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

Food & Drink

This year’s best bars list proves great cocktails are everywhere

Some of the more intriguing establishments on the coveted list

Bartender making cocktails

One of the most talked-about annual lists just dropped, showcasing of the best bars in America and beyond. The Best 50 Bars were unveiled earlier this month, a cast of standout establishments located throughout North America. And some on this year's list are quite compelling.

As you might imagine, major cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Toronto tend to do quite well. But the 50 spots extend to other areas to, from the Cayman Islands to oft-overlooked Mexican cities. For the record, the number one spot went to Handshake Speakeasy, a buzzing Mexico City bar.

Travel

These are Europe’s best beaches, according to the Telegraph

Did any of your favorites make the list?

bolonia andalusia

If you’re planning a trip to Europe this summer, finding the perfect beach to relax and explore is probably high on your list. Telegraph Travel’s destination experts have done the hard work for you, compiling a list of 40 of Europe’s best beaches. Instead of ranking them from best to worst, they grouped the beaches by country, spotlighting standout shores across the continent.

Heading to Spain? Don’t miss Bolonia, Andalusia, a stunning beach famous for its vast sand dune. Climb the dune at sunset, and on a clear day, you can even see Morocco across the water.

Travel

The 10 safest countries to retire in 2025, ranked by a new study

Want to find a safe place to live out your golden years?

portugal trip by louis droege unsplash

Are you thinking about retiring abroad and want to choose a safe, welcoming destination? International Living has just released its list of the top 10 safest places to retire in 2025, featuring nine countries and one province. The rankings are based on the latest Global Peace Index scores combined with firsthand accounts from expats living in each location.

Topping the list is Portugal, ranked seventh on the Global Peace Index. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and low crime rates, Portugal is considered one of the safest countries worldwide. Violent crime is virtually nonexistent, strict gun control laws keep firearms off the streets, and daily life is marked by a strong sense of calm and security.