Trip Ideas Beach Vacations 15 Stunning White-sand Beaches Around the World By Steven Casale and Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes Instagram Twitter Website Elizabeth Rhodes is an associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 1, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Getty Images Around the world, pristine white-sand beaches beckon tourists and locals alike with their powdery-soft shores and turquoise blue waters. While not quite as exciting as volcanic black-sand beaches or as rare as pink-sand beaches, white-sand beaches offer the quintessential seaside experience. These 15 stunning white-sand beaches — from the Maldives to right here in the United States — are what vacation dreams are made of. More beach vacation ideas 01 of 15 Angaga Island, South Ari Atoll, Maldives mediacolor's / Alamy Though the entire island is part of a luxury resort, the upkeep of Angaga Island maintains its natural Maldivian beauty. Pearly white sand covers the entire circumference of this island, where beach bungalows jut out into the sea. 02 of 15 Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles Getty Images/iStockphoto Anse Source d'Argent is one of the most popular beaches in the Seychelles, and for good reason. Towering boulders and palms dot the perimeter of this beautiful white-sand beach, and a nearby coral reef keeps the waters calm and ideal for wading. 03 of 15 Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, South Africa Getty Images/Gallo Images This stretch of sheltered beach on South Africa's Cape Peninsula was formed by granite boulders that now dot the surrounding area. Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Beach is a popular gathering place for the endangered African penguin. 04 of 15 Hyams Beach, Shoalhaven, Australia Getty Images Just over 100 miles from sprawling Sydney is a stunning white-sand beach. Beachgoers head to this destination on Jervis Bay for more than just white sand, though — you may even spot some whales. 05 of 15 Luskentyre Beach, Harris, Scotland Getty Images/iStockphoto On the western coast of Scotland's Outer Hebrides islands lies a stretch of beach known as Luskentyre. The cooler climate location of this white-sand beach sets it apart, and wild white horses are sometimes found wandering its shores. 06 of 15 Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia Getty Images/iStockphoto Stretching for one mile on the southern end of Bora Bora, this is the largest public beach on the island. Perfectly white sand is juxtaposed with the clear blue Polynesian water just steps away. 07 of 15 Kauna'oa Bay, Kohala, Hawaii Getty Images/Perspectives Crescent-shaped and framed by palm trees, Kauna'oa Bay, on Hawaii's Big Island, is the epitome of a white-sand beach. It's one of the few white-sand stretches on the western side of the island, and the historic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel sits right on its waterfront. 08 of 15 Rabbit Beach, Pelagie Islands, Italy Chris Warde Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images Lying between Malta and Tunisia is one of Europe's most far-flung islands. Rabbit Island (known in Italian as Isola dei Conigli) lies off the coast of Lampedusa, a larger island to its north. Visitors to the beaches here can experience some of the clearest waters and whitest sands in the Mediterranean. 09 of 15 Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach, Zakynthos, Greece Getty Images On the coast of Zakynthos in Greece's Ionian Islands is a small cove playfully known as Shipwreck Beach. In October 1980, a small cargo ship drifted off the crystal waters and onto this white-sand beach, where it has remained since. 10 of 15 Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia Getty Images The silica-rich sand at Whitehaven Beach is what gives it its snowy-white appearance. Even under the hottest sun, the silica never becomes too hot, so you don't have to worry about burning your feet. Getting to this remote beach can only be done by boat or small plane, however. 11 of 15 Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Salvatore Varavallo/EyeEm/Getty Images Often ranked among the best beaches in the world, Grace Bay Beach — which stretches for more than three miles — is known for its pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters. 12 of 15 Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States Getty Images Americans don't have to travel far to find a stunning beach destination. As its name implies, this spot has beautiful Gulf waters and white, sandy shores, making it perfect for water sports and sunbathing. 13 of 15 White Beach, Boracay, Philippines Michael Wels/Getty Images Located on the small island of Boracay in the Philippines, the aptly named White Beach is a picture-perfect oasis lined with palm trees, bars, hotels, and more. 14 of 15 Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico Getty Images There are so many beautiful beaches lining Mexico's shores, but Playa Norte is among the best, thanks to its soft white sand and sparkling waters. Plus, it's just a short ferry ride away from Cancun. 15 of 15 Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla Marco Bicci/EyeEm/Getty Images Often named one of the best islands in the Caribbean, Anguilla has stunning beaches and luxe hotels ideal for travelers looking to unwind. One of the island's most popular white-sand beaches is the gorgeous Shoal Bay Beach. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit