The 50 Best Beach Honeymoon Destinations

Whether you dream of traveling to the far-flung Maldives or prefer to stay close to home in Miami Beach, every honeymooner should have a chance to unwind among sand and surf. A beach honeymoon is the perfect post-nuptial escape because it can be as relaxing or adventurous as you like. After a weekend of parties, you may choose to spend all day napping on the sand. Or, you could decide to keep the excitement going and plan daily excursions on land and at sea. Our recommendation: Do a little bit of both.

Each of these beach honeymoons offers the best of both worlds—stretches of powder-soft sand on which to relax and disconnect from the real world (you've earned it!) and adventure-packed potential among rainforests and coral reefs. Some are built with amenities in mind, like full-service spas and restaurants led by top chefs, while others take a laid-back approach to luxury, offering bespoke surf-town charms or European grandeur. Where you go will depend on what type of experience you're after, from private-island seclusion to see-and-be-seen glamour. After a few days recharging from the wedding weekend, be sure to get out and explore—you only get to honeymoon once, remember! And don't forget to pack your SPF.

Click through here to discover the 50 best beach honeymoons, but be warned: It's going to be difficult to settle on just one of these luxe destinations.

The dramatic climates of Hawaii, a.k.a. the Big Island, are on full display at this glitzy resort, which borders a dramatic volcanic-rock coastline. You'll have a hard time deciding where to post up each day, since there are both saltwater and freshwater swimming pools. The saltwater pond is home to a few friendly manta rays, while the oceanfront infinity pool is surrounded by tropical vegetation. But always end your day at Beach Tree Bar, where you can watch the sun dip into the Pacific Ocean with a cocktail in-hand.

The 720-square-mile island of Mauritius is famous for its white-sand beaches and abundant marine life. Now, it'll also be known for this top-notch resort, which reopened last December with three swimming pools, chic, contemporary guest rooms, and a host of restaurants serving everything from artisanal baked goods to pan-Asian cuisine.

Legendary filmmaker Marlon Brando had a vision for an eco-luxe resort when he bought a private atoll in French Polynesia decades ago. The resort that eventually followed definitely goes above and beyond his original plans—and it will blow your mind, too. Spend the day hanging in the plunge pool of your secluded villa, explore uninhabited islands by private boat, or get a couples massage in a treehouse at the all-natural spa.

The allure of the Amalfi Coast is undeniable. Also undeniable: The charms of this classic Positano hotel, set on a hillside overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. It has everything Italian honeymooners dream of: round-the-clock prosecco on ice, alfresco, candlelit restaurants covered in bougainvillea, and more parmesan-topped spaghetti then you can (and should) eat.

You don't have to be a celeb to honeymoon at this 40-room resort on a secluded stretch of Mexico's Riviera Maya. But you'll likely see some famous people lounging under the beachfront palapa next to you, or dining on smoked red tuna tiradito at the Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant, Mistura.

If stunning ocean views are what you're after, you'll be hard-pressed to find a property that offers a better one than the Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour's—the beachfront property is situated on the corner of the North Miami Beach coast and the Intercoastal Waterway. During the day, soak up the sun on the beach or at the outdoor pool. Be sure to reserve a personal cabana, which is complete with a private hot tub and personal server. End your day by booking a table at the property's waterfront seafood restaurant, Artisan Beach House, and then retreat back to your newly-renovated and spacious suite. (There are only two hotel rooms per floor which allows for privacy and generously sized suites.)

Grace Bay Beach is one of the most gorgeous spots in all of Turks and Caicos. But this resort isn't on Grace Bay Beach, it's actually on a quiet beachfront enclave on the western shore of Providenciales. It pays to be away from the most popular area when you're on your honeymoon—you'll love the soothing Asian design influences and flavorful yet light cuisine.

This eco-luxury retreat—set on the 1,400-acre Peninsula Papagayo, on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast—is fresh off a $35 million renovation. The 182 guest rooms now have a clean, contemporary feeling (but with the same amazing indoor-outdoor flow), the pool has new luxury cabanas, and the four restaurants were completely redesigned and rethought (with an emphasis on locally-sourced cuisine).

If you're the type of couple who can't imagine holing up at to some secluded beach resort, make flashy Miami Beach your destination of choice. This honeymoon-worthy retreat is set apart from the clubby glitz of South Beach, with some of the best food and drink in town. Take your pick of either modern Asian by top chef Paul Qui or South American live-fire cooking courtesy of Argentine grillmaster Francis Mallmann.

Disclaimer: If you're afraid of heights, this may not be the spot for you. Set on a jaw-dropping cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, this all-villa resort has some of the most spectacular views and most interesting architecture in all of Bali (note the wood-slatted cabana lounge bar that juts above the dramatic Bukit cliffs). For the best views, request villa 409, situated at the highest point of the resort, with 180-degree ocean views.

"Mukul" is the Mayan word for "secret," and this 38 room resort—set on a secluded, undeveloped stretch of the Emerald Coast—feels like just that. Vibrant tropical landscapes abound, whether you're at the championship golf course, the rainforest hydrotherapy spa, or the treetop Yoga Pavilion overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Breakfast will never be so memorable as at this private-island resort. You'll wake in the darkness just before dawn and be escorted by your butler to a private section of sand. Once there, you'll watch the sun rise while seated at a table filled with eggs, organic fruits, yogurt, smoothies, crispy bacon, and more.

If this place looks like an ancient castle, that's because it is (sort of). Cap Rocat is set in a 19th-century fortress on the island of Mallorca, now a boutique, adults-only hotel. It spans 88 acres of pristine coastline overlooking the Bay of Palma. As you lie in bed in your sand-colored room and look out at your infinity pool, with the Mediterranean just beyond, you'll wonder where one starts and the other begins.

You get a front row seat to Bora Bora's majestic Mount Otemanu at this classic resort, surrounded by the brightest blue lagoon you'll ever lay eyes on. Order room service breakfast and wait for the authentic Polynesian delicacies to be delivered straight to the dock of your overwater villa by canoe. Then head to the gym, where the resort's dedicated fitness coach helps cross-fit-loving couples keep up with their routine halfway around the world.

The latest development to land on the island of Nassau is a little bit Las Vegas on the beach, a lot bit amenity-packed enclave. Though there are two other resorts (the Grand Hyatt and a forthcoming Rosewood), millennial couples will love the hip vibes and chic design of the SLS. Get a drink at the low-lit Monkey Car before a Mediterranean-inspired meal at Cleo, where the za'tar pita is grilled directly in front of you and is out of this world.

Think of Trancoso as the Tulum of Brazil—unwound and hippie-chic. Its premier resort is actually located in the quadrado, or town square, and half of its adorable casitas date back 500-years to the village's founding.

St. Barts suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Maria, but when its most romantic retreat reopens this fall, it promises to be better than ever. That's hard to top, considering each suite is essentially a mini-house with its own outdoor deck and pool. Spend your days lounging at the beach club—a rosé-all-day slice of South of France heaven in the Caribbean—followed by a candlelit dinner at the poolside restaurant, where your cacio e pepe pasta is prepared tableside in a giant wheel of parmesan cheese.

This Los Cabos resort may have all the full-service amenities you dream of—two infinity pools, a surf school, a 27-hole golf course, gorgeous Pacific Coast views, and restaurants led by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten—but it's hallmark feature is privacy and exclusivity.

You haven't really seen Hawaii until you've visited Kauai, otherwise known as the Garden Isle. The island's premier resort is like its own lush paradise: It has views of both Hanalei Bay and Kauai's rugged mountains, and rooms mimic the surrounding landscape with a rich, earth-toned palette.

If you had a budget like Oprah's, you, too, would probably spend weeks at this private-island resort that's basically the epitome of luxury. You don't just have your own private butler, you have your own private everything: tennis instructors, golf coaches, scuba diving guides—you name it, someone is there to help.

Every summer, the glitziest of the glitz descend on this French Riviera grande dame. They come not just to see-and-be-seen at the Insta-worthy pool, but also to seclude themselves among centuries-old pines for a leisurely game of tennis, a romantic stroll, or an open-air spa treatment overlooking the Mediterranean sea.

The laid-back beach town of José Ignacio is like the Montauk of Uruguay. Expect to see cool hipsters walking the golden-sand beaches near Playa Vik, the area's most upscale hideaway, during summer (remember, that's winter in the northern hemisphere). The titanium-and-glass main building, designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, stands in contrast with José Ignacio's modest, whitewashed cottages. Each casita is like it's own mini art studio, filled with contemporary works you'll want to hide in your suitcase upon check out.

Oahu's Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous places in all of Hawaii. While most of the towering resorts that line the beach have been there for decades, this one is brand-new. Couples will love the modern décor and warm, airy palette in the rooms, which have views of either the beach or Diamond Head.

Australia's 74 Whitsunday Islands—which lie between the northeast coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef—are out-of-this-world gorgeous. Flat, white-sand beaches, azure waters, and reefs teaming with bright coral and electric-hued fish—you'll find it all at this private-island resort.

This boutique hotel is perched high above where Mykonos's dramatic rocky shoreline meets the Aegean sea. Soak in the Mediterranean vibes on the beach or lounge in a poolside hammock before escaping to your whitewashed boho-style room or to Stella di Mare for an organic, locally-sourced feast.

Few people had heard of Todos Santos, a sleepy surf town to the north of resort-filled Los Cabos. But that changed with the recent opening of super hip Hotel San Cristóbal, designed by Bunkhouse hotelier Liz Lambert. Here, Lambert brings the same stylish accents and laid-back cool as she did to El Cosmico, that glamping retreat in Marfa, Texas, you've definitely seen all over Instagram.

Suffice it to say if this resort was good enough for Will and Kate's honeymoon, it's good enough for yours. The most exclusive Indian Ocean private island has just 11 villas on a spit of land that's roughly the size of Monaco. Weave your buggy (golf cart) around the paths, which are covered in dense vegetation, in search of Aldabra giant tortoises before a soothing herbal couples' massage.

Wailea Beach is home to some of Hawaii's top resorts for good reason: The wide crescent stretch of golden sand offers some of the best lounging by day and romantic scenery by night. Post up beside the three ocean-facing infinity pools (there's also a separate adults-only one) before dining on some of the freshest fish you've ever tasted at Morimoto Maui.