Image courtesy of Lovango Resort & Beach Club
Whether you're after the sun-soaked energy of Mykonos or the remote barefoot luxury of Sumba, the global beach club scene has never looked chicer. From hidden coves in the Med to bohemian beaches in Brazil, these spots deliver setting, scene, and a strong sense of style. Some are iconic, others quietly under the radar—but all have one thing in common: they’re where in-the-know travellers are heading this summer. Here are 12 beach clubs where it’s actually worth booking a daybed.
For the scene seeker
Image courtesy of Faena Hotel Miami Beach
People-watching, bottle service, and a soundtrack that slides from daytime beats to golden hour anthems. These are the beach clubs where stylish crowds, effortless cool, and a perfect mix of energy and ease come together by the sea.
Scorpios, Mykonos
You may have preconceived notions about the Mykonos beach club scene—dancing on tables, champagne showers—but Scorpios surprises in the best way. Owned by the Soho House Group, it skips the chaos for something more civilized: a stylish, well-travelled crowd gathers for sunset rituals, mezze, and mellow DJ sets. Music blends Greek instruments with electronic beats, while cultural and spiritual programming adds depth—from live talks with artists to wellness workshops like somatic movement and sound meditations. The world-famous Sunset Ritual inspires calm as the sun dips into the Aegean, before the vibe ramps up with electric dancing energy. For another top-tier choice in Mykonos, Principote offers a similarly upscale experience but with a more exclusive feel and a stricter dress code.
Shellona, St. Barths
If there were a definition of the perfect St. Barths afternoon, Shellona would be it. Perched on sun-drenched Shell Beach—named for the tiny seashells scattered across its pale sand—this toes-in-the-sand spot captures the island’s chic style and draws a glam crowd for long lunches that stretch into golden hour. The tempo is slow, the mood sun-kissed and serene, and the food is standout. Greek chef Yiannis Kioroglou serves up flavor-packed dishes made for sharing—grilled octopus, colorful salads, cold and warm mezze—all best enjoyed under the shade of palms.
Faena Miami Beach
Faena Miami Beach is bold, glamorous, and totally iconic—think candy-striped umbrellas, swaying palms, and a flawless white-sand beach. Spacious daybeds and cabanas are great for friends and family, stocked with private minibars and next-level butler service—from refreshing foot washes to fruit-infused water and sunglass cleanings. The hotel’s theatrical vibe mixes Art Deco glam with Miami cool, making every moment feel like a showstopper. When the sun dips, the party kicks into high gear just steps away at the legendary Faena Theater, where cabaret, jazz, and comedy keep the buzz alive well into the night
For the stylish escapist
Image courtesy of Lovango Resort & Beach Club
Remote locations, dreamy daybeds with a view, and that feeling of being far away. This one’s for those who’d rather trade crowds for calm and dance floors for turquoise shallows. I'm talking boat-only access, low-key vibes, and beach clubs where the setting does most of the talking.
Lovango Resort & Beach Club, Saint John, US Virgin Islands
Just a breezy 10-minute ferry from St. John, Lovango’s beach club delivers the ultimate Caribbean daycation—an exclusive slice of island life with front-row views of St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. Claim a lounger by the 70-foot infinity pool, chill in a private cabana with frozen treats on tap, or snorkel straight off the beach at nine pristine reefs. You can hike to a secluded north-shore beach or (soon!) train in a jungle gym with a sea view. Stick around for golden hour and waterfront dinner at the island’s award-winning restaurant.
Cone Club, Sardinia
Perched on a quiet cove of Sardinia’s upscale Costa Smeralda, Cone Club is more than just a beach club, it’s an all-day affair. Set on the grounds of 7Pines Resort, it’s got a private pier for boat arrivals, a fish market for picking your own catch, and a cocktail list curated by mixologist Martina Bonci (of Gucci Giardino fame). Days drift from beachside crudo and burrata to jet skiing and fliteboarding; nights begin with the ringing of the sunset gong and end with DJs and dancing under the stars. Come for lunch, stay ‘til 1am—it’s that kind of place.
Gecko Beach Club, Formentera
A low-slung white building tucked into the dunes, Gecko Beach Club captures the unfussy, low-key glamour of Formentera. The beach club is part of Gecko Hotel, a 30-room hideaway with sea-facing terraces, plunge pools, and a breezy, mid-century feel. It sits directly on Migjorn Beach and is the only beach club on the island with direct access to the sea. Days are slow and salt-kissed: morning yoga in the shade of the pines, paddleboarding over calm, turquoise water, Balearic beats drifting from the bar. On the terrace, long Mediterranean lunches stretch into sundown — think red prawn ceviche or arroz marinero served straight from the pan, always with a chilled glass of rosé close at hand.
Nio Beach Club at NIHI Sumba, Indonesia
You don’t stumble upon Nio—you journey to it. Set on the far-flung shores of Sumba Island, this beach club is part of the ultra-remote NIHI resort and feels like the edge of the earth in the best way. Expect wood-fired seafood, coconut cocktails, and surfers chasing one of the world’s most coveted breaks. From the open-air dining pavilions to the oceanfront pool, everything is designed to showcase the wild beauty around you. Horses gallop along the sand. Waves crash. It’s exclusive, off-grid, and completely unforgettable. While it’s not the easiest to get to—you’ll need a short flight from Bali—and primarily for resort guests, it had to make the list as the ultimate escapist beach club.
For the barefoot bohemian
Image courtesy of Nômade Tulum
Worn-wood decks, mezcal cocktails, and mismatched cushions, these are the barefoot, bohemian spots where the vibe is loose, the décor unpolished, and the soundtrack drifts between lazy afternoon beats and the hush of waves.
Uxua Praia, Trancoso, Brazil
Part of the chic yet laid-back UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, UXUA Praia sits on Trancoso’s smallest beach, just steps from the colorful, UNESCO-protected town square. The bar—housed inside the hull of a weathered fishing boat beneath a thatched roof—pours handcrafted cocktails made from fresh local fruits. Nearby, the kitchen serves up bites like grilled shrimp skewers and tangy lime-coconut ceviche, all sourced from nearby farms and fishermen. The whole spot channels Trancoso’s bohemian soul, with colorful reclaimed wood, artisan touches, and the relaxed rhythm of surfboards carving waves, kayaks gliding past mangroves, and barefoot games of beach volleyball.
La Popular, Tulum
If there were ever a place for the quintessential bohemian beach club, it’s Tulum—and La Popular gets it just right. A little removed from the louder, high-energy beach clubs, it’s located on the quieter southern end of Tulum beach at Nômade hotel, known for its holistic wellbeing programs, community spirit, and soulful live music sets. You’ll sit on cushions at low tables right on the soft white sand, where afternoons drift by over passionfruit mezcal cocktails (or an impressive lineup of fresh smoothies) and just-caught fish grilled to perfection. If you’re lucky, you might spot the chef buying seafood straight from the boat. The mood is mellow and magnetic—palo santo curling through the air, beautiful people swaying to the rhythm. Peaceful, grounding, and photogenic.
Alemagou, Mykonos
Alemagou is a mood. Wild and windswept on Mykonos’ untamed Ftelia Bay, 10 minutes from Mykonos town, its design is earthy and simple with reed-thatched ceilings, dry-stone walls, giant cacti and pumpkin-shell lanterns. Days start slow with lounging on giant sunbeds, cocktails served in coconut shells, and Greek-inspired dishes like ceviche and seafood linguine, then build toward sundown with DJ sets that slip into electric beach parties. The vibe is easy and international and the design integrates seamlessly into the scrubby Cycladic landscape. Oh and be sure to say hello to Maggie, Alemagou’s resident goat.
For the food lover
Image courtesy of Nômade Tulum
Fresh-caught everything, sea-facing tables, and menus you’ll want to frame, these beach clubs are where the seafood rivals the scenery.
La Fontelina or La Scogliera, Amalfi Coast
Two of the most iconic beach clubs on the Amalfi Coast, La Fontelina and La Scogliera are destinations in their own right—drawing crowds as much for their kitchens as for their cliffside settings.
La Fontelina is a Capri classic. Open since 1949, this impossibly glamorous beach club is tucked beneath the cliffs with views of the Faraglioni—Capri’s famed rock formations rising from the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea. Its signature blue-and-white loungers dot the rocks, and the pergola-shaded restaurant is beloved for seafood staples like spaghetti alle vongole, grilled langoustines, and whole catch of the day carved tableside.
Just across the water in Positano, La Scogliera is another exclusive spot for a long, leisurely lunch with your feet practically in the sea. The setup is polished but low-key—white canvas daybeds, chilled rosé, and a standout menu that goes well beyond the usual seaside fare. Expect dishes like paccheri with lobster, delicate crudo platters, and tiramisu that’s worth staying late for.
Chiringuito Puente Romano, Marbella
Located on Marbella’s Golden Mile, El Chiringuito at Puente Romano is the kind of beach club that turns lunch into the main event. Set within one of Southern Spain’s most luxe resorts—home to nine restaurants, a world-class tennis club, and a laid-back, family-friendly vibe—it’s all whitewashed wood, linen-draped loungers, and seafood paella served with your toes in the sand. Expect gazpacho, grilled sea bass, Málaga-style sardine skewers, zingy salads, and crisp albariño poured with a smile. The atmosphere is easygoing and sociable, with families, couples, and groups of friends all happily lingering over lunch. There’s a kids’ menu and a vegan menu, so everyone’s covered.
Jondal, Ibiza
Jondal, tucked into the crystal-clear cove of Cala Jondal, is Ibiza’s ultimate see-and-be-seen lunch spot and a favorite among celebrities like Leo DiCaprio and Roger Federer. It’s renowned Chef Rafael Zafra’s menu that steals the show—think top-grade seafood, minimal fuss, and standout caviar dishes. You choose the day’s catch and how you want it: raw, grilled, fried, steamed or cured. The setting is chicly understated—wooden tables under shady trees—and the vibe is relaxed but refined. After lunch, grab a cocktail and claim a lounger by the sea. It books out months in advance during summer, so plan ahead if you want a seat at what many say is the best beach restaurant in the Med.