Question of the Week • Which Are The Worlds Best Beaches?

The Worlds Highest Rated Beaches?

The world’s top ten best-rated beaches often feature a mix of locations, with recent lists highlighting Elafonissi Beach (Greece), Banana Beach (Thailand), Eagle Beach (Aruba), and Siesta Beach (USA) as top contenders. Other commonly cited beaches include Praia da Falésia (Portugal), Playa Varadero (Cuba), Bavaro Beach (Dominican Republic), Playa de Muro (Spain), Kelingking Beach (Indonesia), and Myrtos Beach (Greece).

There is no single list of the world’s most popular beaches, but consistently high-ranking beaches include Grace Bay (Turks & Caicos), Siesta Key Beach (Florida, USA), and Eagle Beach (Aruba). Other popular beaches often cited are Praia da Falesia (Portugal), Elafonissi Beach (Greece), and Baia do Sancho (Brazil).

Here’s a collection of best beaches calculated by how often they are rated by travel related organizations:

TripAdvisor named Elafonissi Beach in Crete, Greece, as the top beach in the world for 2025. Other beaches frequently cited by TripAdvisor as among the world’s best include Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos, Baia do Sancho in Brazil, and Cala Goloritzé in Italy, which was also named #1 by a panel of beach experts in 2025. The “best” beach often depends on individual preferences for factors like sand type, water clarity, activities, or seclusion.

The following are rated by The Beach Report:

Cala Goloritzé, Italy: it’s known for its stunning natural monument arch and turquoise water.
Whitehaven Beach, Australia: Famous for its 98% pure silica sand and swirling blue and white waves.
Eagle Beach, Aruba: A wide, beautiful beach that has consistently ranked high in other travel awards.
Praia da Falesia, Portugal: Features a dramatic backdrop of 130-foot-tall red cliffs.

Siesta Beach, Florida, USA: Known for its fine, quartz-crystal sand.
Playa de Rodas, Spain: A stunning beach on the Cíes Islands, though the water is actually cold.

A Few More Beaches From Travel Publication Lists

Anse Source d’Argent is a stunning beach located on the southwest coast of La Digue, Seychelles, and is frequently celebrated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world

Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach, is an exposed cove, sometimes referred to as “Smugglers Cove”, on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. Navagio Beach was originally known as Agios Georgios.

Bondi BeachThe sweeping white-sand crescent of Bondi is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. Reliable waves draw surfers while, nearby, hardy locals swim in the Icebergs ocean pool year-round.

Champagne Beach \is a beach located on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. The beach is famous for its crystal clear waters and powdery white sands, which make it ideal for snorkeling.

Nissi Beach is a popular beach in the resort of Ayia Napa, Cyprus. The beach stretches for 500 metres and the water is clean enough for the beach to have been awarded the blue flag designation. The beach, which runs the length of its own cove, takes its name from the small islet of Nissi located close to the coast.

We were also sent a list compiled by VRBO:

1. Copacabana Beach, Brazil Location: Rio de Janeir. Highlights: Famous for its 4 km stretch, lively beach culture, and iconic views of Sugarloaf Mountain.

2. Whitehaven Beach, Australia Location: Whitsunday Islands, Queensland. Highlights: Renowned for its pure white silica sand and crystal-clear waters, often ranked among the best beaches in the world.

3. Maya Bay, Thailand Location: Koh Phi Phi Leh. Highlights: Known for its stunning limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, made famous by the movie “The Beach.”

4. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles Location: La Digue Island. Highlights: Famous for its unique granite boulders, shallow turquoise waters, and pink sand.

5. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, USA Location: Honolulu, Oahu. Highlights: A bustling beach with excellent surfing, vibrant nightlife, and stunning views of Diamond Head.

6. Bondi Beach, Australia Location: Sydney. Highlights: Iconic for its surf culture, golden sands, and the scenic Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

7. Playa del Carmen, Mexico Location: Riviera Maya. Highlights: Known for its lively atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and proximity to ancient Mayan ruins.

8. Kuta Beach, Indonesia Location: Bali. Highlights: Famous for its surf breaks, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful sunsets.

9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia Location: Society Islands. Highlights: Known for its stunning lagoon, coral reefs, and luxury overwater bungalows.

10. Tulum Beach, Mexico Location: Quintana Roo, Highlights: Famous for its Mayan ruins overlooking the sea, eco-chic resorts, and pristine beaches.