Top Beach Destinations
The world's best Beaches!
Brooke reviews the best beach destinations in the world! You can see the full list on our blog at brookeintheairtravel.squarespace.com!
Brooke will take it from here. These are in no particular order, as they’re all must-visit destinations—you really can't go wrong.
COSTALEGRE, SOUTHERN MEXICO
If untouched beaches and wild, windswept nature spark joy, Mexico’s Costalegre—a 283-mile stretch aptly called the “happy coast”—should be on your list for 2026. Careyes, the first luxury community developed in the area in the 1960s, beckons today with more than eight miles of private shoreline, Positano-inspired casitas, and the largest polo fields in Mexico. Still, the region on the country’s Pacific coastline has “remained protected and purposefully low-impact for decades,” as T+L reported, thanks to careful oversight by local governments and the handful of developers who own much of the land.
The new Chalacatepec International Airport in Jalisco is expected to begin operations in late 2024, providing direct access to a destination previously only reached by flying into Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo, a four- or one-hour drive away, respectively. An expansion of the Puerto Vallarta airport is also in the works to accommodate an uptick in visitors.
GRENADA
For years, the Spice Island largely flew under the radar among travelers, but with several new luxury hotels—including Silversands Beach House and Six Senses La Sagesse (the brand’s first in the region), which opened this year, plus the forthcoming InterContinental Grenada Resort, scheduled to welcome guests in 2025—Grenada is stepping into the spotlight.
The food scene in Grenada is also gaining attention, with names such as James Beard Award–winning chef Alexander Smalls creating new food and spice experiences for visitors.
SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA, USA
It’s been two years since this island, along with nearby Captiva and Fort Myers, was devastated by Hurricane Ian. Since then—and despite Hurricane Milton in 2024—this Gulf Coast destination has made a remarkable comeback. Restaurants, shops, and attractions have reopened with refreshed facades and interiors; hotels like Sanibel Island Beach Resort are welcoming guests, and others, like the condo rentals at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, are reopening in phases.
Beloved spots such as Cheeburger Cheeburger (yes, that’s the name—like the old Saturday Night Live sketch), Doc Ford’s, and Tutti Pazzi are back alongside new developments, including the island’s first sushi bar at Shima’s Japanese Steakhouse.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, USA
2025 marks Santa Monica’s 150th anniversary. While much has changed in the iconic Southern California beach city since 1875, this milestone is particularly exciting due to a spate of new restaurants, shops, and hotels—including Ocean Avenue’s Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection, designed by buzzy Icelandic architect Gulla Jónsdóttir, and the just-opened Regent Santa Monica Beach next door.
With the Regent comes Orla, a new Mediterranean–Middle Eastern restaurant by celebrity chef Michael Mina, inspired by his Egyptian roots. It’s not the only new Middle Eastern addition in town: Jordanian eatery Layla opened earlier this year at Sonder The Beacon. Helmed by chef Chris Sayegh, it puts a gourmet spin on cannabis-infused dishes—though here, only the eggplant and garlic are smoked.
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
At barely 18 miles long and 11 miles wide, this archipelago offers outsized experiences. "We have 33 islands and cays," Annette Mark, head of the country’s tourism board, told T+L, “so there’s something for everyone.” Longtime draws such as the active volcano Mount Soufrière, with its stunning views, and idyllic Salt Whistle Bay, where kitesurfing is a favorite, remain central to the destination’s appeal.
The 2024 opening of the all-inclusive Sandals Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, set on 50 acres with overwater villas, 11 restaurants, and four pools, has helped cement these islands as a must-visit for the year ahead. Both American Airlines and JetBlue have recently increased service to St. Vincent, with new nonstops from Charlotte and New York, respectively. (Personal note: I've shared my feelings on American Airlines elsewhere, but I keep personal opinions out of this travel guide—just good customer service!)
This is obviously a partial list. The full list is available on our site, where you can also book a personal travel consultation through Brooke In The Air Travel at brookeintheairtravel.squarespace.com.
