By Krisanne Fordham, David Jefferys

Courtesy Peter Adams Photography Ltd / Alamy

Courtesy GARDEL Bertrand/Hemis/Corbis

Courtesy Robert Harding World Imagery / Alamy

Swimming and snorkeling is great, but some beaches beckon for you to just lie back and dig your toes in their silky sand. According to Cond Nast Traveler readers, you'll find the world's best sand at the following beaches

Courtesy Peter Adams Photography Ltd / Alamy

Whitehaven Beach is consistently ranked as the worlds best beach, and with good reason: Its almost surreally beautiful. Besides its crystal clear waters, its known for its white sand, consisting of 98% pure silica which gives it a bright white color. Unlike regular sand, the sand on Whitehaven Beach doesnt retain any heatmaking it comfortable to walk on barefoot, even on a hot day. Its also one of the largest beaches in the Whitsundays, stretching over four long, gorgeous miles.

Courtesy GARDEL Bertrand/Hemis/Corbis

Cayo De Agua is a double threat: Its crystalline, pool-like waters are great for snorkeling and swimming, and its deserted ivory sands are perfect for doing absolutely nothing at all. Though most beaches in Venezuela are pristine, the arch-shaped cay is especially so; its part of the Los Roques Archipelago National Park, the largest protected marine park in the Caribbean Sea.

Tiny Cocoa Island is technically not a beach, but the soft, silvery ring of sand that encircles it serves the same purpose: You lie back, dig your toes in, sip on a cocktail, and watch the sunset. If you can somehow manage to drag yourself from its velvety shore, theres a coral reef teeming with marine life just a short swim away from Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives resort.

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Beaches with the best sand