The right beach turns a city break into a holiday. This directory groups the world's best — from busy hubs to coves you have to earn — by country and by proximity, so you can find what's right for your day, your trip or your honeymoon.
Patrolled beaches mean lifeguards have seen the rips. Trust the markers.
In coral regions, your sunscreen choice changes reef chemistry. Buy mineral.
Take what you can swim with. Hotels keep passports better than towels do.
Shells and coral are usually protected and exporting them can be illegal.