14 Best Beaches to Visit in August

If you’re dreaming of silky shores for a late-summer vacation, possibly one last sun-kissed hurrah before fall, there are plenty of wonderful beaches in August to choose from.

The best options range from the Mediterranean’s glitzy towns to far-flung Galapagos and South Korean beaches, plus a best-kept secret in Northern Europe.

From the pantheon of Southern Caribbean shores to hidden coves in Ibiza, whether you’re looking for a family beach getaway or dramatic shores with extraordinary wildlife, these are the best beaches to visit in August.

Eagle Beach, Aruba

Part of the ABC Islands, Aruba is well-placed in the Southern Caribbean, close to the coast of South America. It’s a great choice for an August vacation as it avoids much of the wet season that graces the northern swathe of the region during summer.

On Aruba’s Eagle Beach on the island’s northwest coast, expect temperatures of around 86°F (30°C) during the height of summer, making it one of the best beaches in August for warm-weather lovers.

Pack your sunglasses, because Eagle Beach boasts pure white sand and dazzling turquoise water that make it one of Aruba’s best beaches. There is 1.2 miles of shoreline to choose from, with parasols, sun loungers, and watersports to rent.

There are plenty of places to order a Caribbean cocktail and a bite to eat, too, including the local delicacy of pastechi. Traditionally eaten at breakfast or as a snack, pastechia are similar to empanadas, crescent-shaped, deep-fried doughy morsels with a savory filling. They’re divine after working up an appetite on Eagle Beach.

Knokke Beach, near Zeebrugge, Belgium

This windswept beach next to Zwin Nature Reserve in Belgium is one of the best beaches to visit in August. During summer, this affluent Flemish seaside town is buzzing with Belgians, many of whom own a second home in Knokke, including the Belgian royal family.

Knokke lies east of Zeebrugge and is easy to reach via the Coastal Tram, a service that links most of Belgium’s 42-mile coastline, stringing the country’s beach towns together.

Knokke’s powdery sand is bordered by a wide promenade lined with many galleries and restaurants. Knokke Art Deco Casino lies at one end and wispy dunes are at the other, separated by two miles of undulating shoreline.

There are beach clubs with huts and loungers, or you could rent a bike to cycle the promenade. There are several cycling concessions in Knokke.

After browsing Knokke’s seafront galleries and sinking your toes into the sand, sit outside at Rubens, a seafood brasserie on Rubensplein that’s a Knokke institution. Dine on dishes of zingy Zeeland oysters, smoked salmon, and a local specialty, shrimp croquettes, as you soak in the sea views.

Fegina Beach, Cinque Terre, Italy

Nestled in the glamorous Cinque Terre in northwest Italy, Spiaggia di Fegina is an enchanting pebble beach in the town of Monterosso al Mare.

Travelers can take the train to Fegina Beach from the larger town of La Spezia in under 25 minutes.

Fegina is one of Italy’s best beaches to visit in August, with typically hot weather and bright sunshine. A narrow promenade wraps around the beach, home to bars, restaurants, and souvenir stores.

Visiting here is one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre. On the strip of pebble and sand, there are rows of jaunty green sun loungers and orange parasols to rent. Pack aqua shoes and enjoy a cooling paddle in the tempting Ligurian Sea.

You could also join a kayak tour from the beach to admire Monterosso from the water, with a guide on hand to point out sea caves and other interesting sights. Combine this with a snorkel tour to enjoy spotting the local marine life, including sea urchins and starfish. After, treat yourself to a delicious creamy gelato from Gelateria La Scogliera, right behind the beach.

Praia do Guincho, Lisbon, Portugal

The cinematic Praia do Guincho, around a 30-minute drive west of Lisbon, has dramatic good looks, with a sprawl of golden sand and lively Atlantic waves. The beach offers wild dunes and views of the Sintra mountains to the north.

Guincho is one of the best beaches to visit in August for surfing, windsurfing, and kite surfing with a surf school offering tuition, equipment rental, changing facilities, showers, and lockers. You’ll find locals here after work and on weekends, enjoying the summer sunshine.

After an enriching day on the sand, head to the rustic Bar do Guincho on the beach. There are tables on a decked terrace and a menu with salads, seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes. Being right beside the ocean, the seafood is ultra-fresh, including clams, mussels, shrimps, and octopus.

Read: Best Beaches in Lisbon

Perivolos Beach, Santorini, Greece

The black-sand Perivolos Beach is the longest on the volcanic island of Santorini and a much-loved shore for its relaxed and welcoming ambiance. The color of the sand means this beach is hot in August, but the sea is deliciously cooling in contrast.

There are parasols and sun loungers, watersports, and restaurants on the beach. One of the best things to do on Perivolos Beach is to rent a boat and admire Santorini’s dramatic outline from the water. Two- or four-hour self-drive rental includes a tutorial, snorkeling equipment, GPS, water, sodas, and a cooler. Kayaks and jet skis are also available for more of an adrenaline hit.

Another reason to visit this beautiful beach in Santorini is the dreamy Lava Taverna, with baby-blue timber chairs and a matching blue pergola on an inviting sun-dappled outdoor terrace facing the sea. This archetypal Greek taverna serves dishes such as moussaka, stuffed vine leaves, and deep-fried squid. Opt for a late lunch accompanied by carafes of Greek wine for a perfect August beach day.

Las Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

On the coral-fringed shores of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, Bachas is a sugary white beach adorned with black volcanic rock formations. Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, and marine iguanas are among the beach’s wildlife.

This Galapagos beach gets its name from two barges that were left over from World War II, when the United States had a base here. Nowadays, they’re almost completely buried by the sand.

Located on the north of Santa Cruz, this faraway beach is well-suited to intrepid travelers. What makes Bachas Beach one of the best to visit in August? The Galapagos’ subtropical climate means it’s warm year-round, but for nature lovers, August is superlative. This is when you should spot whales, including minke, sperm, and humpbacks.

Sandy paths lined with salt bushes and prickly pears lead to flamingos feeding in two coastal ponds. Bird life is abundant here, including mockingbirds, Darwin finches, and gulls.

Pack the right gear to maximize your time in the Galapagos. Water shoes, a sunsuit or rash guard, environmentally-friendly sunblock, and a mask and snorkel are all essentials.

Poetto Beach, Cagliari, Sardinia

The sublime five-mile Poetto Beach unravels on the edge of Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. Two salty lagoons, Stagno di Molentargius and Stagno di Quartu, glisten behind the beach, home to a flamboyance of feeding pink flamingos.

The honey-colored sand offers ample space for sunbathing and during August the sun-warmed water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. This is peak season in Italy, so the beach will be buzzing with life.

Bathrooms, showers, umbrellas, and lounge chairs are among the amenities available, and ice-cream parlors, pizzerias, and beach bars are dotted along the beach.

Poetto Beach is also one of Sardinia’s best beaches for surfing and windsurfing, with a surf school offering lessons for beginners and more advanced surfers.

Elia Beach, Mykonos, Greece

This outstanding crescent beach is the longest in cosmopolitan Mykonos, running just over one mile between the smaller Agrari and Kalo Livadi beaches.

Sun worshippers flock to this Mykonos beach for its excellent facilities—thatched umbrellas, sun loungers, and watersports—laid-back vibe, and a clothing-optional section to one end. Summer brings plenty of visitors, but there’s space for everybody.

It’s well worth spending a full day on Elia. Rent a jet ski to splash through the waves and admire the Cycladic coastline. Don’t skip on a gentle swim in the azure sea before drying off and dining at a seafront taverna.

Cala Conta, Ibiza, Spain

On the northwest tip of Ibiza, the party-loving Balearic island in the Mediterranean, Cala Conta is a blissful beach celebrated for its aquamarine water and velvety-soft sand.

Also known as Platges de Comte, this beach in Ibiza faces bobbing yachts on the glimmering horizon and the small uninhabited islet of Illa des Bosc.

Spread out with a towel on the sand and paddle in the shallow water. Jet ski rental is available and the bath-warm water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling during summer.

Cala Conta is surrounded by rocky outcrops and smaller coves. Walk to the secluded Cala Escondida, translated as Hidden Cove, via a short walk over the low-lying cliffs. There are bathroom facilities and a buzzy restaurant and bar, Sunset Ashram, where DJs play during summer.

Hamdeok Beach, Jeju Island, South Korea

This perfect chalk-white beach lies on the north coast of Jeju, an oval-shaped island 51 miles off South Korea in the Korea Strait.

The sheltered Hamdeok Beach is sandwiched between rising grassy banks, a scattering of palm trees, and inviting teal waves. Hamdeok also lies on a north coast hiking trail that wraps around the coastline with paths also leading to the green-covered Seobong Volcanic Cone.

To the west of this gorgeous beach in Jeju, a series of volcanic rocky outcrops is linked by a pedestrian bridge, which makes for a lovely walk, while watersports are available if you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping action.

Bakeries, cafes, and seafood restaurants are within walking distance of the beach. There’s plenty of space sunbathing on the sand and picnicking on the grassy area behind the beach.

August is one of the hottest months in Jeju Island, so you’ll welcome the chance of a refreshing dip in the sea.

Plage Publique de Castel, Nice, France

Summertime is typically sizzling hot in the south of France, making Nice one of the best beach destinations in August if sunshine and high temperatures are a priority for you. As the easternmost beach on Nice’s long seafront, Plage Publique de Castel takes prime real estate in front of the city’s old town.

Wander around the vibrant Marché Aux Fleurs, where flower, food, and drink stalls fill Cours Saleya, a popular place to go shopping in France. Pick up a selection of local produce—French butter, cheeses, a crusty baguette, and Provençal rosé are always a good idea—before making your way to Plage Publique de Castel.

Laze on a sun lounger and cool off with soothing sea swims. After, make your way to the cliff top gardens of Colline du Château via the elevator built into the cliff. Once the location of Nice Castle, the gardens are home to cypresses, palms, and pines, offering views of Nice’s terracotta rooftops and the sapphire-blue sea.

Read: Best Beaches in the South of France

Playa Chikitu, Bonaire

On the sleepy Dutch Antilles island of Bonaire in the Southern Caribbean, Playa Chikitu is an idyllic beach on the edge of Washington Slagbaai National Park. A 25-minute drive from Kralendijk, Bonaire’s capital, Playa Chikitu is home to rolling dunes and nesting sea turtles.

This remote cove is strictly for beach walks and admiring the ocean from the powder-soft sand since the powerful rip tides and unforgiving undertows mean it’s not suitable for swimming. You don’t need to swim to appreciate Playa Chikitu and its wild setting, though. Dip your toes in the tepid shallows, as you drink in the endless blue views and waves crash onto the shore.

Pack everything you might need for a day trip to this beach in Bonaire, including water, sun protection, and snacks, and combine time on the beach with one of Washington Slagbaai’s nature hikes.

The park’s visitor center—a cluster of mustard-yellow cubed buildings dotted with tall cacti—is just minutes from Playa Chikitu. There are three signposted nature trails ranging from an easy two-hour hike to a difficult 90-minute trek, with parrots, iguanas, and flamingos among the diverse wildlife found here.

Playa De Canet d’en Berenguer, near Valencia, Spain

Shimmering on Spain’s sunny Costa Blanca, Playa de Canet is just an hour’s drive east of the cork and pine forests of the rugged Sierra Calderona and 30 minutes north of Valencia.

If you’re in search of sunshine, Playa de Canet is one of the best beaches in August, with temperatures hovering around 77°F (25°C).

Playa de Canet’s flat golden sand lures sun worshipers and sandcastle-builders, while the crystalline water and soft waves draw travelers in search of seaside fun.

To the southern end of Playa de Canet is an attractive marina, lined with shiny white boats with tall masts, and rows of leafy palm trees lining the waterfront.

There are plenty of aquatic activities, including kayaking and snorkeling, while bathrooms, cafés, and restaurants serving an array of cuisines, from pizza to tapas, are dotted along the seafront.

Read: Best Beaches in Valencia

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