Whitehaven Beach Whitecaps, Australia

In this high-altitude view of Whitehaven Beach, the Coral Sea's rolling breakers appear as tiny, white brushstrokes over an aquamarine watercolor wash. Found on Whitsunday Island—the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays region—this Queensland beach is covered with some of the purest white silica sand in the world, spread over more than 4 miles. That gives visitors plenty of space to indulge in a wide range of activities. Some will swim, while others snorkel, take a hike through the forest, or relax on the sand with a good book. At the western edge of the Great Barrier Reef, and relatively close to the Australian mainland, the Whitsundays are a popular destination for adventure travelers and lazy sunbathers alike.