20 Beaches You Must Visit This Summer

A beach vacation is a very relaxing way to regroup and clear your mind, according to science. A new study has found that residential exposure to visible blue space, like the sea or the ocean, is associated with lower psychological distress in a capital city, even if you don't realize it. Pick the perfect beach for your summer vacation whether it's just with your significant other or entire family. Bring a bathing suit, a towel, possibly a picnic basket, and lots of suntan lotion.  

People are attracted to Clearwater Beach for its dazzling, impeccable beaches. Caladesi Island, off the north end of the beach, was once recognized as the nation's best by Dr. Beach, according to Visit Florida. Enjoy the white sand beaches, clear gulf waters and warm sunshine to the fullest. Don't forget to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet Winter, one of the world's most famous dolphins, known for having a prosthetic tail.

The Wavine Cyrique Beach is perhaps among the most famous attractions in the mountainous Caribbean island nation because of the huge waterfall crashing on the beach. Getting to the beach requires a strenuous hike down a steep cliff. It's easy until then – you walk for about 10 minutes through the jungle to the cliff's edge.

This is by far one of the most stunning beaches in Hawaii and it's worth visiting anytime of the year because of its pearl-white sand and crystal blue waters. The protected bay fronting the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Lanai is the best spot on the island for snorkeling and swimming. Open to the public, Hulopoe Beach Park also has a great beach park with picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, and showers, according to Go Hawaii.

This sandy beach is very popular among surfers.  Its location – so close to the center of St. Ives where you can spend time in ancient pubs, trendy cafes and lots of art galleries the town is famous for – only makes it more alluring. Many people go there to have a nice beach picnic. Porthmeor is one of only five beaches in Cornwall that hold the prestigious Blue Flag Award 2013, given in recognition of water quality, safety, environmental management and education, according to Visit Cornwall.

The seven-mile sandy beach has been a favorite of people from neighboring states for more than 170 years. Most of the recreational activities are centered on the iconic Old Orchard's Pier, which extends nearly 500 feet out over the Atlantic Ocean. Shipping, eating, playing games, drinking, listening to concerts, fishing, or going on a whale watching or birdwatching tour are just some of possibilities.

This is a "place to engage your senses," as NPS describes it. The beaches are perfect for swimming, surfing and even beachcombing. A popular activity is to climb the 196-feet lighthouse, the tallest in North America. Go at night for some amazing views of the stars as the seashore has some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River. 

This is the most symbolic beach of the coastal city San Sebastian in the Basque Country. You will definitely meet people who describe it as the most beautiful stretch of sand in all of Europe. Located in the shell shaped Concha bay, the beach is more than 4,400 feet long with an average width of 130 feet. Many people go to La Concha for paddling. It's surrounded by mountains, so the wind and high waves are not a problem.

The park is known for its many camping locations. Landforms near the cape include beaches, bluffs, and reefs. Make sure you stop by the Lighthouse. Cape Blanco is the most southern of Oregon's lighthouses, and is the westernmost point in the state. "The beach, campground, and lighthouse are an awesome start! There is so much to explore and hike here," a review on TripAdvisor says.

In the summer this is where people in Maui go for some of the best swimming and snorkeling opportunities on the island. The stunning white sand and gorgeous blue waters make the beach irresistible. The bay is situated on Maui's northwestern coast between two rocky points. Monk seals are often seen here. You will find many coral formations and rock abutments.

It's more popularly known in English as the Hidden Beach because its location is the definition of offbeat. You can get to the "Beach of Love" only if you dare to swim through a tunnel that is about 45 feet long. You also have to get a permit. Another unique feature at the beach is the surrounding overhanging rock ledge. The beach and the island are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

This free 1.5-mile stunning beach in San Diego is popular among swimmers, surfers, sunbathers, and beachcombers. The shore is flat, which makes it a favorite for skim boarding and walking. Tourists also go there to take a selfie with the iconic Hotel del Coronado in the back. It was featured in Marilyn Monroe's movie Some Like it Hot. The beach is said to literally "sparkle" because if the mineral mica in its golden sands.

Don't head straight to the islands if you're visiting Dalmatia. This wonderful beach is located on Croatia's mainland coast, between Split and the famous Dubrovnik. It's ideal for people who want to get away on a beach holiday but enjoy a fun, but not overwhelming, nightlife. Nugal Makarska beach is one of the most picturesque beaches on the Makarska Riviera.

This is a beach between two steep cliffs. Unlike most places in Algarve, Salema remains largely undiscovered. The unspoiled golden sand and clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean will take your breath away. The beach is about half a mile long and it has a Blue Flag certification, which means it meets high standards for water quality and safety.

Colorful and spectacular are the most common words used to describe the stunning Porto Ferro Beach. It is covered by orange sand, volcanic deposits and a mixture of shells. People visit because of its crystal clear waters and colored sand. The sand dunes are just a bonus if you want a more active adventures and mind-blowing photos.

Crane Beach was originally a harbor. There was a crane at the top of the cliff which was used for loading and unloading ships, hence the name. The towering cliffs on each end and the coral reef in the ocean make for stunning views. The warm and lively waves make Crane Beach one of the best spots for boogie boarding.

Walk along beautiful wide stretches of white, pristine sand. The stunning views of the glorious houses nearby are just a bonus. "We basically live at the Main Beach during the summer. We call it our summer home. [...] It's great with kids," a review on Trip Advisor says. The beach is open weekends and holidays only starting Memorial Day until the last Saturday in June. They open daily, seven days a week, starting the last Saturday in June through Labor Day.

Enjoy powder-soft beaches, 34 miles of beautiful white sand and clear emerald water, sun-soaked shores, postcard-perfect settings, and a lavish nightlife with many popular beach haunts rocking until the wee hours, according to the Travel Channel. The island is preferred by all kinds of explorers – a family, a newlywed couple, fishing enthusiasts, nature lovers or people who want to swim with dolphins and sea turtles.

Coast Guard Beach is a prime swimming beach in the summer. The Nauset Marsh is located behind the former Coast Guard Station. It leads to the bicycle trail bridge where people can see shorebirds working the tidal flats in the warmer months, according to NPS. The outer beach, or "backside," of Cape Cod has been the infamous graveyard for more than 3,000 ships since the 1600's.

Oval Beach was ranked one of the top two fresh water beaches in the U.S. by National Geographic Traveler magazine, among other recognitions. More recently the Chicago Tribune rated it No. 1 among the Midwest's top five beaches and also ranked it the best beach on Lake Michigan. The coast is nestled among towering sand dunes and surrounded by the twisting Kalamazoo River.

Getting to this stunning, secluded black sand beach requires a 20-minute hike. Don't miss the chance to explore the Black Bay Cave to see old Amerindian markings. "The beach was absolutely amazing! It was really quiet and peaceful when we went, perfect for relaxation!" a person wrote on TripAdvisor. You can include a visit to the Concord/Au Coin Falls from there on your trip.