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While winter feels like it’s far from over, days warm enough to stretch out on the sand and go for a dip in the gently lapping waves will come around again – and thanks to Tripadvisor, we know exactly where in the world you should be heading.
The platform’s annual Travellers’ Choice Awards celebrates the planet’s ‘best of the best’ beaches. Each stretch of coast that has achieved a staggering number of excellent reviews from over the past 12 months are ranked to produce a list of the most impressive beaches overall.
Topping the ranking for 2026 is Isla Pasion, a private stretch of blindingly white sand near Cozumel in Mexico. Sure, it’s not free to access, but if you’re keen to kayak along the shore and maybe spot some stingrays, the day pass which starts at around $45 is worth considering.
La Pelosa in Sardinia ranked eighth this year, and is known for its pellucid aquamarine waters. Entry will cost you €3.50, but for a setting which glistens like this one, we reckon it’s worth it. Have a look at all our favourite beaches in Italy.
Recommended: These are the most beautiful beaches in Europe, according to Time Out.
Keen for some wildlife spotting? Head to Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town, South Africa, home to a colony of endangered African penguins. There are actually three different beaches here, plus broadwalks for observing the birds (which are around 60-70cm tall). The boulders also mean that these beaches are sheltered from currents, so it’s a family-friendly spot if you’re keen to take little ones for a paddle.
As its name suggests, Clearwater Beach in Florida, which ranked seventeenth on Tripadvisor’s 2026 roundup, brags an expansive shore of crystalline water. This beach is also more urban than lots of others on this list, so this is the place for water sports like parasailing and jet-skiing.
The planet’s best beaches for 2026, according to Tripadvisor
- Isla Pasion, Cozumel, Mexico
- Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
- Balos Lagoon, Crete, Greece
- Eagle Beach, Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba
- Praia da Falésia, Olhos de Água, Portugal
- Banana Beach, Phuket, Thailand
- La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, San Diego, California
- La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia, Italy
- Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
- Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Simon’s Town, South Africa
- Falassarna Beach, Crete, Greece
- Platja De Muro, Majorca, Spain
- Tobacco Bay Beach, St. George, Bermuda
- Paleokastritsa Beach, Corfu, Greece
- Kite Beach, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Indonesia
- Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida
- Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy
- Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
- Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
🏖️ Have a read of Time Out’s guide on the world’s most beautiful beaches.
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