The heat of this Yucatán getaway, easily one of North America's 10 sexiest beaches, rises from hordes of jet-setters, college backpackers, and pleasure-seekers that play on its pristine beaches. Playa del Carmen combines intoxicating coastal scenery and cosmopolitan chic. The nightlife of Cancun is close by, along with mesmerizing Mayan ruins in Tulum. When the sun goes down, the peninsula's best DJs get everyone into the groove at Deseo Hotel, whose very name means "desire." Guests at the Tides Resort enjoy jungle seclusion and sensual Mayan saunas on the beach.
The surf's always up on this seductive swath of southern California coast, where toned bodies ride the waves and play perpetual volleyball. The scenery is pure magic: rugged cliffs, swaying palms, and broad expanses of gleaming sand. Laguna is blessed with coves secluded enough to give couples a chance to get cozy. For solo travelers, the flirt factor is high in village cafes and on the plentiful hiking trails. At sunset, head to Splashes Lounge at the Surf and Sand Hotel for a buzzing cocktail scene.
Ancient Hawaiian royals couldn't resist the appeal of this heavenly gem, and neither can we. Against a backdrop of lush tropical scenery, bronzed beauties sail, scuba dive, and swim among gentle waves. Have a sundowner at the Sheraton Maui and watch a lithe young Hawaiian plunge into the sea for the nightly Cliff Diving Ceremony. As the sky turns from pink to violet, hula dancers undulate among blazing torches to the sounds of beating drums. Ka'anapali is sexy at its most radiantly sensual.
At the tip of the Baja peninsula is a place that summer dreams are made of: sun, sand, and serious eye candy. Breathtaking mountains rise over miles of white beaches and turquoise seas. Co-eds in itsy-bitsy bikinis, well-toned California vacationers, and plenty of Mexican cuties can be found snorkeling, parasailing, surfing, or catching rays on El Médano, Cabo's main beach. The playful party scene El Agave Bar is a hotspot for the young and festive, while luxe Hotel Esperanza lures the glam and wealthy.
Pacific Beach, or "PB," as the locals call it, is a summer playground tucked between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay Park. Young and casual, PB is SoCal sans attitude—a place to wiggle your toes in the sand and watch surfers riding the swells and beach beauties playing bocce balls. Cyclists, skaters, and joggers can explore miles of winding paths and eye the talent on the lively boardwalk. The sizzling nightlife revolves around Garnet Avenue: Snag a spot at the Pacific Beach Bar and Grill for a perfect après-beach brew.
Why go to Kauai? Because it's a sensory gift from the gods, that's why. Picking the sexiest beach in Kauai is like choosing a pearl from a perfect strand. All boast eye-popping scenery and glorious weather. But Hanalei Bay scores big with its exquisite half moon of white sand, shimmering waterfalls and green mountains, with bonus points added for the flotillas of fit surfers. Snorkel among the reefs, go for a sail, or take a picnic to Hanalei Pier and watch the beach boys doing back flips into the water.
Small in size, but huge on atmosphere. The scenery is so drop-dead gorgeous that photographers regularly use La Jolla Cove to conjure California perfection. You'll find visitors from all over the world swimming, picnicking, and strolling along the bluff. Strap on a mask and plunge into the Cove for some prime snorkeling, then spread your towel and work on a killer tan. The Village, an artsy shopping and dining area, offers plenty of chances to see and be seen.
New York City's summer social scene revolves around this posh paradise on the south fork of Long Island. Ivy League frat boys and Prada-clad lovelies indulge in sun and celebrity-spotting on a gorgeous stretch of golden sand. The Hamptons hotspot is famed for shingled mansions rising out of the dunes and a lively crowd of summer renters and well-heeled locals. The party scene is legend among society page scribblers and bloggers.
Superglam South Beach packs a serious punch of sand, hot bodies, and pulsating nightclubs. Scantily-clad models, tanned celebs, and globe-trotting partiers gather on this hedonistic section of Miami Beach to lounge topless and sip constantly-flowing mojitos. At the super sexy Setai Hotel, couples recline on beach day beds, while guests at the Ritz South Beach enjoy getting slathered in oil by a buff tanning butler. However you like it, SoBe is strong on sex appeal.
In this tiny coastal town, sporty beach babes surf and boogie board their way into your fantasies. As the beach volleyball capital of Southern California, Manhattan Beach offers endless opportunities to gawk at seriously-ripped abs. To this delicious scene, add hotties on rollerblades and cyclists who pass along the Strand in a luscious parade of skimpy outfits. Check out the pro athletes sculpting their muscles at Sand Dune Park. At sunset, walk the pier for prime babe-watching.