Beach sand, like sapphires, comes in myriad colors. They range from standard-issue pale cream to Prince-purple. The one shade to rule them all, perhaps ironically, is not the otherworldly sands in Papakōlea green or Punaluʻu black, but a stark, sugary white. The closer the grains come to the exterior of Gropius House, the more sought after by beach-starved travelers they become. “There’s something magical about soft white sand under bare feet and the hypnotic, unrelenting roar of crashing waves that soothes the soul,” says Misty Belles, an executive at luxury travel consortium Virtuoso. For some, white sand may conjure memories of the 1995 music video for Boyz 2 Men’s “Water Runs Dry.” But for most, including Leigh Rowan of Savanti Travel, a pristine beach brings to mind “peace, impermanence, and presence.” Fortunately, there are dozens of glorious white sand beaches the world over to add to your travel bucket list, from Polynesian paradises to penguin-dotted shores. Visit 12 of the most stunning below—just don’t forget to pack your sunblock.

The beach at the Intercontinental hotel in Bora Bora is a white sand jewel of French Polynesia’s honeymoon haven.

Well, aloha to you, too! Hawaii has no dearth of great beaches, but the white sand of Kauna‘oa Bay is, in Michelin Guide patois, worth a detour.

The Caribbean island with arguably the coolest name is also home to some killer white sand beaches like this one at Porto Mari.

Getting to Hyams Beach is a schlep and a half, but you won’t find a more gorgeous white sand beach.

If you enjoy the term Boho chic and hotels with names like Coqui Coqui, Tulum’s white sand offerings should top your travel list.

There are few beaches as beautiful and isolated as Boulders that are also penguin colonies. It’s your own private March of the Penguins without the snow.

The unofficial slogan of the Republic of Seychelles: If you absolutely, positively have to avoid human interaction, accept no substitutes.

White sand? Check. Wild rock formations in the horizon? Check. It’ll be nothing but bom dias at Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro.

Long Beach in New York might be more conveniently located, but the white-sanded one on Phu Quoc island, off the coast of Cambodia, smokes its Nassau County competition.

The Mediterranean coast of Turkey has many beaches, none as white-sandy and secluded as Kabak.

Just across a strait from the Greek isle of Corfu is Ksamil, a gorgeous Albanian white sand beach retreat that is decidedly under the radar.

Located on Hateruma island, which is closer to the coast of Taiwan than Japan, Nishihama gets all 10s for its peace, impermanence, and presence.