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30. Wilderness Beach, South Africa - Located on the Garden Route of the Southern Cape in South Africa lies 79 km (49 miles) of golden sands, pulled and pushed by warm waters, and bordered by the towering Outeniqua Mountains.

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29. Île aux Cerfs, Mauritius - In the region of Flacq, the calm waters and gorgeous landscape sets the scene for effortless afternoons of parasailing, tubing, and boating.

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28. São Filipe, Cape Verde - A safe swimming oasis of mystic blue water laps along a shore of black sand, topped off with views of an active volcano and dramatic rock formations.

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27. Chale Beach, Kenya - This beach in Kwale County, located on an island about 600 m (1968 ft) off the Kenyan mainland, has near-blinding white sand, and boasts a lush mangrove forest.

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26. Blue Hole, Egypt - Dahab, in the Gulf of Aqaba, is famous for the “Blue Hole,” which is a 110-meter (361-foot) dive site considered to be one of the best in the world. It’s rich in coral, diverse in marine life, and laid-back in vibe.

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25. Le Morne Beach, Mauritius - Situated in Rivière Noire, one of the most coveted beaches in the world maintains its untouched beauty—with white sand melting into sparkling, clear water—due to the dedication it takes to reach this paradise!

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24. Trou aux Biches Beach, Mauritius - The 2-kilometer-long (1.2-mile) strip of coastline is located in the district of Pamplemousses and features sections of hotels, bars, and restaurants at your fingertips.

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23. Sharm El Luli, Egypt - In the Red Sea Governorate, you’ll find a warm beach with a perfect score in untouched beauty, remoteness, and sand and water quality!

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22. Tofo Beach, Mozambique - Miles from any major towns, you can sip water out of a coconut while a warm breeze blows off the Indian Ocean and the sun bakes into your skin.

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21. Anse Intendance, Seychelles - Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, and you have to endure a rugged forest trail along sea cliffs to reach this beach. However what you’ll find is impossibly soft sand and an image most photographers can only dream of capturing.

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20. Watamu, Kenya - Nestled in a National Marine Park in Malindi, this idyllic location is perfect for lounging in seclusion. Wildlife lovers can seek out some rare birds on the way there in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve.

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19. Misali Island, Tanzania - This remote, uninhabited island in Zanzibar has an average annual temperature of a perfect 27°C (80.6°F), and a trip to this beach will feel like you’re spending a day on your own private island.  

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18. Benguerra Island, Mozambique - In the sunny Bazaruto archipelago, the beach destination offers just about everything you could want: white sand, dive sites, fishing, luxury amenities, horseback riding, and more.

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17. Silhouette Island, Seychelles - Hidden away from the noise of urban life, you can reconnect with nature by diving right in or sprawling on the golden sand.

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16. Bazaruto Island, Mozambique - Climb soft, white sand dunes for spectacular views, and keep your eyes peeled for turtles, exotic birds, and dolphins in the warm, turquoise water.

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15. Anse Victorin, Seychelles - This beach on Frégate Island has a perfect score across untouched beauty, remoteness, and sand and water quality, but best of all is being able to watch baby sea turtles hatch (between November and January) and scurry to the ocean.

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14. Mombasa Beach, Kenya - The tidal sandbank of Mombasa Beach is considered one of Earth’s wonders, and the slouching palm trees invite you to just sway in the wind with them.

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13. Flic en Flac Beach, Mauritius - If a day spent listening to Mauritians strum songs on their guitars, munching on local favorites like roti and kebabs, and swimming in bright blue waters is what you’re after, visit Flic en Flac!

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12. Falaises d'El Marsa à Alger, Algeria - The backbone of this marvelous strip of sand lies in the gray cliffs jutting out from the shore, all set to the sounds of white-capped waves softly crashing into the rocks.

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11. Hobie Beach, South Africa - Port Elizabeth’s Hobie Beach is found near the picturesque Shark Rock Pier, and is a favorite spot for swimming, sunbathing, body surfing, with delicious restaurants just a few steps away.

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10. Pereybere Beach, Mauritius - Shop, sunbathe, and snack your heart out on the powdery white sand. Pereybere also makes an excellent choice for families due to its shallow swimming depths.

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9. Skeleton Coast, Namibia - The magical and mysterious Skeleton Coast gets its name from its formation and the rusting shipwrecks dotting its shores. This 1571-kilometer (976-mile) stretch of coastline is certainly for the adventurous, known for its rocky shallows and an ominous, unpredictable fog.

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8. Boulders Beach, South Africa - Cape Town’s Boulders Beach boasts 295 days of sun per year, and best of all is getting to sunbathe on the plush white sands with adorable little penguins!

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7. Nungwi Beach, Tanzania - Where the pace of life matches the undulations of the tides: slow, easy, and relaxed. Explore the healthy reefs or try out some water activities while you’re there.

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6. Camps Bay Beach, South Africa - Sparkling waters and shining stars are served up at Camps Bay Beach, which is a known celebrity favorite. The idyllic white sand is made even more dazzling by the majestic Table Mountains standing in the background.

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5. Coffee Bay, South Africa - This Eastern Cape has a perfect score across untouched beauty, remoteness, and sand and water quality, and it boasts the ancient "Hole in the Wall," which is an impressive natural rocky archway created over millions of years of waves.

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4. Noetzie Beach, South Africa - Don’t let the steep stairway attached to a cliff put you off from visiting the hidden crevice of Plettenberg Bay. Noetzie is particularly known for the historic castles built in the 1930s.

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3. Anse Lazio, Seychelles - This beach on Praslin Island averages 27°C (80.6°F), which is the ideal temperature to spend a day immersed in the breathtakingly clear waters, surrounded by lush coconut palms, towering granite boulders, and vivid marine life.

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2. Diani Beach, Kenya - This 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) stretch of talcum powder sand in Kwale County is often referred to as the softest beach on the planet!

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1. Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles -

With 325 days of sunshine and an average temperature of 27°C (80.6°F), you’re almost guaranteed to fall in love with this beach’s ribbons of shimmering sand and illuminated blue waters. It’s no surprise that it’s the world’s most photographed beach.

See also: Beaches where you can hang out with wild animals

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