The world’s best beach for 2025 is in Australia — and it’s breathtaking

Lonely Planet named Whitehaven Beach as the best beach to explore in 2025.

By Amanda Teague Published January 7, 2025

Whitehaven Beach — sbe_musik / Pixabay

Australia’s iconic Whitehaven Beach has just been crowned the world’s best beach for 2025 by Lonely Planet. The travel authority’s highly anticipated annual list, which highlights the most stunning coastlines across the globe, places Whitehaven Beach in the top spot, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit paradise.

Visiting Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach — BM10777 / Pixabay

Tucked away in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Whitsundays National Park, Whitehaven Beach is a paradise. Stretching over seven kilometers, Whitehaven graces the shores of Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 Whitsunday Islands. Its fine white sand, composed of 98 percent pure silica, is finer and softer than almost any other beach on the planet. Interestingly, the sand’s unique composition comes from ocean currents that carried it here over millions of years as it isn’t found in the surrounding rocks.

Recommended Videos

Accessible only by boat, seaplane, or helicopter from the mainland town of Airlie Beach and nearby resort islands, Whitehaven offers a true escape into Australia’s nature. At the beach’s northern end, visitors can admire the swirling sands of Hill Inlet. For the best vantage point, hike up to the Tongue Point lookout for panoramic views. Meanwhile, the southern end offers another gorgeous lookout, just a one-kilometer stroll through native Australian bushland.

Which other beaches made the list?

Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles — xoracio / Pixabay

Following Whitehaven Beach, another Australian treasure takes second place — Squeaky Beach in Victoria. Famed for its distinctive white quartz sand, this charming spot gets its name from the “squeak, squeak, squeak” sound made when walking barefoot along its shoreline.

Claiming third place is Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue Island in Seychelles. Known for its striking rock formations and glowing golden sand, it’s a photographer’s dream and a tropical paradise.

Here’s the full top 10 list of the world’s best beaches for 2025:

Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
Squeaky Beach, Victoria, Australia
Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
Sunset Beach, Trang, Thailand
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos, Greece
Haukland Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Playa Balandra, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Pfeiffer Beach, California, USA
Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, USA
Platja Illetes, Formentera, Spain

Topics

Destinations

Contributor

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…

Food & Drink

The best restaurants in Des Moines for every foodie craving

The best grub in this Midwestern hub

Des Moines, Iowa.

The best restaurants in America are spread all over this vast land, from the evergreen-lined streets of Seattle to the sun-kissed beaches of Miami. Of course, we cannot overlook the nation's breadbasket, aka the Midwest. Here, big cities and a patchwork of farmland make for some truly ideal dining experiences. And beyond the megacities like Chicago, there are other places to get a top-shelf meal too.

Take Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa. With a metro area of about a half-million, there are more than enough souls to create a solid culinary foundation. Sure, there are the steakhouses and convivial bars one might associate with The Hawkeye State. But there's also more eclectic fare, from Chinese-inspired pizza and Nepalese cuisine to stellar cocktail bars.

Travel

Study reveals the best budget-friendly places to see the Northern Lights in 2025

Canada and Alaska offer some of the most affordable viewing options.

Whitehorse

Ready to chase the Northern Lights without breaking the bank? A new report from HomeToGo has identified the most affordable destinations for witnessing the aurora borealis in 2025. Using exclusive accommodation pricing data, the travel marketplace analyzed the cost-effectiveness of prime viewing locations, ensuring travelers can experience this natural phenomenon without stretching their budgets.

“Last year’s solar eclipse sparked an astrotourism trend among American travelers, which we are now seeing carry through into 2025,” said Eleanor Moody, HomeToGo Travel Expert and Spokesperson. “With even more travelers wanting to witness out-of-this-world celestial displays, search increases have skyrocketed for places providing strong chances of seeing the Northern Lights.”
The most affordable destinations in North America

Travel

Arizona’s largest resort, VAI, to open in Glendale this year – see what’s inside

The new resort will feature 1,100 rooms, suites, and villas.

VAI Resort

Glendale’s VAI Resort, the much-anticipated premiere entertainment destination, is set to open its doors by the end of this year, making waves as Arizona’s largest and most extravagant hotel. With a price tag nearing $1 billion, this state-of-the-art resort promises to redefine luxury and entertainment in the region.
The ultimate luxury, entertainment, and culinary destination

VAI Resort is set to deliver luxury, entertainment, and culinary experiences as it begins its phased opening later this year. Guests will enjoy a wide array of world-class amenities that redefine what it means to stay at a full-service resort.