The world’s best beach for 2025 is in Australia — and it’s breathtaking

Lonely Planet named Whitehaven Beach as the best beach to explore in 2025.

By Amanda Teague Published January 7, 2025

Whitehaven Beach — sbe_musik / Pixabay

Australia’s iconic Whitehaven Beach has just been crowned the world’s best beach for 2025 by Lonely Planet. The travel authority’s highly anticipated annual list, which highlights the most stunning coastlines across the globe, places Whitehaven Beach in the top spot, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit paradise.

Visiting Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach — BM10777 / Pixabay

Tucked away in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Whitsundays National Park, Whitehaven Beach is a paradise. Stretching over seven kilometers, Whitehaven graces the shores of Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 Whitsunday Islands. Its fine white sand, composed of 98 percent pure silica, is finer and softer than almost any other beach on the planet. Interestingly, the sand’s unique composition comes from ocean currents that carried it here over millions of years as it isn’t found in the surrounding rocks.

Recommended Videos

Accessible only by boat, seaplane, or helicopter from the mainland town of Airlie Beach and nearby resort islands, Whitehaven offers a true escape into Australia’s nature. At the beach’s northern end, visitors can admire the swirling sands of Hill Inlet. For the best vantage point, hike up to the Tongue Point lookout for panoramic views. Meanwhile, the southern end offers another gorgeous lookout, just a one-kilometer stroll through native Australian bushland.

Which other beaches made the list?

Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles — xoracio / Pixabay

Following Whitehaven Beach, another Australian treasure takes second place — Squeaky Beach in Victoria. Famed for its distinctive white quartz sand, this charming spot gets its name from the “squeak, squeak, squeak” sound made when walking barefoot along its shoreline.

Claiming third place is Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue Island in Seychelles. Known for its striking rock formations and glowing golden sand, it’s a photographer’s dream and a tropical paradise.

Here’s the full top 10 list of the world’s best beaches for 2025:

Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
Squeaky Beach, Victoria, Australia
Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
Sunset Beach, Trang, Thailand
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos, Greece
Haukland Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Playa Balandra, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Pfeiffer Beach, California, USA
Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, USA
Platja Illetes, Formentera, Spain

Contributor

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…

Topics

Destinations

Travel

This U.S. city is officially the most relaxing destination on earth

Head to San Diego for a relaxing getaway

San Diego Bay

Say goodbye to the busy streets of NYC and the loud nightlife in Ibiza. More than 60% of U.S. travelers say relaxation is their top reason for booking a vacation this year. With wellness travel now topping $1 trillion globally, the demand for peaceful getaways has never been higher. To determine the most relaxing cities worldwide, Holafly analyzed key wellness factors including parks and nature reserves, the number of spas, air quality, hours of sunshine, traffic, and overall happiness.

The results? San Diego, California, takes the crown as the most relaxing city on earth, earning a relaxation score of 68.7 out of 100. With an incredible 266 parks and nature reserves, more than any other city in the study, plus 359 spas and wellness centers, the city is built for slowing down. Add in more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and San Diego offers the perfect atmosphere for a laid-back vacation.

Travel

These are America’s most outdoorsy states, ranked by new study

Vermont takes the No. 1 spot

Vermont

Who loves the great outdoors the most? A new study from outdoor brand KÜHL just crunched the numbers, analyzing Google search data for 14 popular activities, from hiking and camping to surfing and skiing, across all 50 states. The results, adjusted per 100,000 residents, reveal which states are truly the most outdoorsy in America.

At the very top is Vermont, where about 1 in 12 residents are searching for outdoor activities. That’s 8,515 searches per 100,000 people, making it the nation’s most outdoorsy state. No surprise here: Vermonters have a long tradition of embracing the outdoors, from the country’s oldest long-distance hiking trail to some of the best ski slopes. Skiing, camping, and kayaking rank especially high with locals.

Travel

These are the world’s best destinations for slow travel in 2025

Cornwall, UK offers the best opportunities for slowing down a bit

Cornwall

Gone are the days of racing through sightseeing checklists and city-hopping in a blur. The growing trend of slow travel is all about taking time to truly soak in a place. And according to new data from Sainsbury’s Bank, the movement is only picking up steam. The company has released an index of the 30 best destinations for slow travel in 2025, ranking them by nature, cuisine, relaxation, accommodation, and flight affordability.

At the top of the list is Cornwall, UK, celebrated for its natural beauty and laid-back charm. The region is dotted with sleepy fishing villages, dramatic peaks, and rugged coastlines. Travelers can explore sea caves at Holywell Bay, pedal coast-to-coast starting in Portreath, or cruise past Mousehole’s colorful harbor. Food is part of the journey too, so don’t leave without sampling classic potted Cornish crab.