There’s so much more to a great beach than just the sea and the sand – I mean, that’s a pretty good place to start, but local restaurants, bars, community vibes and general atmosphere are all important too. And now a new ranking of the 100 best beaches in the world has been released which factors in all that and more.
BeachAtlas didn’t just assess the natural beauty of each beach, but also party and nightlife, sense of community, cultural significance and diversity. A panel of influencers and experts then voted for their favorite beaches. Claiming the top spot as the best beach in the world? That would be Bora Bora – shocker.
Yep, the French Polynesian island, which is perched in the South Pacific, is a renowned beach destination. It’s hardly a budget-friendly place for a getaway, but those aquamarine waters and blindingly white sands are undeniably giving paradise. In fact, the destination introduced a tourist cap back in 2022 to make sure it retains its natural beauty.
Some slightly more unusual beaches have also done well in the ranking. Black Sand Beach in Iceland, made up of pebbles formed from volcanic rock, claimed spot number six, and Namibia’s aptly and eerily named Skeleton Coast, which is littered with whale carcasses and shipwrecks, claimed number nine.
Five UK beaches also made the top 100 list, with the highest being Brighton Beach at spot number 25. Sure, there are a few old fairground rides and one too many seagulls, but stoney beaches deserve their time to uncomfortably shine, and Brighton’s has gotta be one of the best.
These are the 25 best beaches in the world
- Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- Boulders Beach, South Africa
- Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
- Copacabana, Brazil
- Maya Bay, Thailand
- Black Sand Beach, Iceland
- Glass Beach, USA
- JBR Beach, UAE
- Skeleton Coast, Namibia
- Omaha Beach, France
- Whitehaven Beach, Australia
- Pattaya Beach, Thailand
- Cap d’Agde, France
- Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
- Barceloneta Beach, Spain
- Bondi Beach, Australia
- Source d’Argent, Seychelles
- Playa d’en Bossa, Spain
- Elia Beach, Greece
- Playa del Amor, Mexico
- Bacvice, Croatia
- Venice Beach, USA
- Praia Dona Ana, Portugal
- Paraga Beach, Greece
- Brighton Beach, UK
You can take a look at the full list of the 100 best beaches in the world according to the Golden Beach Awards 2024 right here.
Beach for the stars
With beach season on the horizon, there’s been no shortage of beach news recently. From the destinations with the bluest water in the world to all these brilliant spots for scuba diving, we’ve brought you plenty of info on where’s best for some sunny rest and relaxation. We’ve also got our own roundup of the world’s best beaches – any you’ve been to?
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