5 of the most exotic, exclusive, and beautiful beaches in the universe

5 of the most exotic, exclusive, and beautiful beaches in the universe

Our planet comprises about 71 percent of water, 96.5 percent in its oceans, and is home to thousands of gorgeous, dead beaches. So choosing the best piece of the sandy estate in the world is somewhat subjective.
In this article, we've gone to beaches in stunning locations that are relatively accessible to travelers. There's a great beach on Kauai that involves swimming in a rough stream to get to, so we've left this beach out on this list, but we've included it that you can drive to, with amazing views for sunset.

We've also picked a mix of urban and island beach destinations. We tried to spread love to our best beaches across the continents. From South Africa to Bora Bora and Thailand to the Turks and Caicos Islands, discover the most beautiful stretches of fine sand and blue waters with our list of the best beaches in the world.

1. Matera Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

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  The French Polynesian island of Bora Bora perched in an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by a crystal clear and very calm lagoon that boasts one of the world's finest turquoise and azure marble waters, the island is home to white-sand beaches and lush interiors of pointed volcanic peaks.
  The best public beach in the Bora Bora is Matera Beach. Here, the sand is the white and powdery soft, and while it's popular with locals on the weekends, unless a cruise ship docks, it's never packed. The sunset over the gorgeous turquoise lagoon is legendary and not to be skipped.

• There are many other beaches on Bora Bora and small islands (known as Motos) surrounding them. In them, you'll find some of the island's most luxurious resorts, many of which feature the over-the-water bungalows that French Polynesia is so famous for - they were invented on the neighboring island of Ra'iatea.
  Bora Bora is the perfect honeymoon destination, and if you can stand the luxury and time it takes to get here (it's the eight-hour flight from Los Angeles), it's well worth it.
  
  

2. Grace Bay Beach, Turks, and Caicos

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  Located southeast of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands are a group of 40 islands that remain a British Overseas Territory. The Grace Bay Beach, on the main island of the Providenciales, is one of the world's most beautiful stretches of white sand. Stretching for eight kilometers in the shape of a half crescent, it is backed by clear turquoise waters, where one of the world's largest reef systems still thrives offshore.
  
  Grace Bay Beach is the part of the Princess Alexandra Marine Park and has two excellent snorkeling spots accessible from the beach. Bight Reef and Smith's Reef are filled with live coral and tropical fish, and you can follow a marked snorkeling path around them.
  

• Also, keep an eye out for JoJo. A wild glass-necked dolphin, which calls this area its playground, has been known to interact with humans swimming in the sea. It has been declared a national treasure on the island, and the last time we visited, we saw it with a friendly lady who is a dolphin.
  Speaking of the animal friends, if you miss your dog, you can sign up to take your homeless pup to the beach with Potcake Place. The animal shelter is working on getting local stray dogs, known as certified "cakes," and one of their most popular shows is a morning at the beach with their Pot Cake puppy. In addition, all dogs are available for adoption.
  
  

3. Reethi Rah, Maldives

• Made up of the 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Unfortunately, most of these islands, including Reethi Rah, are home to only one or two resorts, and as such, you'll have plenty of pure white sand meeting the shore of a turquoise lagoon for a select few.
  Although there are not any bad beaches in the Maldives - this is one of the most romantic destinations in the world and a favorite of honeymooners from all over the planet; The beaches at Reethi Rah are incredibly unique.

• Accessible only to guests of the One & the Only Reethi Rah Resort, the private island has the 12 different beaches for you to explore. It's in its time zone, one hour ahead of the capital, Male, and the sunsets here are forever. The luxury resort caters to families and couples and features classic overwater bungalows.
  
  

4. The Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

• Just a 10-minute drive from Cape Town in South Africa, Camps Bay Beach is simply stunning when it comes to the scenery. The water here is of a variety of turquoise and emerald, backed by a dark blue and deceptively calm depending on the seasons. However, in the summer, the public beach attracts hordes of swimsuit-clad sunflowers, and many locals brave the waves at least long enough to cool off, as the current here comes straight from Antarctica.

• However, Camps Bay makes our list because the beach is beautiful, with views unlike anywhere else on earth. On the one hand, you see sand and waves. But on the other hand, the twelve rock formations tower on the coast.
  Camps Bay is just one of several great beaches within a 20-minute drive of Cape Town. Clifton's beaches are equally famous and can only be accessed by climbing steep steps from the road.
  
  

5. Railay Beach, Thailand

• One of Thailand's most beautiful beaches, the gorgeous Railay Beach is secluded on a small peninsula that can only be reached by the longtail boat - and it's a trip worth taking. Upon arrival, you'll find shimmering, soft, smooth white sand and a picture-perfect turquoise lagoon, all surrounded by massive limestone boulders (in and out of the water), dense forest, cliffs, and caves.

• It's an adventure beach playground popular with honeymooners and couples for a mix of romance and adrenaline - you can climb the cliffs here or swim through underground caves to find secret lagoons. And there's also the ultra-luxury Rayavadee, the perfect place to spend at least a few nights on your honeymoon.