World Top 5 Beaches

1. Railay Beach


Railay, also known as Rai Leh, is a small peninsula between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang in Thailand. It is accessible only by boat due to high limestone cliffs cutting off mainland access. These cliffs attract rock climbers from all over the world, but the area is also popular due to its beautiful beaches and quiet relaxing atmosphere. Accommodation ranges from bungalows and medium-priced resorts in East Railay to a collection of luxury resorts focused on West Railay, though one, Royavadee, spans both waterfronts and also has a beachfront restaurant at Ao Phra Nang. The four main areas of Railay consist of Phra Nang, West Railay, East Railay, and Ton Sai. Ton Sai caters to climbers and the backpacker set and is more rustic than the glitz of West Railay and the shops and restaurants of the East Railay boardwalk.


East Railay


East Railay Beach is the docking point for boats arriving from Krabi. The East Beach is primarily covered in dense mangroves and is unsuitable for swimming. At the northern end of the waterfront, there is a commercial area along a boardwalk/promenade with many restaurants and bars and various services including a muay Thai school, and lower-priced resorts than in West Railay. Above, on the trail that leads to Ton Sai, is the Diamond Cave, which features a walkway into its depths. At the southern end of the boardwalk, there is access to a public trail that meanders under overhanging limestone cliffs and provides access to Phra Nang Beach.

West Railay

West Railay Beach, connected to the east side by paths through the large resorts or by trails through thin jungle cover, is the primary destination for beach-goers in Railay. The beach is flanked by high limestone cliffs on either side. Long-tail boats are available to hire for transport to Ao Nang, 15 minutes north of Railay. In addition, ferries departing Railay for Ko Phi Phi and points west including Phuket depart from the West beach. The focal point of West Railay Beach is a short promenade (walking street) lined with restaurants and shops.


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2. Benguerra Island



Benguerra Island in Mozambique is the second largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which broke away from the mainland thousands of years ago. The island is approximately 55 square kilometers (11km long x 5.5 km wide), and lies 14km offshore. Portuguese explorers also gave the island the name Santa Antonio. It is famous for its unspoiled white beaches, dive sites, luxury resorts, horseback riding and fishing.

Benguerra Island comprises forest, savannah, freshwater lakes and wetland eco-systems that sustain a diverse population of fauna and flora. Fresh water crocodiles can be found in the three lakes, bearing testimony to the island's mainland past. The island, which is home to approximately 140 bird species, was declared a National Park in 1971

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3. Grace Bay Beach


Extending along the northeast coast of Providenciales, this fabulous strip of sandy beach is about as close to perfection as earthly beaches go. Sunbathe on the flour-soft sands and swim in the clear, clean waters.

Sibonne Beach is named for the adjacent Sibonne Beach Hotel and is part of the larger 3-mile (5-kilometer) long Grace Bay Beach, which was itself named after Grace Jane Hutchings, the wife of former Turks and Caicos commissioner, Hugh Houston Hutchings.

Stroll the length of Grace Bay Beach and pass by additional beachside resorts, some of which offer watersports activities, such as parasailing, wake boarding and banana boat riding, to non-resort guests. Lots of bars, cafés, restaurants and shops can also be found along the beach’s edge, providing diners with stunning sea views to admire while they eat.

Among the most appealing aspects of Grace Bay Beach is the total absence of rocks, seaweed and pollution. With no dangerous waves or currents, this beach is particularly well-suited for swimming, with an off-coast barrier reef providing shelter from the wilder Atlantic swells. Travel out to the reef by boat for snorkeling and diving excursions.

Sibonne Beach is part of Princess Alexandra National Park. If you are staying at Sibonne Beach Hotel, make use of the private access and simply stroll down to the sands. Alternatively, Grace Bay Beach can be accessed via several turnoffs on Grace Bay Road. Free parking is available. While the beach is open to the public, parasols and sun loungers are typically reserved for resort guests’ use only. Though there are several resorts here, the beach is usually fairly quiet and tranquil.

If you want to explore farther afield, walk east along Grace Bay Beach to reach Leeward Beach or west to access Bight Beach.



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4. Navagio Beach 




Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach, is an exposed cove, sometimes referred to as "Smugglers Cove", on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. Navagio Beach was originally known as Agios Georgios.

On 2 October 1980, the coaster MV Panagiotis, ran aground in the waters around Zakynthos Island on Navagio Beach during stormy weather and bad visibility. Some rumours claim the ship was smuggling contraband; however, official sources did not confirm this, and the captain was not convicted for such offences. After the captain alerted the authorities, 29 locals were convicted of looting the cargo and valuable equipment from the wrecked ship. The ship was abandoned and still rests buried in the limestone gravel of the beach that now bears the nickname Shipwreck. Recently released court documents and photos relating to the incident back up the smuggler story. Panagiotis was allegedly making its way from Turkey with a freight of contraband cigarettes headed for Italy. Encountering stormy weather, the ship ran aground in the cove, where the crew abandoned her to evade the pursuing Navy.

The location was prominently featured in the hit Korean drama Descendants of the Sun, leading to a surge of interest among Chinese and Korean tourists.

The beach was briefly closed in 2018, and swimming and boat anchoring were forbidden, after a cliff collapse above the beach dropped a large amount of rock. The beach reopened and anchoring is permitted, but with restrictions out of concerns over future landslides.

Also in 2018, the beach was named as the world's best beach in a poll by over 1,000 travel journalists and professionals.


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5. Matira Beach


Matira Beach is the largest public access beach in Bora Bora making it extremely popular with visitors. The water is crystal-clear and the sand is soft and downy. Matira Beach is also peppered with resorts, shops and eateries, so it's a convenient place to spend most of a day. 

Travelers and locals alike have nothing but positive things to say about the beach. Most comment on the incredibly blue water and how the shoreline is rarely ever crowded making it the perfect place for some rest and relaxation. But save your snorkeling for another beach, as the shallow waters aren't the best for spotting sea life. If you don't have time to spend a whole day at the beach, many say the sunsets are at least worth a visit. 

You'll find the beach about 5 miles south of Vaitape, and you can get there by bicycle or taxi. You can also drive there; you'll find parking spots near the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort.


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