Beach Getaways
Coastal days don’t end; they just migrate from one beautiful beach to the next. 🏖️ As one beach resort slips into sunset, another greets the morning — and somewhere out there, conditions are perfect for that long-awaited family vacation or besties escape. Wondering which beach getaways will define 2026? That’s exactly what we’re about to reveal. 😎
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Today, we asked our local photographers to share their picks for the top 9 beach getaways of 2026. Meet the beautiful beaches worth reorganizing your year around.
Jump in
- Blend Old Town charm with Andaman blues in Phuket, Thailand
- Chase turquoise coves and jet-set glamour in Sardinia, Italy
- Surf, sunset, and jungle-hop along Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
- Savour Bajan flavours and wild Atlantic drama in Barbados, the Caribbean
- Ride Waikiki waves and North Shore swells on Oahu, Hawaii
- Explore Aegean promenades and windswept shores in Izmir, Turkey
- Pair ancient ruins with turquoise coves in Samos, Greece
- Embrace boardwalk nostalgia and miles of sand in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Soak in thermal springs and volcanic beauty on Ischia, Italy
Photo: Idsara in Phuket for Flytographer. Monica and partner capture memories in Thailand with a couple photoshoot.
1. Phuket, Thailand
Koh Samui may be riding the White Lotus wave, but Thailand’s largest island also deserves a spot on your radar for your next sun-soaked escape. ☀️ Phuket blends history, culture, and gorgeous beaches; no wonder it ranks high in global beach getaway searches. In the Old Town, you’ll find rows of colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses interspersed with atmospheric shrines and temples, as well as buzzing street markets offering a wide range of souvenirs and culinary treats. 😋
Close by, offering powdery sand and warm, glass-clear Andaman waters, beaches like Bang Tao and Nai Harn are perfect for some quality leisure time and fantastic spots for beach photoshoots. Along the coastline, there’s accommodation for everyone and every budget, varying from family-friendly resorts to adults-only escapes. Tropical drinks by the pool with a Thai sunset? Count us in. 🍹
🗓️ When to visit: Avoid the monsoon and aim for November to April, Thailand’s dry season.
Photo: Idsara in Phuket for Flytographer. Eva and family capture memories in Thailand with a family photoshoot.
2. Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is everything you could wish for in Mediterranean beach getaways. 🤌 Filled with medieval charm, Cagliari, the capital, is reclaiming its 1960s jet-set glamour, with new boutique hotels popping up across the city. Meanwhile, the island’s culture remains vibrantly preserved, with folk music, dance, and intricate rituals woven into daily life, bringing locals and visitors together.
Sardinia’s coastline spans over 2,000 kilometres, with charming salt-worn villages and untouched beaches. As much as it might seem hard to leave the island, it’s a great idea to venture farther offshore to discover the La Maddalena Archipelago, a protected national park formed by dramatic granite islands and impossibly clear waters. 😍
🗓️ When to visit: May to September for full-on Euro summer vibes.
Photo: Paolo in Sardinia for Flytographer. Mireya and partner capture memories in Italy with a family photoshoot.
3. Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
We couldn’t agree more with Condé Nast Traveler, who ranks Riviera Nayarit among the top beach getaways in North America this year. Easily reached via Puerto Vallarta’s airport, the Riviera is a sweeping stretch of paradisiacal shoreline dotted with distinct towns. Nuevo Nayarit is more family-oriented, Sayulita guarantees bohemian surf energy, and Punta de Mita offers a polished luxury edge with all-inclusive resorts and indulgent private hot tubs in lavish suites. ✨
This is more than a beach vacation; the landscape unfolds into mountains and jungles, especially in eco-conscious enclaves like San Pancho. From kayaking and kitesurfing on turquoise waters to exploring richly diverse ecosystems, everything is framed by those signature Pacific sunsets. 🌄
🗓️ When to visit: December to April offers the best weather, with dry, sunny days and ideal beach conditions.
Photo: Jenn in Sayulita for Flytographer. Polli and partner capture memories in Mexico with a couples photoshoot.
4. Barbados, The Caribbean
Barbados serves up Caribbean sunshine with a side of adventure and culture. While powdery sands and calm, swimmable waters define much of the coastline, the wilder east coast is gaining popularity as a more untamed and dramatic escape. 🧗 The vibrant capital, Bridgetown, highlights cultural identity with UNESCO-listed colonial architecture and an exquisite dining scene, where Bajan flavours reflect Caribbean, West African, and European influences — all of it best tasted beachfront, with those striking equatorial sunsets. 😉
🗓️ When to visit: Barbados holds year-round appeal, but December to April marks the dry season, with March standing out for its warm days and balmy evenings.
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Ariel and partner capture memories in Barbados with a couples photoshoot.
5. Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu brings together world-famous beaches, city energy, and raw landscapes on one compact island. With great ocean-view condos listed on Airbnb, Honolulu makes a great base. The capital city is home to one of the world’s best beaches: Waikiki, where a skyline of hotels and resorts fronts pale sand and turquoise waters, and surf schools line the shore. 🏄 If you’re after a different pace, Hanauma Bay offers protected snorkelling among coral reefs and tropical fish, and Ko Olina’s calm lagoons are family-friendly and gentle.
Then there’s the North Shore, home to world-famous surf breaks, ideal if you’re a pro, or perfectly content watching the pros make it look easy. 😆 Best of all, none of it is ever a long drive away, and all of it is woven with endlessly inspiring Hawaiian culture. Aloha! 🌺
🗓️ When to visit: Between April and May or September and November, you’ll find the ideal balance of wonderful weather and manageable crowds.
Photo: Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer. Erica and family capture memories on Oahu with a family photoshoot.
6. Izmir, Turkey
Turkey-bound travellers often overlook Izmir as merely a gateway to Ephesus. We beg to differ; after all, Turkey’s third-largest city wasn’t called the “Pearl of the Aegean” for no reason. 🇹🇷 Izmir sits beside a beautiful blue bay and stretches along a sweeping, laid-back promenade, with wonderful cafes lining its waterfront and markets where you can practice your bargaining skills.
Easy access to some of the Aegean’s finest shores rounds things out: Çeşme for pristine beaches, Alaçatı for windsurfing-friendly breezes, Urla for boutique beach clubs that turn into nightlife spots, and Bodrum for even more amazing beaches. And that trip to the ruins of Ephesus? Totally worth it. Cleopatra did it – why wouldn’t you? 🤷
🗓️ When to visit: May to October is a great time to go, with the height of summer landing in July and August.
7. Samos, Greece
If there’s a Greek island that still feels slightly under the radar, it’s Samos. However, it still offers ancient history, pristine beaches, and everything you might want in a dreamy Aegean beach getaway. 🇬🇷 The oceanfront shifts beautifully between pebbled coves like Potami Beach, sandy stretches in Kokkari, and the striking turquoise waters of Psili Ammos. Beyond the beach towns, the UNESCO-listed Heraion sanctuary, the ancient Temple of Hera, roots the experience in antiquity, while charming mountain villages provide the perfect setting for tasting the sweet Muscat wines the island is famous for. 🍷
🗓️ When to visit: Late May-June and September-early October are ideal, with swimmable seas and sunny days without peak-summer crowds, plus better prices on beachfront homes.
8. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Stretching along South Carolina’s Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach boasts 60 miles of white-sand beaches and beautiful waters. The city itself is a classic, family-friendly destination that blends Ferris wheel and boardwalk nostalgia with a lively resort atmosphere. 🎡 Quiet stretches await in nearby Surfside Beach and Pawleys Island, while Myrtle Beach State Park offers maritime forest trails and natural immersion. 🌿
Staying in one of the many family-sized beach houses here is part of the experience, many of which are listed on Airbnb and Vrbo as pet-friendly, so there’s no need to leave Fido behind on your beach getaway this year. 🐕
🗓️ When to visit: May-June and September are ideal in Myrtle Beach for warm ocean temps, sunny days, and lighter crowds.
9. Ischia, Italy
This volcanic island in the Bay of Naples remains somewhat off the beaten path for beach getaways in Italy, and a lot less crowded than nearby Capri or Sorrento. Dubbed the “Garden of the Mediterranean” for its fertile soils, Ischia’s traditions grow from the landscape: cooking in naturally heated volcanic sands and soaking in long-celebrated thermal springs, the latter adding a wellness edge to the experience. 🧖 Historic sites abound, from the storied Castello Aragonese to the charming streets of Ischia Ponte and the lively harbour of Ischia Porto, both are ideal for wandering or pausing over coffee.
Ischia’s coastline is wonderfully varied, from sandy bays with crystal-clear shallow waters, like Baia di San Montano, to dramatic rocky coves, each spot offering the perfect setting to strike your best beach pose. 💁♀️
🗓️ When to visit: This is a small island, so aim to visit between April and June or September and October to avoid the peak summer crowds.
Capturing memories at the beach
We bet you can’t wait to sink your umbrella in and bury your toes in the sand at one of these seaside paradises. 🐚 There, and in over 350 locations around the globe, our local Flytographers are ready to capture every sun-soaked, salt-in-your-hair moment and frame your beach escape in its best light. 📸
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Sacré Coeur & Montmartre
“CLAUDIO AND BARBARA WERE AMAZING!! Could not speak more highly of them, Barbara was great at communicating throughout my whole booking process and Claudio was the one who took our pictures he was so calm even though my plans got changed last minute due to weather. He made me feel so calm despite of that and made our proposal perfect! He took us to the best places in Positano and I am so excited to see these pictures.”
Oriana
Positano Village
“We had an enjoyable time doing the shoot with Daniel. Daniel was friendly, and great to work with. The shots were spontaneous, and not too posey. Daniel was very patient with my cheeky eight year old, and I think my son had a lot of fun too. We love the end results!”
Kin Hoi
Shibuya
