For locals, beaches may be weekend outings. Bonding with partners or having family time. Beaches also draw solo travellers seeking me-time, quiet moments, journaling, or reflection. They can inspire creativity too, turning thoughts into books, designs, or artwork.
Beaches span continents, from Asia to Africa, Europe to Oceania, and the Americas. There are world-famous beaches, yet hidden gems exist as well, smaller and less crowded but meaningful in their own ways. It all comes down to personal preference, not just where everyone else goes.
Each beach has its own character. Calm or
lively, quiet or buzzing.
Whatever the intention, beaches are places
to sit back, watch waves, see a sunrise or sunset, and reconnect with nature.
Away from life’s hustle and bustle, beaches are natural therapy.
Top Beaches in Malaysia
It’s hard to determine the top beaches in
Malaysia, as the list is endless. From West Malaysia to East Malaysia and
Borneo. Despite being a small country, Malaysian beaches are well-known and in
a class of their own. Between large and small, calm and rough, picking the best
is challenging, but there are certainly famous and world-famous beaches (FRASER'S HILL, PAHANG MALAYSIA).
Sipadan, Borneo
Sipadan is one of Malaysia’s top beaches,
known worldwide. About 60 minutes by boat from Semporna town, this island in
Sabah rises sharply from the seabed atop an extinct volcanic cone. Surrounded
by coral reefs, it is home to marine life such as barracuda, turtles, and
sharks. Popular diving points include Barracuda Point, Turtle Tomb, Hanging
Gardens, and the Drop Off. Swimming, snorkelling, and diving are the main
activities, with permits strictly limited to protect the ecosystem.
Batu Ferringhi, Penang
About 25-30 minutes from George Town, Batu
Ferringhi has golden sand and calmer stretches away from the busier areas lined
with resorts, street markets, cafés, and water sports spots. Swimming,
parasailing, jet-skiing, and walking along the shore are common, while evenings
bring the night market and food stalls.
Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan
Roughly 6 minutes by car from Kuantan city centre, Teluk Cempedak (also called Teluk Chempedak) is a popular beach with white sand, rocky outcrops, and rows of casuarina and pine trees. The promenade and nearby cafés add convenience. Swimming, surfing, sailing, and walking along the boardwalk while taking in the coastal views are the usual activities.
Top Beaches in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, an island nation in the Indian
Ocean, is surrounded by coastline on all sides, giving it no shortage of
beaches. They stretch almost continuously from the north to the south, and
along the west and east coasts. Among them, three beaches stand out:
Negombo Beach (West Coast)
About 20-25 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport and 45 minutes from Colombo, Negombo Beach is a popular west coast beach. It features wide golden sand for several kilometres, calm waters, and fishing boats reflecting the town’s traditional fishing culture. Activities include walking along the sand, swimming in shallow areas, and taking catamaran rides. Small restaurants, seafood stalls, and beachfront cafés line the shore (COPENHAGEN DENMARK ATTRACTIONS).
Unawatuna Beach (South Coast, near Galle)
Located 10 minutes from Galle Fort,
Unawatuna Beach is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beaches. Its soft sand and
naturally sheltered bay suit swimming, wading, and casual water activities. The
1 km crescent-shaped shoreline has lively areas and quieter stretches, with
cafés, guesthouses, and snorkelling spots.
Mirissa Beach (South Coast, Matara
District)
About 40-45 minutes east of Galle, Mirissa
Beach is a globally known crescent-shaped beach with soft sand and calm waters.
Known for whale-watching tours between November and April, it also has cafés,
shops, and viewpoints. Swimming, sunbathing, and sunrise or sunset watching are
common activities.
Top Beaches in South Africa
Where to begin when it comes to the top
beaches in South Africa? The country has no shortage of coastline, stretching
over 2,500 km from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Indian Ocean in the
east. Even within Cape Town alone, the variety of beaches is impressive, making
it a prime location for South Africa’s well-known beaches (THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH AFRICA).
Clifton Beaches (Clifton 1st to 4th Beach)
Located on the Atlantic Seaboard, about 15-20
minutes from Cape Town city centre, Clifton consists of four beaches separated
by granite boulders. These beaches are known for white sand, dramatic cliffs,
and privacy. Waters can be cold and rough, so swimming is mostly limited to the
calmer coves during summer. Clifton is known for sunbathing, photography, and
admiring the Atlantic Ocean scenery.
Camps Bay Beach
About 20 minutes from Cape Town city
centre, Camps Bay Beach is one of the city’s most photographed beaches. With
Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles as a backdrop, it features a long
stretch of soft sand. The waters can be rough, and swimming is usually limited
to summer months. The beach is ideal for walking along the shore and watching
sunsets.
Muizenberg Beach
Located 30-35 minutes from Cape Town,
Muizenberg Beach is known for its long sandy shore and colourful beach huts. It
is popular with beginner surfers, and even if swimming is limited in some
areas, it remains a classic Cape Town beach for scenic views and photography.
Top Beaches in Australia
With a coastline stretching across an
entire continent, Australia has beaches in every direction. From cityside spots
to long coastal stretches and strong surf points, the range is wide. Naming the
top beaches in Australia is not simple, but a few are consistently recognised
for their reputation, location, and what they represent.
Bondi Beach (Sydney, New South Wales)
Mention Sydney, and Bondi will be named at
once as one of Australia’s most recognised beaches. About 15-20 minutes from
Sydney CBD, Bondi Beach is a long-curved stretch of sand with strong waves in
certain sections, while swimming is limited to patrolled areas. Coastal walks
and watching surfers at the southern end are common. Facilities, cafés, and
public access points line the beachfront, making it a practical city beach.
Whitehaven Beach (Whitsunday Islands,
Queensland)
A roughly 30-40-minute boat ride from
Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island leads to Whitehaven Beach. Known for its bright
white silica sand and clear shallow waters, Whitehaven stretches for about 7 km
along Whitsunday Island. It is mainly for walking along the shore, wading in calm
areas, and viewing the shifting tidal patterns at Hill Inlet.
Bells Beach (Great Ocean Road, Victoria)
Around 10-15 minutes from Torquay and about 90 minutes from Melbourne, Bells Beach is one of Australia’s well-known surf beaches. Powerful waves make it suited for experienced surfers rather than swimming. High coastal cliffs overlook the beach, and the viewpoints and short walks along the viewing platforms are part of its appeal.