North America's best beaches
Spectacular sands across North America
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Playa Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico
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Just south of Cancun but a little more low-key, Playa Maroma has two miles (3km) of white sands, clear, calm water and a handful of excellent resorts to while away a few days by the sea. Watersports is the highlight here, with catamaran hire, snorkelling, scuba diving and parasailing available, plus there's a kiteboarding school where you can learn fly on the water.
La Jolla Cove, California, USA
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San Diego's most sought-after coastal spot, La Jolla is truly beautiful. Surrounded by sandstone bluffs that create the ideal shelter for a day on the sand, there's excellent swimming in the aquamarine waters with plenty of rocky outcrops to sit on in the ocean for views of the sandy cove. You might also find you're sharing the coastline with the resident population of sea lions and seals, which are often found lolling around on the rocks or sand.
Coney Island Beach, New York, USA
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As pleasure beaches go, New York's Coney Island has to be one of the best. Home to one of America's largest amusement parks, it's a must-see for anyone spending extended time in New York City. There are three miles (2km) of sand to sit on here, plus an historic boardwalk and, of course, plenty of amusements. Explore the aquarium, have a go in the Abe Stark Ice Skating Rink or catch a Brooklyn Cyclones game at the baseball stadium.
Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine, USA
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While there are no points awarded for the rather uncreative naming of this beach, it's still a fascinating place to visit. Sitting on the shores of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park, it's just 870 feet (265m) of sand and shell fragments, which have been ground down by the ocean waves washing in and out. The sand has an unusual pink hue thanks to the shells and the ocean is a bright turquoise, add to that the surrounding pine trees and a bit of blue sky and you've got yourself a blissful corner of Maine.
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Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA
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Three-and-a-half miles (5.5km) long and accessible via a network of stairs and bridges from the Downtown area, this brilliant swathe of yellow sand is prime example of California's exceptional coastal offering. The main highlight here is the pier, where you can ride on a giant wheel, enjoy the arcades or drink margaritas in the sun at the Mexican restaurant on its tip.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
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Part of the Grand Strand – a 60-mile (97km) arc of sand on the South Carolina coastline – Myrtle Beach is by far one of the USA's most popular beach break spots. This is a proper seaside resort with a big wheel, sky-scraper hotels and apartment blocks and an award-winning boardwalk. Come here in June for the Carolina Country Music Festival or just enjoy evening entertainment on the boardwalk most nights in summer. Autumn sees the annual seafood festival take over the town – don't miss the steamed oysters.
Bonanza Beach, British Columbia, Canada
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Looking out to an endless ocean is one thing, but looking out over the ocean to a spectacular mountain range really elevates the natural wonder at Bonanza Beach on the Haida Gwaii archipelago in Canada. Once you've tackled the 15-minute walk to get here from the nearest road, you're rewarded with views of the Queen Charlotte Mountains in the distance as the surf rolls in from the North Pacific. Try your hand at a little beachcombing here, as sea glass, Japanese fishing nets and whale bones regularly wash up on the shore.
Pfeiffer Beach, California, USA
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Accessible only via a narrow, twisting road off the Pacific Coast Highway, this is an iconic Californian beach thanks to its dramatic and rugged rock formations. The beach is backed by the tall, forested hills of Los Padres National Forest where you can follow walking trails into nature and by the coast you'll spot streaks of purple sand reaching down to the ocean. These are made by the manganese garnet that's eroding from the surrounding landscape and being washed along the creek towards the beach.
South Beach, Florida, USA
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No best beaches list for North America can exclude South Beach, Miami. This world-famous swathe of sand, known as SoBe to the locals, is a destination for sun worshippers and swimmers and the quirky Art Deco buildings in its surrounding neighbourhood host an eclectic mix of independent restaurants, boutiques and artist galleries for a little seaside retail therapy.
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Playa Sisal, Yucatán, Mexico
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Waimanalo Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
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One of the longest beaches in Oahu, this string of white sand on the island's southeast coast is backed by ironwood trees – creating the perfect shady spot for a day's lounging around. It's all low rise beach cottages behind the beach here, so it all feels rather low-key and relaxed, so bring your towel, something to float on and flit between the azure ocean and the soft sand.
Bennett Beach, Yukon, Canada
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Sitting on the shores of Bennett Lake, this sandy beach has perfect paddling water (which is safe for swimming if you've got a wetsuit for warmth), grassy dunes and brilliant views of the surrounding pine-clad mountains. The town of Carcross is famous for its winds so visitors make the most of it by bringing a kite to fly along the shore. In the town itself, you can find quirky one-offs, like the region's oldest hotel The Caribou and an artisans' hub where you can buy local crafts.
Isla Espíritu Santo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
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Coligny Beach, South Carolina, USA
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Sitting right at the top of Pope Avenue, Coligny Beach is a skinny but spectacular line of bright-white sand lapped by the waves of the North Atlantic. There's lots to do here beyond the gorgeous beach too, with a thriving town with coffee shops and barbecue restaurants, plus the Sea Pines Forest Preserve nearby for walks and gator-spotting.
Marvel at America's beautiful beaches photographed from above
Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
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Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Playa Balandra, La Paz, Mexico
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Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, USA
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The white sands of Wrightsville Beach are a big draw, but the main event here is water sports. Come to learn how to stand-up paddleboard and even take some surfing lessons, as this has been named one of the best destinations for it in the world by National Geographic. You can try your hand at sailing on the Intercoastal Waterway or go further afield on a fishing charter or scenic cruise. The town itself is equally entertaining, with beachy boutiques and an historic square with 120-year-old homes.
Crystal Crescent Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada
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The clue is in the name here: Crystal Crescent Beach is indeed a perfectly rounded crescent of bright white sand with – you guessed it – crystal-clear waters. This beach wouldn't be out of place on a Caribbean island, but instead you'll find it in Halifax on the east coast of Canada. From here, you can paddle in the chilly North Atlantic with views out to Sambro Island Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse on the continent.
Toronto Centre Island Beach, Ontario, Canada
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Plenty of remote beaches make a spectacular day on the sand, but there's something special about a stretch that's just a short hop from a city centre. In metropolitan Toronto, you're just a 10-minute ferry ride from Centre Island, which has two excellent beaches to lay your towel on – the south-facing stretch being its finest. There's a pier for excellent Lake Ontario views, a leafy park just behind for finding shade and plenty of places to fill up on Greek or Italian food.
Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
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Astonishingly flat and incredibly long – six whole miles (10km) in fact – Virginia Beach is a favourite seaside getaway for locals in the Chesapeake Bay area. Come early in the morning (or stay at one of the beachfront hotels and set your alarm) and you'll get to watch pods of dolphins swimming along the shoreline at sunrise. By day, you might see sand sculptors working away on their creations or enjoy some live entertainment thanks to the Boardwalk's roster of events. Don't miss an Orange Crush for your sundowner, a vodka and orange liqueur cocktail with plenty of ice.
Ka'anapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii, USA
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Troncones, Guerrero, Mexico
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Playa Mazunte, Oaxaca, Mexico
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Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick, Canada
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Home to one of the most extreme tides in the world, Hopewell Rocks beach in the Bay of Fundy can only be seen when the water's out. You'll get around six hours to wander around this enchanting landscape, where unusual rock formations created by the moving tides stand tall on the sand, topped with green foliage. Come back on a kayak once the tide is in and you'll be able to paddle around the rocks too, which look as if they're floating on the Bay of Fundy. Always check tidal times before heading out.
Oak Street Beach, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Few beaches can boast the backdrop of a world-famous skyline, but Oak Street Beach has just that. The architectural wonder that is the Chicago skyline towers over this sandy stretch on the shores of Lake Michigan, where people have flocked to centuries for summertime swims. Come here to relax on the sand or get some wheels – a bike or even rollerblades will do – and hit the beach trails which hugs the coast.
Sandbanks Provincial Park, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Dune du Sud, Québec, Canada
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Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
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While Saskatchewan doesn't have an ocean coastline, it does have around 100,000 lakes offering sandy shores aplenty. On Waskesiu Lake you'll find gorgeous sandy beaches backed by towering pine trees where you can hire equipment for messing about on the water – try a little kayaking, canoeing or even take a boat out for some fishing – and head into the nearby village for hearty lunches. Set within Prince Albert National Park, this delightful beach is a great place to stop on a bike ride or hike along the park's trails.
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Mystic Beach, British Columbia, Canada
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Plage de Baie St-Paul, Québec, Canada
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Around 50 miles (85km) from Québec City, Baie St-Paul is a postcard-perfect place. All historic buildings and handsome, towering churches, its urban centre is charming place to spend a day. But on the shores of the St Lawrence River, the Baie St-Paul beach is an equally attractive spot. Bring your deck chair and a book and settle in on the sand to watch the passing boats on the river. You might spot windsurfers doing their thing out in the water and restless legs can enjoy walks along the riverside.
Playa del Amor, Marieta Islands, Nayarit, Mexico
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Have you ever been to a beach inside a cave? On the Marieta Islands, you can do exactly that. Thanks to an enormous, gaping hole in the rocky surface of an otherwise lush, green island, this beach is now one of the most popular sights for visitors in Puerto Vallarta. Standing inside it on the sugary-soft white sand, you can look up to a blue sky surrounded by cliffs on all sides. It's thought this near perfectly round hole was created by bombs during Mexican military testing, but that doesn't take away from the unique beauty of it.
Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Isla Holbox, just north of Cancun, is essentially one long beach, with the majority of its facilities concentrated at its western end. The laidback, low-key beach town is a dreamy place to while away a week by the sand and at the very western tip of the island you might even be lucky enough to experience the bioluminescent plankton. Come at nighttime for the most spellbinding experience.
These are the world's empty and beautiful beaches photographed from above
Orange Beach, Alabama, USA
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Playa Mayto, Jalisco, Mexico
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Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA
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This vast swathe of soft sand on Florida's Tampa Bay draws large crowds, but it never feels too busy thanks to its size. Clearwater Beach is three miles long (5km) and around three blocks wide, offering ample space to set up your sunbathing spot for the day. Don't miss a visit to Pier 60, where street performers and food vendors celebrate the sunset in style every evening.
Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico
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Dunes Beach, Ontario, Canada
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Set within Sandbanks Provincial Park, Dunes Beach is part of the world’s largest bay mouth barrier dune formation. The sands here are divine underfoot, so soft they feel like you're sinking your feet into silk with each step. Climb the tallest dunes before dipping your toes in the waters of Lake Ontario – just beware the drop off, it gets very deep, very fast, so stay within the swimming cordons if you're going in.
El Matador State Beach, California, USA
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You're going to need the bravery of a matador to reach this dramatic beach, as there's a steep staircase to tackle before you hit the sand. Once you're over that hurdle, though, the scenery here is a fantastic reward: expect sea arches, dark, mysterious caves and tidal pools brimming with exciting sea life. Take a dip in the Pacific Ocean or simply sit on the sand and watch the sunset turn the sky all manner of colours before it settles to a pinky dusk.
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