North America's Top 50+ Beaches
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The Baths // The Caribbean
© BlueOrange Studio / 123RF Gigantic boulders and beaches caressed by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea combine to make this an idyllic setting in what has to be a top tourist destination. We are describing the stunning beach frontage of the fabulous area known as "The Baths", on Virgin Gorda, the third largest of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. We forgot… read more »
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Playa Varadero // The Caribbean
© Dalgis Lopez Within easy reach of the Cuban capital, Varadero Beach is just two hours west of Havana along good roads. The near-white sand stretches out into the Caribbean Sea on a thin peninsula of land for a staggering 20 kilometres (12 miles).
Also known as Blue Beach (Playa Azul) because of the colour of the sea at this point, which laps it… read more »
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Ffryes Beach // The Caribbean
© Michael Utech / iStock Considering the relatively small size of the island of Antigua (footprint is 108.5 mi² about the size of a small city), it boasts a remarkable 365 beaches, yes - one for each day of the year, and they are all public spaces. What more could a beach lover ask for?! Ffryes Beach is one of the more popular, with Sundays… read more »
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Playa Norte // Mexico
© Eddy Galeotti Located on Isla Mujeres is the beach of Playa Norte, a tropical island getaway that seems worlds apart from the resort town of Cancun just 20 minute boat ride away. Here the crystal clear aquamarine waters meet the soft white sands and lush palm trees sway gently in the breeze. Playa Norte really does offer its tranquil, relaxing atmosphere that… read more »
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Cayo Santa Maria // The Caribbean
Eric Marshall Connected to Cuba's main island at Caibarien by a long causeway, Cayo Santa Maria is one of a series of small islands lining the country's northern shores from Matanzas in the west to Camalote in the east.
Little more than a sand bank which rises just four metres above the waves of the Caribbean, Cayo Santa Maria has exquisite white sand… read more »
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Playa Paraiso // The Caribbean
© sergey02 Playa Paraiso is a fabulous stretch of beach where soft, powdery white sand runs parallel to a turquoise sea, all under an almost eternally clear blue sky. It is sandwiched between Playa Blanca and Playa Sirena beaches to the east and west respectively. These and a number of other top-rated beaches are dotted around the resort island of Cayo Largo,… read more »
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Hidden Beach // Mexico
Christian Frausto Bernal The Marietas Islands, off Mexico's west coast are home to one of the most unusual beaches you will find anywhere. Whilst it wouldn't rank on a top 10 list of beaches for its modest stretch of (albeit very nice) sand it is has to get a mention just because of how weird and wonderful it is.
Imagine a large cave with… read more »
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Long Beach // Canada
© Adam Jones / CC BY Located at Tofino on Vancouver Island, Long Beach certainly lives up to its name. Stretching for 16km, the unbroken white sand is the longest beach on the island. Reached from Hwy 4 (Pacific Rim Highway) and despite its isolated location it attracts over a million visitors each year.
The beautiful sand collects massive amounts of driftwood and is edged by… read more »
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Waimea Bay // USA
Anthony Quintano Beautiful Waimea Beach is set at the heart of the North Shore and catches all the rolling swells that attract big wave riders and pro surfers from around the world. Divided by the outflow of the Waimea River which is ideal for tubing, the golden sands are punctuated by rocks at the south end of this pretty cove, including… read more »
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Chesterman Beach // Canada
Imogene Huxham Chesterman Beach is on the west side of the Tofino peninsula on Vancouver Island, just south of Tofino town. It is divided into two main sections, Chesterman Beach South (or "South Chestie" as the locals call it) and Chesterman Beach North. Totalling 3 km in length, Chesterman Beach is divided in the middle by Franks' Island, a tombolo which is… read more »
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Isla Holbox // Mexico
Isla Holbox is a Caribbean island just off the northern tip of the popular Yucatan peninsula, off the coast of Quintana Roo. Less than one mile wide, the 26-mile long island runs parallel to the Chiquila Coast creating a protected lagoon that is home to flamingos, pelicans and other birdlife.
Holbox actually means "black hole" but there's no sign of anything… read more »
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Misquamicut State Beach // USA
© Juliancolton Misquamicut State Beach is located in the very west of Rhode Island, just over the state line from New Hampshire. Not only is this one of the longest beaches in the state, it is the most popular, and for good reason.
Forming part of a sandy coastline that stretches off for miles in both directions, Misquamicut is a beach with something… read more »
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Carters Beach // Canada
A dreamy mix of white sand, gently dunes and light blue waters, Carters Beach reminds many who visit it of the Caribbean. Just off Highway 103 close to Port Mouton, where there are plenty of picks when it comes to accommodation, the beach remains entirely uncommercialised and is free of facilities beyond a small car park.
Usually without crowds, the… read more »
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Miramar Beach // USA
Positioned on an attractive stretch of Gulf of Mexico coastline, it's no surprise that Miramar Beach in Destin has its fair share of beachside condos and apartments for rent. During the summer months, its permanent population of approximately 6,000 residents is dwarfed massively by visitors keen to enjoy the powdery white sands for themselves.
Sunbathers looking to soak up the… read more »
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Three Tables // USA
Alison and Fil Set on Oahu's North Shore, this pretty little beach is surrounded by some of the best known surf spots on the planet. In fact the famously huge waves of Waimea Bay break only around 100 yards away from Three Tables. But that's not why people come here.
Three Tables beach is perhaps best known as a snorkeling spot and… read more »
