured the globe to uncover the world’s most spectacular beaches for Best Beaches: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches.
Read: One of Canada’s least-visited national parks might be its most beautiful
From legendary stretches of golden sand to secluded coastal gems tucked far off the beaten path, the team explored destinations across every continent in search of the planet’s most unforgettable shorelines.
What is the best beach in the world?
According to Lonely Planet, the number one beach in the world is Sanya, on China’s Hainan Island.
Stretching across 40 km (25 miles) of golden beaches spread over four bays, it offers endless sun, sea and water sports—from parasailing and scuba diving around Wuzhizhou Island to surfing at Houhai Beach, where beginners will find gentle waves and plenty of instructors. Beyond the shoreline, the city is also a seafood destination, with Chunyuan Seafood Square market serving freshly selected catch prepared to order. Hainanese cuisine is light and flavourful, with must-tries like coconut chicken hot pot and fried ice-blended dragon fruit.
What is the most beautiful beach in Canada?
One Canadian beach made the top 25 best beaches in the world list. Chesterman Beach, in Tofino, British Columbia, draws many visitors thanks to its stellar surfing, but there’s plenty more to experience along this spectacular stretch of coastline.
Read: Time Out Market Vancouver is now officially open
The beach is also a prime spot for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, whale watching and exploring vibrant tide pools teeming with starfish, sea anemones, sea urchins and other marine life.
Low-tide pathways leading to the Rosie Bay sea caves and Frank Island are only exposed at extreme low tides, making timing essential. Positioned between North and South Chesterman Beach is a natural sandspit (tombolo) that emerges at low tide, connecting the beach to Frank Island.
Summer’s calmer waters make it an ideal destination for beginner surfers, with several local surf schools offering lessons for all skill levels. In winter, powerful swells transform the beach into a playground for seasoned surfers and a venue for surf competitions. Just don’t forget your wetsuit—water temperatures rarely climb above 13.8°C (57°F), even in the warmer months.
Where is Chesterman Beach?
Located about 5 kilometres south of Tofino on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast, Chesterman Beach is easily accessible by bike from town.
Check out: These Vancouver restaurants just made North America’s 50 Best Restaurants List for 2026
Travellers from Vancouver can take a ferry to Nanaimo in under two hours before continuing west to Tofino—a journey of roughly three hours by car or four hours by bus through some of British Columbia’s most breathtaking scenery.
RECOMMENDED:
Essential guide to Time Out Market Vancouver
Best things to do in Vancouver