16 of the world’s best coastlines

Joe Yogerst, CNN
Published 9:01 PM EDT, Tue July 31, 2018
<strong>Cinque Terre, Italy: </strong>This craggy Italian shore, which inspired Dante's vision of Purgatory in his classic poem "Divine Comedy," consists of a cluster of five timeless coastal villages sheltered within the confines of a national park.<br />
Cinque Terre, Italy: This craggy Italian shore, which inspired Dante's vision of Purgatory in his classic poem "Divine Comedy," consists of a cluster of five timeless coastal villages sheltered within the confines of a national park.
Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Turquoise Coast, Turkey: </strong>Also known as the Turkish Riviera, this big curve along Turkey's southwest shore contains bays that really are turquoise, particularly the otherworldly lagoon Ölü Deniz, or the "Dead Sea."
Turquoise Coast, Turkey: Also known as the Turkish Riviera, this big curve along Turkey's southwest shore contains bays that really are turquoise, particularly the otherworldly lagoon Ölü Deniz, or the "Dead Sea."
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<strong>Big Sur, California: </strong>This stretch of California's central coast between Carmel and San Simeon managed to capture the imagination of the likes of writers Hunter S. Thompson, Henry Miller and even the Beach Boys.
Big Sur, California: This stretch of California's central coast between Carmel and San Simeon managed to capture the imagination of the likes of writers Hunter S. Thompson, Henry Miller and even the Beach Boys.
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<strong>Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland: </strong>The Giant's Causeway, an estimated 40,000 basalt columns created by an ancient volcanic eruption, is one of the most impressive sites at the Antrim Coast, which has featured in "Game of Thrones."
Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland: The Giant's Causeway, an estimated 40,000 basalt columns created by an ancient volcanic eruption, is one of the most impressive sites at the Antrim Coast, which has featured in "Game of Thrones."
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<strong>Malabar Coast, India:</strong> Running from Goa to Kanyakumari on India's southern tip, the Malabar Coast, known for its fabulous riches and wealthy seaports in ancient times, stretches for 845 kilometers.<br />
Malabar Coast, India: Running from Goa to Kanyakumari on India's southern tip, the Malabar Coast, known for its fabulous riches and wealthy seaports in ancient times, stretches for 845 kilometers.
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<strong>Skeleton Coast, Namibia:</strong> This secluded stretch of the Namibian coast north of Swakopmund, is the one place in the world where you can see lions stalking sea lions and elephants thundering down a beach scattered with shipwrecks.<br />
Skeleton Coast, Namibia: This secluded stretch of the Namibian coast north of Swakopmund, is the one place in the world where you can see lions stalking sea lions and elephants thundering down a beach scattered with shipwrecks.
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<strong>Garden Route, South Africa: </strong> Extending from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape, Garden Route measures just over 200 kilometers and is considered South Africa's most spectacular stretch of coastline.
Garden Route, South Africa: Extending from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape, Garden Route measures just over 200 kilometers and is considered South Africa's most spectacular stretch of coastline.
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<strong>Great Ocean Road, Australia:</strong> While this eclectic coastline is known for spectacular sea stacks the Twelve Apostles its also home to renowned surf beach Bells Beach of surfing fame and the wildlife rich Cape Otway.
Great Ocean Road, Australia: While this eclectic coastline is known for spectacular sea stacks the Twelve Apostles its also home to renowned surf beach Bells Beach of surfing fame and the wildlife rich Cape Otway.
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<strong>Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii:</strong> This impressive coastline acted as the backdrop for both "Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic World" and features spectacular cliffs, secluded jungle waterfalls and far flung beaches.
Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii: This impressive coastline acted as the backdrop for both "Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic World" and features spectacular cliffs, secluded jungle waterfalls and far flung beaches.
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<strong>Andaman Coast, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar:</strong> Although it's most closely associated with Thailand's southwest shore, the Andaman Coast actually expands from southern Myanmar to northern Malaysia.
Andaman Coast, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar: Although it's most closely associated with Thailand's southwest shore, the Andaman Coast actually expands from southern Myanmar to northern Malaysia.
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<strong>Beagle Channel, Chile and Argentina: </strong>Named after the Royal Navy ship which took Charles Darwin on his global voyage of discovery, the channel separates Argentina's Tierra del Fuego archipelago from remote Chilean islands.
Beagle Channel, Chile and Argentina: Named after the Royal Navy ship which took Charles Darwin on his global voyage of discovery, the channel separates Argentina's Tierra del Fuego archipelago from remote Chilean islands.
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<strong>Riviera Maya, Mexico:</strong> This section of Caribbean coastline on Mexico's northeastern Yucatán Peninsula offers activities like visits to seaside Mayan ruins, snorkeling half-sunken cenotes and swimming with whale sharks.
Riviera Maya, Mexico: This section of Caribbean coastline on Mexico's northeastern Yucatán Peninsula offers activities like visits to seaside Mayan ruins, snorkeling half-sunken cenotes and swimming with whale sharks.
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<strong>Dalmatian Coast, Croatia:</strong> Sprinkled with walled towns, pebbly beaches and well-preserved Roman ruins, Croatia's Adriatic shore is one of Europe's most stunning coastlines.
Dalmatian Coast, Croatia: Sprinkled with walled towns, pebbly beaches and well-preserved Roman ruins, Croatia's Adriatic shore is one of Europe's most stunning coastlines.
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<strong>Raja Ampat, Indonesia: </strong>Based off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on Papua, Raja Ampat, or the "Four Kings," is made up of more than 1,500 small islands and its coral reefs are considered among the best in the world.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia: Based off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on Papua, Raja Ampat, or the "Four Kings," is made up of more than 1,500 small islands and its coral reefs are considered among the best in the world.
Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska: </strong>Famed for its dramatic coastal landscape, the astounding fords on the Gulf of Alaska are renowned for icebergs and tidewater glaciers.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska: Famed for its dramatic coastal landscape, the astounding fords on the Gulf of Alaska are renowned for icebergs and tidewater glaciers.
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<strong>Costa Verde, Brazil: </strong> This stretch of coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, is also known as the "Green Coast" thanks to its lush tropical Atlantic forest.
Costa Verde, Brazil: This stretch of coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, is also known as the "Green Coast" thanks to its lush tropical Atlantic forest.
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16 of the world's most amazing coastlines
CNN  — 

Coastlines are one of the most alluring of our planet’s geographical features.

The clash of land and water is often mesmerizing, as are the plants, animals and human activities that flourish along a shore.

In classic novella “Heart of Darkness,” seafaring author Joseph Conrad wrote that all coasts are shrouded in mystery, with an invitation to “come and find out” what they have to offer.

Here are 16 of the world’s best coastline destinations, scattered across six continents and three oceans:

Cinque Terre, Italy

This rugged Italian shore inspired Dante’s vision of Purgatory in his poem “Divine Comedy,” but to modern visitors, the Cinque Terre is absolute heaven.

Protected within the confines of a national park, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s made up of a cluster of five coastal villages that really do seem lost in time.

The villages are linked by the famous Sentiero Azzurro, as well as other hiking trails that lead to secluded beaches.

Turquoise Coast, Turkey

The Turquoise Coast curves around the southwest of Turkey.
The Turquoise Coast curves around the southwest of Turkey.
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Known as Lycia in ancient times, the big bend along Turkey’s southwest shore is one of the lesser known gems of the Mediterranean Sea which flaunts many attractive coastlines.

Its bays really are turquoise, especially otherworldly lagoon Ölüdeniz, or “Dead Sea,” near the amazingly photogenic Fethiye.

Sailing is a great way to discover the coast’s many secluded bays and coves.

Check out these crazy rock formations across the United States

Big Sur, California

Big Sur stretches across the California coastline between Carmel and San Simeon.
Big Sur stretches across the California coastline between Carmel and San Simeon.
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A coast that inspired works by Hunter S. Thompson, Jack Kerouac and Henry Miller, photographer Ansel Adams and even the Beach Boys must have something special, and Big Sur doesn’t disappoint.

The vertiginous drive along Highway One connects legendary Hearst Castle with redwood groves, rustic chic hotels, cliff-edge restaurants, and those cute little sea otters at Point Lobos.

Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland

The Giant's Causeway was the first World Heritage site in Northern Ireland.
The Giant's Causeway was the first World Heritage site in Northern Ireland.
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Long before popular TV series “Games of Thrones” was filmed here, the Antrim Coast was renowned for its stark, natural beauty.

The Giant’s Causeway, an estimated 40,000 basalt columns created by an ancient volcanic eruption, is one of its stand out sites.

Visitors can hike the shore on the Causeway Coast Way, a 51-kilometer trail that includes the vertigo-inducing Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

The 32 most beautiful places to visit in Ireland

Malabar Coast, India