7 Beautiful Beaches to Inspire Your Wanderlust

The start of February means one thing for us at Shop709: springtime is right around the corner. We bask in the thought of warmer weather, dream of salty breezes and meditate on scenes of turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. If you’re fantasizing about tropical shores, these stunning photos are the perfect cure for the wintertime blues.

The Maldives is legendary for its honeymoon-esque beaches, cozy cabanas and all-inclusive resorts. Because the country is made up of nearly 2,000 small islands, it has an incredibly intimate feel despite its popularity. Plus, you’ll be hard-pressed for waters as clear and bright as these!

New Caledonia is a French territory located nearly one thousand miles off the coast of Brisbane, Australia and is known for its incredible scuba diving. Its main island is completely surrounded by a barrier reef, the Grand Terre, making it rich in underwater wildlife.

Let’s be upfront: Ao Nang, Thailand is incredibly touristy. Excursions like horseback riding down the beach and island hopping on a speedboat can be found on any given street corner. But if you can look past the overrated tours, the beaches of the island — especially in the evenings — are stunning and serene.

While we're always up for white sands and sapphire waters, we like a little adventure every once in a while too. Driftwood Beach Trail is located on Jekyll Island in Georgia, United States, zigging and zagging around tons of fallen trees and hunks of driftwood. Not only is it a fun experience, its beautiful in a unique way that you won't see anywhere else.

If you’re not ready to forsake city life just yet, have no fear. Rio de Janeiro’s Ipanema Beach offers both stunning views of nature and an urban cityscape. Go straight from lounging on the sand to experiencing the city’s thriving nightlife.

Speaking of nightlife, how about Cancun? Although this Mexican city is known for wild spring-breakers and megaresorts, there’s a reason it’s a hotspot for tourists. It’s characterized by gorgeous beaches, and if you make your way to the outskirts, Mayan ruins, an underwater museum and unparalleled diving.

Bali is one of the most popular spots in Indonesia — largely because of its massive varieties of things to do. With everything from stunning beaches and hikes to unparalleled fine dining and spiritual temples, you’ll never be bored here.