Beaches

Beaches are amongst the popular destinations for a vacation. With a world full of oceanfront options to choose from, it may be hard deciding where to go. Rest assured, no matter what kind of beach holiday you’re looking for, whether a golf vacation, surfing the waves, marine fishing, or just relaxing by the water, there are states and countries for every occasion.

Beaches by American State

For those looking to travel within the United States, there are 23 states that border either the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Add in 8 states with Great Lakes’ coastlines (New York touches both the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes at Lake Ontario and Lake Erie), and you have an endless supply of amazing little beach towns for your holiday.

Beaches by Country

Countries like Mexico and the United States have ample spots for year-round warm-weather beaches. Others, such as Canada, and many parts of the U.S. are far more popular as summer escapes due to freezing winter temperatures. However, even during these cold days, there’s nothing quite like the sounds and sights of the ocean waves to relax away your worries.

Map of Countries with Beaches

Top Beach Towns to Live by Country

With its oceanside beauty and laid-back charm, a lot of people enjoy living and vacationing by the sea. Considering more than two-thirds of the world is covered in water, there are coastal communities spread all over. Find a spot near your home country or venture to one of the many beautiful beach towns located in destinations on on six of the seven continents.

Guide to Visiting the Beaches around the World

Sandy toes, sunkissed nose…ocean air, salty hair.

With a total of 720,790 miles of ocean coastline worldwide, one can only imagine how many beaches there are. Even though people have scoped out many of the best ones in each country, there are bound to be a few left that are undiscovered.

Canada has the most coastline out of any country, with a whopping 125,567 miles. The United States’ shores can vary in measurements, but when including territories and the Great Lakes region, there are roughly 95 471 miles of watery borders. Regarding Europe, Norway beats out the competition with 63,000 miles of shores, thanks to all its inlets and islands.

Even though most people think about oceans when discussing beaches, it’s easy to forget that lakes, rivers, and ponds create their own beaches. So, in addition to the mileage and massive amounts of salty-water shores, there are even more beaches that can provide similar atmospheres for visitors.

Oceans Around the World

Historically there have only been four oceans on Earth, but in 1999, a fifth one was added- the Southern Ocean. Since environments vary drastically, so do the beaches on these seas.

The oceans around the world include:

Arctic Ocean

With an average depth of 3,406′, the Arctic Ocean is the world’s coldest, smallest, and shallowest. Alaska’s Barrow Beach in the town of Utqiagvik, the country’s northernmost community, is an exotic place to see and “polar bear swim” in these ocean waters.

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic covers about 20% of the Earth’s surface, and it’s only the second largest. Having an average depth of 11,962′, it is home to many aquatic species and has a lot of influence on weather systems. Iceland, the UK, and Ireland are some of the most famous islands in this ocean.

Pacific Ocean

Being the world’s largest and deepest ocean, the Pacific Ocean is also home to the Mariana Trench. Some of the world’s most famous beaches, including Hawaii, the Philippines, and California, share a coast with this ocean. Australia is another famous country-island-continent with lots of Pacific Ocean access.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean covers almost ⅕ of the Earth and has an average depth of 12,762′. It is the third-largest ocean and warmest, meaning fewer creatures call these waters their home. Middle eastern, eastern Australia and some Asian countries share coastlines with the Indian Ocean.

Southern Ocean

The fourth largest ocean in the world is the Southern Ocean, which covers the southernmost part of the globe. Antarctica, parts of New Zealand, and parts of South America have coastsides along this ocean. These waters are home to blue whales, emperor penguins, and fur seals.

Types of Beaches

When visiting a beach, most people think of the sandy kind. However, there are many other types of shores out there. Travel lovers might be surprised to discover all the unique coast types while globetrotting.

Here are some of the kinds of beaches out there:

Sandy

The most famous kind, it’s made from minerals and rocks chiseled by waves. Mexico’s Cancun and Kaunaoa Bay in Hawaii have some notable sandy beaches.

Rocky

These are beaches with piles of stones and rocks that form the barrier between water and land. Commonly found in Europe, New Zealand, and North America.

Freshwater

Not 100% salt-free, but they have amounts low enough not to be noticed. These beaches are often found in lakes and rivers.

City Beaches

These beaches are built into the culture of metro or urban areas. These are often crowded and used by locals but also often have stores and vendors. Watersports are usually discouraged at these locations.

Glass Beaches

Many beaches have glass pieces that have been sanded down over time into pebbles and stones. Most of this glass is caused by people discarding their trash, but some are caused by getting dumped in the ocean by shipwrecks.

Different Colored Sands on Beaches

White Sand

Sometimes caused by quartz particles or parrotfish, white sand is beautiful. According to Guinness records, Hyams Beach in Australia boasts the whitest sand on Earth.

Pink Sand

This is created by broken coral for its distinct color. Komodo Island in Indonesia is the most famous pink beach.

Red Sand

These beaches can be found in Hawaii, Canada, and Italy. Red sand indicates high levels of iron, with the world’s reddest being Kaihalulu Beach in HI.

Orange Sand

Also caused by high concentrations of iron in the sand, orange hue beaches are also possible. A famous one is Malta’s Ramla Bay.

Green Sand

Guam and Hawaii have the USA’s only green beaches, but it must be sunny to see the actual colors. Caused by the olivine mineral, Papakolea Beach’s and Talofofo Beach’s green hues attract many visitors.

Sparkling Sand

Beaches with sparkling sand are caused by plankton. The Maldives are known for this “bioluminescence” effect, but it happens elsewhere too.

Purple Sand

Big Sur’s Pfeiffer State Beach is well-known for the garnet-infused sands that give it that purple glow.

Black Sand

Volcanic rock and dark minerals create black sandy shores, and they can be found in a few parts of the world. Italy’s Spiaggia di Ficogrande beach and Hawaii’s Punalu’u Beach are two of the most famous.

Popular Beach Destinations

Even though beach settings can vary significantly across the Earth, the most popular ones to travel to are ones in tropical areas or warm places. Florida and California are the coastal hubs for time on the sand in the United States.

Fiji Island, Bora Bora, and the Maldives are some of the most coveted and dreamy vacation destinations. Boracay White Beach in the Philippines is on Asia’s must-see beach list, which is extensive on its own.

The Caribbean, Australia, Hawaii, Greece, and South Africa also have their fair share of salty paradises. No matter where you’re traveling, if it’s near the coast, you’ll be sure to get tips from locals on the best place to scout out.

Trendy Beach Activities

Spending time outside is great for everyone’s overall health and well-being. Fortunately, many beach activities are fun and provide opportunities for fresh air. If traveling during a peak tourist season, there’s an excellent chance that the equipment needed to do water sports can be rented near the shore.

People love to do many activities in coastal waters, including sailing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, wave surfing, paddleboarding, boating, fishing, and jet skiing. Beach biking, playing volleyball, sunbathing, and flying kites are favored to do from the sand.

Beach Accommodations

Beach tourism has always been popular, so it’s not a surprise that more accommodations by the ocean have popped up everywhere. Vacation rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO have grown substantially and are available in many countries.

There are also many three, four, and five-star resorts based right along the water. These are excellent for offering people a chance to indulge in luxury while breathing in the salty air.

Most beach towns have lots of chain and budget hotel options too. When planning a trip to one of these areas, it’s best to plan to have more of a selection, especially during high travel seasons.

Livin’ La Vida Nomad