Baia do Sancho, Brazil

Baia do Sancho is a fortress of natural isolation on Fernando de Noronha, welcoming only 460 visitors per day through a narrow lava cliff cleft via iron ladders—a descent that feels like entering another world. The fine golden sand and emerald waters, with visibility over 30 meters, let you spot spinner dolphins and sea turtles from shore. It has ranked first or second in TripAdvisor's global beach rankings every year since 2015, outperforming #3 Grace Bay in seclusion. Best visited August to December.