The World’s Most Relaxing Beaches

Escaping to the beach is the perfect way to decompress from the stresses of everyday life and soak up the scenic surroundings. Whether you prefer to swim in the ocean or soak up the sunshine on the sand, book in hand - beaches are the perfect place to clear the mind and enjoy a relaxing experience which could rival even the best spa day.

From the breath-taking beaches in the Maldives, to quaint European hotspots, which beaches take the crown as the most relaxing of them all? By analysing online travel reviews, we have identified the world’s most relaxing beaches based on how often the words "relaxing" and “relax” appear in reviews, uncovering the top beaches in each country and continent where you can soak in the calming sea air.

Our list of the world’s most relaxing beaches provides travellers with a handy list of the best beaches to head to when in need of the ultimate recharge and reset. The top 10 most relaxing beaches feature coastal spots spanning America, Asia, Europe and Oceania, from the tropical temperatures at Little French Key in Honduras, to cooler climates at the Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach in Iceland. Asian countries dominate the top 10, with beaches in countries including Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and UAE all emerging as sandy spots with particularly high numbers of reviews containing the words “relaxing” or “relax”.

Our analysis reveals that North America is the continent which is home to the most relaxing beaches with 44% (22) of the top 50, and four of the top 10 relaxing beaches being scattered across the region. Asia follows with 16 relaxing destinations in the top 50, and nine of those ranking in the top 25 alone, including Cambodia’s Otres Beach and Vietnam’s popular An Bang Beach.

Countries including the USA, the Philippines, and Australia dominate the top 50 list, with each destination offering its own unique recipe for relaxation. The USA’s extensive and diverse coastline means that there’s a beach retreat for every kind of traveller, from the peaceful shores of Tybee Island to the laid-back vibes of Folly Beach. Beaches in Australia - a country well known for its beach culture - also feature frequently throughout our list. From Cable Beach in Western Australia to Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, the easy going nation definitely provides the perfect retreats for travellers to relax upon.

1. Little French Key, Honduras - 16.8% of reviews are relaxing

Located on a small private island, near the island of Roatán in the Caribbean, Little French Key offers visitors pristine beaches and idyllic clear turquoise waters, surrounded by lush greenery - the perfect spot to escape from everyday life. With its pristine beaches, and hammock-strewn cabanas, Little French Key is the perfect spot to unwind in a secluded, natural setting, and enjoy the warm soothing climates of the Caribbean. Travellers clearly agree with almost 17% of reviews saying how relaxing the spot is - the highest percentage of relaxing reviews of any other global beaches we analysed.

2. Palm Cove Beach, Australia - 15.3% of reviews are relaxing

Palm Cove Beach in Australia is a stretch of golden sand shaded by ancient Melaleuca trees, creating a peaceful and unique coastal retreat for travellers visiting the area. Over 15% of travellers referred to the relaxing vibes of this beach located in North Queensland, with one visitor describing the spot as a ‘great beach for long walks or relaxing under a shady tree’ - and it’s not hard to see why with the gentle waves and warm, clear waters providing the ideal setting for a relaxing swim or a leisurely stroll along the shore.

3. Nauthólsvik Geothermal Beach, Iceland - 15.1% of reviews are relaxing

Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach in Iceland - one of the more unique beaches in our list - ranks in third spot and offers visitors a relaxing beach day different to most others. The beach boasts a man-made lagoon which is heated by geothermal energy, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxing swim, even in the cooler Icelandic climate. With its stunning views of Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains, it is no wonder that a sixth (15.1%) of online reviews are gushing about how serene the spot is, with travellers describing it as ‘a must-visit when in Reykjavík’ and ‘such a relaxing and peaceful place’.

With 35 out of the 50 most relaxing beaches in the UK being in England, the country’s coastal line definitely has a lot to offer for anyone wanting to find a peaceful spot to let the stresses of life melt away. England's Meadfoot Beach and Frinton-On-Sea Beach take the top two top beach spots, with Denes Beach completing the top three. Found in the south of the country, Meadfoot Beach, which has just over 8% of relaxing reviews, is known for its picturesque rocky shoreline and stunning views of the English Riviera, offering a peaceful escape with fewer crowds compared to nearby beaches.

Meanwhile, closer to London, Frinton-On-Sea Beach (Essex) and Denes Beach (Suffolk) provide visitors with tranquil spots to sit and soak up some English sun - or in less enjoyable weather, take a long relaxing dog walk along the peaceful sandy beaches. 

While English beaches dominate the top 25 with more than half (56%) of the beaches being found in the country, almost a quarter of the top 25 (24%) and three of the top ten most relaxing beaches, can be found in Wales. Tenby North Beach, known for its iconic view of Goscar Rock and providing a perfectly picturesque spot for travellers to relax at, ranked in fourth place, followed by Criccieth Beach in Gwynedd and Rest Bay Beach in Porthcawl in sixth and seventh place respectively.

Brighton’s iconic pebble beach ranks in fifth spot, while one Scottish (Findhorn Beach) also makes it into the top 10. Elsewhere in the UK, Ballycastle Beach in Northern Ireland makes it into the top 20 in 18th position, showing that wherever you’re visiting on the British Isles, you’ll be able to find a relaxing beach retreat in every corner.

With beaches in the UK dominating much of the top Europe rankings, we wanted to take a look at other popular beaches in the continent, excluding those found in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach in Iceland ranks as the most peaceful coastal spot in Europe, with over 15% of its online reviews highlighting its relaxing atmosphere. Ireland beaches dominate much of the top ten, with Salthill, Portmarnock, and Killiney Beaches all ranking highly, alongside destinations in Cyprus, Denmark, and Bulgaria.

Ayia Thekla Beach in Cyprus ranks as the second most relaxing beach in Europe, celebrated for its serene waters and peaceful surroundings. In contrast, Amager Strandpark in Denmark, placing in third spot with 8% of relaxing reviews, offers a more urban escape for travellers, combining city proximity with calm, scenic views of the Baltic Sea.

In addition to ranking as the most relaxing beach in the world, Little French Key in Honduras also tops the list of most relaxing coastal spots in North and South America too, with almost 17% of its online reviews for the location referring to how relaxing it is. One traveller review even referred to the spot as their ‘calm place when [they] need to mentally relax’.

Several other top ten beaches can be found in the USA, while other beaches ranking in the top ten can be found in countries including the British Virgin Islands, Belize, and Jamaica. South Padre Island in Texas, ranks as the continents’ second most relaxing beach, and is celebrated for its expansive beaches and warm Gulf waters. In contrast, Secret Beach in Belize offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience for visitors, with beach-goers needing to take a long and bumpy ride via golf cart to reach the secluded spot.

Jamaican beaches also feature in the top list, with its famous stretches of white sand including Doctor's Cave Beach and Seven Mile Beach offering a Caribbean escape filled with laid-back vibes. White Bay in the British Virgin Islands and Lindquist Beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands add to the Caribbean charm, each with turquoise waters and soft sands perfect for a peaceful retreat -  and each destination having over one in ten online reviews referring to how relaxing the beach is.

However it was the USA which dominated the top list. From the calm shores of South Carolina to the sun-kissed beaches of Florida, the United States dominates the list with a variety of destinations that cater to every kind of beach-goer. Florida and California emerge as the states with the most entries in the list, each offering travellers in search of relaxation a unique beach culture to enjoy. Florida's beaches, such as Boca Grande and Crescent Beach, are known for their warm waters and abundant sunshine, making them ideal spots for those looking to soak in the sun and sea, while California's coastal gems including Redondo Beach and Venice Beach, known for their iconic boardwalks, offer a different kind of relaxation.

Palm Cove Beach in North Queensland ranks as the most relaxing beach spot in Australia (as well as the second most relaxing beach in the world), with 15.3% relaxing reviews. Following in second spot is Muri Lagoon, located in the Cook Islands, with 10.1% of its reviews highlighting its relaxing qualities, and travellers praising the beach for being particularly great for snorkelling and swimming. Three beaches in Australia make up the top five, with the iconic Byron Bay placing in third spot, with 9.8% relaxing reviews. However with the wider Byron Bay area receiving more than two million tourists each year though, travellers should plan their visits carefully, so that the relaxing vibes aren’t ruined by herds of tourists.

Several beaches in New Zealand also make the top list, with Ohope Beach, located on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand, ranking in sixth spot with 8.4% relaxing reviews. The beach is known for its stunning 11-kilometre stretch of golden sand and rich marine life, offering a laid-back atmosphere and the perfect spot for travellers to relax and explore. Over on the South Island, and ranking in 8th spot, is Kaiteriteri Beach, set against a backdrop of lush native forest. The beach's sheltered bay makes it an ideal spot for swimming and relaxing in the shade.

Yas Beach in UAE tops the list as the most relaxing beach in Asia, as well as ranking as the fifth most relaxing beach in the world, with 14.9% of its reviews referring to the coastline as ‘relaxing’. The beach offers white sands, crystal-clear waters and natural mangrove surroundings - the perfect place for sun worshipers to relax.

Saud Beach in the Philippines follows closely behind, with 14.5% relaxing reviews, as the second most relaxing beach in the region. Five of the top 25 (20%) most relaxing beaches in Asia are located in the Philippines, which perhaps comes as a little surprise considering the region boasts over 7,000 islands, each offering its own slice of relaxing paradise with pristine white sands and warm waters to swim in.

Otres Beach in Cambodia completes the region’s top three most relaxing destinations, with shallow water renowned for its serenity and tranquillity partnered with cheap and clean facilities to endure whilst visiting the beach.

Despite only ranking in 82nd spot in our global rankings overall, Dalia Beach in Morocco tops the list as the most relaxing beach in Africa, with 6.8% of its reviews referring to it as ‘relaxing’. The beach is a serene and lesser-known gem along the Mediterranean coast with crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and stunning natural surroundings. The coastal spot can be found near to the Strait of Gibraltar (the only natural link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea), making it not only a convenient stop for travellers exploring the northern coast of Morocco, but also a perfect getaway for peace and tranquillity.

Wilderness Beach in South Africa is the second most relaxing beach in Africa, offering around 18 kilometres of pristine sandy shores and gorgeous views of the Indian Ocean. Paje Beach in Tanzania completes the region’s top three most relaxing destinations, with 6.4% of reviews praising it as the perfect spot to de-stress and unwind.

South Africa dominates Africa’s most relaxing beaches, with seven of the top 25 most serene seaside spots being found in the country. Camps Bay Beach in South Africa, framed by the striking Twelve Apostles mountain range, is the fifth most relaxing beach in the continent, while neighbouring Clifton Beaches and Grotto Beach also rank in the nation’s top ten most soothing coastal spots.

If our research has inspired you to take a trip to your local coastline, why not explore our range of coastal spa days on offer.

Methodology 

We used online travel reviews to look for the most relaxing beaches in every country, using the number of times the word ‘relaxing’ and ‘relax’ was mentioned in reviews, in comparison to the total number of reviews. The beaches with the highest percentage of relaxing reviews were ranked as the most relaxing beaches in the world. Beaches were ranked globally, and regionally, based on the percentage of ‘relaxing’ and ‘relax’ in their reviews, to reveal the most relaxing beaches around the world. All data correct as of August 2024.