Rankings of the world’s best beaches often include stunners like Trunk Bay on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and the pink sands of Elafonissi Beach in Greece. But when Beach.com recently compiled its list of World’s Best Beaches based on a combination of expert nominations and scientific analysis, there were quite a few you’ve probably never heard of.
If you’re looking forward to a beach getaway in the near future that will take you off that well-beaten path while still providing breathtaking beauty, you might want to consider one of these incredible options from St. Croix to the Exumas.
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix, USVI
St. Croix, the least visited in the USVI, is renowned for its uncrowded beaches and spectacular underwater world, with seahorses, sea turtles, and an endless array of tropical fish. It’s also where you’ll find Sandy Point, named among the top 10 best beaches in the world. Travel writer Brandy Jo Hastings notes that it’s the “epitome of Caribbean paradise” with no concession stands or man-made amenities of any kind.
As a national wildlife refuge primarily used to protect endangered sea turtles, Sandy Point is what beach fantasies are made of, with a vast, roughly two-mile-long stretch of soft, glistening white sands and strikingly clear turquoise water. It’s perfect for simply relaxing to the meditative sounds of the gentle waves in between unforgettable dips.
Playa de Cofete, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain
The Spanish archipelago known as the Canary Islands, located off the coast of West Africa, is especially popular among Brits who come to enjoy the sunshine year-round. But the vast majority head to Tenerife, the tourism hub, or the lively resort areas on Gran Canaria. Visitors can avoid the biggest crowds by heading to the more laid-back island of Fuerteventura. It’s home to remote Playa de Cofete, a serene and wild stretch of nearly 7.5 miles of sand along the southwestern coast of the Jandía Peninsula.
Beach.com highlights that it has the clearest and bluest waters, based on analysis using satellite data. The publication also added that it received the “strongest, most emotional praise from visitors.” There’s no commercial development, only a beautiful, unspoiled coastline that might just leave you speechless.
Spiaggia Su Giudeu, Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia has been called the Mediterranean’s “most perfect island,” and a big reason for that is its beaches. Tucked between the Italian peninsula and the Balearic Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, they can even rival classic Caribbean beaches. Spiaggia Su Giudeu, in the village of Chia, takes that to a whole new level, now considered among the world’s best. It got a perfect score for a “well-rounded experience,” with powdery white sands and clear, shallow blue waters. Right along the sandy shore, there’s even a lagoon where pink flamingos are often spotted.
Tropic of Cancer Beach, the Exumas, Bahamas
While it’s relatively easy to access via a bumpy, 25-minute ride from George Town, Tropic of Cancer Beach is a jaw-dropping crescent of chalk-white sand lapped by translucent blue-green water that you can often enjoy practically all to yourself. Crossed by the Tropic of Cancer meridian, it’s the island’s longest beach and can now stake its claim among the world’s best. The calm, gin-clear water is ideal for floating, swimming, and snorkeling among sea turtles, rays, huge red starfish, and colorful species like parrotfish, particularly at either end, around the rocky outcrops.
