A few spa hotels have tucked themselves among the palm forests of Krabi, but they haven't spoiled the charm of Railay Beach – flashier crowds prefer Phuket anyway. The stalactite-dripping limestone cliffs that bookend Railay’s wisp of a beach make it inaccessible by road, and the shallow bay precludes anything larger than a longtail boat from coming in. Hire one from nearby Ao Nang for next to nothing, then get thee to a hammock.

Discover the best things to do in Krabi
 

Three hours south of Sydney, the pine forest parts to reveal the quintessential Australian white-sand beach. Snorkelers won’t be pummelled by waves as they paddle up to the Hyams Point looking for stingrays. But they may feel the ripple from a pod of romping dolphins. Pack a picnic and take the shady, half-hour White Sands Walk to the picnic tables at Greenfield Gully.

Known as Zante to those in the party scene, the Greek island of Zakynthos draws crowds every year to its notorious Laganas strip. But you'd be remiss not to wander off the strip and onto some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Shipwreck Beach. Only accessible via boat, Shipwreck boasts white cliffs, turquoise waters and Zakynthos Marine Park – home to slippery seals and savvy turtles. 

Discover the best things to do in Greece

 Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales (Provo for short) is one of those incredible Caribbean beaches that gets plastered on billboards and screensavers alike (and even gets named the best in the world, depending on the year). You'll find crystal-clear water, powdery sand and a colourful coral reef just begging to be explored. Paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing, jet-skiing, and water skiing are all popular pastimes, but we recommend just relaxing on a towel and soaking in the sun. 
 

Majorca’s rugged coast is a gift to cliff-jumpers, and this skinny southern cove has a rocky plateau at every height. If the secret is out, it hasn’t been translated from Spanish. Mostly locals head here, having a blast, whether they’re doing the leaping or simply watching from the beach. With all the golden sand, golden stone and golden skin, every #nofilter photo looks awash in sepia.

Small and dominated by rocky outcrops, El Matador may not fit your typical idea of a beach day in Los Angeles—but it is far and away SoCal’s most beautiful beach. Wear shoes and don’t bring too much gear; the western Malibu spot is only accessible via a steep gravelly path. And should you arrive early or late, you'll be rewarded with a memorable dawn or sunset.

If you can’t find a decent beach in the fantasy landscape of the Western Cape, shame on you. But you’d be forgiven for missing Llandudno. Scooped out of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, the dollop of sand slips surreptitiously between two nature reserves south of Cape Town. When the sunset chasers arrive, pack your tote and follow the scrubby footpath 30-minutes south to even more secluded Sandy Bay.

One of Hawaii's lesser-visited islands, Kauai is home to stunning beaches. Located on the island's north shore, Hanalei Bay is the largest bay in Kauai and offers more than two miles of soft white sand, a calm bay, and a mountainous backdrop. The beach is rarely crowded, and in the summer, the bay offers excellent mooring for sailboats, stand up paddleboarding and swimming.

What’s there to do at this pristine beach? Dive and, er, dive. It is the Philippines, after all. And more than 100 species of fish flicker about sunset-coloured coral – along with swaying nudibranch and the odd lumbering dugong (native molluscs and mammals, to the uninitiated). Hook up with one of the 20 diving outfits stationed along the El Nido coast for your daily fix. 

Cariocas are hardcore, and they’re what make this golden coastline such a trip. They divide the beach into territories: jocks here, surfers there, hippies, gays and exhibitionists in between. Choose your tribe. Just keep in mind the limited amenities. If you can’t take the heat without a shower and cold drink, book a hotel behind the Portuguese-tiled boardwalk.

As its name implies, Siesta Key is the place to relax. The expansive beachfront rarely feels overcrowded, and the fine quartz-crystal white sand stays cool to the touch, so be sure to dig your feet in whilst reading your favourite magazine. Pack your cooler with your adult beverages (no glasses allowed), and should you feel the need to exert yourself, kayaks and paddleboards are available for rental.

Did somebody yell ‘fire’? Because this caramel stretch of Breton beach shouldn’t be this deserted. Well, what the people clogging the motorway toward Quiberon don’t know won’t hurt them. More space for you to practise your surfing skills on the cranking waves, then flake out against the dunes until the spectacular sunset. Just make sure you pack your own gear, water and a snack – there are no amenities for a mile.

Marrakech’s sister city has a sun-bleached Moorish marketplace and a 500-year-old fort, but the two-mile beach eclipses them both. Pick up a fresh orange juice at one of the painted wood kiosks by the old ramparts, then pay for a lounger and umbrella. The cool factor climbs in the late afternoon, thanks to the Alizé winds – and the shirtless students from the university who come to play football by Bar Miramar.

For the record, it’s 10 wind-swept miles. But size doesn’t matter here on the edge of Canada, where you’ve already got more wild, whale-inhabited, pine-studded coastline than you’ll know what to do with. It’s a five-hour trek over land and sea from Vancouver city, so take full advantage with a rainforest hike along Combers Beach Trailhead before pitching your tent at Green Point.

Past Tel Aviv’s famous party beaches and the gender-segregated areas, you’ll find a clean, clubby strand delightfully short on beefcake and boobs – and that’s despite a busy beach volleyball court. Day-drinkers rejoice at obliging staff bringing frothy cocktails to shaded loungers. Neat freaks delight at the brand-new shower complex. After your rinse, follow the boardwalk to the farmer’s market by the port.

Make your trip to Sri Lanka count at this under-visited splash of brown-sugar sand 20 miles from Galle. Swimming is safe here – calmer and shallower than other south coast beaches. Or curl up in a hanging chair under a bough until noon, when the fish shack fires up its barbecue to serve mackerel and prawns that arrived on longboats at dawn.