Skip to main content

This stunning beach just claimed the title of best in the U.S.

Lanikai Beach in Hawaii took the top spot for the United States.

By Amanda Teague Nov 6, 2024 1:46 AM

Lanikai Beach — jaspion82 / Pixabay

Every year, the World’s 50 Best Beaches ranks the most stunning shorelines across the globe, and for 2024, Lanikai Beach in Hawaii has proudly taken the top spot for the United States, landing at No. 14 overall. Known for its clear turquoise waters and powdery white sands, Lanikai Beach was the first U.S. beach to make the list, showcasing Hawaii’s natural beauty on an international level.

Nestled just 40 minutes from Honolulu on Oahu, Lanikai Beach is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The beach’s allure goes beyond just its soft sand and clear water; it’s the incredible view of the Mokulua Islands, two small offshore islets, that makes Lanikai truly memorable. Unlike some of the more commercial beaches in Hawaii, Lanikai maintains a serene, almost hidden atmosphere despite its popularity.

Recommended Videos

While other beaches worldwide topped the list, like Trunk Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands at No. 1 and Australia’s Voutoumi Beach at No. 5, Lanikai’s high ranking confirms its status as a must-visit destination for beach lovers. The team behind the list, including expert judges and Beach Ambassadors, poured countless hours into evaluating beaches around the globe to bring together a thoughtful guide to the world’s best shores.

Which other U.S. beaches made the list?

Henderson Beach — EZ Miles / Shutterstock

Only two other U.S. beaches joined Lanikai on the list. Kapalua Bay Beach on Maui ranked No. 40, and is celebrated for its clear waters and excellent snorkeling among abundant marine life.

Meanwhile, Henderson Beach in Destin, Florida, came in at No. 44. Located in the 200-acre Henderson Beach State Park on the Emerald Coast, it offers visitors soft white sands, emerald waters, and a nature trail that winds through rare coastal scrub habitat.

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio

Topics

Destinations

Why Hilton’s First European Aparthotel Is the Right Base for a Dublin Drinking Trip

Hotel, Concrete, Arches

Irish whiskey is in a great place right now, and Dublin knows it. The distillery tours in the Liberties are packed. Temple Bar pulls in every pint-chaser in Europe, and at bars across the city, a light afternoon sip somehow always seems to become an evening of heavier drinking…not that there’s anything wrong with that.

But if that’s what your trip is going to look like, picking a hotel definitely matters more than usual. You need somewhere you can actually sleep that’s still an easy trip back from the bar, and ideally somewhere that doesn’t leave you eating fries (sorry, chips) for dinner four nights running.

You can rent an entire private island in the Maldives for $100,000

v villas maldives private island at mirihi mgallery collection 8

Dreaming of escaping to a private island in the Maldives? For a cool $100,000, you can now have an entire island to yourself, complete with luxury accommodations and some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection has introduced an exclusive island buyout experience, allowing guests to reserve the entire resort for a minimum three-night stay. Located in the South Ari Atoll, the tiny island spans less than four acres and is accessible via a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé.

Mesa Verde: The Civilization That Never Vanished

Peter Horan

Twenty years after my first visit, I went back to Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. Most national parks celebrate what nature built. This one celebrates what people built more than 700 years ago, in stone, beneath the overhanging cliffs.

The setting helps. The name is Spanish for “green table,” and the park is a forested plateau above the Four Corners, cut by deep canyons with mountains in the distance. But scenery isn’t the reason to come. At most historic sites, you have to imagine what once stood there. Here, entire villages are still tucked under enormous rock alcoves.