← Back to ‘Best Beaches Around the World’
If you would describe yourself as the ultimate beach-bum, you simply need to visit at least one of the world’s most beautiful white sand beaches. There are a lot of beaches in the world with white sand, but we’ve rounded up a list of the ultimate, white sand beaches. And trust us — the sand is not just white, it’s shimmering white. From exotic beaches in Cuba, through to white sand coves in Greece, here’s our selection of the whitest beaches in the world:
1. Playa Pilar, Cuba
It’s easy to see why world-renown writer Ernest Hemingway’s favorite beach in Cuba was Playa Pilar. For locals in-the-know, Play Pilar is the best beach in the Caribbean. It has luminous white sand and perfectly clear Caribbean waters. The best bit is that as Cuba lacks the same style of tourism as other Caribbean islands, the beach isn’t spoiled by hundreds of tourists yachts. It also comes with an added sprinkle of culture, as you can spot Cuba’s classic 1950s cars driving behind the beach.
2. Hyams Beach, Australia
Hyams Beach in New South Wales, Australia, has been labeled the whitest sand beach in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. It’s an incredible, white sand beach with crystal clear turquoise waters. The beach looks equally beautiful year-round and has plenty of activities, such as snorkeling, skiing, and jet skiing. The sand is honestly so white, you’ll be blinded. Bring your sunglasses!
3. Navagio Beach, Greece
Navagio Beach in Zakynthos, Greece, is also known as Shipwreck Beach thanks to the large shipwreck that sits in the middle of the cove. It’s one of the most iconic, picturesque beaches in the world, and the small cove has white pebbles and beautiful blue waters. The wreckage that sits on the sand is an MV Panagiotis Freightliner wreck that ran into bad weather in 1980. There are rumors the ship was smuggling contraband such as cigarettes and wine leading to its third name as Smugglers’ Cove. It’s best to visit the beach from April to July, or September to October, when the small cove is less crowded with tourists.
4. Boulders Beach, South Africa
Boulders Beach in Cape Town South Africa is a perfect white sand beach best known for its large African penguin colony. Kick back on the beach and watch the penguins enjoying their home and playing in the sea. Any time of year is a great time to visit.
5. Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Australians always talk about how their country has the best beaches in the world and they aren’t lying. No list of the whitest beaches could be complete without mentioning Whitehaven Beach on the Whitsunday Islands in Australia. The beach is an incredible white strip of sand with miles of vivid blue water. It’s located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and is known to be one of the most unspoiled beaches in the world. The beach can even be explored by helicopter, where you can get a bird’s eye view of its pristine sands.
6. Kauna’oa Bay, Hawaii
Kauna’oa Bay is a stunning, white-sand crescent-shaped beach that’s one of the most popular spots in Hawaii. The beach is located on Hawaii’s Big Island and has crystal clear waters. There are tons of tropical fish swimming in the sea so be sure to bring a snorkel and an unwater camera. Part of the beach belongs to the Westin Mauna Kea Beach Hotel but don’t worry, there’s also public access.
7. Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
Few beaches in the world look like they have come straight from a ‘Wish you were here’ postcard, and Grand Anse Beach in Grenada is one of them. The pristine beach is the longest in Grenada, stretching two miles along the coast in the southwest. The area is synonymous with luxury, with a host of resorts and water sports nearby attracting large volumes of people every day. Thankfully, due to the size of the beach, it never feels too crowded. Find a spot on the powdery sand and look out onto the capital, Fort George, across the azure water on a clear day.