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Australia has the best beaches on the planet, period. Our sun-kissed continent regularly dominates global lists, defined by our powder-white sands, crystal-clear waters and epic water adventures. While almost every travel publication releases an annual list of the most breathtaking beaches on the planet, The World’s 50 Best is the holy grail. The 2026 rankings just dropped – and Australia was one of only three countries to secure three entries, including a bronze medal finish.
To compile their highly-anticipated ranking, The World’s 50 Best Beaches merged insights from 1,000 industry experts with rigorous, year-round scouting from their internal team. Each global nomination was evaluated across eight key criteria, including an idyllic setting, calm conditions, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry and lack of overcrowding.
It’s worth noting that any shoreline previously crowned #1 is automatically inducted into the ‘Best of the Best’ hall of fame. This keeps the annual top 50 fair and fresh, with Western Australia’s Lucky Bay (2023 winner) and Queensland’s Whitehaven Beach (2017) out of the running for this reason.
Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for: this year's results! After ranking 21st on last year’s list, Western Australia’s Wharton Beach has risen to claim the title of the third-best on Earth in 2026. Hidden in the Duke of Orleans Bay, an hour east of Esperance, this remote beach is perfect for those seeking solitude. Even on a perfect summer day, it rarely feels crowded, with crystal-clear turquoise water, pristine white sands and panoramic ocean views. The eastern side is also one of the region’s most popular surfing spots, and wild dolphins are frequently spotted close to the shore.
Another West Coast gem, Turquoise Bay, also cracked the global list, ranking 15th in 2026. Renowned for its sparkling waters, pure white sand, remote location and rare drift snorkelling, we agree it’s a worthy pick for international beachy fame. Even better – the waters of the bay are part of the Ningaloo Reef, providing up-close encounters with a diverse array of marine life.
Completing the Australian trifecta is the near-perfect curve of Wineglass Bay in Tasmania. Enclosed by granite peaks and dense vegetation, this protected bay is clear, calm and fully immersed in nature. While the shoreline is breathtaking, the wineglass-shaped cove is perhaps even more striking from above. We suggest admiring the views from the lookout before hiking down to the shore for a swim.
Keen to see which sandy stunners beat Australia’s best beaches in 2026? You can dive into the full ranking below.
The World's 50 Best Beaches for 2026:
- Entalula Beach, Philippines
- Fteri Beach, Greece
- Wharton Beach, Australia
- Nosy Iranja, Madagascar
- East Beach, Vomo Island
- Shoal Bay East, Anguilla
- Dhigurah, Maldives
- Playa Balandra, Mexico
- Koh Rong, Cambodia
- Donald Duck Bay, Thailand
- Cayo De Agua, Venezuela
- Cala Macarella, Spain
- One Foot Island, Cook Islands
- Princess Diana Beach, Barbuda
- Turquoise Bay, Australia
- PK 9 Beach, French Polynesia
- Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
- Cala Dei Gabbiani, Italy
- Saadiyat Beach, United Arab Emirates
- Canto de Playa, Dominican Republic
- Wineglass Bay, Australia
- Pink Beach, Indonesia
- Paradise Beach, Thailand
- Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
- Kalanggaman, Philippines
- Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
- Freedom Beach, Thailand
- Siesta Beach, USA
- Kaputaş Beach, Turkey
- Cayo Zapatilla, Panama
- The Baths, British Virgin Islands
- Cabo San Juan Del Guía, Colombia
- Baia Do Sancho, Brazil
- Porto Katsiki, Greece
- Santa Giulia, France
- Blue Lagoon, Fiji
- Playa Xpu Ha, Mexico
- Ofu Beach, American Samoa
- Playa Cofete, Spain
- Le Morne Beach, Mauritius
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
- Grand Anse, Grenada
- Praia Da Falésia, Portugal
- Pontal Do Atalaia, Brazil
- Boulder Beach, South Africa
- Porto Timoni, Greece
- Paje Beach, Zanzibar
- La Pelosa, Italy
- Cas Abao, Curaçao
- Keem Beach, Ireland