I rarely travel anywhere that is not warm or does not have a beach. That is because I am a natural born beach bum, and being near a beach helps with my anxiety. I see the ocean as nature’s Xanax and when my anxiety is bad the ocean never fails to wash it away. In addition to its calming properties, the beach works as an easy way to fill my day when I’m not up for a big adventure. I am not picky about beaches, but I do have my favorites—here are my top five!

“There is something almost religious about the call of the sea, the connection we feel that transcends the mundanity of daily existence.” – Lucy H. Pearce, She of the Sea

 

1. Kahena Black Sand Beach, Puna, Island of Hawaii

Kahena is ranked number one in my books for the black sand, nudity, and carefree atmosphere. Yes, I said nudity… you are not required to take anything off but be prepared to see some chicken nuggets. My favorite day of the week to visit Kahena is, “Sunday Funday.” On Sundays, the place is packed with naked hippies relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Then when the sun starts to set, there is an incredible drum circle that is worth attending on its own.

2. Playa del Negra, Mompiche, Ecuador

You may have guessed by its name, but Playa del Negra is another black sand beach! The sand here is unbelievable—it genuinely shimmers. People from all over visit to cover their bodies head to toe in the volcanic minerals that give the sand its color. The other great thing about this beach is there are never more than a couple of people at a time. That said, because it is so secluded there have been a couple of instances of theft. Do not let that deter you from going—simply do not bring anything expensive.

3. Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Lee, Thailand

Number three is the only white sand beach that made the cut. This beach is one of my favorites purely for the view. Its crystal clear turquoise waters and rock formations are screen-saver-worthy. It is so stunning that it was used as the location to film The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio. Unfortunately, in a twisted series of events, the movie brought too much fame to Maya Bay. Along with the hundreds of visitors that the movie attracted came damaging effects on the local eco life. As a result, the beach had to be closed for four years. It is once again open to tourists but don’t expect to swim. The water has been closed off to maintain sustainability. The beach is also not accessible without booking a tour. 

4. Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Naalehu, Island of Hawaii

This one is cool because as a result of a mineral called olivine it is only one of four green sand beaches in the world. The mineral is found in the island’s volcanic rock. Over time the basalt rock is eroded and olivine is left behind as green sand. Maybe it was the unique colors or the setting sun, but the entire time I was there I felt like I was in a Wes Anderson film.

5. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Vik, Iceland

Although it is not tropical and my bikini never saw the light of day, Reynisfjara still makes my list of favorite beaches. It has also been dubbed the most famous black sand beach in Iceland, and it is not hard to understand why. The black sand is obviously a selling point, but the other unique thing about this beach is the basalt sea cliffs that are home to puffins.