The World’s Best Beaches for Traveling With Toddlers

Finding a toddler-friendly beach isn’t always easy. Many things should line up to deliver a stress-free experience for both parents and kids. First, the waters should be shallow. Fine sand is an ideal surface for toddlers to walk on without hurting their feet and to wade without problems. It’s also perfect to have a family-oriented infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the sea. Throughout my travels around the world, I’ve visited countless beaches. But only a handful could be genuinely named toddler-friendly. Here are the ones that would work ideally for vacationing with your youngest ones.

Many of Crete’s wide, open-sea beaches are not very good for holidaying with toddlers. But Elafonisi is different. It’s located in the magnificent spot where Crete and the Elafonisi islands meet. The lagoon in between is gorgeous and perfect for smaller kids. The sands here are a mix of white and pink, fine and soft on your feet. Toddlers will have a blast wading and running around in very shallow water.

You can walk on the crystal-clear seabed for hundreds of meters without it getting any deeper. The sea is transparent, and you see the small fish swimming around without any snorkeling gear. One thing to keep in mind is that Elafonisi is a semi-wild beach. However, there are still amenities, such as bathrooms, showers, a restaurant, and water-sports rental.

Zlatni Rat (or Golden Horn) is among Croatia’s most photogenic stretches of the coastline. Located on the Dalmatian island of Brač, in the charming town of Bol, it’s also a great destination for families with toddlers. Although it’s pebbly, the stones are tiny and gentle on kids’ feet. The unique shapeshifting horn-like appearance creates sheltered pebbly “clusters,” where your younger ones can have fun wading and playing in the water.

Traditionally, for Croatian beaches, a lush pine forest flanks the Golden Horn, providing welcoming shade for families. The best time to enjoy this pebbly beauty is in the morning, when the sea is at its calmest. Bol, nearby, offers many family-friendly accommodation options. It’s also a scenic little fishing town with cobblestone streets and a beautiful harbour.

JBR stands for Jumeirah Beach Residence, the premier Dubai neighborhood for beachside leisure, located in Marina. It’s definitely one of the world’s top beaches for toddlers. First, the Persian Gulf is calm as a lake here. The fine golden sand makes enjoying the beach a breeze. JBR is in the heart of Dubai Marina, meaning a myriad of family-friendly restaurants right near the water.

You will also find a great choice of hotels. AquaFun Dubai Water Park is also here, offering a dedicated activity zone for toddlers. In other words, JBR Beach checks all the boxes for vacationing with small kids. The only thing to consider before planning a trip here is the heat. The winter months are generally best for comfortable, warm, yet not scorching sunny days. Reconsider traveling during the height of summer.

The dreamiest of all the Sardinian beaches, La Pelosa is also the island’s top toddler-friendly stretch. Powdery-white sand and a lagoon make it very safe and fun for kids. The surrounding views are gorgeous—the turquoise water, the ancient watchtower and the rocky islands in the distance. Two key things to know about visiting La Pelosa are that you should book a spot in advance (3.50 EUR) and that you can only use a straw mat. The sand here is protected by law, so the Sardinian government does everything to preserve the fragile ecosystem.

Summer is a busy time at the beach, with spaces on the sand filling up quickly. May and September give you the best experience. Spiaggia della Pelosetta and Spiaggia del Gabbiano, on either side of La Pelosa, are good (and free) alternatives if the famous stretch is very crowded.

Sardinia has the best sandy beaches in Europe, and Su Giudeu can easily rival the azure Caribbean bays. You’re looking at a vast dune area with shallow access and magnificent sapphire-blue water. Toddlers will love building sand castles, running around, wading and splashing in the warm, calm sea. There’s a saltwater lagoon on the other side of the beach, where pink flamingoes can be spotted in autumn.

You’re also steps away from two other divine Baia Chia beaches, such as Cala Cipolla and Campana Dune, oozing the same white-sand perfection. There’s a beach bar on Su Giudeu, serving snacks and drinks. You will find more restaurants, shops, and hotels in Chia.

There’s a reason why Siesta Key Beach regularly tops the “US Best Beaches” lists year after year. It’s a piece of white quartz sand heaven in the pleasant Gulf waters. The beach is a vast playground for your toddlers. The sand is as soft as stepping on the cloud and as textured as sugar. The shore is mostly shallow, so wading will be hassle-free. Adults will be happy to discover the free trolley—a smart budget-friendly offering for beachgoers, courtesy of Sarasota County.

One of the biggest advantages of Siesta Key is its enormous size, which allows every family to have as much space as they need. Your little ones will love meeting the manatees and dolphins on eco tours organized by local operators. Another plus of this incredible beach is the toddler-friendly playground right by the dunes. Also, check out the more chilled Turtle Beach, located south of Siesta.

Florida Panhandle’s most beloved stretch, Pensacola Beach, is a gift that keeps on giving for families with toddlers. Gulf waters here are gentle and shallow. As elsewhere along Florida’s northwest coast, you’re getting the mesmerizing powdery white sand. Pensacola is also known for its bright turquoise ocean, which is a feast for the eyes. While the beach is the ultimate adventure-sports spot, it’s also among the US’s best stretches for families.

Like Siesta Key, Pensacola operates a free trolley during the season, decreasing the cost of your holiday. A few minutes away by car is the Sunset Children’s Park and Splash Pad, filled with various fun activities for small kids. Another attraction, Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve, allows you to get a dose of easygoing natural adventures, such as relaxed hiking and picnicking.

It’s in the name. Set in the southeast end of Aruba, Baby Beach is that perfect toddler-friendly stretch. A man-made crescent-shaped lagoon, it offers constantly calm waters and a shallow seabed. A true Caribbean dream location, it is. The water is as blue and crystalline as it gets. Baby Beach is a great place for your baby to have fun in the sea.

If you fancy yourself some Flinstones-themed restaurant extravaganza, visit the Big Mama Grill conveniently located right at the beach. The rocky side of the Baby Beach is popular for shallow-water snorkeling. If you’re in Aruba, no stretch is too far. Travel to Palm Beach for more toddler-friendly sandy perfection. 

Hawaii’s Pacific Ocean beaches can be quite challenging for vacationing with small kids. But don’t worry, Kauai has you covered with the fantastic Poipu Beach. It features a reef that “slows down” the waves before they reach the shore. The breakers and the shallow lagoon-like moon-shaped bay make Poipu an ideal place for toddlers and their parents to enjoy the Pacific without any trouble.

It’s also the ultimate spot for admiring the stunning Hawaiian biodiversity. The monk seals make an appearance time after time. You can also watch humpback whales in the nearby waters from December through April. The beach has all the amenities, such as a lifeguard post, showers, toilets, and picnic tables. Ample parking also facilitates the visiting experience.

Easily Mallorca’s most stunning beach, Playa de Muro, is a Balearic fantasy. And you won’t have to go to remote places to find this beauty—the stretch is located south of a popular tourist resort town of Port d’Alcudia in Northern Mallorca. Visiting it with toddlers is a breeze. You’ve got fine sand and very shallow water access. That’s a perfect combo and a great alternative to mostly pebbly coves of Mallorca and the other Balearic islands.

The beach is part of a vibrant resort area with many family-friendly hotels. Also, you’re steps away from all the restaurants and cafes. The best way to enjoy Playa de Muro with a toddler is to book a first-line resort. This way, you’re staying directly on the sand. Another, similarly shallow and sandy beach, is in Alcudia. It might get a little more crowded during the high season.

Lindos is the most breathtaking town on Rhodes—the white houses cascade on the hill, crowned by the ancient Acropolis. Quite unexpectedly, it’s here that you find one of the most suitable beaches for vacationing with toddlers. Located at the bottom of the Lindos hill, it’s a beautiful sandy bay with a shallow turquoise sea. Naturally protected from notorious Rhodes winds, it offers families a comfortable swimming and wading in the Aegean. Just book yourself a lounger and a parasol, and enjoy the all-day beachside leisure. There’s also the more sheltered Pallas Beach at the eastern end of Lindos.