Top 10 list of the world's perfect beaches

• Luskentyre, Harris

Or somewhere a little busier, where the soundwaves are accompanied by a non-stop rave populated by beautiful beach boys and babes determined to make the party last?

Then there are remote, still places, where you can walk for hours without meeting another soul and the beauty of the setting speaks for itself.

There will never be agreement about the definitive best beach, but each one has its devotees when the need to simply flop on a lounger or build a castle can no longer be ignored. Have a look at our suggestions for the world's top ten.

Pink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, The Bahamas, Caribbean

One of the world's most photographed beaches, this three-mile stretch of pink sand on an islet off Eleuthera Island is named for its salmon colour, the result of flecks of red plankton mixed with fine, sugar-white coral sand.

Laid back, with warm sea that's safe for swimming, divers can explore wrecks along the Devil's Backbone, go bone fishing or simply slather on the suncream and zone out. But don't equate laid back with rustic as the accommodation at the Pink Sands Resorwas designed by Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki of Biba fame and the pastel-coloured cottages scattered throughout lush tropical grounds attract celebrities keen to enjoy a discreet beachside location.

Get there Fly from Nassau, Bahamas (30 minutes), Fort Lauderdale or Miami to the North Eleuthera airstrip. From here, take a taxi to the ferry dock and catch a boat to out-of-the-way Harbour Island.

Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

The largest and most spectacular of Harris's beaches, if you get the weather (OK, it's a big if) there isn't a better stretch anywhere. Acres of sand, azure sea running to gunmetal grey on overcast days, huge dunes bordered by backed by machair studded with jewel-coloured summer flowers, it's breathtaking enough on it own. But there's more - along the next couple of miles of coast road is a series of smaller beaches, all repeating the turquoise sea and white sand components with stunning results. And not a donkey in sight, although you may find sheep or cattle wandering along the strand.

Get there By ferry from Uig on Skye, the hour and 40-minute crossing starts from 10.30 return per person.

Paris Plage, Paris, France

Sydney has Bondi, LA has Venice, Rio has Copacabana and Ipanema and, since 2002, Paris has had Paris Plage. The brainchild of mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who wanted to make a bucket-and-spade holiday accessible to families unable to afford to get out of the city, it was initially derided as costly and ridiculous but has become a permanent and popular summertime fixture at three locations in the French capital. Sand is piled up, palm trees and lounging decks installed and swimming pools suspended over the Seine. Open daily between 20 July and 20 August, from 8am to midnight, there are boardwalk cafes, water sports, boating and free concerts.

Get there Flights from Scotland to Paris start from around 146 with Easyjet (www.easyjet.com).

Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Ley, Thailand

The quintessential Thai beach, it's part of a little island, and tucked away in a small bay beneath limestone cliffs. To add to its hard-to-get-to cachet, it can only be visited on day trips by boat, but that doesn't stop it being hugely popular with tourists, not least because it's where The Beach was filmed. Popular with divers, it's also said the 2004 tsunami had one beneficial effect in that it cleaned up the beach by removing some of the major landscaping done by 20th Century Fox for the film, restoring it to the naturally beautiful spot it was in the first place.

Get there Flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Bangkok from around 470 with various airlines.

Little Banana Beach, Skiathos, Greece

Appropriately named, this was one of Europe's first naturist destinations and is worth a visit if skinny dipping and all-over tans are your thing. Sunbeds, deckchairs and jet-skis are available for hire and there's natural shade at the back of the beach if your pink bits are turning even more pink. For a little more privacy, there's a smaller beach just around the corner, but Big Banana Beach next door is no longer a naturist beach, attracting bathers who prefer to keep their clothes on. Shame.

Get there Take the three and a half hour journey by ferry from Thessaloniki (8-10) or fly to the island from Athens.

Ras Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Lapped by the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar's 25 beaches are a paradise of fine white sand fringed by palms and dotted by traditional fishing villages.

Ras Nungwi is a traditional dhow building village of whitewashed cottages next to what has become one of the island's most popular beaches and now offers scuba, snorkelling, wind-surfing and sunset dhow cruises, plus a lively nightlife that draws the backpackers. A thriving coral reef with a beautiful lagoon makes for superb diving and low tides reveal sparkling white coral sand bars and rock pools teeming with marine life.

Get there Take a 90-minute ferry ride or a shorter plane trip off the Tanzanian coast.

Arambol, Goa, India

Goa might have suffered from a surfeit of tie-died stoners and all night ravers in recent years but it still has stunningly beautiful beaches where it is possible to leave the hippy hordes behind and enjoy the long sandy strands lapped by the Indian Ocean. Head for Arambol, the state's northernmost beach, and you should be able to outrun the vendors to find yourself a quiet spot on the second, more secluded beach round the rocky headland. Here you can enjoy the peace and tranquility, and there is even paragliding if you must get high.

Get there Flights from around 560 return from London with various airlines.

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Forget castaway, remote and deserted; if you like your beaches packed and your beach companions stacked, Ipanema is the place for you. Classier than neighbouring Copacabana, this is where the trendy locals hang out and is the Place to marvel at the results of the Brazilian obsession with surgery. Regarded as the sexiest beach in the world, it's crowded with beautiful people surfing, playing football and sporting the tiniest of thongs. Bordering one of the city's upmarket districts, it's one of the most beautiful urban beaches there is.

Get there Flights from Scotland to Rio start from around 640 with various airlines.

Kalmus Beach, Hyannis/Barnstable, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Hyannis Port is best known as the location for the Kennedy clan's holiday home, but you don't need to be in politics to appreciate the area. Kalmus Beach is well known as one of the best spots on Cape Cod thanks to its consistent breezes and warm Nantucket Sound water. One of two public beaches on Hyannis Harbor, you can catch glimpses of the Kennedy compound but if first family-spotting isn't exciting enough, another Cape Cod tradition is whale-watching.

Get there Fly from Edinburgh to Boston from around 440 return with British Airways (www.britishairways.com), among other airlines, then on to Hyannis from around 100 return, or catch a train or drive.

Whitehaven, Queensland, Australia

With more than 11,000 beaches, competition is hot for Australia's best, but this one is a contender thanks to its location on the uninhabited Whitsunday Island, close to the Great Barrier Reef. A four-mile expanse of white silica sand sloping down to turquoise water, you'll need your sunnies to avoid being dazzled and your camera to capture what is the country's most photographed beach.

Get there Fly from London from 914 with Emirates (www.emirates.com), then by boat, seaplane or helicopter from the town of Airlie Beach.

This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday, July 11, 2010 b