If you’re looking for an all-around vacation crowd-pleaser for vacationers both big and small, a beach getaway is probably the safest bet you can make on a fun-filled family adventure. After all, who doesn’t love soaking up the sun and frolicking in the surf?
From the ultimate tropical getaways in the Caribbean to cultured shores and historic ports in the Mediterranean, these beach picks span some of the finest strips on the planet. But these locales are more than just sun, sea, and sand. The best family beach vacations in the world have lots to offer on land, too, with a wide range of activities and attractions that are fun for kids and grown-ups alike.
Book a trip to one of these seaside spots and the only work you’ll have left to do to ensure a good time is to pack up those swimsuits and sunscreen.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
The largest of three sun-drenched islands that make up the Cayman Islands chain, families are especially drawn to well-to-do Grand Cayman for its incredible beaches (the swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving here are superlative), myriad attractions, and distinctive British flavor.
Resort-lined Seven Mile Beach ranks tops among Caribbean beaches, with its wide swaths of white sands, crystal-clear-waters, and palm-fringed shores that stretch out for five and a half miles. OK, it’s not exactly seven miles long, but, trust us, you won’t leave feeling shortchanged. There are plenty of shaded loungers for hire to set up a comfortable base, and watersports rentals aplenty.
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
For a unique family vacation idea, head straight for Stingray City, where you can encounter five-feet-wide stingrays up close, while snorkeling with them in waist-deep water on a shallow sand bar.
Alternatively, the conservation-minded Cayman Turtle Centre offers opportunities to swim or snorkel with massive green sea turtles in a saltwater lagoon; there’s also an aviary, nature trail, and crocodile habitat on site.
Another worthwhile stop on the island is the colorful gardens at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Kids will love exploring the lake, trails, iguana habitat, and multiple gardens here.
Cozumel, Mexico
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park, Cozumel
The island of Cozumel, just about 40 miles south of Cancún, easily ranks as one of the best family beach vacations in the world.
Families flock here for Cozumel’s exceptional beaches, with fine white sands, turquoise Caribbean seas, and easy access to some of the planet’s finest reefs, where spectacular seascapes are a special lure for divers and snorkelers. Not to mention opportunities for immersion into Mexican culture and plenty of access to wild jungle preserves, too.
Kids and adults alike will appreciate diving into the warm and welcoming waters to sneak a peek at the otherworldly scenery, with tropical fish, loggerhead turtles, eagle rays, and coral that await just below the surface.
Luckily, there are plenty of shallow waters on Cozumel’s coasts where kids can easily take up snorkeling. Playa Mia Grand Beach Park is a good option, where white-sand beaches are paired with one of the best water parks in the Caribbean, featuring massive water slides, water trampolines, and a swim-up pool bar.
Xcaret Natural Adventure Park, Cozumel
Many of Cozumel’s land-based treasures, meanwhile, can be enjoyed in designated eco-parks. Try the activity-packed Xcaret Natural Adventure Park, which comes loaded with more than 50 natural and cultural attractions, including swimmable underground rivers, a butterfly pavilion, aquarium, aviary, and more. Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park is another quality eco-park, with beaches primed for snorkel and scuba dive adventures.
Cozumel National Marine Park, Cozumel
Or, head to Cozumel National Marine Park, a protected area that’s known for its standout snorkeling, as it provides a haven for over a hundred types of coral and an astonishing 262 species of fish.
Nassau, Bahamas
Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, on New Providence Island, is the lively capital of the Bahamas and also one of the island nation’s most popular destinations for families, thanks to its consistently pleasant temperatures, colorful colonial buildings, restaurants galore, standout shopping, lush gardens, and assorted attractions oozing multigenerational appeal.
And then of course there are the wide swaths of powdery sand beaches, primed just as much for low-key R&R as all-out activity. Cable Beach is one of the most popular beaches near Nassau, lined for some two and a half miles with hotels and restaurants. Here, you’ll find family-friendly water sports rentals and plenty of space to spread out and splash around.
Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau, Bahamas
If you want something more laid-back and secluded for your brood, Nassau is well-situated as a jumping-off point for day trips to some nearby island oases. Hop a boat to Pearl Island, with its twin beaches, coral reef snorkeling, and scenic lighthouse.
Or, try Blue Lagoon Island (aka Salt Cay), a tucked-away lagoon, lush island vegetation, and the chance to interact with dolphins in their natural habitat. It’s home to some of the best snorkeling in the Bahamas.
Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas
The bustling Atlantis Resort, just across the bridge from Nassau on nearby Paradise Island, is a must for any family, with its prime beachfront setting and range of attractions that include a water park and massive marine habitat teeming with coral formations, dolphins, and more.
There’s plenty to bring history to life in the area, too. Among the historic attractions, the hilltop Fort Charlotte, dating to 1788, is among the most impressive, with commanding views out over the harbor; it comes filled with captivating features like a moat, dungeons, and cannons.
Read: Best Island Vacations for Families
St. Maarten
Great Bay Beach, St. Maarten
One half of a small, two-nation island, Dutch St. Maarten, counterpart to French St. Martin, wins big points with families for its laid-back island vibes and wide selection of white-sand beaches.
There are some three dozen beaches in St. Maarten to choose from across the island. Highlights on the St. Maarten side include Great Bay Beach, which fronts the busy little capital, Philipsburg. You’ll find plenty of beach bars, restaurants, and shops, right along the water’s edge here.
Quieter Mullet Bay is a fun spot for soaking up its surf culture. Maho Beach, aka “Airport Beach,” is a neat spot to watch the jets coming and going at the adjacent airport.
Creole Rock, St. Maarten
On just about any beach you choose, you’ll find ample opportunities for watersports, too, including outfitters offering diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, jet skiing, and sailing.
When you’re sufficiently beached out, head to the Loterie Farm, a high-thrills adventure playground where zipline runs and rope bridges penetrate the tropical forest canopy. Kids will love keeping an eye out for monkeys, iguanas, and mongoose here.
Mykonos, Greece
Kalafatis Beach in Mykonos, Greece
Think of Mykonos and you might conjure up images of international jet-setters participating in party-till-dawn revelry, alongside some mental scenes of some pretty gorgeous beaches. And while you wouldn’t be wrong—Mykonos is indeed revered for its legendary nightlife scene—the Greek island, in the Cyclades chain, is actually a spectacular setting for family vacations, too.
A huge part of the family appeal is Mykonos’ beaches, naturally. Stake out your patch on the sand at Kalafatis Beach, a favorite among European families thanks to its sugary white sands, clear seas, and water sports galore. This is an especially good spot to give windsurfing a try.
Agios Ioannis Beach in Mykonos, Greece
Other choices include Agios Ioannis Beach, with its excellent swimming and snorkeling, views over temple-speckled Delos island, and a prime perch for sunset. Relaxed Lia Beach is another good bet, with its crystal-clear waters that practically beg for snorkeling and scuba diving exploration.
Little Venice in Mykonos, Greece
Once you’ve dried off, take an atmospheric stroll among the pedestrianized maze of whitewashed Cycladic architecture in Mykonos Town, with its waterfront, 18th-century Little Venice district.
The area comes jam-packed with cafés and high-end boutiques, and photogenic attractions like white windmills, facing the sea. It all makes for some pretty incredible backdrops to your family photos on one of the best family beach vacations in the world.
Read: Best Beach Destinations in Europe
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Magens Bay in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas is the busiest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with plenty of diversions to cater to kids of all ages. There’s a bustling port, superb shopping, eclectic eateries, happening nightlife, and, of course, famous beaches, brimming with water sports for good measure.
One of the best things to do in St. Thomas for families who want some beach time is to visit Magens Bay, a gorgeous seaside setting complete with sparkling turquoise seas, powder-white sands, and water sports galore.
Sapphire Beach is a close second, with more white sands, water sports, and concessions aplenty to serve up a perfect family beach day. The 21-acre Smith Bay Park, meanwhile, combines coastal and land-based treasures, with access to the calm waters of photogenic Lindquist Beach.
Buck Island in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
For something more off-the-path, nearby Buck Island offers 45 acres of nature preserve, and is a must-visit for budding birders, with species like terns and red-billed tropicbirds, as well as frigate birds. There’s an abandoned lighthouse, and excellent snorkeling at the nearby coral reefs, too.
Read: Best Beaches in St. Thomas
Ajaccio, France
St. François Beach in Ajaccio, Corsica
The French Riviera may get all of the glory for top beach vacations in France, but families with children looking for something a bit more scaled back should look to the French island of Corsica.
Ajaccio is the largest city on the island and oozes history. Founded in the late 15th century, it was the birthplace of Napoléon Bonaparte. Older kids will appreciate the pages of their history books coming to life at spots like the emperor’s family home.
True to this list, though, beach time in this seaside city gets top billing and ensures its status as one of the best family beach vacations in the world. The golden sands of St. Francois Beach are among the most welcoming beaches in Corsica, scoring big points with families for its central location, set just steps away from the city’s citadel, cathedral, and busy port.
Barcelona, Spain
Somorrostro Beach in Barcelona, Spain
One of the best aspects of Barcelona is that the city has a long, golden urban beach. A visit here is one of the best beach vacations for families looking to combine city culture with some time on the sand.
Barcelona’s string of beaches extends north from the port area to the city limits and beyond, although if you’re focused on the city center, the section between the port and the Port Olimpic marina is the best bet.
This stretch is essentially one sweep of sand but with four different beach names: Sant Sebastia, Sant Miguel, Barceloneta, and Somorrostro. All of these are buzzing and all of them have facilities from lifeguards to restaurants, beach volleyball, outdoor gym equipment, and restrooms.
Barceloneta in Barcelona, Spain
Barceloneta is possibly the most popular, running alongside the now-gentrified Barceloneta fishing district, a tiny grid of narrow streets that’s been transformed from a gritty neighborhood of fishermen’s houses to a desirable area packed with fashionable apartments and cool tapas bars.
Come here on a weekend, even in winter, and the beachfront promenade will be packed with locals strolling, walking their dogs, cycling, and rollerblading. There are several al fresco restaurants and bars—and kids can play safely on the wide, golden sands.
Look for a strange, 30-ft tall sculpture at the southern end of the beach, called L’Estel Ferit, and resembling a higgledy-piggledy stack of rusting cubes. This is a tribute by German artist Rebecca Horn to the former fishermen’s houses of Barceloneta, built at the end of the 19th century, some of which were demolished before the 1992 Olympic Games.
Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is fringed by glorious beaches with distinctly different personalities, which is what makes it such a great family beach destination.
The beaches along the west coast are calm, lapped by the warm Caribbean. The island’s east coast, though, faces the Atlantic and offers spectacular scenery of rugged cliffs, their bases pounded by huge rollers.
Carlisle Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Barbados, located near Bridgetown, the island’s capital. It’s generally calm, with plenty of facilities, including The Boatyard, a buzzing beach bar and restaurant with an ocean trampoline and rope swing as well as lounge chairs to rent. If you’re here in the early morning, before it gets too busy, you stand a good chance of spotting sea turtles during your swim.
Another south coast beach, Accra, or Rockley, is a fun family destination with no shortage of watersports, from windsurfing to snorkeling. There’s a playground, as well as food kiosks and souvenir stalls. You can also wander along the South Coast Boardwalk, which spans a mile and joins Accra Beach to Camelot Beach.
Bathsheba Beach, Barbados
Families will love strolling on Bathsheba Beach on the Atlantic coast. This long stretch of sand is framed by wild headlands, giant rocks standing like statues in the surf. You can’t swim here, but it’s an invigorating place for a walk—and there are usually surfers to watch.
Gold Coast, Australia
Gold Coast, Australia
Some 48 miles from Brisbane, the Gold Coast is a jaw-dropping 44 miles of golden sand, surf, beach bars, seafood restaurants, theme parks, and cool towns to explore.
Families will, of course, want to sample those famous Australian beaches. There’s glitzy Surfers Paradise, one and a quarter miles of gleaming high rise, big surf, and great shopping and al fresco dining. Or Burleigh Heads, which has sheltered swimming areas as well as surf, great dining options, and colorful markets.
Just inland, at West Coomera, you’ll find Dreamworld, Australia’s biggest theme park, packed with high octane rides and thrills but also featuring cultural and wildlife exhibits.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, is blessed with beautiful beaches, making it easy to combine sightseeing in picturesque Old San Juan with some relaxation on the sand. Isla Verde forms the waterfront of an upscale residential neighborhood, three miles of sand fringed with palms and protected by a coral reef. Head here for snorkeling, as well as lunch or ice cream in one of the many beach bars.
There’s even better snorkeling at Playa El Escambrón, an urban beach with its own underwater snorkel trail. Kids who are confident swimmers will love snorkeling over vibrant corals and mysterious underwater statues, as well as a tribute to the sunken city of Atlantis, complete with columns and recreated artifacts. Best of all, this is a great place to spot rays, sea turtles, brilliantly colored reef fish, and even tiny seahorses.
Read: Best Beaches in Puerto Rico
Mallorca, Spain
Playa d’Alcudia in Mallorca, Spain
The Balearic island of Mallorca is encircled by just about every kind of beach imaginable, from sweeping sandy bays to tiny, pine-fringed coves flanked by steep cliffs that plunge straight into the sea.
The longest beach on the island is Playa d’Alcudia in the north, a wide crescent of white sand sloping into warm, shallow water, perfect for families. You’ll find watersports, a kids’ playground, kayak rental, and a long string of bars and restaurants here. Explore the town of Alcudia itself when you’ve had enough sun; the historic center is a great place for an ice cream stop.
Cala Mondrago in Mallorca, Spain
In the southeast, less than an hour’s drive from Palma, the capital, is sheltered Cala Mondrago, part of the protected Mondrago Natural Park and a paradise of white sand and shimmering aquamarine water. There’s a beach bar here but little else, giving the Mallorcan beach a castaway feel on quieter days. Close by is Cala S’Amadador, quieter and just as beautiful, with a beach shack for refreshments. Both have a gently shelving sea floor, ideal for less confident swimmers.
Closer to Palma, Platja de Can Pere Antoni, close to the suburb of Portixol is an easy place to retreat after a morning’s sightseeing. It’s not a big beach, but it’s ideal if you have limited time. There are plenty of decent restaurants in this area, too.
Aruba
Aruba
Sunny Aruba has some of the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean; time spent here really is one of the best family beach vacations in the world.
Eagle Beach has to be the most famous beach in Aruba; the sand here is blindingly white and the sea an intense shade of turquoise. This is where you’ll find the wind-twisted fofoti trees that are a symbol of the island. It’s a great day out for families, with snorkeling, yoga, kayaking, and beach tennis on offer, as well as loungers to rent and shade from palapas, the shaggy, thatched umbrellas you see all over the Caribbean. Sea turtles nest here, so you may see areas sectioned off to protect the nests.
Arashi Beach is another great choice for families, with good snorkeling on the left-hand side of the beach, shallow water, and plenty of entertainment; the beach bar here often has live music. Gentle surf means this is a great place for kids to learn bodyboarding, too.
Sardinia, Italy
Poetto Beach in Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia has some of the bluest sea and the whitest beaches in the Mediterranean and Poetto Beach, five miles of urban strand curving around the Gulf of Angels next to Cagliari, is a real treat for families.
The beach stretches out in a graceful curve beyond the Promontorio di Sant’Elia, a rocky promontory at one end of the town known locally as the Sella del Diavolo, or Devil’s Saddle. It’s an easy bus journey from downtown Cagliari. You can rent loungers, or simply spread out your towels and splash around in the warm shallows. There’s a vast selection of places to eat lining the beach and on summer evenings, a party vibe adds to the buzz as locals stroll the palm-lined promenade, stopping for aperitivi.
Behind this Sardinian beach, there’s a long string of disused salt pans, part of which form the Molentargius Natural Park. This is a nesting ground for pink flamingos, and the birds are a spectacular sight when they’re massed together here. You can easily combine a stroll here with a visit to Poetto Beach.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Las Teresitas in Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tenerife, like the rest of the Canary Islands, is volcanic and as such, several of its beaches are composed of black sand. Las Teresitas, on the other hand, close to the capital, Santa Cruz, is the dream for families: a mile-long curve of golden sand protected by a breakwater, with mirror-calm water. The reason the sand is golden is that this is an artificial beach, with all the sand imported from the Sahara Desert.
Las Teresitas is well equipped for families, with palm trees for shade, umbrellas and lounge chairs to rent, showers, and an array of beach bars. Stop by one of the chiringuitos, or beach restaurants, for fresh seafood.
If you’re having a family day out in the south of the island and want some beach time, Playa del Duque on the swish Costa Adeje is a good bet, distinguished by its jaunty, blue-and-white striped beach huts and lined with a series of upscale hotels. Like Las Teresitas, this Tenerife beach is composed of sand imported from the Sahara, while turquoise water and plenty of bars and restaurants make this a great spot for families.
Corfu, Greece
Paleokastritsa in Corfu, Greece
If there’s one stretch of coast that defines beautiful Corfu, it’s the Paleokastritsa area, a string of sand and pebble coves fringed by cypress and olive trees, the water an intense shade of aquamarine.
Head to Agios Spiridon, one of the bigger beaches in Corfu, offering lounge chairs and parasols to rent, as well as watersports. Or Verderosa in the next bay, where the partly pebbly seafloor means the water is spectacularly clear.
As well as splashing around in the water and snorkeling, families will love the informal trips offered by local boatmen to visit some of the sea caves dotted around the base of the cliffs. There’s also the possibility for a short, scenic hike from Agios Spiridon up to the Monastery of Paleokastritsa, perched on a headland with magnificent views.
Taormina, Sicily
Taormina, Sicily
Taormina itself may cling to the top of a hill, but at its foot is the pretty Spiaggia di Isola Bella, a curve of sand with an isthmus at one end leading to the lush islet of Isola Bella, which is crammed with exotic trees and plants.
You can combine beach time here with an island adventure, crossing the sand and pebble trail to the island, which was planted in the late 19th century by English noblewoman Florence Trevelyan and is now a nature reserve.
Kids will love searching for the lizards and birds that live amid the foliage here. And then, this being Taormina, there’s always the reward of gelato or the local specialty, cannoli, mouth-watering pastry tubes stuffed with sweetened ricotta.
Phuket, Thailand
Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand
The island of Phuket is fringed by gorgeous beaches and is the base for all kinds of adventure, not least boat trips to nearby Phang Nga Bay, with its dramatic limestone formations, or exquisite Koh Phi Phi, which can be a great expedition for older kids who are into snorkeling.
But you could just stay on Phuket itself and explore the beaches there. Patong Beach, lined by go-go bars and cabaret shows, can be a little raucous for families, but nearby Karon Beach is perfect, much quieter, with two miles of powdery sand that actually squeaks as you step on it and clear, azure water.
There’s plenty to do here, from parasailing to bodyboarding, snorkeling, and beach volleyball. Nearby, you’ll find restaurants and bars, mini golf, beach massage, and, this being Thailand, market stalls selling trinkets.
Remember to snap a family selfie by the huge dragon statue; it’s believed to represent the sleeping dragon that, according to mythology, created the island. That or a naga, a creature that in Buddhist belief is half snake and half human.
Read: Best Beaches in Phuket
Bermuda
Bermuda
Pretty Bermuda is a wonderful family beach destination, all cerulean seas, swaying palms, and pale pink sands, scenery that teens will relish capturing for their social media feeds. There’s plenty to do, as well, from snorkeling over coral reefs to exploring wrecks, mastering the art of paddleboarding, and watching the daredevil kite surfers on a windy day.
Elbow Beach is simply gorgeous, with soft white sand rather than the famous pink, a barrier reef, and plenty of beach bars. It’s lined with chic hotels but the beach is mainly accessible to the public.
Warwick Long Bay on the south coast is wilder, with half a mile of pink sand framed by jagged cliffs. The beach has its own reef where you can snorkel among colorful tropical fish, from blue tangs to shimmering turquoise parrotfish.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Perhaps the most famous beach in Bermuda is Horseshoe Bay, hemmed in by limestone cliffs, bottle green shrubs, and a coral reef. There are umbrellas and snorkel gear to rent here and a beach bar for drinks and snacks. If your children are younger or less confident in the water, Horseshoe Bay Cove at the western end of the beach is almost completely enclosed by cliffs, with calm, shallow water.
Grand Cayman
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