National Geographic compiled a list of the top 21 best beaches around the world. Included on this list we find Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, Florida; Curacao’s Cas Abao Beach; and Belize’s Pelican Beach, South Water Caye Reserve (see photo above).

Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, Florida: Shell hunters hunch in a stance dubbed the “Sanibel stoop” in search of conchs, coquinas, sand dollars, and dozens of other varieties that hitch a ride on Gulf of Mexico currents. Stock up on hats, buckets, and sunscreen at Bailey’s General Store, an island favorite.

Pelican Beach, South Water Caye, Belize: “It’s the only place in Belize where you can swim safely to the reef within minutes and explore the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, full of colorful coral, angelfish, blue tang, sea turtles, all in less than 20 feet of water,” says guidebook author Lebawit Lily Girma.

Cas Abao Beach, Curaçao: Ringed by reefs, Curaçao hides a Caribbean underwater wonderland, and this beach is one of the few sandy ones on the arid island, with a bar and a shop to rent snorkel gear. Slip straight into the shallow crystalline bay alive with sea fans and coral, tropical fish, sponges, sea turtles, and more.

Caribbean 360 adds:

Cas Abao, with its clear turquoise water, whispering palms and pristine white sand, is said to be the realization of the tropical dream, ideal for relaxation and watersports. [. . .]

Belize, South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the second largest in the country and was established by the Fisheries Department in 1996 in recognition of the marine ecosystems and its national, regional and international importance.

The area is a priority for conservation due to its rich biodiversity, supporting an oceanic mangrove system and extensive seagrass meadows, which provide habitats for many commercial and non-commercial species. Mangrove cayes also provide nesting sites for many important bird species and the area is also utilized by marine turtles for nesting.

South Water Caye Marine Reserve is one of the seven protected areas that form the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO. [. . .]

For original article, see http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/

For Caribbean 360 article, see http://www.caribbean360.com/news/national-geographic-names-two-caribbean-beaches-among-worlds-spectacular