Nataly
TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards, the annual list of the world’s, Europe’s and the UK’s best beaches, voted for by holidaymakers, has been revealed, Daily Mail Online reports.
Baia do Sancho on the Brazilian archipelago Fernando de Noronha takes the top spot in the world rankings, followed by Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. While La Concha Sebastian has been crowned Europe’s best, Weymouth Beach, Dorset, takes the title of the UK’s most desirable beach.
1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Baio do Sancho in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha won the title of world’s best beach, which is no doubt down to its crystal clear waters – ideal for diving – and panoramic cliff-tops offering views of dolphins splashing in the bay
2. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Falling from first in 2016 to second place in 2017 was Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, which has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor with the community praising its ‘unbelievable colours’ and empty beach
3. Eagle Beach, Aruba, Caribbean
Stunning white sands and turquoise waters await beach-goers at this third-place Caribbean slice of paradise
4. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba
Paradise Beach, known locally as Playa Paraiso, on Cayo Largo del Sur, in Cuba, is down one place from last year with many critics on TripAdvisor praising its ‘beautiful, sheltered beach’
5. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida, United States
There’s a snack shack, volleyball nets, a playground and restrooms at this top Florida attraction, named the fifth best beach in the world in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards
Baio do Sancho in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha won the title of world’s best beach, which is no doubt down to its crystal clear waters – ideal for diving – and panoramic cliff-tops offering views of dolphins splashing in the bay.
The paradise archipelago also has a Unesco world heritage status. It was up one spot from its second place ranking last year.
Falling from first in 2016 to second place in 2017 was Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, which has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor with the community praising its ‘unbelievable colours’ and empty beach.
6. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian – Donostia, Spain
Sixth in the world and number one in Europe, unusually beach-goers at La Concha Beach can paddle out to Isla Santa Clara, a small island in the bay that features its own strip of beach, lighthouse, bar and picnic tables
7. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
A TripAdvisor reviewer explained why this uncrowded beach was named seventh best in the world. They said: ‘The beach is clean, the water is warm and its walking depth is way over 200 feet from shore’
8. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India
This pristine Indian beach is the only one from the country to make the world’s 25 best list. Reviewers claim it is the perfect spot to watch the sun set
9. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Crete, Greece
Consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in Europe, this year the Grecian beauty takes the title for ninth best in the world and second best in Europe. Reviewers say it offers ‘white sand with a hint of red garnet. Warm and clear water and no rocks at all’
10. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands
This untouched, rugged spot attracts nature lovers and iguanas alike. It rounds out the world’s top ten
In Europe, Spanish and Greek beaches dominate the top ten with each country home to a hat-trick of the most outstanding seascapes, according to the TripAdvisor community.
City beach La Concha Beach in San Sebastian was crowned number one in Europe.
Unusually, beach-goers can paddle out to Isla Santa Clara, a small island in the bay, which features its own strip of beach, a lighthouse, a bar and picnic tables.
Second place was claimed by dreamy Elafonissi Beach in Elafonissi, Crete, described by reviewers as offering ‘white sand with a hint of red garnet. Warm and clear water and no rocks at all’.
The UK struggled to make an impression on the global list of 25 best beaches but Weymouth Beach in Dorset did take the ninth spot in Europe.
As the UK’s best rated beach, critics hailed it as ideal for dog walking and said its golden sands are photogenic.
TripAdvisor spokesperson Hayley Coleman commented: ‘The UK’s Weymouth Beach beating beaches in Sardinia, Greece and Spain this year, proves that the UK’s beaches can more than hold their own against destinations with sunnier climes.’
11. Anse Lazio Praslin Island, Seychelles
Down from fourth place last year, Anse Lazio on Praslin Island is the Seychelles is a destinations which attracts celebrities
12. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
Actually only 5.5miles-long, Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman won twelfth place with holidaymakers impressed by its family-friendly vibe
13. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico
Trees lines Flamenco Beach on Isla Culebra off the east coast of Puerto Rico offering welcome shade. The beach has slipped from sixth place last year
14. Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
This Dominican Republic beach was commended for its ‘soft sand, beautiful turquoise sea’ and clean beach. Reviewers also commented on the waves being ‘gentle’
15. Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica
Reviewers praise this Jamaican beach as it doesn’t attract large crowds, it took the title for fifteenth best beach in the world
16. Anakena Beach, Easter Island
Ancient appeal: This award-winning cove has it all – ‘Moai and sand dunes, palm trees and gentle waves’ according to reviewers
17.Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia
Breath-takingly beautiful, Whitehaven Beach regularly features on lists of the best beaches in the world and is down to 17th place from 12th last year
18. La Cote des Basques, Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
The only French beach to feature on the list of the best 25 beaches in the world, this idyllic spot also won third place on the Europe list
19. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
Fourth on the Europe list and nineteenth in the world, Fig Tree Bay in Protaras, Cyprus, was noted for its ‘very clean beach with lots of sunbeds’ and the chance to enjoy water sports in its clear waters too
20. West Bay Beach, Honduras
Turqoise waters and vibrant coral makes the twentieth best beach in the world a paradise for snorkellers
21. Camp’s Bay Beach, Camps Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Dramatic setting: Boasting several restaurants and bars lining its shores, reviewers also praised this beach’s ‘sensational mountain backdrop’
22. Praia de Santa Maria, Santa Maria Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde
Up from 25th place last year, Praia de Santa Maria is a long beach with a pier and local craft stalls along it. It’s also popular with surfers
23. Playa Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Jungle vegetation and palm trees line this Costa Rican beach, previous visitors warn beach-goers to watch out for monkeys though who might steal their unattended items
24. White Beach, Boracay, Visayas, the Philippines
Explaining its popularity, reviewers said that this Boracay beach is ‘perfect for children and those not good at swimming’
25. Ngapali Beach, Ngapali Rakhine State, Myanmar
Down from number eight in last year’s awards, this peaceful spot achieved 25th place on the world’s best list due to its ‘laid back’ ambience.
See also: World’s Top 10 Places You’re NOT Allowed To Visit.
