TripAdvisor released its reader’s choice Best Beaches in the World list for 2023 and there are a few in the United States. Here’s where to go.
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Best Beaches In The World
The votes are in and according to users of TripAdvisor, the best beaches have a few old favorites and some relatively new (or elevated) entrants. As spring break approaches in the US followed by a busy summer vacation period for North America and Europe, choosing the best beach becomes key to travel planning.
Unlike other outlets like Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, or Afar, TripAdvisor orders its list by votes rather than impressions from the heavily traveled writers of the world. This has both drawbacks and benefits.
For example, experienced travel writers are more likely to have a comprehensive view rather than a regional one. There’s a more macro approach based on years of experience. Elements that are important to a variety of travelers, accessibility, exclusivity, services, availability of activities and facilities all weigh on their ratings. Additionally, writers might want to show a wider variety and avoid repeating the same list every year, even if the beaches and their quality haven’t changed.
Traveler rated lists such as this one, however, are limited by the experience of those who submit ratings. Those who don’t travel often, perhaps have only ever been to one beach anywhere in the world, have an ability to submit votes along with those who have experienced many places. Destinations with fewer visitors like the Maldives but are home to exquisite beaches may be missing from the list by shear quantity of votes or the fact that visitors may be less inclined to rank a destination on TripAdvisor at all.
Nonetheless, TripAdvisor’s Best Beaches In The World (2023) list has some amazing spots to visit.
The List
Here are the Best Beaches In The World from any region:
- Baia do Sancho, Brazil
- Eagle Beach, Aruba
- Cable Beach, Australia
- Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
- Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
- Praia da Falesia, Portugal
- Radhanagar Beach, India
- Spiaggia dei Conigli, Italy
- Varadero Beach, Cuba
- Kaanapali Beach, Hawaii
- Siesta Beach, Florida
- Driftwood Beach, Georgia
- Manly Beach, Australia
- Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
- La Concha Beach, Spain
- Kelingking Beach, Indonesia
- Playa de Muro Beach, Spain
- Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
- Ipanema Beach, Brazil
- Nungwi Beach, Tanzania
- Falassarna Beach, Greece
- Nissi Beach, Cyprus
- Playa Norte, Mexico
- Magens Bay, Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands
- Balos Lagoon, Greece
Of the top 25, four US beaches comes in from Hawaii, Florida, and Georgia at 10-12th as well as the US Virgin Islands at 24th. Ten of the 25 are in North American (the US plus Mexico and the Caribbean.)
What Makes For A Great Beach?
They aren’t all powdery white sand beaches, in fact, Manly Beach, Austrailia features golden sand. The reason why it’s so popular among beach lovers is for the variety of activities, good surfing, cliffs, and rich marine life. In fact, contrary to popular belief, the black sand Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland is dangerous – getting near the water is not recommended and depending on the day, visitors may only access certain segments.
Part of what readers seemed to award was the uniqueness of the beach. The ability to encounter sea turtles in Hawaii, the excusiveness of an area seem to be more important than blue water or whether or not it is a particularly famous beach.
However, some voters remained taken by the traditional elements of the warm water of the Caribbean, with its famous turquoise water and beautiful beaches. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos, and Veradero in Cuba embody this.
Missing Entrants
The limestone cliffs of Western Australia are home to Lucky Bay, located in Cape Le Grand National Park which fell off the top 25 this year but has been a favorite. Also missing from the list are both the pink sand beach and “Pig Beach” in the Bahamas where visitors swim with native pigs and rest on a powder sandy beach.
Coral reefs were also missing from the list, along with the Maldives in the Indian Ocean – easily some of the most beautiful if we trust Matthew’s photos.
Conclusion
This year’s list has a fantastic array of beaches that vary from cold and dangerous to traditional and accessible. Following my visits to a couple of them on the list, I can attest that this list of best beaches is qualified and I’ve certainly added some to my own must-see list.
What do you think? Is there a beach on this list you think should be higher? What have they left off?
24. Magens Bay, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands- – The USVI is a US territory.
@Tee Jay – Good catch, it slipped past me. Updated.
Assateague beach Maryland. Heaven for mosquito and horse lovers. Drive over sand or hike to find a private section the Atlantic to be alone with the ocean. Swim all day and fish all night. If you value nature, there isn’t a better beach experience
Truth!
Shouldn’t we have a discussion about the Energy Secretary and how he has failed in making travel so expensive.
Orange Beach in AL or other Florida Panhandle beaches should be on the list over Siesta Key. But they aren’t as “sexy” as Siesta to a certain crowd.
And I miss the days where TripAdvisor did the worst hotels in America. That was a good read!
@Dave Edwards. Worst hotels in America? Gracious that be a looong list.
Only 2 beaches in Greece and 1 in Italy among the best 25??? I guess people haven’t traveled enough to see what amazing beaches are. Just check Tropea in Calabria and Cala Brandinchi and Spiaggia di Tuerredda in Sardinia and you will see what you are missing.
@Santastico – I’m adding those to my own list.
Kanapaali Beach was noticeably smaller when I was there last summer vs my previous time 6 years earlier. Hopefully it can be saved
Grace Bay is lovely in spots but it is so built up with mid rise condos.
Sauble, Southampton, Port Elgin beach on the east coast of Lake Huron.
Beautiful sand , great swimming and fishing, and the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
Plus it is fresh water!
I can’t imagine a Seychelles beach not making the list
Kauai sounds nice right about now https://travellersworldwide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_155402291.png
Cable Beach Broome Australia #3 ??? I was just in Broome on business and yes it’s a pretty beach, you can drive on it and pretty it’s empty. Not sure it’s even in the top 100. Interesting.
I can’t take list seriously that includes mediocre Kanaapali (there are about 100 better beaches in Hawaii alone). That said I do think Manly is one of the great urban beaches. Really there needs to be 2 lists – one for tourist destinations and one for city beaches (e.g. South Beach, Manhattan Beach, Manly) that are more easily accessed.
As longs as there is sun, sand, warm water, and something to watch, I’m happy!!