(NEXSTAR) – If you’re looking for a summer travel destination or just a mental break from the recent record-breaking storms, there’s a new ranking of the world’s most amazing beaches – 12 of which are in the United States.
Lonely Planet consulted with writers and contributors across the globe to determine which beaches were worthy of making the cut, Senior Director of Content Laura Motta told Nexstar.
The top spot in the new “Best Beaches” book is The Pass, located in New South Wales, Australia, notable for a “right-hand point break that turns this stretch of pinkish-cream, pillowy-soft sand into a surer’s paradise.” In second and third place are Rio De Janeiro’s iconic Ipanema Beach and Thailand’s Ao Maya, respectively.
Depending on your ideal vacation, your ranking may differ, of course.
If you’re after a family vacation, you may want to consider Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe, miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.
“You’re going to have that crystal clear blue water, but you’re also going to have a log of activities,” Motta said. “You can go kayaking, you can actually even go snorkeling and scuba diving which is really cool because that water is so clean.”