Honaunau Bay, Hawaii »
Honaunau Bay is one of a series of tranquil, turquoise bays tucked into the Big Island's South Kona coast, a region that is quickly becoming a must-visit Hawaiian destination.
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Cancun, Mexico »
Miles of beaches, endless luxury accommodations and a nonstop party atmosphere have transformed this once sleepy village on the Yucatan coast into one of Mexico's most popular tourist attractions.
Punaluu, Hawaii »
The black-sand beach at Punalu'u, one of nature's rarest wonders and the largest black-sand beach on the Big Island, strikes visitors with its serene beauty.
The Baths, British Virgin Islands »
The Baths is unlike any other beach in the Caribbean. It features white sandy beaches framed by gigantic granite boulders.
Bonzai Pipeline, Hawaii »
Oahu's North Shore is infamous among the surfing set, so it's no wonder the surfing pros come here to show off their skills.
Southampton, New York »
Unspoiled beaches, a charming village center, exclusive shops and exquisite dining have made Southampton the Hampton du jour.
Ocracoke Island, North Carolina »
Ocracoke's remote beaches have lured visitors for centuries; in the 1500s it first appeared on maps, after Sir Walter Raleigh and his crew set foot upon the island's sands.
Wailea, Hawaii »
Maui is the only Hawaiian island to be named after a demigod, and that comes as to no surprise to fans, as this tropical escape is heavenly.
Trunk Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands »
Trunk Bay's beach and coral reefs remain among St. John's most breathtaking and well-preserved attractions.
Newquay, United Kingdom »
Unknown to many outside the United Kingdom, the isle is home to Newquay, a seaside haven and mecca for surfers from around the globe, where visitors encounter some of the world's finest beaches.
Siesta Key, Florida »
Relaxing is easy on Siesta Key: soft white sand, brilliant sunshine and azure waters abound.
East Hampton, New York »
Strolling along stretches of white sand, listening to roaring waves and passing glorious mansions, it's easy to forget that East Hampton is only a couple hours outside of New York City.
Provincetown, Massachusetts »
Provincetown is known for great beaches, a thriving arts scene and a strong gay community.
Crete, Greece »
Renowned for its beautiful beaches, charming villages and rugged interior terrain, the island of Crete draws nearly one quarter of all visitors to Greece.
Hermosa Beach, California »
Just far enough away from high-profile Hollywood is the South Bay community of Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo beaches.
Biarritz, France »
After gaining popularity as a resort town favored by French royalty, Biarritz grew more cosmopolitan, attracting jet setters and gaining a reputation as "the queen of beaches and beach of kings."
Venice Beach, California »
Let's begin by making one thing perfectly clear. No beach in the world is like Venice Beach.
Cannon Beach, Oregon »
Named for a cannon that washed ashore from the shipwrecked USS Shark in 1846, Cannon Beach offers visitors an abundance of activities to enjoy.
Santa Barbara, California »
From the lush hillsides with memorable vistas of the sea to the pristine shoreline, Santa Barbara possesses the beauty most Southern California beachside communities lack.
Paradise Island, Bahamas »
Measuring 5 miles long and less than 1 mile wide, Paradise Island has almost always been exclusively for tourists.
Cumberland Island, Georgia »
Reachable only by ferry or kayak, with a limit of 300 visitors daily and only one small inn, Cumberland Island maintains its reputation as one of America's most pristine seaside regions.
Laguna Beach, California »
Laguna Beach's artisans, crafts and galleries mix with enough beachside fun to create the perfect stomping ground for the rich and crafty.
Carmel, California »
Carmel-by-the-Sea is located in a unique stretch of California's coastal highway. The town was once a bohemian haven for artists.
Mykonos Island, Greece »
In a small series of islands in the Aegean Sea lies the tiny gem of Mykonos Island -- a dreamy destination for aspiring Greek gods and goddesses.
Copacabana, Brazil »
Copacabana, often referred to as the world's most famous beach, runs for 3 miles along the densely populated residential area of Rio de Janeiro.
Coronado, California »
Just over the bridge from San Diego is a small, tree-lined beach haven known as Coronado.
Moshup Beach, Martha's Vineyard »
As summer commences, crowds swarm Martha's Vineyard in droves, but respite can be found in the Vineyard's far eastern reaches -- up-island, as it's known locally.
Palm Beach, Florida »
It may have more than 47 miles of pristine beaches, but the crown jewel of Palm Beach County, Florida, is, without a doubt, exclusive Palm Beach.
Palm Beach, Aruba »
Families flock to Palm Beach's sugar-white beaches in droves; Aruba's kid-friendly atmosphere prevails at Palm Beach's resorts and restaurants.
Tulum, Mexico »
Part of the gorgeous and increasingly popular Riviera Maya, Tulum sits 80 miles southeast of Cancun.
Maroma Beach, Mexico »
Maroma Beach is a resort intent on preserving the ecology of its 500-plus acres of beach and rain forest while bringing service and luxury to unprecedented heights.
Clearwater, Florida »
Clearwater Beach's status as one of America's best beaches has lured countless vacationers to its sandy shores and beachfront hotels.
Pernambuco, Brazil »
Known for its beautiful beaches, Pernambuco is exotic and remote, providing the ultimate escape from reality.
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil »
Few people can claim they've witnessed the unspoiled and breathtaking beaches of Fernando de Noronha.
Phi Phi Island, Thailand »
The exotic Phi Phi Island lies off the coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea.
Little Palm Island, Florida »
The resort at Little Palm Island is one of the best in the country, with exquisite accommodations, great food and one of the best beaches in the entire stretch of the Keys.
Tenerife, Canary Islands »
Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Island archipelago, which is part of Spain.
Ofu Beach, American Samoa »
The islands of American Samoa, Tutuila and Manua'a are stars of the South Pacific, a region renowned for perfect beaches and dreamy hideaways.
Barcelona, Spain »
Visitors to Barcelona can have their urban sightseeing and big-city fun, with a little beach time thrown in on the side.
Bora Bora, Tahiti »
There are a number of reasons why Bora Bora boasts the nickname "the Romantic Island," including the secluded beaches, intimate hotels and quiet atmosphere that embraces visitors.
Manele Bay, Hawaii »
Hulopo'e Beach on the island of Lana'i, long considered one of the world's most perfect stretches of sand, lies at the base of the Four Seasons Lana'i at Manele Bay creating a perfect union.
El Matador, California »
Beachgoers in the know seek solidarity by heading up the winding Pacific Coast Highway to the most spectacular shoreline along the coast: El Matador Beach.
Surfer's Paradise Beach, Australia »
Every year millions of visitors flock from all over the globe to this Gold Coast beach to surf, swim, party and to have a generally good time.
Culebra Island, Puerto Rico »
Culebra Island, off Puerto Rico's northeast coast, has beautiful beaches and plenty of sun, but it's also an old pirate hideout loaded with virtually undisturbed treasures.
Pink Sands, Bahamas »
Pink Sands Beach is the place to go for natural beauty, elegant resorts and most importantly, 3 miles of perfectly pink sand and gentle waters.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina »
As the largest resort along South Carolina's 60-mile Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is the East Coast's ultimate vacation hub.
Seignosse, France »
To experience the town and beaches of Seignosse in Southwestern France is like encountering the incongruous blending of a Brother's Grimm fairy tale with Beach Blanket Bingo.
Folegandros, Greece »
Folegandros, a mostly untouched gem in the midst of the Cycladic Islands, has not yet been overwhelmed by tourists that overpopulate the more accessible island destinations like Santorini and Mykonos.
South Padre Island, Texas »
South Padre has always been a spring break party animal's paradise.
South Beach, Florida »
The American Riviera, Hollywood of the East, SoBe, or the Art Deco District -- whatever you call it, Miami's South Beach is hot year-round.
Hilton Head, South Carolina »
One of the largest islands on the East Coast, Hilton Head is perfect for families and individuals who are looking for a large resort area with an array of activities to enjoy.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda »
Bermuda's famous pink-sand beaches are considered some of the loveliest seaside retreats in the world, and the shores of Horseshoe Bay are no exception.
Nantucket Island, Massachusetts »
Long before Nantucket became known as a vacation destination, it was primarily a quiet whaling community off the coast of Massachusetts.
Kapalua, Hawaii »
Kapalua Beach is a gem of golden sand bounded by swaying palm trees and the rolling lawns of Maui's most exclusive resorts.
Poipu Beach, Hawaii »
Kauai is home to one of the world's best beaches: Poipu, a series of 3 white crescents curving beside turquoise waters along the island's south coast.
Ipanema Beach, Brazil »
Trendsetting Ipanema has a long tradition of dictating beach chic to the rest of the world.
Koh Phangan, Thailand »
Thailand's hottest spot for the young set is Ko Phangan, a small island near the larger Koh Samui.
The Maldives »
Whether you long for pampered nights in a 4-star resort or fish-filled days some 80 feet underwater, your tropical wishes are sure to come true on one of the 87 resort islands of the Maldives.
Fraser Island, Australia »
Perched on the sunny Queensland coast 161 miles northeast of Brisbane, Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island and home to one of the world's best beaches.
Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles »
For travelers who are looking for something off the beaten path, Seychelles is a dream destination.
Bottom Bay, Barbados »
Barbados is a distinctive island, both in its natural beauty and fun-loving culture.
Duck, North Carolina »
Stretching for 130 miles along the Atlantic coast, North Carolina's Outer Banks are a skinny strip of barrier islands with sandy dunes and frothy surf on one side and a gentle sound on the other.
Matira Beach, Bora Bora »
Bora Bora is just 18 miles long, a lush little slipper of land that lies in a protected lagoon edged by fine white sandy shores -- the best located at Matira Point.
St. John, US Virgin Islands »
As other islands in the Caribbean become overdeveloped with super-size resorts and tourist attractions, St. John remains remarkably untouched -- a trait that only increases its lure.
Grand Cul-de-Sac, St. Barts »
One of many islands in the Caribbean Sea, St. Barts stands out with its pleasant blend of French chic and island relaxation.
Cape May, New Jersey »
Cape May is the aristocrat of beaches with the prices and lineage to prove it.
Clifton Beach, South Africa »
At the northwest tip of South Africa's Cape Peninsula lies the swanky coastal gem Clifton Beach, a haven for international hipsters and jet-setters.
Harbour Island, Bahamas »
Harbour Island's quiet charms seem countless, but none are more alluring than the tiny island's wondrous stretch of pink-sand beach.
Kuta Bali, Indonesia »
Kuta, the most accessible, lively and commercialized of Bali's southern beaches, is noted more for surf than for swimming and more for parties than for sunbathing.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina »
Many people are familiar with the coastal islands off North Carolina, but fewer are aware of the coastal islands off South Carolina.
Patong Beach, Thailand »
The biggest beach on Phuket Island and Thailand's premier beach resort, Patong combines a long strip of pristine sand with a beachfront cluster of bars, wild nightclubs and wall-to-wall shopping.
Anguilla, West Indies »
Once a secret hideaway, Anguilla has come into its own as a Caribbean hot spot for Hollywood starlets and honeymooners alike.
Naples, Florida »
The feeling in the community of Naples is a little less stuffy and a little more relaxed than some other wealthy vacation spots.
Natadola Beach, Fiji »
Natadola Beach, located on Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, is the most beautiful white-sand beach in Fiji.
Shi Shi Beach, Washington »
What could be a scene from a land before time is actually Shi Shi Beach, part of the Olympic National Park and considered the Northwest's purest stretch of coastline.
Larvotto Beach, Monte Carlo, Monaco »
Perhaps the single most glamorous beach in the world is Monte Carlo's Larvotto Beach, where women may go without their bikini tops, but wouldn't dare to be seen without their jewels.
Newport Beach, California »
Trendsetters, jetsetters, and beach lovers in the know have been taking advantage of Newport Beach's Southern California coastal charms -- both vintage and nouveau riche -- for decades.
Kauna'oa Bay, Hawaii »
Located on the Kohala Coast of the Aloha State's Big Island, Kauna'oa Bay is quintessential Hawaii.
Waikiki, Hawaii »
From throbbing nightclubs to quiet parks, from gentlemen long-boarders to the lions at the zoo, Waikiki has something for everyone.
Vieques, Puerto Rico »
Vieques maintains a laid-back island atmosphere that can be hard to find on more developed Caribbean getaways.
Negril, Jamaica »
In western Jamaica, hotels and restaurants line the waterfront; fortunately building codes limit structures to the height of a palm-tree and prevent the beach from feeling overdeveloped.
St. Tropez, France »
Nestled along the French Riviera and a short drive from Nice or Cannes, St. Tropez is one of the liveliest towns along the coast during the summer.
Ocean City, New Jersey »
Ocean City was founded as a beach resort in 1879 and quickly earned the nickname of "America's Greatest Family Resort."
Datai Beach, Malaysia »
A reputed refuge for pirates of old, Langkawi has become a modern hideaway for the traveler seeking an escape.
Honaunau Bay, Hawaii »
Honaunau Bay is one of a series of tranquil, turquoise bays tucked into the Big Island's South Kona coast, a region that is quickly becoming a must-visit Hawaiian destination.
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