Top ten beaches with spectacular sunset views

Set in the Baa Atoll in The Maldives, Finolhu is the very picture of paradise. Swaying palm trees, white beaches and villas that sit on top of the ocean make this a stunning setting no matter the time of day. But while your days will be spent gazing at the turquoise sea from the beach, your evenings are best experienced sitting outside your own villa taking in the magnificent sunset view.

The beach at Albion on the west side of the island of Mauritius is known for its combination of rugged cliffs, powder white sand and spectacular sunset. While sitting on the beach enjoying the colours reflecting off the calm waters of the Indian Ocean is a fine way to experience the sunset, head up to the nearby lighthouse for a truly memorable view.

Best known as the setting for Wham’s Club Tropicana video, Cala Conta is also famous for its stunning sunsets. Only a few miles but a world away from the hectic San Antonio, the deep orange, pink and red of the daily display will stay with you forever. Best experienced from the Sunset Ashram beach bar or high up on the nearby cliff tops.

Bintan Island is one of the largest islands in the Riau province of Indonesia, and is surrounded on all sides by a ring of idyllic white sandy beaches. Head to one of the many secluded beaches at Nirwana in the north west of the island for a stunning sunset view before having a drink at the floating bar nearby.

A visit to Hawaii isn’t complete without experiencing the unique display its skies put on every evening, and there are plenty of places to enjoy it. Often voted one of the best beaches in the world, Hapuna Beach on Big Island is half a mile of white sand that’s fantastic for a day of relaxation, before sitting, drink in hand, watching the sun slowly dip into the ocean.

The islands that make up the Azores archipelago just off the coast of Portugal give uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, providing a beach view sunset that’s among the best in the world. Two of the best locations are Angra do Heroísmo on the island of Terceira or Sete Cidades on São Miguel, where you can watch the sun drop into the azure blue crater lakes.

The Sicilian town of Cefalù combines centuries of Italian history and a sunset on the beach that’s one of the most picturesque in the world. Set against the town’s elegant collection of ancient homes and buildings, its calm, sandy beach attracts locals and tourists in equal numbers, and is an ideal spot to sit back and take in the world-famous sunset that seems to light up the entire town.

The beautiful Bonefish Bay Beach not only has a name that sticks in the mind but a sunset that will stay with you forever. Set on the western coastline of the small island of Columbus Isle in the Bahamas, Bonefish Bay Beach is a gorgeous three-mile stretch of white sand that by day is a haven for sunbathers and watersports fans, but in the evening becomes the perfect backdrop for romance.

Whenever lists of the best beaches in the world are compiled, Rio de Janeiro is always near the top. Whether it’s the world-famous Copacabana, Ipanema, or any one of the city’s magnificent stretches of sand, you can’t help but be captivated by the sights and sounds of Brazilian beach life. The bigger beaches will all give you a fantastic experience as the sun goes down, but for true romance, head to Arpoador, a small peninsula that sits between Ipanema and Copacabana. As it juts out into the ocean, Arpoador’s geography gives stunning sunset views in all directions.

Think of Santorini and you think of the beautiful whitewashed houses dotted along steep cliffs descending to the sea. But as the sun sets those buildings take on the colours of the sunset, creating an unforgettable sight as the sun drops and the lights go on. Head high up into the village of Oia, whose buildings provide Instagram-ready views and one of the world’s greatest sunsets.