A beach in the Caribbean nation of the Turks and Caicos has been named as the best in the world by TripAdvisor.
Grace Bay in Providenciales came out on top of the Travellers’ Choice Beach awards beating competition from beaches in Brazil, Cuba and Spain.
The top-rated beach in the UK is Bournemouth beach, the No1 in the USA is Clearwater Beach in Florida while Manly Beach is deemed to be the best in Australia. Taking the crown for the best beach in Europe is La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain.
1. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Coasting to victory: The best beach in the world has been named as Grace Bay, pictured, which has turquoise waters, powdery snow-white sand and glorious year-round sunshine
2. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Coming in second is Baio do Sancho in Brazil which has crystal clear waters – ideal for diving – and panoramic cliff-tops offering views of dolphins splashing in the bay
3. Varadero Beach, Cuba
Varadero Beach is one of Cuba’s most well-known beaches and came third in the list thanks to white sand that is lined with coconut trees
4. Eagle Beach, Aruba, Caribbean
The powdery white sand, deep blue sea and palm trees means it’s easy to see why Eagle Beach is highly rated on TripAdvisor
5. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
Actually only 5.5miles-long, Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands was praised for its family friendly vibe
TripAdvisor announces the Travellers’ Choice beach awards every year and they are based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings gathered over a 12-month period.
Grace Bay came out on top globally thanks to its turquoise waters, powdery snow-white sand and glorious year-round sunshine.
One reviewer wrote on TripAdvisor: ‘My wife and I loved Grace Bay, which must be one of the nicest beaches in the world. Uncrowded, beautiful emerald water, very clean, stunning.’
6. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian, Spain
The highest rated beach in Europe according to Tripadvisor is La Concha Beach in San Sebastian on Spain’s northern coast
7. Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA
The best beach in the USA is Clearwater Beach, pictured, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to 2018’s rankings
8. Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica
Whether strolling along the sand or paddling on the calm water, visitors to Jamaica are nearly always impressed with Seven Mile Beach in Negril
9. Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic
Holidaymakers in the Dominican Republic praised the cleanliness of Bavaro Beach and how the water gently laps the shore
10. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
People wade in the warm water and soak up the sun on the beach at Playa Norte – a major attraction for people visiting Mexico
While another added: ‘This is one of the most beautiful settings you will ever experience. The beach is wide and excellent for a long walk. Peaceful and not overcrowded. The water consists of multiple shades of blue and you can get lost in the horizon.’
The second best rated beach in the world is Baia do Sancho in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago with Unesco world heritage status.
It was praised for its crystal clear waters – ideal for diving – and panoramic cliff-tops offering views of dolphins splashing in the bay.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: ‘It’s impossible to translate the beauty of this place into pictures.
11. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
Elafonissi Beach in Crete has dropped down the rankings when compared to last year. But reviewers still say it offers ‘white sand with a hint of red garnet. Warm and clear water and no rocks at all’
12. Falesia Beach, Albufeira, Portugal
The unusual red sand and dramatic cliffs surrounding the bay has seen Falesia Beach in Portugal enter the top 20 this year
13. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
The clear water and abundance of sun loungers means that Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus is one of the top rated beaches in Europe
14. Bournemouth Beach, Dorset, UK
The highest rated beach in the UK according to TripAdvisor is Bournemouth Beach, thanks to its clean golden sand
15. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles
A sun seeker tops up her tan while children play in the water of the highly rated Anse Lazio beach in the Seychelles
16. Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
The top rated beach in Australia is the famous Manly Beach in Sydney, which is popular with both holidaymakers and surfers
‘Everything, from the waves and the temperature of the water to the sand and the flowers and the birds flying over it makes you feel like you are in paradise.’
Coming in third is Varadero Beach in Cuba, which was raised for having ‘pure golden sand’.
In fourth place is Eagle Beach in Aruba while rounding off the top five is Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands.
The highest rated beach in Europe came sixth overall – La Concha in San Sebastian, Spain. It’s located in the centre of the city and boasts 1,500 metres of white sand, plus there’s a small island – Isla Santa Clara – in the middle of the bay.
17. Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA
Another beach popular with surfers, Santa Monica State Beach is number 17 on the list with people suggesting it is the perfect location for a romantic stroll
18. Angoda Beach, Goa, India
The only Indian beach to feature in the top 25 is Angoda Beach in the holiday hotspot of Goa on the country’s west coast
19. Kleopatra Beach, Alanya, Turkey
Kleopatra Beach with its deep blue waters and golden sand on Turkey’s Alanya coast is another top rated beach in Europe
20. Galapagos Islands
Rounding off the top 20 is the Galapagos Islands with its untouched, rugged beach that attract nature lovers and iguanas alike
Beachgoers at La Concha can swim out to the island, which has its own small beach, a lighthouse, picnic tables and a bar.
In seventh place is the highest ranking US beach, Clearwater Beach on Florida’s Gulf coast.
Meanwhile the best UK beach is Bournemouth Beach in Dorset. Its clean golden sand propelled it to the top spot – and 14th globally.
Councillor Pat Oakley, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and arts at Bournemouth Council, said: ‘We’re delighted and honoured to top the TripAdvisor list.
‘We’re especially thrilled with our international ranking. As the UK’s Best Seaside Town, we’re immensely proud to offer world class beaches on British shores without the need to travel abroad.’
21. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy
On the Italian island of Lampedusa in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Spiaggia dei Conigli is popular with visitors
22. Sharm El Luli, Egypt
The stunning coast of Sharm El Luli in Egypt attracts holidaymakers who go diving and snorkelling to see the coral and other wildlife
23. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania
The only African beach to make it in the top 25 is Nungwi Beach on the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania
24. Punta Uva Beach, Costa Rica
Punta Uva Beach in Costa Rica is a huge stretch of sand that is largely untouched and just makes it inside the top 25
25. White Beach, Malay, Philippines
In the heart of the Philippines, White Beach, named after its white sand, rounds off the top 25 best beaches in the world list
Second place in the UK winners’ list this year goes to Scotland’s Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris, which comes in 16th in Europe, while Rhossili Bay, located in Swansea County, Wales, comes in third in the UK and 25th in Europe.
The best rated beach in Australia is Manly Beach in Sydney, which came 16th in the global list.
Hayley Coleman from Tripadvisor said: ‘Year after year UK beaches continue to beat many others located in exotic destinations around the globe, proving that it’s not just good weather that makes a cracking beach.
‘For those, however, who want guaranteed sunshine and sand, TripAdvisor hotel pricing shows that travellers can find great value on warm-weather escapes to these popular beaches this year.’
For the complete 2018 Travellers’ Choice Beaches Awards winners, click here.