You don’t need a crystal ball to tell you where your next vacation will be when you have these clear water beaches waiting for you. Start packing!
By Brittany Gibson, Reader's Digest
Porto Katsiki—Lefkada, Greece
Porto Katsiki Beach (which was formerly said to only be accessible by goats, hence its Greek translation of “Goat Port”) is located on an island called Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. It can only be reached by taking narrow roads, which are usually congested with traffic, followed by walking down a small, winding staircase alongside a cliff. Taxi-boats are perhaps the least complex way to reach this secluded paradise. But rest assured, the journey is worthwhile. In fact, it is considered to be one of the 10 best beaches in the Mediterranean.
Fulhadhoo—Goidhoo, Maldives
Fulhadhoo is an island located in the middle of the alluring Indian Ocean. This island is ideal for those who truly want to see life through a native islander’s eyes. Located two hours away by speedboat from the Maldivian mainland, with no tourist attractions and only one hotel, its clear water beaches are a true tropical getaway. With that in mind, travelers must abide by the natives’ rules, which include no bikinis allowed outside of the west beach and the consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Surrounded by palm trees, coral reefs, colorful fish, and other marine life, you’ll be finding every reason keep exploring the Maldives. For more natural marvels, plan a trip to one of these 12 stunning black sand beaches you didn’t know existed.
Ipil Beach—El Nido, Palawan Island, Philippines
Ipil Beach is known to be free of tourists and many travelers find that they are the only ones on the beach during their visit, with the exception of some locals. Visitors can expect to see monkeys, a plethora of chromatic coral, palm trees, and friendly turtles. The backdrop of the mountains makes for incredible scenery, and the sunset is said to be remarkable. That said, it’s a good idea to know about some hidden beach dangers you should take seriously.
Dam Trau—Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam
Dam Trau Beach is fairly close to an airport, so visitors can expect to see some occasional low-flying planes. Otherwise, the beach is surrounded by parts of a tropical jungle, a forest plentiful with bamboo, and pine trees, offering visitors an enchanting feel of being in their own little world. Dam Trau can be reached by a rather bumpy and muddy road, which ultimately opens up to an incredible view of the sea, three small beach restaurants, hammocks, fine white sand, and little to no tourists. If you love the remote beauty of Dam Trau, these are some other amazing beaches to add to your bucket list.
Devil’s Bay—Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Devil’s Bay can be reached by boat, an easy walk down a path, or a 30-minute hike through the Baths, which requires a great deal of climbing and crawling around granite boulders. Regardless of how you get there, these crystal clear waters will make you wonder why you’ve never visited before. The boulders at Devil’s Bay also make the clear water beaches unique, forming arches, grottos, tidal pools, tunnels, and, of course, the maze on the way down. They also make for an interesting dive around and down the sides of the boulders that are partially submerged in the water.
Elephant Beach—Havelock Island, India
Perhaps best known for its water sports, Elephant Beach is definitely a destination for adventure-seekers who want the serenity of clear water beaches. Here are some of the excursions you can try: scuba diving, snorkeling (the vibrant reef starts at just 5 feet deep), trekking, riding in a seaplane, fishing, glass-bottomed boat rides, and even sea walking (where visitors are provided with a helmet to breathe underwater while they explore the seafloor). If you’re planning a trip with your relatives, these are the best beaches to visit with your family during the summer.
Rabbit Beach—Sicily, Italy
Rated the best beach in the world by TripAdvisor in 2013, this island in Italy is located 105 miles away from the mainland. Aside from its beauty, history is engraved in its rocky grottos. Once inhabited by Arabs, Greeks, and Romans, scuba-diving in these waters could lead to the discovery of historic remains. History isn’t just located at the bottom of the ocean though; visitors can spot prehistoric huts ashore and hike through astounding, lush trails. Fun fact: There aren’t actually that many rabbits. Traveling can get expensive, but you don’t have to miss out with the best budget-friendly beach destinations.
Shipwreck (Navagio) Beach—Zakynthos, Greece
Originally known as Agios Georgios, Shipwreck Beach (also known as Navagio Beach) is quite literally a beach with a shipwreck washed ashore. While the mysterious shipwreck (with many legends surrounding its placement) is what predominantly lures in the crowds, the beach’s clear waters are another draw. The only way to reach this beach is by sea, but the view from the hiking trails and the tourist platform at the top of the cliffs above is what’s really spellbinding.
Tropic of Cancer Beach—Little Exuma, Bahamas
Tropic of Cancer Beach (also known as Pelican Beach) is the longest of the clear water beaches on Little Exuma, with a span of over a mile. It can be reached after venturing down a long, dirt road. The water is especially transparent with no obstructions like coral or rocks. With a lack of vendors and tourists (due to its hidden location), this beach is a true oasis. While Pelican Beach is breathaking, it’s far from the only amazing beach that’s below the radar screen.
Hanauma Bay—Honolulu, Hawaii
Rated the #1 beach in the U.S. in 2013, Hanauma Bay should be obligatory on your beach bucket list. Created by a volcanic eruption tens of thousands of years ago and located on Oahu Island, this bay is a marine life conservation area. Prior to first-timers entering the bay area, everyone is required to watch a nine-minute video about conserving marine life and preservation. Three thousand visitors (it used to be 10,000 or more before there was a population control rule put into place) make their way to Honolulu every day to spend time with the exotic marine life, tranquil waves, and glistening white sand—and the reason is clear (just like the water). Now that you’ve seen the most beautiful beaches from around the world, you can stay local and enjoy the 12 best beaches in America.
