World's most beautiful coasts - where does the UK rank?

Shore thing

Many of Mother Nature’s most impressive landscapes can be found where land meets sea, from remote and rugged archipelagos to glamorous rivieras, clifftop towns and picturesque beaches. In recognition of our planet's most beautiful coasts, we've ranked the ones we believe to be the best of the best. While it's just the personal perspective of our well-travelled team, we hope you'll agree that these superlative seaside spots belong on your bucket list.

Read on to enjoy our celebration of the world's spectacular shores...

43. Hunstanton, Norfolk, England, UK

Starting out as a purpose-built seaside resort in the 1840s, Hunstanton, on England's east coast, has plenty to offer visitors today. The town is well-known for its unique striped cliffs but also its westerly-facing position that affords truly spectacular sunsets. It's the candy floss stalls, fish and chip shops, kite flying, as well as the beach itself – with a mix of fine sand and shingle – that make Hunstanton such a beloved British seaside spot.

42. Coastline of Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar, situated just off the east coast of Tanzania, has been a spice-growing hub since ancient times, earning it the nickname 'Spice Island'. Foodstuffs aside, its charming coastline has all the right ingredients for an island paradise: paper-white sandy beaches studded with fishing boats, swaying coconut palms and glistening, clear waters.

41. Beagle Channel, Chile and Argentina

Charles Darwin was said to have travelled the Beagle Channel in the 1830s, describing the scenery as “peculiar and very magnificent”, and the region holds just as much intrigue for explorers today. Situated at the southern tip of South America, the 150-mile (240km) long strait is home to an abundance of wildlife – including sea lions, sea birds and Magellanic and Gentoo penguins – as well as awe-inspiring jagged mountains, sub-Antarctic forest and the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (pictured).

40. Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK

The Hebridean island of Staffa is best known for its dramatic pillar-like rock formations (Staffa means ‘stave’ or ‘pillar’ island in Old Norse), which were formed by the cooling of basalt lava some 60 million years ago. Today, this wild and remote rocky outpost is home to a variety of seabirds, while seals, dolphins and even sharks can be spotted in the surrounding waters.

39. Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Moving back to cooler shores, the laid-back town of Tofino started life as a fishing village and today is a surfing hotspot thanks to its wide, sandy beaches lapped by strong waves. It's located on a peninsula off Vancouver Island’s southwestern coast, and its shoreline oozes rugged and understated natural beauty, with a landscape made up of cedar forests, mountains and mudflats.

38. Legzira Beach, Morocco

Until eight years ago, Morocco’s Legzira Beach was home to two stunning natural rock arches, yet one fateful Friday afternoon in September 2016, the smaller of the two collapsed due to erosion. Nevertheless, the five-mile (8km) beach, whose vibrant red sandstone cliffs have been hacked apart by relentless wind and strong Atlantic Ocean waves, remains a place of wild and untamed beauty.

37. Cape Town, South Africa

Crowned by the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town’s spectacular coastline comprises natural landscapes as varied as the people and cultures that populate it. From rugged cliffs to verdant forests and sleek cityscapes, this shoreline offers up one picturesque view after another – it’s just as impressive by night, too, when the city lights pierce through inky blue skies to mesmerising effect.

36. Skellig Islands, Ireland

Rugged and rocky, the Skellig Islands’ coast offers history and natural beauty in spades. The best known of the isles is Skellig Michael, whose wave-beaten landscape has starred in not one, but two, Star Wars films. It’s also home to the ruins of an Irish monastery thought to date the 6th century, which grants Atlantic panoramas from its coastal perch.

35. Rügen, Germany

A beloved quirk of many beaches on Germany’s northern and Baltic coasts is that they’re dotted with strandkorb: small basket chairs invented by basket weaver Wilhelm Bartelmann in the 1880s, at the request of a local noblewoman who suffered from arthritis. Pictured here alongside Sellin Pier, this strandkorb-strewn beach on the island of Rügen makes for a spectacular sight at sunset.

34. Malabar Coast, India

Southern India’s tropical Malabar Coast extends southwards from Goa and is generally considered to include most of the states of Karnataka and Kerala. A highlight along this verdant coastline is the vibrant city of Kochi (Cochin), where traditional fishing nets cast an almost ethereal silhouette over the harbour at sunrise and sundown.

33. Seven Sisters, East Sussex, England, UK

A striking string of chalk cliffs topped with a crown of green, the Seven Sisters have fascinated visitors since Victorian times when Eastbourne and Seaford, the towns between which they are sandwiched, became popular seaside resorts. The landscape is incredibly dynamic today, especially at Birling Gap, a coombe rock bay that erodes at a faster rate than the surrounding chalk cliffs.

32. Riviera Maya, Mexico

Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a fusion of old and new: remnants of Maya cities, including the ancient ruins at Tulum, mix with bustling towns such as Playa del Carmen. Yet its impressive scenery is what truly stands out. Captured here in an ethereal sunset shot, mirror-like waters take on the sky’s violet and candyfloss hues, while the seashore is dotted with craggy rock pools and swaying palms.

31. Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar

A lesser-known coastal hideout, the some 800 islands that make up southern Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago are home to an array of show-stopping scenery. One of its most spectacular sights is Shark Lagoon, an incredibly clear, glimmering lagoon found on Cocks Comb Island.

30. The shores of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The thrill of Rio de Janeiro’s coastline – presided over by the magnificent Christ the Redeemer statue at the summit of Mount Corcovado – lies in its dazzling beaches, its hotch-potch of tiny islands and its verdant rainforests. Located on Brazil’s Atlantic coast, the 1,300-feet (396m) high Sugarloaf Mountain is another coastal wonder: it marks out the entrance point to Guanabara Bay, with the core of the city sprawling out along its western shore.

29. Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick, Canada

New Brunswick’s Hopewell Rocks have the world’s highest tides to thank for their precarious, topsy-turvy shape. In fact, the highest tidal difference ever recorded in the upper part of the Bay of Fundy, where they’re located, was an enormous 53 feet (16m) – that’s equivalent to some three-storey buildings. Photographed here against a piercing blue sky, the miraculous rock formations certainly seem to defy gravity.

28. Turquoise Coast, Türkiye

Türkiye’s aptly named southwestern shore is a seductive sweep of immaculate white-sand beaches, sparkling jewel-like seas and rocky coves. Lining the Turquoise Coast are the atmospheric Baba, Akdağ and Bey mountains, while smaller, forested peaks, sleepy towns and ancient ruins add to the region’s patchwork of impressive scenery. Pictured is Ölüdeniz, a sheltered lagoon with a sandy beach located on a long spit.

27. Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland, UK

The best-known spot along Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast is the Giant’s Causeway, made up of a mind-boggling 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which jut into the sea, creating stair-like formations in places. Legend has it that the Causeway was created by Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (or Finn McCool), so that he could travel to Scotland to defeat his enemy, Benandonner. The 20-mile (32km) long Antrim Coast is home to much more than just the Causeway, though, including quaint seaside villages and picturesque sandy beaches.

26. Praia Dona Ana, Portugal

Among the most photographed beaches in Portugal’s Algarve region, Praia Dona Ana is nestled among spectacular limestone cliffs and rock formations, which have been eroded by the sea to reveal colourful strata. As well as its intriguing geology, the beach itself is a winning combination of soft golden sands and gentle waves, making it a popular destination for sun-seekers.

25. Halong Bay, Vietnam

Featuring a constellation of roughly 1,600 limestone karst islands rising out of the water, Halong Bay takes its name from an ancient legend about the dragon Ha Long, who is thought to act as protector of the Vietnamese people. It’s not hard to see why local people turned to myths and legends to make sense of Halong Bay’s landscape: mist-draped and suffused with emerald light in this atmospheric shot, the sprawling archipelago looks every bit as otherworldly as the ancient tales suggest.

24. Durdle Door, Dorset, England, UK

One of the most recognisable rock arches in Europe, this Dorset landmark formed when the sea broke through the limestone cliff some 10,000 years ago. It's all the more captivating at sunset and sunrise, when its silhouette is lit up by golden-pink hues radiating from the horizon. Follow the clifftop path from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove for a stunning introduction to England's dramatic Jurassic Coast.

23. Great Ocean Road, Australia

Gracing the bucket lists of road-trippers the world over, Australia’s legendary Great Ocean Road encompasses some of the country’s best-known beaches, bountiful wildlife and striking scenery. And of course, it’s home to the Twelve Apostles. These striking, naturally formed sea stacks – of which only eight now remain – were carved out from the cliffs by the crashing waves over the course of millions of years. Their fascinating shapes and forms are captured in this aerial shot.

22. Skeleton Coast, Namibia

As harsh, desolate and eerie as its name suggests, Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is the epitome of untamed natural beauty. Located between the former German colonial town of Swakopmund and the Angolan border, the 311-mile (500km) coastline encompasses towering sand dunes, crashing waves fuelled by the icy Benguela Current, and the scattered remains of animal bones and shipwrecks which give the region its moniker.

21. Cap de Formentor, Spain

Mallorca’s northernmost coast doesn’t scrimp on impact, with its jagged limestone talons jutting out to sea and weathered pine trees clinging to their steep sides. The 12-mile (20km) route between Port de Pollenca and Mallorca's most northerly point is a particular hit with road-trippers and cyclists, although it’s not for the faint-hearted, thanks to its combination of hairpin bends, steep climbs and cliff-edge views.

20. Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula, Wales, UK

Situated on the southwestern tip of Wales' Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay is as picture-perfect as they come. It’s not surprising, then, that the beach has racked up plenty of national and international awards, many of which recognise it as one of the most stunning beaches in the UK. Pictured here sprinkled with springtime flowers, striking limestone cliffs make a perfect backdrop for the wide, sandy beach.

19. Kenai Fjords, Alaska, USA

Not only is Alaska the largest state in the US, it also has the longest coastline, at a colossal 33,904 miles (54,563km) in total. Among its many beauty spots is the southern-central Kenai Fjords National Park, a dynamic landscape that pays homage to the wild and unruly conditions that formed it, encompassing an array of impressive peninsulas, sheltered rocky coves and tidewater glaciers.

18. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy

Costa Smeralda, which means “emerald coast” in Italian, is a fitting name for this 34-mile (55km) stretch of shoreline which traverses Sardinia’s northeastern edge. The striking green-blue waters are enhanced by bulbous white granite headlands and sweeping expanses of powdery sand – it’s no wonder this glamorous shoreline is a firm favourite with celebrity jet setters.

17. Ruby Beach, Washington, USA

One of America’s most intriguing coastal spots is Ruby Beach in Washington state. Scattered with piles of driftwood and impressive, red-toned sea stacks (which give the beach its name), it’s also home to a plethora of sea birds including western gulls, bald eagles and tufted puffins. In this shot, the beach is enveloped in an ethereal golden haze at sunset.

16. West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

The ultra road-trip-worthy West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island has more than a few jaw-dropping attractions up its sleeve, including the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and the impressive Pancake Rocks. These crimped and creased limestone formations were created when the ocean burst through multiple blowholes, forming pancake-like layers of rock.

15. Côte d'Azur, France

Stretching between St Tropez and the French-Italian border, Côte d'Azur is home to some of the world’s most glamourous resorts including Cannes, Nice and Monaco. Yet beyond the famous beaches and luxury hotels, the region’s lesser-known highlights include medieval hilltop villages such as Èze and Grasse, forest groves, craggy cliffs and hidden coves.

14. Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Bay of Fires takes its name from the fiery orange-red lichen on its granite boulders. In fact, the moniker was coined in 1773, when sailor Captain Tobias Furneaux spotted the fires set by Aboriginal people while sailing alongside the bay. Nevertheless, the northern Tasmanian coastline packs in all the atmosphere and drama you’d expect from the name, with its white sandy beaches offset by the striking red rocks and spindly, weather-beaten trees lining the shore.

13. Lofoten Islands, Norway

With its cliff-edge houses, deep fjords and rugged granite mountains surging out of the sea, Norway’s Lofoten archipelago is unapologetically untamed. The landscape is just as breathtaking on stormy days, when waves swirl ominously around the coastline, as it is on clear, serene days like this one, when the sea acts as a mirror for Lofoten’s towering peaks. Pictured here is the ultra-photogenic island village of Reine.

12. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles

Anse Source d’Argent is every bit the dreamy desert island beach, its white-gold sand lapped by clear azure waters. Situated on the Seychelles island of La Digue, the boulder-speckled strand has earned film-star status thanks to its appearances in movies including Emmanuelle, Crusoe and Tom Hanks’ Cast Away, as well as a number of advertisements.

11. Garden Route, South Africa

South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route is among the most well-known driving routes on the planet. This 124-mile (200km) stretch of road, joining Mossel Bay in the west with Storms River in the east, encompasses a spectacular array of wildlife and diverse scenery, from crowd-pleasing sandy beaches to jewel-like lagoons.

10. Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

The distinctive Haystack Rock is the jewel in Cannon Beach's crown. This towering basalt formation, rising some 235 feet (72m) from the shore at low tide, is as picturesque on bright, sun-drenched days as it is atmospheric when draped in sea mists and shrouded by clouds. It’s also teeming with seabirds including tufted puffins, gulls and cormorants, making Cannon Beach a favourite spot for birdwatchers.

9. Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

Iceland is home to more than its fair share of breathtaking scenery and its coastlines are no exception. Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a 56-mile (90km) long finger of land jutting out from its west coast, is famed for its golden and pink sandy beaches, volcanic craters, lava fields and waterfalls. The rough, volcanic cliffs are also dotted with a number of quaint fishing villages and lone-wolf houses like this one – surely as remote as they come.

8. Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

A 233-mile (375km) long expanse of coastline between the Kvarner (Quarnero) gulf and Kotor (in Montenegro), Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast takes in a sweep of ancient towns, crumbling cliffs and crystal-blue seas. Encompassing the cities of Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik (pictured), this region has so much more than beautiful beaches, such as its naturally diverse national parks and a cluster of stunning, unspoilt islands towards the south.

7. Cinque Terre, Italy

Five fishing villages make up Italy’s iconic Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Famed for its pretty pastel-toned buildings, which perch precariously along the jagged cliffs in a charming, higgledy-piggledy manner, the UNESCO World Heritage Site also has an impressive array of terraced fields and gardens nestled into the steep rock.

6. Nā Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Hawaii’s Nā Pali Coast, a 15-mile (24km) expanse taking in the northwestern side of Kauai Island, is nothing short of extraordinary. Its colour palette – a mix of rich red-brown lava rock, tinged green by mosses and met by deep blue ocean – combines with the dramatic, rippled shape of its ocean-cut cliffs to create a spectacular coastline that’s unlike any other.

5. Raja Ampat, Indonesia

A constellation of more than 1,500 islands make up Raja Ampat, situated just off Sorong in West Papua, Indonesia. The archipelago certainly has an unreal quality, with myriad weird and wonderful rock forms rising out of almost luminous waters. Yet there’s plenty to see below the surface too, as the biodiverse coral reef system fosters more than 540 types of coral, as well as plenty of fish and mollusc species.

4. Santorini, Greece

An idyllic island in the Aegean, Santorini is known for its white-washed houses appearing like sugar cubes on the rugged coast. Hiking trails wind above the shores, offering views over Santorini’s famous caldera, and black-sand beaches and historic windmills complete the postcard picture.

3. Big Sur, California, USA

A stunning 90-mile (145km) stretch of central California coastline between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon, Big Sur packs in plenty of opportunities for wildlife-spotting – it’s home to sea otters, gray and blue whales, and endangered Californian condor birds, to name a few species. Draped in golden light in this stunning shot, its rugged cliffs meet the emerald-green Pacific Ocean to create a jaw-dropping slice of shoreline.

2. Whitehaven Beach, Australia

A mesmerising swirl of bright white silica sand and striking azure waters located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach certainly has an otherworldly feel. It’s not hard to see why the 4.3-mile (7km) long beach, captured from above in this stunning shot, has been showered with awards and attracts visitors from all over the world.

1. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Topping our ranking of the world's most gorgeous coasts is this dreamy stretch of southern Italy’s shoreline. The Amalfi Coast is the Mediterranean in miniature: think quaint villages tumbling down clifftops, pebbly coves and glittering resorts. Among the stars are Positano (pictured), known for its hodgepodge of pastel houses and its swish hotels, and Ravello, with its gorgeous gardens and villas.

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