Now, I’m not saying I’m an expert on beaches. Some people are mountain people, others love the wilderness — but for me, nothing beats a good beach. I haven’t been to many of the world’s top-rated beaches… yet, but I’ve been a few a long with some pretty amazing ones.  I tried narrowing it down to my top 10, but I ended up cutting it at 12.  

Side note: The Bahamas easily had the clearest/best water I’ve ever seen all around. But since I was only in Nassau, and while the beaches were nice, only one stood out enough to make the listt

Now, some of these beaches are super easy to get to, and others are a bit more off the beaten path, but here are my personal favorite beaches (in no particular order... except for my number one which is at the bottom) I’ve been to and how to get to them along with some of my favorite photos (note some were from much older cameras):

Varadero Beach (Cuba)

A readily accessible beach,  but still one of the best. Vast, soft white sand lined with palm trees and that crystal-clear Caribbean blue water. If you’re staying in Varadero, your resort is probably right on the beach, so everything’s at your doorstep: snorkeling, kayaking, or other beach activities. When we were there, the water was calm every day; perfect for relaxing and appreciating just how clear it was.  Varadero Beach also has some amazing sunsets.

Location: Northern coast of Cuba, Caribbean Sea.

How to get there: If you're in Cuba, chances are you’re already staying in Varadero. Just step out of your resort and enjoy!

Cayo Blanco (Cuba)

Also in Cuba, Cayo Blanco is a lot more remote. Like the name says, it’s all about that white sand. Lush palms, crystal-blue water, and the peacefulness of a deserted island make it a great escape from the bustle of the resort.  You may even be able to get a local style lunch while enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the beach.

Location: Off the coast of Varadero, Cuba, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Book a catamaran tour through your hotel. Most include a stop to swim with dolphins, buffet lunch, and a relaxing day at Cayo Blanco.

Red Frog Beach (Panama)

This beach is located in the remote Bocas del Toro archipelago. It’s named after the tiny (but elusive) red poison dart frogs. To reach the beach, you walk through lush rainforest. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any frogs, but did spot lots of birds and you have the chance to see monkeys too. The beach itself is wavy, great for body surfing or diving into the swell,  and it feels very untouched, with just a few low-key resorts and restaurants around where you can enjoy a drink or meal

Location: Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panama, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Take an overnight bus from Panama City or a bus from Costa Rica to Bocas. From Isla Colón, grab a $10 water taxi to Isla Bastimentos, then hike through the rainforest for about 10 minutes.

Playa Estrella (Panama)

Also known as Starfish Beach, this one's known (unsurprisingly) for its starfish. Easier to get to than Red Frog, but just as beautiful. The beach is lined with palm trees and has a festive, tropical vibe. The sand strip is narrow, so it can feel crowded, but it’s worth it to wade in the clear water and spot the starfish.   There aren’t as many starfish as there used to be, due to the crowds, but you’ll still spot plenty… just don’t touch them like some people do.  And on the beach, there are plenty of spots to grab a coconut, a piña colada, or a beer and sit in this tropical paradise.

Location: Northwestern corner of Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro, Panama, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Once on Isla Colón, take a short bus ride or water taxi from town to the other side of the island.

Playa Blanca (Colombia)

Yes, another white beach — and I’ve got more coming. Playa Blanca is a classic Caribbean scene: blue water, white sand, palm trees, and tiki huts.  And the ride there is beautiful, with crystal clear blue Caribbean water. The sand strip is narrow, so it can get crowded, and what is common in Colombia, you’ll be hounded by vendors, but it comes with the territory. Still, it’s a beautiful beach worth checking out if you’re in Cartagena.

Location: Isla Barú, off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Book a boat tour from Cartagena. Most tours include snorkeling and island-hopping before stopping at Playa Blanca.

Cabo San Juan (Colombia)

Cabo San Juan is postcard-perfect. The iconic double beach separated by a rocky peninsula with a thatched-roof hut perched on top  which makes for stunning views and photos. The water is rougher here, so not quite as clear as others, but its still a clean blue and the sand is a rich golden color. The setting, surrounded by thick rainforest, is magical and on the way to the beach you’ll discover the beautiful jungle and nature of Tayrona National Park.  Despite its fame, it’s still relatively quiet and feels untouched. 

Location: Tayrona National Park, near Santa Marta, Northern Colombia, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Take a bus from Santa Marta to Tayrona and hike through the rainforest, passing indigenous villages and lush jungle. Or take a boat from Taganga… but be warned, it’s a rough ride.

Nacpan Beach (Philippines)

Once rated a top 10 beach in the world on TripAdvisor, Nacpan is long, wide, and largely undeveloped — so it never feels packed. The golden sand is soft, and while the water is wavy, it’s beautiful and clear. There are a few small resorts that offer day passes with access to beach chairs, pools, and restaurants.  The rocky islands in the distance add to the beauty, but with its sheer size, its hard to capture the beauty of the beach in photos… I  wish I had my drone when I was there.  I don’t think it’s a top 10 beach… but it is a beautiful and amazing beach worth checking out.

Location: El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, South China Sea
How to get there: Fly into Puerto Princesa, then take a 5-hour shuttle to El Nido. From there, it's about a 45-minute drive to Nacpan by van or tour.

Seven Commandos Beach (Philippines)

This one doesn’t get the same hype as others, but it had the clearest water I saw in the Philippines.  It had the crystal blue water, comparable to the Caribbean. It was part of El Nido’s Island Hopping Tour A and ended up being my favorite stop. White sand, crystal-clear water, tons of coconut palms, and limestone cliffs in the distance — it’s the full package. If you’ve got the budget, there are luxury villas perched in the cliffs overlooking the beach too.

Location: El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, South China Sea
How to get there: From El Nido, book Island Hopping Tour A — Seven Commandos is one of the stops.

White Beach, Boracay (Philippines)

White Beach is classic Boracay: soft, white sand and clear water. It’s not as turquoise as some Caribbean spots, but still gorgeously clear. Shops, restaurants, and hotels line the beach, separated only by a row of palm trees and a fairly narrow sand strip. There’s nightlife and lots to do, day or night.  This might be the whitest sand of them all on my list.  And, Boracay is known for it’s sunsets.

Location: Boracay, Aklan, Philippines, Sibuyan Sea
How to get there: The easiest route is to fly to Kalibo, then take a few-hour van ride to Boracay. We came from Roxas City, passing through Kalibo along the way.

Saona Island (Dominican Republic)

Saona Island screams tropical paradise. The water isn’t the clearest on my list, still its pretty damn clear, but what makes this island amazing is that it’s the bluest water I’ve seen. Swaying palms, white sand, hammocks, and fresh cocktails made this island amazing.  There were also a ton of angled palm trees, perfect for photo opportunities.  What makes it special is the remote island feel; it’s one of my favorite beach experiences overall.

Location: Southeastern Dominican Republic, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Book a tour from Punta Cana or head to Bayahibe yourself. From there, it’s about a 45-minute boat ride to Saona.

Rose Island (Bahamas)

We ended our island-hopping tour from Nassau with a stop at Rose Island, and it blew us away. The beach was remote and peaceful, with long stretches of soft sand and bright turquoise water that rivaled my all-time favorite beach Flamenco Beach for the clearest and bluest I’ve ever seen. It felt untouched and remote with no crowds, no noise, just pure island beauty. We had a short time there, but I could’ve spent the whole day exploring the shoreline and soaking it all in. This one easily earns a spot on my list.

Location: East of Paradise Island, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Book an island-hopping or pig tour from Nassau that includes Rose Island as a final beach stop — not all tours do, so check the itinerary.

My Favorite: Flamenco Beach (Puerto Rico)

Saving the best for last: Flamenco Beach is my favorite beach I’ve been to. This place EARNED its TripAdvisor top 10 spot. Once used as a military base where they shot rockets from the beach, the beach was left untouched for decades. Two old tanks, one on the sand, one in the water remain, and they actually make for some great photo ops. But the real highlight is the clarity of the water. It might be the clearest I’ve ever seen. And the beach is so wide and spacious that it feels like you’ve got it all to yourself.  Stroll down the beach, it’s a long but beautiful walk with the sand getting more narrow and rugged, with the beautiful lush palm trees lining the water as you get further from the main section of the beach.

Location: Culebra Island, off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea
How to get there: Rent a car or take a shuttle from San Juan to Fajardo. From there, hop on a ferry or book a tour to Flamenco Beach.