These are the world’s best beaches, according to the Telegraph

There are millions of beaches scattered across the world, and probably just as many lists that claim to feature the very best of them – just take a look at these roundups from the Lonely Planet or the Golden Beach Awards. 

However, a list published recently by the Telegraph has drawn on their bank of travel writers to break down the best beaches for 10 different categories, be it views, sunsets, or family-friendliness.  

There are some well-known stretches on the list, with nods to destinations in Spain (Calblanque for its wildlife, Playa de La Concha for its atmosphere) and Australia (Bondi Beach for swimming, Whitehaven Bay for its remoteness) making the cut. 

But some of the world’s lesser-known beaches are given a worthy place in the spotlight, such as Santa Carolina in Mozambique, lauded for its remoteness, Svinkløv in Denmark, hailed for its ‘hidden gem’ factor and Hamdeok Beach in South Korea, recognised for its brilliant atmosphere.

There’s plenty of variety, so no matter the vibes, activity or level of tranquillity you’re after, this list will likely come in handy – check it out below. 

Here are the 50 best beaches in the world, according to the Telegraph

Best for wildlife

• Nihiwatu, Sumba, Indonesia
• Calblanque, Cartagena, Spain
• Playa Gemelas, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
• Wharariki, South Island, New Zealand
• Dungeness Beach, Kent, England
• Starfish Beach, Panama
• Bahia Gardner, Española Island, Galapagos Islands

Best for views

• Three Cliffs Bay, Gower, Wales
• Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal
• Reynisfjara Black Beach, Iceland
• Second Beach, Washington, USA
• Holkham, Norfolk, England
• Maya Bay, Phang Nga, Thailand
• Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

Best for atmosphere

• Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• My Khe Beach and Non Nuoc Beach, Vietnam
• Palm West Beach, Dubai
• Playa Coral, Varadero, Cuba
• Hamdeok Beach, Jeju, South Korea
• Playa de La Concha, San Sebastián, Spain

Best for luxury accommodation

• Dhigurah Island, Maldives
• Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
• Le Morne Beach, Mauritius
• Princess Diana Beach, Barbuda
• Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
• Île Sainte-Marguerite, Cannes, France

Best for remoteness

• Elafonisi, Crete, Greece
• Freshwater Bay, Providencia, Colombia
• Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia
• Santa Carolina, Mozambique

Best for being active

• Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, USA
• Tai Long Wan, Hong Kong
• Agadir Beach, Morocco

Best for families

• Zlatni Rat, Brac, Croatia
• Pacific Beach,  California, USA
• Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall, England

Best for swimming

• Seychelles, Ikaria, Greece
• Nilaveli Beach, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
• Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Best for the ‘hidden gem’ factor

• Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica
• Cala Tuent, Majorca, Spain
• Le Dune Piscinas, Arbus, Sardinia
• Saly, Senegal
• Petani Beach, Kefalonia, Greece
• Long Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
• Svinkløv, North Jutland, Denmark

Best for sunsets

• Marimegmeg Beach, Palawan, Philippines
• Grand Anse, Grenada
• Shichirigahama Beach, Japan
• Sarakiniko, Milos, Greece

To read about why each beach was selected in more detail, you can do so on the Telegraph website here. 

Beach, please

We know a thing or two about excellent beaches at Time Out, so have a gander at our lists of the very best in the USA, the UK, Europe and the world. 

Did you see that these 24 places just became UNESCO’s newest World Heritage Sites?

Plus: A massive new cycling route linking eight European countries has finally opened. 

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news.