Imagine walking on a pristine beach, feeling the sand underfoot and hearing the soothing waves. Now, imagine that beach disappearing within your lifetime. This alarming scenario is becoming a reality as climate change accelerates coastal erosion through rising sea levels and stronger storms. A study in Nature Climate Change warns that up to half of the world's sandy beaches could vanish by the end of the century. Only significant efforts to curb global warming could save up to 40% of beaches, and preserve these cherished places for future generations.

Click through this gallery to discover the world's most stunning beaches at risk of disappearing....

According to the Nature Climate Change study, America could lose 3,436 miles (5,530km) of its beaches by 2100 due to rising sea levels and worsening erosion. Florida is one of the most at-risk states, and with 825 miles (1,327km) of gorgeous sandy coastline, it has a lot to lose. Miami Beach’s South Beach, a popular destination, relies on ongoing beach nourishment projects to combat erosion. In January 2020, the US Army Corps of Engineers undertook a £12.5 million ($16m) project to widen the beach and protect it from storm surges. Similarly, Surfside Beach has been replenished with sand from Lake Okeechobee to counteract shrinking.

Hawaii's famous Waikiki Beach is at significant risk due to rising sea levels and worsening coastal erosion, which could drastically impact the area within the next 15 to 20 years. As a man-made beach, Waikiki has long relied on coastal engineering to maintain its shores, but the growing threat of climate change demands more drastic measures. Current efforts include a £9.3 million ($12m) shoreline stabilisation project involving sandbag groynes and other techniques to slow erosion. 

California's 1,200-mile (1,931 km) coastline is famed for its sandy beaches, but many are facing serious erosion challenges. While it's normal for beaches to lose sand during winter storms, rising sea levels are exacerbating the problem, especially in southern California. Scientists predict that between one-third and two-thirds of these beaches could vanish by 2100 as higher water levels cause coastal cliffs to erode more rapidly, effectively doubling the current erosion rates. This process is already visible, with Malibu’s beaches shrinking and recent storms causing severe damage to Capistrano Beach in Orange County, including its boardwalk.

The Texas Gulf Coast is facing increasing threats from coastal erosion, with areas like Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula (pictured) particularly at risk. According to the Texas General Land Office, the coastline is retreating by up to 10 feet (3m) per year in some locations, driven by rising sea levels, more frequent and intense storms and human activities such as construction and dredging that disrupt natural sediment flows. Efforts such as beach nourishment, seawall construction and wetland restoration are underway, but without broader action on climate change, it is feared that Texas’ coastline will continue to erode at an alarming rate. 

Alaska's coastline is eroding quickly, especially in areas where the once-frozen ground, known as permafrost, is thawing due to warmer temperatures. This melting ground weakens the land, making it easier for waves and storms to wash it away. Coastal villages like Shishmaref (pictured) and Kivalina are in serious danger, with some parts of these communities already disappearing into the sea. The problem is getting worse because the sea ice that used to protect the shore from powerful waves is shrinking. Shishmaref has already lost hundreds of feet of land, and experts believe that Kivalina could become unliveable within the next decade if nothing changes. This situation has led to urgent talks about relocating these communities to safer areas. 

The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission used satellite images to monitor beach changes over 30 years and simulate future impacts of global warming. Their study found that the UK could lose 27.7% (951 miles or 1,531 km) of its sandy coastlines by 2100 in a best-case scenario, and up to 43.7% (1,500 miles or 2,415 km) in a worst-case scenario. West Dorset, known for its dramatic cliffs and sandy shores, is particularly vulnerable. The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, could see increased rock falls and severe erosion. In response, Lyme Regis and Bournemouth have recently had to import sand to replenish their beaches due to significant sand loss​. 

Small islands are especially vulnerable to erosion by the rising sea, including those of the Channel Island archipelago, which lies between England and France. The largest island Jersey, a popular bucket-and-spade holiday destination, was identified by the Nature Climate Change study as at risk of losing some of its sandy shores. With 43 miles (69km) of coastline, Jersey is spoilt for gorgeous sandy stretches such as St Ouen's bay, pictured, one of the best surf beaches on the island’s Atlantic coast.

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The famed white sand beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly around Progreso and Sisal, are experiencing significant erosion. Along with the usual culprits of rising sea levels and storm surges, the region is also being negatively affected by human activities such as sand mining and inadequate coastal management practices. A study in the Journal of Coastal Research identified this area as experiencing some of the highest rates of coastal retreat in Mexico, with erosion rates reaching up to 6.5 feet (2m) per year in certain locations. 

On the Pacific side of Mexico, the Baja California Peninsula, particularly around Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos, is grappling with the dual pressures of climate change and human development. The unique geological structure of these beaches combined with beachfront development has led to accelerated erosion, and a study in Geofisica Internacional highlights the vulnerability Baja California's shoreline, noting that erosion could worsen if mitigation measures are not implemented​. 

India's stunning 4,600 miles (7,500km) of coastline is facing an escalating battle against climate change. The rising sea levels and intensifying cyclones sweeping through the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are rapidly eroding the country's sandy shores. Marina Beach, famed as one of the world's longest urban beaches, is losing chunks of its coastline to relentless storm surges and high tides, while Goa's postcard-perfect Colva Beach (pictured) is watching its sands slip away, threatening the local tourism industry. Despite efforts by the Indian government to combat these changes with groynes and seawalls, these measures often feel like a temporary fix against the persistent force of nature.

Australia is facing significant threats to its iconic sandy beaches, with research led by the Joint Research Centre projecting that around 50% – approximately 7,100 miles (11,426 km) – of its coastline could be at risk by 2100 due to rising sea levels and increased storm intensity. In New South Wales, Sydney’s northern beaches, including Narrabeen and Collaroy, are among the most vulnerable as they are prone to significant sand loss during coastal storms. To fight the ongoing erosion, seawalls are being put in place to protect the coastline and the homes nearby.

The beaches along the country’s Indian Ocean coastline – many of which are blessed with bone-white sands and turquoise waters – are in peril too. The Nature Climate Change study warns that large beaches on Australia’s west coast could narrow by as much as 328 to 656 feet (100 to 200m). Beaches already facing erosion in Western Australia include Port Beach in Fremantle and South Thomson Bay on Rottnest Island – a 2019 Western Australia state government report identified these locations among 55 sites where coastal erosion could threaten homes, roads and other public assets over the next 25 years​. 

Victoria is also grappling with the effects of coastal erosion, particularly along its southern coastline. In 2013, Port Fairy, a picturesque town on the Great Ocean Road, lost over 13 feet (4m) of its beach, a significant blow to its landscape. Similarly, Apollo Bay (pictured) suffered severe sand loss after a major storm in 2018. Inverloch, located on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay, has been another casualty, losing over 98 feet (30m) of beach. These events have prompted authorities in Victoria to explore various strategies, including beach nourishment, to combat the ongoing erosion and protect these vital coastal areas.

With more coastline than any other country in the world, Canada’s sandy shores will also take a hit. A study by the Joint Research Centre projected that in the worst-case scenario, the country could lose approximately 8,963 miles (14,425km) its beaches by 2100. One region where erosion is already severe is Prince Edward Island, known for its striking red sand cliffs and golden sand dunes. The coastline is retreating at an average rate of nearly 12 inches (30cm) per year, driven by a combination of rising sea levels, increased storm activity and natural coastal processes. To combat this, the province has adopted innovative approaches, such as using drones to monitor and better understand the movement of sand and changes in the shoreline.

Rising sea levels and coastal erosion are major threats to British Columbia's beaches. A recent City of Vancouver report assessing the vulnerability of its shorelines highlighted that many of its popular sandy stretches, including Jericho Beach and Kitsilano Beach, are vulnerable to significant flooding from major storms. Without intervention, these beaches could suffer substantial erosion, loss of recreational areas and damage to coastal ecosystems. Efforts like enhanced flood defences and shoreline restoration are being considered to protect these critical coastal zones. 

Countries along Africa’s Atlantic coast were also flagged by the Joint Research Centre-led study as having some of the sandy beaches most likely to be engulfed by the sea. The palm-fringed golden sands of beaches like Kotu, Kololi and Batukunku are not only vital to the country’s tourism-driven economy but also to the livelihoods of many local residents. However, these beaches are gradually shrinking, putting coastal settlements at risk. In response, sand replacement projects have been undertaken to widen popular beaches and sea walls have been constructed in an effort to protect the coastline.

Guinea-Bissau, another small West African nation, heavily relies on its coastline for economic stability but faces the alarming prospect of losing more than 60% of its sandy beaches by 2100, according to the study by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission published in Nature Climate Change. One area experiencing particularly rapid erosion is Varela, near the Senegal border, known for its stunning windswept white sand beaches. This erosion not only threatens the natural beauty of the region but also the livelihoods of those dependent on the coastline for tourism and fishing.

The Caribbean without its picture-perfect tropical beaches is a horrendous prospect, but these sand-strewn shores are highly vulnerable to erosion as climate change takes its toll. Rising sea levels and more frequent storms have already eroded coastlines across the region. In particular, St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been heavily affected, with tropical storms and hurricanes stripping away sand and exposing bedrock. According to a 2014 World Bank report, some areas of St. Vincent had lost between 59 and 98 feet (18-30m) of beach over the previous nine years due to increased erosion and heightened flood risks from rainfall and storm surges.

See more of the world's amazing places being swallowed by the sea

Jamaica hit the global news in 2017 when one of its most popular beaches, Hellshire Beach in Portmore, St Catherine, all but disappeared, leaving beachside vendors and fishermen facing a bleak future. The situation has only deteriorated since, with the beach continuing to shrink due to the combined effects of pollution and rising sea temperatures, which have destroyed the offshore coral reefs. Without these reefs, the beach has become increasingly vulnerable to erosion, with large portions of sand being swept away by the tides. Despite efforts such as installing erosion monitoring towers and attempts to fortify the remaining beach, the situation remains critical, and the community faces an uncertain future. 

Long and narrow Chile’s Pacific Ocean coastline stretches for over 4,000 miles (6,437km) and is studded with gorgeous golden sands such as La Serena’s beach in the north. Chile is projected to be the third most affected country globally in terms of sandy beach loss. The Nature Climate Change study highlights that flatter and more natural coastlines, like much of Chile’s, are more vulnerable to erosion compared to steeper or artificially maintained waterfronts. The encroaching sea also threatens another of Chile's coastal treasures, Easter Island. Lying 2,200 miles (3,540km) west of the mainland, the remote Pacific Island is showing signs of rapid erosion along its fragile coastline. 

The island province of Hainan is China’s biggest beach destination, drawing tourists to its long sweeps of soft sand such as the crescent-shaped Yalong Bay (pictured) and Sanya Bay. However, rising sea levels and the increase in strength and frequency of typhoons landing on its coastline are a looming threat to the island's sandy shores. Typhoon Koinu in 2024 brought powerful winds and heavy rains, contributing further to shoreline retreat and increasing the vulnerability of low-lying coastal regions. Efforts to mitigate these effects include emergency response plans to strengthen coastal defences, but the challenges of ongoing climate change remain formidable​.  

Along with Russia, India and Brazil, Argentina is another of the 10 countries that the study identified as standing to lose the most sandy shoreline. The country's wild and rugged Atlantic coastline is also showing signs of beach loss, including the shrinkage of some of the yellow sandy bays that stretch along the Buenos Aires province’s coastline.

Brazil's extensive coastline, stretching over 4,900 miles (7,400km) is under threat, with popular beach destinations such as Copacabana and Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro and Ponta Verde in Maceio suffering from gradually diminishing the sandy shores. In recent years, increasingly intense storms and higher tides have accelerated beach erosion, particularly during the annual storm surge season. The loss of beach area not only threatens local ecosystems but also has significant economic implications for communities that rely heavily on tourism. 

Many beaches in the Aegean Sea, including those in Greece where holidaymakers flock annually for their gorgeous sands and blue seas, are at significant risk of vanishing beneath the waves if current climate trends continue. One notable example is Kamari Beach on the island of Santorini. Kamari, like lots of other beaches in the Aegean, is facing increased erosion due to rising sea levels and more frequent storm surges. The erosion is exacerbated by human activities such as construction and tourism, which often destabilise the natural coastal dynamics.

Thessaloniki, a vibrant city nestled along the Thermaic Gulf, is not just Greece's cultural hub but also a battleground against the relentless forces of nature. The city's beaches, including popular spots like Peraia and Agia Triada, are slowly succumbing to the grip of coastal erosion. Rising sea levels and more frequent storm surges batter the coastline, stripping away the precious sand. As a result, Thessaloniki's beloved coastal retreats are shrinking, threatening the local ecosystems and the tourism industry that relies on its beautiful beaches to draw visitors. 

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