The world’s most popular beaches have been revealed, according to how many times they’ve been snapped on Instagram.
Whitehaven Beach in Australia is the most papped beach on the social media app according to new research with 129,585 photos featuring the hashtag #whitehavenbeach. And Hawaii’s Lanikai Beach is the world’s second-most Instagrammed beach with over 115,000 posts.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth Beach has been ranked as the most popular beach in the UK and seventh globally, with 72,503 snaps carrying the tag #bournemouthbeach. Scroll down to see the strips of sand that are most likely to get shutters clicking – and feel the ocean breeze.
1. Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Boasting white sands and crystalline waters, Whitehaven Beach in Australia was ranked as the world’s most popular beach with 129,585 photos posted to Instagram
Boasting white sands and crystalline waters, Whitehaven Beach in Australia is ranked as the world’s most popular beach according to Instagram, with 129,585 photos posted to the site, according to research by TravelSupermarket.
In 2017, the spot was rated the number one beach in the South Pacific as part of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
The shallows of Whitehaven Beach are often visited by various species of turtles and other marine life, including dolphins.
2. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii
Home to palm tree-line shores and clear waters, Lanikai in Oahu, Hawaii, has been ranked as the world’s second most popular beach with 117,525 photos posted to Instagram
Home to palm tree-lined shores and clear waters, Lanikai in Oahu, Hawaii, has been ranked as the world’s second most popular beach with 117,525 photos posted to Instagram.
The 0.5 mile strip of beach is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world and the name Lanikai aptly translates to ‘heavenly sea’.
What makes Lanikai particularly popular with photographers are the two small Islands close to shore called the Na Mokulua or ‘mokes’.
3. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda has been named as the world’s third most popular beach with 90,404 photos posted to Instagram
Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda has been named as the world’s third most popular beach with 90,404 photos posted to Instagram.
Getting its name from its curved shape, the sandy cove is known for its translucent, strikingly blue waters and pink-hued sands.
Dramatic rock formations also surround Horseshoe Bay, with hidden caves and tucked-away coves making for ideal photo backdrops.
4. Cayo Coco Beach, Cuba
The golden shores of Cayo Coco in Cuba have been rated the world’s fourth most popular beach spot with 84,494 photos posted to Instagram bearing the hashtag #cayococo
The golden shores of Cayo Coco in Cuba have been rated the world’s fourth most popular beach spot with 84,494 photos posted to Instagram bearing the hashtag #cayococo.
Natural features in the area include lagoons and marshes that are home to birds such as the white ibis.
There is also a native colony of pink flamingos that’s ranked among the largest in the Americas.
5. Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic
Bavaro Beach in the Dominican Republic has been hailed as the world’s fifth most popular beach with 83,183 photos posted to Instagram
Bavaro Beach in the Dominican Republic has been hailed as the world’s fifth most popular beach with 83,183 photos posted to Instagram.
The area is known for its endless white-sand beaches and crystal-clear blue waters.
Some parts of the shoreline boast Blue Flag status and the offshore reef lures divers with its colourful corals and abundant marine life.
6. Boulders Beach, South Africa
Boulders Beach in South Africa has been hailed as the world’s sixth most popular beach with 77,748 photos posted to Instagram
Boulders Beach in South Africa has been hailed as the world’s sixth most popular beach with 77,748 photos posted to Instagram.
A collection of ancient granite boulders protect the sandy cove from the wind and large waves, making it an ideal place to swim.
The beach, which falls under the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, is usually crowded by African penguins rather than tourists.
7. Bournemouth Beach, United Kingdom
Bournemouth in the UK has been hailed as the world’s seventh most popular beach desination with 72,503 photos posted to Instagram
Bournemouth in the UK has been tipped as the world’s seventh most popular beach destination with 72,503 photos posted to Instagram.
The seaside town has four Blue Flag beaches in total including Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne.
Its historic pier jutting out from the mainland makes for a popular photo subject.
8. Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas
Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas has been named as the world’s eighth most popular beach with 71,087 photos posted to Instagram
Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas has been named as the world’s eighth most popular beach with 71,087 photos posted to Instagram.
Its pale pink sands stretch for some three plus miles and its unique colour comes from microscopic coral insects, known as Foraminifera, which have a bright red shells.
Outlying reefs are popular with snorkelers and many visitors opt to watch the sun go down while riding along the water’s edge on horseback.
9. Ao Nang Beach, Thailand
Ao Nang in Thailand has been ranked as the world’s ninth popular beach with 60,812 photos posted to Instagram
Ao Nang in Thailand has been ranked as the world’s ninth popular beach with 60,812 photos posted to Instagram.
During the day, most parts of the beach are fairly quiet as there aren’t many shady spots.
However, visitors flock to the shoreline at sunset with their cameras in a bid to get that golden holiday shot. The beach is known for being framed by dramatic limestone headlands.
10. Playa Paraiso Beach, Mexico
Rounding out the top ten is Playa Paraiso in Mexico, with 60,381 photos posted to Instagram
Rounding out the top ten is Playa Paraiso in Mexico, with 60,381 photos posted to Instagram.
Boasting an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and water at 21 degrees Celsius, the spot is a paradise for sun-seekers.
Its aqua blue waters and pristine white sands make for an ideal holiday shot.
And rounding out the top 25 are: 11. Dreamland Beach in Bali; 12. Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos; 13. Eagle Beach in Aruba; 14. Varadero Beach in Cuba; 15. Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland; 16. Shoal Bay Beach in Antigua; 17. Flamenco Beach in Culebra; 18. Navagio Beach in Greece; 19. Waipio Valley Beach in Hawaii; 20. Fig Tree Bay Beach in Cyprus; 21. Playa Norte Beach in Mexico; 22. Ile aux Cerfs in Mauritius; 23. Maya Bay Beach in Thailand; 24. Trunk Bay Beach in US Virgin Islands; 25. Manly Beach in Australia.