Bucket List Beaches: Unique Beaches You Need To Visit

Top Beaches To Add To Your Bucket List

In our travels we have come across many, many beaches and would like to share some of the best that we have personally visited. And while many people think the best beaches are those with white sand and blue water, based on the vast variety that we have seen, we have a different perspective. 

Not all beaches are created equal. Depending on where in the world you are and the geological formation of that spot, you can have a wide variety of coastal options with many different kinds of “sandy” materials.

We have also learned that even though a beach looks gorgeous, it doesn’t mean that it is safe for swimming. Sometimes, a beach is a spot that should just be admired for its beautiful surroundings and mesmerizing waves. We have come across plenty of those. Below, we will detail our favourite bucket list beaches that you should add to your list.

What You Can Expect At Beaches Of The World

Nakupenda, Zanzibar

Located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 8 km from Stone Town on Zanzibar Island, is the sand bar of Nakupenda. This disappearing island is only available to visit at certain times of the day due to the fluctuating tides.

It is accessible by the many boats that can be hired. On our tour, our crew not only brought us to the island but also provided us with snorkelling gear and a full lunch.

The big draw is the shallow water with soft sand all around the edges of the sandbar. You can shop at a handful of vendors or have a massage. Or just spend hours floating in the water. Plan to be there in the morning, as it is a super busy place in the afternoon!

✅ For a perfect experience on a private basis, book this tour. This will give you the ability to arrive early and enjoy this stunning location before the large crowds arrive.

Reynisfara Beach, Iceland

Iceland has more than 130 volcanoes, and this has resulted in much of the island being covered in volcanic ash. The beach at Reynisfara is particularly striking with its black sand that contrasts with the blue of the water. 

Here you can see large sea stacks rising from the surf and basalt columns scattered along the coast. It is quite amazing to see these pillars that remain standing against the wind and surf which are unrelenting.

If you are a bird lover, be sure to visit during May-August when the puffins are nesting in this area. They are fun to watch as they swoop in and around the caves.

This is one beach that is not suitable for swimming. In fact, we were surprised to see numerous signs advising visitors not to get close to the water’s edge due to the rogue waves referred to as sneaker waves. They have swept people out to sea without any warning, so use caution when visiting.

Bondi Beach, Australia

Another one of those famous, amazing beaches is Bondi in New South Wales. This is an easy visit from Sydney and is very popular with visitors.

The little beach town has loads of services to support the flocks of people who spend time at Bondi. Here it is a surfer’s paradise with some strong wave action. And of course, there is the Icebergs Pool that is built into the sea and draws many people to this well-known spot.

There are lots of activities taking place on the beach like volleyball, exercising and soccer. And multitudes of people are just taking in the sun. 

This is also the start or finish of a brilliant coastal walk between here and Coogee. Be sure to plan enough time to enjoy both the walk and the beach.

✅ If you would like to explore Bondi with a local, be sure to check out this tour that offers a great introduction to the area.

Playa Conchal, Costa Rica

Perfectly positioned on the Pacific coast in the Guanacaste region, Playa Conchal is considered one of the best beaches in Costa Rica.

This beach takes a little bit of effort to get to since there is no direct access. It requires parking in a small town called Brasalito and then walking along the water for about 20 minutes. But once we got there, we were rewarded with a lovely beach of soft crushed shells. 

The water is clear and a perfect depth for adults to bob around in the water while still being able to touch the sandy bottom if needed.

There aren’t many in the way of permanent services here, so come prepared with all that you need for a day at the beach. You will have the opportunity to rent chairs and shade tents if you like. And the locals will sell you drinks if you didn’t bring your own. 

Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

You will find this outstanding location on the north island, on the Coromandel Peninsula. This stretch of long sandy beach has an interesting natural phenomenon that takes place two hours before and after low tide. 

At this time of day, you can see people digging in the sand and creating small pools. The pools fill with naturally heated hot mineral water located under the ground (reaching up to 64 degrees celsius). It is truly unique to experience a hot spring right at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

Be sure to watch for the tide schedule and bring your shovel (or rent one from one of the shops) to experience this exceptional event.

Maya Bay, Thailand

Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches with turquoise water and soft white sand. A very popular spot to visit is Phi Phi Leh, an uninhabited island with some incredible scenery to be enjoyed. 

The most famous (and beautiful) is Maya Bay. This spot is where a movie called The Beach, with Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed. Unfortunately, after the movie was released, it caused severe over tourism and the beach was eventually closed to preserve the natural integrity of the area. It has since been reopened, but boats can no longer come into the bay, and there is no swimming allowed here.

It is definitely worth seeing though, since the limestone cliffs, covered with greenery, shelter this little bay, and it honestly looks like paradise. Unfortunately, even with restrictions in place, it is still a super busy spot. We wished we had gotten there a little earlier in the day, but it was still a beautiful spot to experience.

Swimming, snorkelling and diving can be done at other neighbouring spots in the Phi Phi island areas, such as Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island.

✅ If you would like to explore this area, including Maya Bay, we recommend this tour that we took. It had numerous stops during the day to some incredible places and it included lunch!

Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres is located just a 20-minute ferry ride from the coast of Cancun. This small island, where the main transportation method is by golf cart, provides a fabulous getaway with a small-town vibe.

There are plenty of beaches to choose from, but the one with the best mix of surf, sand, beach bars and activities is North Beach. Here, a line of palm trees set back from the beach sways in the breeze, while visitors lounge on the beach and swim in the gentle waves.

There are plenty of beach bars, restaurants and water activities along this stretch, ensuring that it appeals to everyone. We found it to be a perfect spot for long, relaxing days at the beach.

Sandwich Harbour, Namibia

Along the coast, not far from Walvis Bay, is Sandwich Harbour, part of Namib-Naukluft National Park. This stunning stretch of coastline, approximately 4 km long, is extraordinary. The sand of this desert area seems to stretch forever.

There are massive sand dunes, some reaching over 100m high, that plunge down to the Atlantic Ocean. Only when the tide is out is it possible to explore this area with a 4×4 vehicle. Our tour included an exhilarating ride along the sand, and then we headed inland for dune bashing and a snack of famous Namibian oysters.

It is truly unspoiled with no sign of life – just Mother Nature at her best. The endless amount of golden sand here is amazing, and it is one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever come across. 

✅ For an exhilarating morning, book the tour that we did from Walvis Bay. It was the highlight of our trip and an experience we will never forget. The dunes, the ocean, the oysters – it was all perfect!

Las Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz, Galapagos

This gorgeous spot is formed by a wide strip of white coral sand. It is surprisingly soft to walk on and keeps your feet cool. The water is spectacularly clear and perfect for swimming and snorkelling. 

Along the edge of the beach are lava rock formations that stick up out of the water. Here, there are lots of fish and turtles that you can see with a mask.

The beach is a popular spot for sea turtle nesting, so it is critical to watch where you are stepping so as not to disturb the breeding grounds. There is also a lagoon a little way back where, if you are lucky, you may find greater flamingos coming in to enjoy their morning breakfast. We saw a pair of these magnificent birds landing in the calm lagoon, which was amazing!

This is certainly one of the most serene spots we have had the pleasure of visiting.

Gibson Steps Beach, Australia

When travelling the Great Ocean Road, just down from the Twelve Apostles, is the breathtaking Gibson Steps beach. This beach is accessed by a set of 86 steps built into the side of the cliff that reach 70m high. 

Once you reach the bottom, you are greeted by a wild and windy shoreline where you can watch the waves crashing. It is very scenic with looming limestone sea stacks that have been formed by the wind over millions of years, rising out of the sea. We loved this raw beauty.

It is a perfect beach for walking, as the sand is compact, but this is not a spot for swimming due to the severe currents.

Pendulum Cove Beach, Antarctica

Another black sand beach we have visited is on Deception Island in Antarctica. This location is set within the caldera of a volcano that erupted 10,000 years ago. The volcano is still active, and as a result, the water at low tide is steaming hot from the geothermal activity under the ground.

This is a popular place for visitors to try a polar plunge since the water is both hot and then icy cold. We gave it a try, and it is a shock to the system!

Just up from the beach are the remains of an old Chilean research site that was completely buried during a volcanic eruption in the early 1970s. It is a fascinating location to see and gives a clear picture of what devastation took place many years back. 

The stark, deserted beach is an eerie spot and seems almost otherworldly.

Copacabana Beach, Brazil

One of the most popular beach destinations that we have visited is Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. This length of 4 km is one of the most widely known beaches in the world.

It is party central on the beach, where vendors make you tropical drinks and local women offer massages. Vendors are walking up and down selling their wares, and there is non-stop music playing all day. And most days, there are soccer and volleyball games on the sand.

The water, while not terribly clear, has great surf for playing in and a nice sandy bottom. Another highlight of this area is the enormous tiled pathway that follows the beach. Be sure to take a stroll down this area for plenty of shopping, food and drink carts.

Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Within the Baths National Park, there is an awesome, secluded beach called Devil’s Bay. BVI has some incredibly scenic beaches, and this one is no exception. Here, the various shades of blue water lap upon the powdery soft beach.

But the highlight here is the huge granite boulders that have little sheltered pools of water formed in and amongst them. There is a pathway that leads you through the massive rocks with ropes and stairs so you can explore these areas with its super warm and clear water.

We were lucky to be there early one morning, so we had the baths almost to ourselves. Crawling in and around the boulders was really special, and we loved this natural formation that was caused by molten lava leaking through the volcanic rock layers. Over many years spaces were left by the entire area cracking and making huge blocks that have now been softened by years of wind and water erosion. It is a magical location to visit.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Designated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Whitehaven Beach certainly deserves this accolade. This location requires two boat rides to access, but it is really worth it.

One of the things we loved about this location in the Whitsundays is the viewing points from above that have several lookouts of the white beach below. Nowhere have we seen such an extensive span of water and white sand.

And of course, we spent some time in the water too. The sand here is made from silica, so it never gets hot, and that is a good thing considering how expansive the beach is, requiring a good walk to get to the water’s edge. We walked way out into the water, and it never got much deeper than mid-thigh. The water was like a bath and offered an incredible floating experience.

Keep in mind that at different times of the year in Queensland, there are jellyfish in the water. During these seasons, it is advisable to wear a stinger suit to avoid injury to your skin.

✅ For a perfect day at Whitehaven Beach, consider this 5 star tour that provides transport, snorkelling gear and lunch. It is a great way to spend some time at this gorgeous spot.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

The most stunning beaches we have experienced are on the island of Rarotonga. Perhaps it is the remote location of the Cook Islands and the fact that when we visited, we seemed to be the only ones there, but the beaches and the lagoon around this island are absolutely pristine. They stretch around the whole perimeter of the island, and it was impossible not to love every scenic vista we came across.

The water was so clear that I could see a starfish perfectly while standing still in the sea. And this also made for fantastic wildlife viewing when we went swimming with sea turtles.

The protected lagoon has natural passages that lead from the beach and open to the outer sea, and while the currents can be strong, we took a tour with experienced locals who know how to navigate the waters. Our experience with the turtles was astounding and something we will never forget. 

✅ Visiting with the sea turtles was a once in a lifetime event. For a 5 star experience look at this very small group tour to see these creatures in an eco friendly way.

For us, this is truly one of those bucket list destinations that you must add to your travel list.

The Final Word…Our Favourite Bucket List Beaches

As you can see, we have visited many remarkable beaches all over the world. To be honest, we never tire of seeing these unbelievable places and continue to be on the lookout for more during our travels. As we find new, exciting spots, we will continue to add to this compilation to provide you with some additional travel inspiration.

Be sure to check out our travel resources that give some additional details on visiting Whitehaven Beach, Playa Conchal and Gibson Steps Beach.