The 13 Best Beaches of 2016

Grace Bay tops TripAdvisor’s list of best beaches and with good reason. The white sand and clear blue water make it the first big trip you should plan for 2017. Bonus points if you’re able to take your best doggy friend.

If there’s one thing that 2016 led everyone to desire, it’s a quiet beach where a WiFi connection is the last thing on your mind. Sicily is known for its beautiful beaches, and while there are many you can frequent that have the full bar-on-beach service, Calamosche is where you go if packing light and spending time on a beach chair is all you have in mind.

If you’re thinking of Mexico for a beach vacation, Tulum is the place you didn’t know you needed to go for your break. From the the Mayan ruins to the Muyil River Float (as amazing as it sounds), you’re guaranteed both a relaxing and cultural experience.

According to TripAdvisor, there’s literally never a bad time to head to Baia do Sancho. The pristine beach is home to some of the most majestic beach views you’ll ever see — just sift through the Instagram hashtag for proof. So if you’re the superstitious kind, now’s the best time to pack a suitcase and walk around the block at the strike of 12.

La Concha is where you head to for the all-inclusive beach experience. Right off the coast of Spain, you’re guaranteed delicious food, views, and siestas for days. And if you’re the kind of traveler who wants to make sure that they’re traveling smart, these tips are for you.

If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug and are looking to explore new continents in 2017, you need to make it a point to make your way to 2016’s MVP, Byron Bay. One of Australia’s biggest pride and joys — second only to the Hemsworth brothers — Byron Bay is the gift that keeps on giving.

This was a big year for America and Cuba relations. With the opening of tourism in Cuba, it means that beaches that were traditionally off limits are now anticipated to become big travel destinations. Cuba’s Playa Paraiso is one of these. If you’re planning a trip to Cuba with someone special, make sure that they’re equipped to enjoy themselves in the best way possible.

If a weekend beach getaway is the major key you’re looking for, look no further than Siesta Beach. It’s a little piece of paradise right on the coast of the US. The key to the most peaceful and enjoyable beach vacay is to go during off season, unplug while you’re there, and pack only the most useful items.

Peak 2016 somehow always brings us back to dreaming of East Coast towns. While Cape Cod in the Summer is a dream, making a trip down to Coast Guard Beach right as the season changes from Winter to Spring may be worth the planning. This beach is less known for its swimmable waters and more so for its unique terrain, so spend some time letting go of stress while sitting on East Coast sand. Plus, if you find a key hotel on the coast, it can potentially make next year’s list of most Instagrammable hotels.

Sunset Beach, and really all of Dubai, tops the list of best of everything for 2016. The beach is a destination if your goal is a luxurious beach vacation or if you’re looking for the most luxurious hotels.

Once you’ve hit up Brazil’s beaches, make your way over to Honduras, which definitely takes the prize for one of the best places to snorkel. It’s the perfect destination for a balance of leisure and entertainment. And since you’ll only need rental gear while you’re there, the minimalist packing list may be for you.

Antigua is known for its beaches — literally, it’s said to have a beach for every day of the year, which means no matter where you start, there will always be more to discover. Jolly Beach tops the list for its great all-in-one taste of what Antigua has to offer. Walking between beaches in the most comfortable travel shoes will be a huge plus for your vacation as well.

You come for the beach, but you stay for the palm trees that will make your Instagrams all the more aesthetically pleasing. The truth is that you can never go wrong with a trip to a Punta Cana beach. The all-inclusive experience also means that new beach outfits are more than justified.