28 hidden beaches you didn’t know existed

The island of Vaeroy in Norway is known for its unique geographic and weather patterns. This island is very secluded and does not have as many visitors as the main islands of Lofoten. Nestled on the Eastern shore of the island is the beautiful beach of Breivika. Set in the backdrop of lofty cliffs that often hide behind clouds, the white sand and pebbles of this beach form a perfect place for the turquoise water of the Arctic Ocean to seek shelter. Although the beach is located within the Arctic Circle, you can get tee-shirt weather here for a brief period of time every year. Find on Maps >>

With easy access and viewing platforms that allow you to get fabulous holiday photos, Muriwai beach is the perfect place to look for a secluded oceanic retreat in New Zealand. Muriwai is one of the most stunning black-sand surf beaches in New Zealand, a wind-swept rugged coastline extending 60 kilometers, and broken only by streams and rivers. The area is inhabited by locals only from August to March owing to the extreme weather. Find on Maps >>

The genuine standout feature of Anse Source d'Argent is the utterly stunning scenery. The combination of shallow, clear water, golden sand, and majestic granite formations make it one of the world's most picturesque beaches, and one that is well worth visiting for anyone on a Seychelles vacation. The high tide occasionally covers the entirety of the beach, making it a great place to photograph the crystal clear water. The surrounding coral reef makes the beach a great place to go for a dip. Find on Maps >>

The Praia do Penedo beach is surrounded by steep, vegetation-covered cliffs and not a building to be seen. This beach consists of pebbles with a few rock formations and a stretch of sand. The beach is used mostly by beach fishermen, although a few surfers still visit it. Praia do Penedo is well connected via a road which makes it a perfect destination for a remote beach retreat. The stacked rock island of Pedra da Agulha can be seen from the beach looking northwest, forming a great feature for the beach. Find on Maps >>

Ibo Island beach is located in northern Mozambique's Quirimbas Archipelago. The island is roughly 70 nautical miles from the city of Pemba on the mainland and is an ideal place for this pristine beach overlooking Comoros Island. The beach is not only great for spending the idyllic hours of the day strolling along the Indian Ocean, but it is also known for harboring birds of numerous species. The blue water of the beach is also great for photography. Find on Maps >>

Cala Deia is a very lovely little shingle beach, one of the few beaches on Mallorca's west coast, with clear waters and rock pools. The sea is remarkably clear and inviting along the Cala Deià Beach and is perfect for a hot summer's day to cool off. The beach consists primarily of rocks and pebbles, with a few gravelly patches. Two excellent restaurants serving fresh seafood and traditional Mallorca cuisine are situated on the beach. It is one of those beaches where you can sit and enjoy the spectacular environment. Even though it is not on most Spanish travel brochures, you are likely to remember your trip to Cala Deià Beach. Find on Maps >>

Almost all of Brazil’s beaches are known for their liveliness. Consequently, it is difficult to find beaches in Brazil that have escaped the eagle eye of tropical tourists. Praia Trancoso is one of the few Brazillian beaches that give you the ability to enjoy the local culture in the bars and restaurants while being in close quarters with a tranquil beach. Praia Trancoso is quite rich in the hippy and bohemian culture as well. You can enjoy traditional Brazillian music at the beach shacks or just stroll on the beach into the twilight. Find on Maps >>

Turkey’s geographic and physical wealth has borne one of the best beaches along its southern coast known as the Cirali Beach. About an hour's drive from the center of Antalya, Çıralı is one of the most relaxed and natural beaches in the province, which just happens to be next to an ancient Lycian town. On one side of the beach, there is clear blue water of the Mediterranean sea and on the other side are lush green mountains. It is truly one of the gems of southeastern Europe. Find on Maps >>

Vatersay, one of the most scenic and beautiful islands in the archipelago, is the southernmost inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides. Time spent on this picturesque island will be unforgettable for a long period of time, with vast white sandy beaches and turquoise waters comparable to those found in the Caribbean. It has great views of the islands of Sandray, Pabbay, and Mingulay, which are now uninhabited. The beaches of Vatersay are also home to several species of birds including razorbill, gannet, guillemot, and puffin. Find on Maps >>

Phú Quốc is a Vietnamese island situated off the shoreline of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. It is renowned for its white-sand beaches and resorts, most of which are along the southwest coast, lined with palm trees. If what you want is seclusion, then this is the beach for you. It's a bit of an adventure to be able to get there, but you'll be glad you made the effort. There are a few places that sell food, but that's it, so bring in whatever you need to have a great day at the beach. You can drive your own vehicle to the beach. Find on Maps >>

Peru is not known for its beaches, unlike its neighboring countries. However, Mancora is a rare departure. The village of Mancora has a great, serene beach that generally escapes the attention of tourists. The wide crescent bay that stretches the width of the region is divided into three sections: one end of Playa del Amor, the hub-bub of operation in the crowded middle, and the other end of a slightly more elegant and much quieter section. There are a few tourists on the beaches and it makes for a fairly great stop after the historical part of the country. Find on Maps >>

The Lipite Beach in Bulgaria is quite unique. It’s not just the sea that is the attraction of this beach. The Veleka river meets the Black Sea just overlooking the Lipite Beach, giving it a unique geographic form. The beach is accessible only on foot, as it is in the center of the natural park. You can park your vehicles in the central beach parking lot. To hit the rocks at its southern end, you must cross the entire shore. You can then ascend to the top of the cliffs, where your senses will be treated to the untamed beauty of nature. If you follow the paths on the high plateau, you will reach Lipite beach within 15 minutes. Find on Maps >>

The golden Anapai Beach is one of the hidden gems (literally) of New Zealand. The beach is obscured by a rocky peninsula. The waves lazily crawl to the Anapai Beach as the sun moves across the clear blue sky. Anapai Beach is a great campsite along the bay. The best thing about Anapai Beach is its locale which is full of opportunities for you to hike, photograph its beautiful surroundings, and sunbathe. The beach does not have hawkers or shacks, so you can bring your snacks and make a day out of it. Find on Maps >>

As far sea caves go, you will hardly find any as beautiful as the Benagil Sea Cave, also known as Algar de Benagil. It is one of those places that look as beautiful in pictures as in person. Surrounded by the cliffs, the Algarve coast is a looker by itself. However, as you kayak your way into the sea cave, you will be transported to an entirely different world. The circular vent at the top of the cave and serene strip of sand underneath it is truly a marvel. You can get to this place by booking a guided tour from Portimão. Find on Maps >>

Zakynthos, a breathtaking island off the southwest coast of Greece, boasts gorgeous beaches, secluded coves, and lush valleys. But Navagio Beach, a small cove with a pristine beach and crystal clear waters that are home to the famous shipwreck, is possibly more famous outside Greece. The beach is secluded and enjoys a fair bit of sun during the day, making it an ideal place to sunbathe. The mystery of the shipwreck adds a bit of an edge to the backstory of this beach. Find on Maps >>

This beach is known as the Love Beach for a reason. For years, newlyweds and couples have flocked to this hidden beach to celebrate their love. Getting to this beach is an adventure in itself. It takes an hour to get to the beach from Puerto Vallarta. You need to keep going towards the northwest close to the mouth of Banderas Bay. It is easy to find Love Beach from there close to the entrance of the sandy cave. The hidden beach is not only romantic and private but also very picturesque. Find on Maps >>

Located just 70 miles off the Key West in Florida is the Dry Tortugas National Park. Placed on a coral reef, this monument is not only famous for housing Fort Jefferson but also its beaches. Even though the landmark is on most itineraries, the beaches are mostly skipped over by hasty tourists. Just overlooking the fort lies a white sand beach that harbors the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The accessibility of the beaches makes it one of the unmissable attractions of Key West. Find on Maps >>

You will be greeted with a stunning view of the blue sky before arriving at Broken Beach. The blue sea combined with the lushness of the rocky shore of the island transports you to a world of its own. Located on the Nusa Penida Island, the Broken Beach is an utterly epic cove that one just cannot afford to miss. The entry to the beach has a huge arch created by the bay. You can walk atop the arch as well as swim underneath it. Undoubtedly, the Broken beach Arch is one for people who seek unique experiences. Find on Maps >>

One of the most magnificent sandy beaches on Achill Island is Keel Beach, at the foot of Achill Head. The beach is great for sunbathing as well as for observing natural landmarks like Slievemore, Mweelaun Cliffs, and the Bill, a legendary isolated arrangement of three rock stacks. Keel beach is a haven for a range of water sports, including diving, surfing, windsurfing, swimming, or even a long golden sandy beach walk. Tucked away at the far west of the island, Keem Bay is Achill's most remote Blue Flag beach - another must visit while on the island. Find on Maps >>

In the Bahamas, Harbour Island is quietly becoming the Caribbean's crown jewel owing to its unique features.It is mostly famous for its pink sand beaches, which are found all along the east side of the island. The pink hue comes from foraminifera, a microscopic organism that actually has a reddish-pink shell. The Harbour Island is otherwise jammed with pastel-painted cottages with picket fences, quaint boutique hotels, and restaurants that rival the best found in other culinary hot spots such as St. Barts and Anguilla. Find on Maps >>

Calanque d'En Vau is a small strip of pristine white pebbles and sand protected by the gentle turquoise waters of the Mediterranean is set at the end of a deep canyon. Lush pine trees cling to the cliffs that have been twisted into jagged pinnacles over the years. Access to the beach requires about an hour's walk over quiet rough ground, followed by a steep path down the cliffs of limestone. While at Calanque d'En Vau, you can relax and take in the beautiful scenery, or enjoy rock climbing and snorkeling. Find on Maps >>

Located only a few meters from the Iberian settlement of Castell, the beach of Castell is an important part of the Castell-cap Roig tourism district. The Aubi River channel flows out into the sea and the beach provides more than 300 meters of fine sand that are well suited for the entire family. Pine trees form an important part of the landscape everywhere you look. This beach offers a wide range of facilities, despite being some distance from the town. It is highly recommended that you also explore the surrounding area, in addition to diving into the sea. Find on Maps >>

The shattered shells of millions of microscopic bright pink sea creatures called foraminifera are spread across the beaches of Bonaire. That is how the name Pink Beach came into being. If you wish to do some snorkeling or scuba diving, Pink Beach is an excellent beach to visit. Although the strip of sand is relatively narrow, it is a perfect place for picnics to relax and the views are idyllic. The blue waters of the Caribbean Sea form a perfect contrast with the Pink color of the beach, making it a great place to photograph. Find on Maps >>

Glass Beach is located to the south of Fort Bragg's MacKerricher State Park. The name Glass Beach comes from the smooth, colorful bits of glass you will find mixed into the pebbly beach. This place was once a garbage dump, so broken bottles were turned into small treasures to be found and photographed from the waste cans of local residents (and left behind). Removing some glass from Glass Beach is illegal, but this has not stopped individuals from taking what seems to be a harmless number. Find on Maps >>

Jervis Bay's white sandy beaches make it a popular summer destination and one of the star attractions is Hyams Beach. It's a safe, family-friendly beach that doesn't get swallowed by the bay. It can get busy in the peak season, so be sure to check out the equally breathtaking Huskisson Beach and visit the resident Pebbly Beach kangaroos. You'll find perfect places for snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking anywhere you visit. Find on Maps >>

Nanjizal (or Nanjizel) remains more or less consistent and rarely gets busy because of its relative inaccessibility. This beach is Cornwall's best kept secret, a lovely boulder-strewn cove with remarkably clear water, located at the end of a small, shallow valley. The beach used to be much more sandy, but much of it was washed away after storms about 20 years ago. However, it does seem to be coming back, though. For those not satisfied with taking in the view, there is an abundance of caves and fascinating rock formations. The Zawn Peggy chasm, immediately opposite the cliffs of Higher Bosistow, is one of the most striking features of Nanjizel. Find on Maps >>

Playa Mina is not a big beach, and in less than 10 minutes, you can walk from end to end. You might be able to see some fish in the clear water of the sea. You will find a few fishermen at work close to the beach as well. At Playa Mina, there is nothing but an old run-down house when it comes to buildings. The sea at Playa Mina gets deep very soon, so swimming is not recommended for kids. The best activity at Playa Mina would be to take advantage of the solitude and have a picnic with your close ones. Find on Maps >>

Coffee Bay Beach is stunning, to say the least. Set against the backdrop of black-faced cliffs, white beaches, and jade hills and mountains, the beach begins from the Nenga River Mouth. Horse riding, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing are common on this stretch of beach. Additionally, with its walking and hiking opportunities, the extended coast is quite popular among the locals. There are a few restaurants and retreats not very far from the beach, making it a great destination for all. Find on Maps >>