The 15 Finest Luxury Beach Resorts Worldwide

There’s something truly special about feeling the sand between your toes while listening to the waves roll in. Ocean getaways serve as havens for countless travelers, often leaving them motivated to safeguard the marine environments that have brought them so much joy and peace.

The top luxury beach resorts globally offer more than just breathtaking ocean vistas, beautiful beaches, striking architecture, and water activities. They are also committed to becoming better guardians of the ocean through their efforts in environmental and cultural conservation. Discover more about this movement, and continue reading to explore 15 exceptional beach resorts around the world—listed in no specific order—that are dedicated to preserving the marine ecosystems that inspire us all.

1. Four Seasons Hualalai

Nestled on nearly 900 sandy coastal acres along the western shore of the Island of Hawai‘i, Four Seasons Hualalai delivers unparalleled luxury. Its 243 spacious rooms and suites are adorned with rich dark wood and designed with open layouts that face the ocean. For families or groups, the villas—with expansive verandas, multiple bedrooms, and direct access to the beach—provide a sense of seclusion akin to private homes. The spa offers an extensive range of treatments featuring local Hawaiian ingredients, including unique volcanic mud.

The resort is making significant efforts to promote sustainability. Over 75% of the food served at its on-site restaurants, like the seasonally themed ‘Ulu Ocean Grill, is sourced from local suppliers, and any food waste is redirected from landfills to local farms for pig feed. The resort features an on-site bottling and purification facility for its water needs, covering everything from pools to laundry. Additionally, it collaborates with the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources to monitor the biodiversity of the adjacent marine reserve. Eco-minded guests can reserve one of the resort’s carbon-neutral villas, which offset emissions through a tree-planting initiative in partnership with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, and can also join in beach cleanup activities.

2. Turtle Bay Resort

Located on the North Shore of O‘ahu, Turtle Bay Resort stands as the only hotel of its kind in this less commercialized region of the island. Spanning 1,300 acres—half of which is permanently designated for conservation—the resort offers 408 rooms and suites, each featuring ocean views and a calming neutral/blue color scheme inspired by the natural surroundings. The resort’s dedication to environmental sustainability is evident: Meals are crafted using fresh greens, beets, and other produce from its own Kuilima Farm, just five minutes from the hotel, which hosts a farm stand and “you-pick” days for the community. Additionally, the 18-hole golf course is nourished using gray water treated by the resort’s facilities.

The resort also serves as a wildlife sanctuary. Guests can embark on a birding adventure via electric golf cart led by Captain Scott Sundby, who has lived on the North Shore for two decades and operates Shaka Kayaks. This experience reveals various local wildlife, including the ‘alae ‘ula, or Hawaiian common gallinule, believed in Hawaiian lore to have gained its vibrant red forehead from the gods, as well as Hawaiian monk seals, one of the planet’s most endangered seal species. The coastline is situated within the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, encompassing over 1,200 nautical square miles; during winter, it becomes a vital breeding, calving, and nursing ground for humpback whales.

3. Playa Viva

Located just south of Zihuatanejo, this 200-acre coastal retreat features 19 rooms and tree houses designed to resemble manta rays, all benefiting from refreshing sea breezes. The resort boasts its own expansive stretch of beach along with a swimming pool, restaurant, and bar. Playa Viva achieved B-Corp certification in early 2023, highlighting its commitment to sustainability through initiatives such as a watershed regeneration project, a 20-acre permaculture farm, and reforestation efforts. Operating entirely off the grid with solar energy, guests can join local volunteers from La Tortuga Viva for nighttime beach patrols to locate sea turtles laying eggs and assist in relocating nests to safe dune sanctuaries.

4. One&Only Mandarina

Located on the Pacific-side Nayarit coast within the exclusive Mandarina residential community, this resort features 105 expansive villas crafted from local materials such as clay, wood, metal, and stone. In the 40 elevated tree houses made from native Cumaru wood, guests can immerse themselves in the lush jungle canopy while relaxing on their private outdoor decks, enjoying their infinity pool, or unwinding in the open-air bathroom tub.

During construction, One&Only collaborated with a botanist to preserve as much of the existing vegetation as possible, while an archaeologist guided efforts to protect the rock carvings created by local Cora and Huichol cultures scattered throughout the property. The beach is a standout attraction (and may feature a turtle release if you're lucky), but be sure to leave time for the open-air spa nestled in the jungle, which boasts an adults-only pool, a temezcal dome for Mayan ceremonies, an outdoor mud bath area, along with saunas and steam rooms. For families, there’s a rainforest-themed kids club, designed by Oscar-winning art director Brigitte Broch (Moulin Rouge; Romeo & Juliet).

5. Lapa Rios Lodge

Since its establishment in 1991, Lapa Rios Lodge has functioned as an eco-lodge centered around sustainability and community development. Nestled within a 1,000-acre expanse of tropical lowland forest adjacent to Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park—home to over 2.5 percent of the world’s biodiversity—the retreat offers access to a series of serene, scenic beaches along the Golfo Dulce for surfing lessons and swimming.

Approximately 80 percent of the property is primary forest, inhabited by tapirs, three-toed sloths, and over 300 bird species, including green macaws. The 17 ocean-facing suites and villas feature hardwood floors and wraparound decks, stocked with biodegradable shampoos and soaps. They run entirely on energy from solar panels and nano-hydro turbines, with excess energy available for storage in batteries or auxiliary water heaters. Each guest contributes a $25 fee, which supports the lodge’s sustainability and community initiatives, including aid for two local schools and reforestation projects in secondary growth areas of the rainforest.

6. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

Nestled midway along Vietnam’s picturesque coastline in the Nha Trang region, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is accessible only by boat, with a scenic 20-minute ride along a tree-lined shore where guests might catch a glimpse of the endangered black-shanked douc langur monkeys. The resort features 62 pool villas, beautifully distributed along the beach and hillside, embodying a luxurious Robinson Crusoe fantasy with their timber and bamboo construction and wooden soaking tubs. An organic garden supplies thousands of pounds of fresh produce to the restaurants each year. Additionally, the resort operates its own water plant, chicken coop, tree-planting initiatives, and reef restoration efforts, all powered by Vietnam’s first solar complex.

7. NIHI Sumba

Located on the southern coast of the less-explored island of Sumba, east of Bali, NIHI Sumba exemplifies excellence in responsible community engagement. The resort employs hundreds of local Sumbanese people across its 667 acres of gently developed land. Inside the 27 thatched-roof villas, which range from one to five bedrooms, traditional local crafts such as carving and weaving are prominently featured; each villa also boasts its own swimming pool. Beyond enjoying meals and drinks at any of the three exceptional restaurants or engaging in activities like horse swimming and surfing on the world-class private wave, guests are encouraged to connect with the Sumba Foundation and its initiatives. Founded by the resort's creator in 2001, this NGO supports social impact projects focused on malaria prevention and treatment, clean water access, and education.

8. The Brando

Home to 35 private villas on the Motu Onetahi coast of Marlon Brando’s own French Polynesian island, Tetiaroa, The Brando is among the most luxurious destinations in the South Pacific. It boasts impressive sustainability credentials as the world’s first LEED Platinum-certified resort, achieving carbon neutrality through initiatives such as an air-conditioning system utilizing cool ocean water, on-site composting, and a desalination plant for fresh water.

Collaborating with the nonprofit Tetiaroa Society, the resort connects guests with naturalists and researchers who lead snorkeling and scuba excursions, as well as guided nature walks. For those interested in Polynesian culture, the resort offers traditional outrigger canoeing trips to nearby private islets that are part of the same atoll as The Brando. Each all-inclusive villa features its own private pool and direct access to the beach, while the spa provides a variety of healing treatments, including traditional Polynesian taurumi massages.

9. Coulibri Ridge

Coulibri Ridge establishes a new benchmark for sustainability on the lesser-known Caribbean island of Dominica. This off-the-grid hotel, located at the southern tip of the island, operates using solar panels and wind turbines for power, with pure rainwater collected and filtered on-site. (Guests can explore these practices on a guided tour of the property.) Rooms feature views of nearby Martinique and come equipped with full kitchens, terraces, and decor made from recyclable or renewable materials, including hand-chiseled stone walls and recycled teakwood light fixtures. The 285-acre resort offers numerous opportunities to connect with nature, from stargazing in chlorine-free infinity pools to practicing yoga in an open-air pavilion surrounded by lush tropical foliage.

10. Potato Head Studios

Situated in the vibrant coastal town of Seminyak, one of Bali’s most eco-friendly beach resorts offers sweeping ocean views from 24 of its 168 minimalist yet warmly decorated studio accommodations. Designed by the OMA firm led by Rem Koolhaas, the resort features locally woven ceilings made from recycled plastic and terrazzo crafted from broken bricks and waste concrete. The suites prioritize sustainability, using recyclable amenity packaging and fully biodegradable slippers. Reclaimed materials also contribute to large-scale sculptures created by renowned local and international artists.

Potato Head Studios shares several dining options and bars with its sister properties, Potato Head Suites and Potato Head Beach Club. These include a zero-waste seafood restaurant and a seed-to-stem plant-based eatery. Guests can participate in daily back-of-house “Follow the Waste” tours to observe the extensive on-site recycling and reuse initiatives that culminate in the Sweet Potato Lab, a research and development center for crafting stylish products, such as jewelry made from trash remnants.

11. Six Senses Laamu

Nestled along the pristine white-sand beaches and azure waters of the Maldives’ Laamu atoll, Six Senses Laamu embodies the ultimate escape into paradise. Featuring 96 thatched-roof villas, each positioned either over the water or directly on the beach, these accommodations are crafted from sustainably sourced local timber and boast floor-to-ceiling windows to enhance the stunning views of the vibrant atoll.

The resort is committed to its role in environmental stewardship: A dedicated team of nine, operating under the Maldives Underwater Initiative, manages the resort’s coral restoration program. Their efforts since 2012 have played a crucial role in advocating for the establishment of additional marine protected areas in the Laamu atoll. Additionally, Six Senses has contributed nearly 100 water purification systems, providing safe drinking water to tens of thousands of local residents.

12. InterContinental Hayman Island

Nestled within the breathtaking Whitsunday archipelago of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, this exclusive private island resort has undergone several transformations over the years. Now known as the InterContinental Hayman Island, it emphasizes environmentally responsible operations like never before. The resort features 176 elegantly appointed rooms with warm, neutral tones and hardwood floors, including plush adults-only Beachfront Pavilions, all equipped with advanced thermal technology to significantly cut down on energy consumption.

In the airy communal areas, guests can choose from five dining options, enjoy a spa and gym, and take a dip in a massive swimming pool. Numerous filtered water stations are available for guests to refill their complimentary aluminum water bottles before heading out for hiking or snorkeling. The resort maintains a rigorous zero single-use plastic policy, which extends to its boutique that offers eco-friendly, ethically sourced products along with reef-safe sunscreen.

13. Chumbe Island

Founded in 1991 off the coast of Zanzibar, Chumbe Island Coral Park holds the distinction of being the world’s first privately managed marine protected area, fully funded through ecotourism. Today, this reef sanctuary is recognized as one of the healthiest in the region, boasting over 500 species of fish and 59 types of hard coral. The park also plays a vital role in educating local schoolchildren about marine forest ecology through snorkeling trips, often their first encounter with the ocean.

With a maximum of just 18 visitors allowed at any time, the island offers a tranquil retreat, even when at full capacity. The seven bungalows, featuring thatched roofs, exposed beams, mosquito-netted beds, and open-air designs, are constructed from local materials. The island runs on solar energy, while water is sourced from rainwater collection and filtration systems. Guests can enjoy snorkeling, stroll along the beach to explore rocky tidal pools, or hike through the forest to discover baobabs, mangroves, and ancient marine fossils.

14. andBeyond Mnemba Island

Nestled just off Zanzibar’s northeastern coast, andBeyond Mnemba Island spans less than a mile and is embraced by the Indian Ocean. The emphasis here is on connecting with nature: the 12 spacious bungalows, featuring thatched roofs and open designs, are completely doorless yet maintain a sense of privacy, complemented by ample outdoor seating and open-air showers. Each bungalow boasts its own private beach area, complete with loungers and umbrellas for relaxation.

The crystal-clear turquoise waters are perfect for snorkeling among the coral reefs and taking sunset cruises on a traditional Swahili dhow, where guests can watch for dolphins and sea turtles. The island is home to both the suni and the critically endangered Ader’s duiker antelope, which are being bred and safeguarded here. Since 2005, andBeyond has partnered with the Zanzibar Department of Fisheries and local fishing communities to establish the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area (MIMCA), creating designated areas for snorkeling, diving, and fishing, while charging a daily recreational fee to support local community initiatives and assist fishermen.

15. Miavana by Time + Tide

Situated off the northeastern coast of Madagascar, the 2,500-acre Nosy Ankao island features a private resort comprising 14 standalone beach villas with pools, alongside an oceanfront Indian restaurant. It also serves as a sanctuary for a small, protected group of crowned lemurs. The dedicated environmental team is part of the friendly staff who ensure that stays in the spacious, turquoise-hued accommodations—modern yet infused with an island ambiance—are truly exceptional.

Guests have numerous chances to engage with the local culture and conservation initiatives, from exploring an on-site museum showcasing Malagasy curiosities to connecting with nearby communities. They can also witness the efforts of the resort’s philanthropic branch, the Time + Tide Foundation, which focuses on the conservation of various species, including sea turtles and crowned lemurs.