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2025 Travel & Leisure's Guide to the World's Most Paradise-Like Beaches
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 11:36 GMT by Travel + Leisure- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The World’s Most Paradise‑Like Beaches – A 2025 Travel & Leisure Review
Travel & Leisure has long been the go‑to source for the most coveted destinations, and their recent “Most Paradise‑Like Beaches in the World” list is no exception. The 2025 edition revisits a classic formula that mixes insider expertise with data‑driven insights, producing a concise yet richly detailed guide to the places that look like they’ve been plucked from a postcard.
1. How the List Was Built
The editors approached the task with a dual‑lens methodology: expert consensus and visitor sentiment. A panel of 30 international travel journalists, seasoned vacation planners, and beach‑connoisseurs were asked to rank beaches on three axes:
- Aesthetic Appeal – crystal‑clear waters, pristine sand, dramatic backdrop.
- Atmosphere – serenity, seclusion, and the sense of “escape.”
- Practicality – accessibility, safety, and local hospitality.
They then cross‑checked their choices against data from travel‑survey aggregators (e.g., TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet) and the World Travel Awards, ensuring that each beach scored highly on both professional opinion and real‑world visitor experience. The final list includes 10 destinations—each accompanied by a short narrative, a photo, and a clickable link to the full travel guide on Travel & Leisure’s site.
2. The Top Ten Paradise‑Like Beaches
Below is a quick‑read rundown of the ten beaches that topped the charts, each with a taste of why it deserves the “paradise” tag.
| Rank | Beach | Location | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matira Beach | Bora Bora, French Polynesia | The only public beach on the island, Matira is famed for its wide, powder‑white sand, shallow turquoise lagoon, and the iconic cliff backdrop. The gentle surf and abundant coral reef make it perfect for snorkeling. |
| 2 | Anse Lazio | Praslin Island, Seychelles | This secluded cove features dramatic granite cliffs, an emerald lagoon, and an almost perfectly symmetrical shape. Its “natural cathedral” feel is captured in countless wedding shoots. |
| 3 | Whitehaven Beach | Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia | A 7-mile stretch of 60‑percent silica sand that glows pink in the sun, Whitehaven is framed by towering cliffs and a turquoise lagoon that invites swimming, kayaking, and helicopter tours. |
| 4 | Lanikai | Oahu, Hawaii | With its shallow lagoon protected by a reef, Lanikai offers a wide expanse of white sand and the picturesque “Hamoa Beach” view—a classic Hawaiian paradise scene. |
| 5 | Pink Sands Beach | Harbour Island, Bahamas | The unique pink hue of the sand—thanks to crushed coral—creates a surreal visual. The calm, shallow waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling in a protected lagoon. |
| 6 | Tulum Beach | Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico | A long, sandy stretch that feels uncrowded, Tulum’s beach is framed by Mayan ruins and a lush jungle backdrop, offering a mix of history and natural beauty. |
| 7 | Boulders Beach | Gansbaai, South Africa | While not a typical sandy beach, Boulders is famous for its resident colony of African penguins and the dramatic granite rock formations, creating an idyllic wildlife‑friendly escape. |
| 8 | Baía do Sancho | Fernando de Noronha, Brazil | Known as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, it requires a hike or a boat ride to access, which preserves its untouched, volcanic landscape and clear water. |
| 9 | Pfeiffer Beach | Big Sur, California, USA | The beach’s unique purple sand, black lava rocks, and the “Keyhole” arch make it a dramatic, almost surreal landscape. The Pacific’s waves add to its raw, untouched charm. |
| 10 | Sandy Bay | Montauk, New York, USA | With its long stretch of clean, soft sand and the gentle Atlantic surf, Sandy Bay offers a quintessential New England beach experience that feels both laid‑back and pristine. |
3. The Stories Behind the Scenes
Travel & Leisure goes beyond surface‑level description. Each beach entry includes a “Why It’s Paradise” section that explores local culture, history, and sustainability practices:
- Matira Beach is tied to the French Polynesian commitment to preserving the reef ecosystem, with a local reef‑education program that guides tourists to responsible snorkeling.
- Anse Lazio benefits from the Seychelles’ marine reserve system, protecting the coral and surrounding waters from over‑fishing and tourism pressure.
- Whitehaven Beach is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Site, and the Whitsunday Group actively manages visitor impact through designated walkways and ranger‑led tours.
These contextual notes help travelers understand that a paradise’s allure extends far beyond its visual appeal—into stewardship, local economy, and cultural heritage.
4. Planning Your Visit
Travel & Leisure’s article also offers pragmatic advice:
- Best Times to Visit: For each beach, the guide lists peak season, shoulder months, and off‑season advantages (e.g., fewer crowds, better rates).
- Getting There: From major international hubs to local transport options—such as the nearest airport, ferry routes, or charter services.
- Activities: Suggested water sports, wildlife tours, and cultural excursions to enrich the beach experience (e.g., reef tours in Bora Bora, cave diving in Baía do Sancho).
- Accommodations: A curated list of nearby lodges, resorts, and guesthouses, with price ranges and ratings.
5. Sustainability and Responsible Tourism
A recurrent theme in the piece is responsible travel. Each beach entry links to a dedicated Sustainability Section on the Travel & Leisure site, where the editors discuss:
- Eco‑friendly lodging: Certifications, water‑saving measures, and community projects.
- Visitor Caps: Where applicable (e.g., Baía do Sancho limits visitors to preserve the fragile ecosystem).
- Local Community Involvement: Programs that ensure tourism benefits local workers and supports conservation efforts.
The editors urge readers to “plan with purpose” and to use official tour operators who respect local regulations and environmental guidelines.
6. Takeaway
Travel & Leisure’s 2025 “Most Paradise‑Like Beaches” list delivers a blend of visual splendor, expert validation, and practical travel guidance. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter seeking a new tropical escape or a first‑time beach‑lover looking for the perfect getaway, this article serves as a comprehensive roadmap. Each destination offers a distinct flavor of paradise—from the volcanic dunes of Pfeiffer Beach to the coral‑crusted sands of Pink Sands—and the accompanying links lead you directly to the full travel guide for deeper dives.
Ready to pack your bags? Click through to the individual beach pages, consult the suggested itineraries, and let the world’s most picturesque shorelines inspire your next adventure. Happy travels!
Read the Full Travel + Leisure Article at:
[ https://www.travelandleisure.com/most-paradise-like-beach-in-world-study-11840378 ]
