By Editorial Staff

updated 6:28 p.m. ET Feb. 28, 2006

Our favorite beaches are just the spots to beat the winter blahs. They come in all colors – white, pink, gold, and black – and are either beloved for their superb natural setting, smashing eye-candy, or beachside activities. This winter, pick between powdery Caribbean shores, heavenly Hawaiian islands, cosmopolitan Australia, spectacular Brazil, and undeveloped Mexico. And, when you're ready to hit the beach again next summer, we've got you covered there too, with glamorous Mediterranean swaths in Greece and the South of France, and even a remote archipelago off the coast of Africa.

Anse Source d’Argent
The archipelago of Seychelles, composed of more than 100 palm tree-studded islands in the midst of the Indian Ocean, is a mostly undiscovered destination for American travelers. Dedicated beachcombers who make the trek will, however, be rewarded with some of the most paradisical shores in the world, where beautiful secluded beaches and idyllic lagoons meet with unspoiled natural landscapes echoing with exotic bird songs – don’t miss picture-perfect Anse Source d’Argent, featuring fine pink sands; towering, weathered granite boulders; and giant, arching palm trees.

Grace Bay
Revered as one of the last frontiers of the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos is an oasis for those seeking to do little more than lounge on the beach, as there are few diversions other than surf, sun, and sand. And when the sand in question is as superb as gorgeous Grace Bay, it’s no wonder the focus is on the beach. Edging 12 miles along the northern coast of Providenciales (the chain’s main island), the fine white sand here is easily one of the finest swaths of beach we’ve ever seen in the Caribbean.

Ipanema
“Tall and tan and young and lovely.” So goes “The Girl from Ipanema”, the famous ode to the bathing beauties (or garotas) who lounge and strut on this stunning stretch of sand in Rio de Janeiro. Even four decades after the song’s debut, trendsetting bikinis still set the standard here and the eye-candy remains second to none. The two-mile stretch of golden sand is no slouch either, as it’s edged by a groovy ‘60s mosaic boardwalk and anchored by twin mountain peaks at its western end.

Lanikai Beach
That Lanikai is considered the best swimming beach even by local Hawaiians should come as no surprise – after all, its name does mean “heavenly sea.” An offshore coral reef protects the deep turquoise lagoon, making the surf relatively mild and ideal for splashing around as well as kayaking, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. The mile-long beach itself, on Oahu’s windward side, is also quite scenic and has served as a backdrop in countless fashion shoots; imagine a wide swath dotted by tall swaying palms that cast shadows on the soft, sugary sand.

Manly
While winter is just getting its frosty grip around much of the US, summer fun is only beginning Down Under. Lovers of both beautiful beach scenes and sophisticated city culture needn’t look further than the bustling metropolis of Sydney, where the best of both worlds combine. A scenic half-hour ferry ride connects Sydney to Manly’s main oceanfront, where rolling surf meets glorious golden sand beaches and a verdant trim of pine trees – surfing competitions, beach volleyball, festivals, and much more unfold here every summer.

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