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15 Go-To Beach Vacations of the Rich and Famous

Pack your bathing suit, sunscreen, and little else if you're headed to one of these celebrated sexy beach hot spots.

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Aerial seascape of famous sailing destination in Croatia, Island Hvar summer scenery in Europe, Mediterranean.
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Palmizana, Hvar, Croatia

When you’re chosen as one of the best islands in the world by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, you better unfurl the celebrity welcome mat. Quickly gaining a reputation as the party HQ for the rich and famous—Prince Harry, Giorgio Armani, Beyoncé and Jay-Z whooped it up here—Hvar is ready for its close-up. You’ll rub shoulders with incognito celebs, VIPs, and island hoppers and discover why Lonely Planet named Hvar one of its top destinations for 2012. The south side beach of Parmizana in particular boasts non-stop sunshine, enticing sugar-hued sand, and a fashionable, nubile crowd. If you’d rather stay stateside, put these 12 best beaches in America on your bucket list.

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Super paradise beach, Mykonos, Greece June 2017
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Paradise Beach, Mykonos Island, Greece

Meet the beach with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde complex. Underneath the midday sun, families build sand castles and splash amidst the rolling surf. But don’t let this daytime serenity fool you. Come cocktail hour, this Greek coastal paradise cranks up the heat to sizzling party proportions. The family-friendly vibe evaporates with an invasion of dancers, DJs, and R-rated pleasure-seekers. Mykonos’ Paradise Beach erupts with loud music, flowing alcohol, and a clientele that prefers partying with as few clothes as possible.

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Ibiza, Spain- September 21, 2013: People swimming and sunbathing on the picturesque Las Salinas beach. Ibiza, Balearic islands. Spain
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Las Salinas Beach, Ibiza, Spain

Say “hola” to Ibiza, where the world’s most glamorous party people come to frolic. Las Salinas Beach, the southern stretch of the island, attracts professional soccer players, stunning models, and A-list celebrities—a sexy, wealthy crowd who live to carouse 24-7 on the white sandy shore. Exclusive bars and restaurants set the hedonistic tone with unlimited cocktails, banging tunes, and flirty patrons.

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Stunning beach with white sand, unique huge granite boulders, turquoise ocean water and blue sky at Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands in Caribbean
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Spring Bay Beach, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Couples seeking a seductive escape with an air of decorum can reignite their passion on the island of Virgin Gorda. Spring Bay Beach, a discreet hideaway of sandy beaches and gently lapping water, is embraced by an assortment of towering granite slabs. These standing stones create concealed grottos and intimate coves—the perfect setting for an amorous tryst away from prying eyes—and are more secluded than The Baths nearby.

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CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO -MARCH 20, 2012 : Boat with tourists approaching The Arch Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
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Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas is only reachable by boat, though as a popular tourist destination, it isn’t the intimate spot you might picture. While the picturesque beauty of Lover’s Beach is hard to resist, underwater currents on its Pacific Ocean side (Divorce Beach) behave like a scorned lover—unpredictable and dangerous. Instead, visitors should explore the beach’s Sea of Cortez side and its aura of secluded perfection. They might even catch a glimpse of spotted Cabo tourists like Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber. You’ll want to visit these other beaches with the world’s clearest water.

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view of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil
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Copacabana, Rio De Janiero, Brazil

Welcome to a world where microscopic swimwear is a must: Brazil’s famous Copacabana Beach is an exhibitionist’s haven. Women dare to bear in dental-floss bikinis, while their male counterparts cavort in thongs that leave little to the imagination. This steamy playground attracts body-confident souls who like to soak up the sun, and flash the flesh. The sexual energy here is palpable, although surprisingly, topless bathing is strictly prohibited. But as the adage suggests, isn’t it better to leave something to the imagination? Meanwhile, the nearby Copacabana Palace hotel has welcomed VIP guests like Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise, and Princess Diana.

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crystal clear water on Pampelonne beach near Saint Tropez, French riviera, cote d'azur, France
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Pampelonne Beach, Saint-Tropez, France

No one does French Riviera decadence like Pampelonne. Here the glitterati not only let their hair down, but also drop their bathing suits too. Topless and nude jet setters mix with wide-eyed tourists keen to experience the beach made famous by 1950s silver screen vixen, Brigitte Bardot. Vacationers seeking a hedonistic free-for-all flock to this Cote d’Azur hot spot to sunbathe without tan lines and indulge in the celebrity lifestyle. Private yachts bob up and down on the sparkling Mediterranean, while the beautiful people primp, pose, and sip cocktails on their beach lounge chairs.

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Aerial view of Miami Beach, South Beach, Florida, USA.
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South Beach, Miami, Florida

If you’re seeking the American equivalent of the French Riviera, look no further than South Beach. This exquisite getaway has everything: chic boutiques, trendy restaurants, exclusive nightclubs, and stunning Art Deco architecture. Drawing a jaw-dropping mix of models, Hollywood favorites, and musicians, it’s the place to see and be seen. The non-stop party atmosphere accessorized with gorgeous bathing beauties—of both sexes—makes South Beach the hottest American waterfront destination year round. Celebs such as Prince Harry and Sam Smith like to stay at the members-only Soho Beach House, but its restaurant, Cecconi’s, is open to the public, so book a table and keep your eyes out for famous faces. Here are more of the best beaches in America.

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Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast.
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Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast, Australia

Got a thing for scantily clad, sun-kissed surfers? If your heart is set on a beach-bound romance with a sexy, tanned surfer, Snapper Rocks is your dream destination. Hugging the southern-most tip of the 35-mile Australian Gold Coast, Snapper Rocks oozes surfer sex appeal. In the heat of the Aussie sun, the vibe is sultry and flirty. Teasing their land-locked admirers, guys and gals skim across sky-high waves in a sensual dance of seaside supremacy.

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Saline beach, St. Barths, French West Indies
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Saline Beach, Saint-Barthelemy, Caribbean

This French-Caribbean isle serves as a carefree locale and hedonistic getaway for wealthy vacationers, with 22 beaches to thrill and titillate even A-listers like Bella Hadid and Kim Kardashian. For the crème de la crème of seashore sensuality, try Saline Beach. With its secluded location—a winding footpath leads to its unspoiled delights—Saline Beach is an oasis of turquoise-hued water and welcoming sand dunes. A certain je ne sais quoi hangs in the air, urging visitors to shed their inhibitions—cheeky beach goers are often spotted taking a dip in the tides au naturel. These other sunny Caribbean destinations are guaranteed to cure any winter blues.

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George Clooney summer residence Villa L'Oleandra in Laglio at Lake Como in Italy on September 25, 2014
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Laglio, Lake Como, Italy

If green mountains are more your speed than sand dunes, Lake Como is the retreat you’ve been looking for. George Clooney put the area on the map when he bought a villa in Laglio in 2002. If you can peel your eyes from the panoramic views of vibrant greenery, snow-capped Alp mountains, and charming cobblestone streets, you might spy some familiar faces like Brad Pitt or Madonna. Here are more of the world’s most expensive resorts to envy.

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Beautiful palm trees lining the coast at Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
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Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Leave your passport at home. From Oprah to Owen Wilson, big names love setting up homes in Maui, and Wailea Beach attracts guests of nearby resorts, making it a prime spot for celebrity watching. Unlike the rocky beaches nearby, Wailea stretches with soft, golden sand. The water is calm, clean, and clear, and adventurous tourists can snorkel to spot octopi and sea turtles—or perhaps see a whale from afar. Check out 12 more of America’s best island destinations.

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beautiful house with sea view
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Pristine Cove, Negril, Jamaica

The fact that the Rockhouse Hotel has won “Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel” at the World Travel Awards three times hasn’t gone past the likes of Rita Ora and Hailey Baldwin. The thatched-roof bungalows are nestled on cliff rocks and jut straight over the water, making it feel like you’re fully immersed with the Jamaican wildlife. Guests don’t come for jam-packed days of activity but hours of lounging in the sun and floating through turquoise water.

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Nanuya Levu island in the Yasawa Group in Fiji. It is the site of the Turtle Island Resort for the rich and famous and also the set location for the romance adventure film The Blue Lagoon (1980).
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Turtle Island, Yasawa, Fiji

To escape big crowds and watchful eyes, the 500-acre Turtle Island—which has a max occupancy of just 14 couples, each with their own private beach—is a welcome retreat. Between the seclusion and the alluring warm, clear waters, this is a vacation best shared with that special someone to open the door to a sexy seaside romp. Check out these other clear water beaches you’ll want to visit.

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Matira Beach on Bora Bora island in French Polynesia (Tahiti). Photo taken December 2006.
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Matira Beach, Bora Bora, Tahiti

Nabbing a spot as one of the Travel Channel’s “World’s Sexiest Beaches,” this Bora Bora hot spot is one of the few public beaches on the island. Thatched-roof villas line the soft white sand, and the crystal-blue water begs you for a break from sunbathing. Grab your lover for a glimpse of the sunset—it’s a must-see on any clear day. These gorgeous pink sand beaches from around the world will give you serious wanderlust.