TripAdvisor names the best beaches in the world for 2019 

Baia do Sancho, on the isle of Fernando de Noronha, was named the best beach in the world by TripAdvisor in 2017 but it slipped to second place last year. Now it has regained its title, and it came out on top of the Travellers’ Choice Beach awards 2019. The remote beach boasts crystal clear waters – ideal for diving – and panoramic cliff-tops offering views of dolphins splashing in the bay. It has a 91 per cent ‘excellent’ rating on TripAdvisor and one traveller simply summed it up as being ‘paradise’, adding: ‘This was truly a view I will never forget in my life. Such a beautiful and extraordinary place. You cannot describe in words the beauty of it. Magical!’

Varadero Beach is one of Cuba’s most well-known beaches and it climbed up one place to number two in this year’s list. It is on the fringe of a bustling resort town and the coastline is peppered with hotels that were built in the 1920s by American celebrities and gangsters, including Al Capone. One favourable review of Varadero Beach on TripAdvisor says: ‘A two hour scenic drive from Havana will take you to heavenly Varadero where you can enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean in a quieter more pristine setting. Have lunch in Al Capone’s little mansion by the sea, stroll by the sandy beach while waiting for the sun to do a dramatic exit at the end of the day’

Eagle Beach – famed for its pristine scenery, gnarled Fofoti trees, nesting sea turtles and great water sports – has crept up a spot in 2019, rising from number four to three in the ranking. One TripAdvisor reviewer simply said ‘wow’, adding: ‘The beach was clean and peaceful. Maybe it was the time of the year, but it was not crowded at all’

The highest rated beach in Europe according to TripAdvisor is La Concha Beach in San Sebastian on Spain’s northern coast. It’s located in the centre of the city and boasts more than 4,000 feet of white sand, plus there’s a small island – Isla Santa Clara – in the middle of the bay. Beachgoers at La Concha can swim out to the island, which has its own small beach, lighthouse, picnic tables and bar. One traveller simply described La Concha as ‘stunning’, adding: ‘We’ve just returned from a two-night break in San Sebastian and La Concha beach was one of our highlights! This beach is stunning, extremely clean, toilets available at different points and not an overflowing bin in sight! It’s not to be missed’

Last year Grace Bay in the Caribbean nation of the Turks and Caicos was named the best in the world but it has now slipped to number five in the rankings. Despite the fall, it maintains a 89 per cent ‘excellent’ rating with travellers praising its turquoise waters, powdery snow-white sand and glorious year-round sunshine. One reviewer wrote: ‘Hard to believe it took me 50 years to discover the beautiful and pristine Grace Bay beach. But now that I’ve visited this seven-mile stretch of pure paradise, I cannot wait to book my next visit! The softest sand, crystal clear turquoise blue water, and activities for all ages to enjoy! Be sure to add this beautiful spot to your bucket list!’

The number one beach in America is Clearwater Beach, pictured, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to TripAdvisor’s 2019 rankings. It is known for its stretch of soft, white sand and calm, inviting waters. On TripAdvisor, 73 per cent of those reviewing the beach rated it as ‘excellent’ with only one per cent saying it is terrible. One recent review reads: ‘Just where we needed to be this February after the freezing sun zero temps in the Midwest! Gorgeous beach with soooooo [sic] much to do! Amazing restaurants and hotels. Had an absolutely blast! Highly recommend!’

Spiaggia dei Conigli, located on the Italian island of Lampedusa in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, is popular with visitors. Its name in Italian translates to English as ‘beach of the rabbits’ – although it is best known for its colony of loggerhead turtles. It has an impressive 89 per cent ‘excellent’ ranking on TripAdvisor, with travellers calling it ‘a real gem’. One visitor wrote: ‘Please, if you’re looking for a beautiful, small beach with no waves, warm crystal clear water, fish, soft white sand and a ton of sun on a small, friendly Italian island, THIS is the place!’

Seven Mile Beach is a long crescent-shaped sand beach on the western end of Grand Cayman island. One TripAdvisor reviewer deemed in the ‘best beach in the Caribbean’, adding: ‘There are many different beaches which are all a part of seven mile beach. There is great snorkelling on most of the beaches. You can rent snorkelling gear, umbrellas, and lounge chairs at many locations along the beach. There will be other things to rent too (parasails, jet skies, kayaks, etc). The beach is great to just walk on and enjoy!’

People soak up the sun on the beach at Playa Norte – a major attraction for people visiting Mexico. It is located on the island of Isla Mujeres which is just off the coast of Cancun and the beach is about 2,250 feet long. In fact, one traveller on TripAdvisor rated it as the best beach in the world, thanks to its white sand and clear waters. Their review read: ‘The beauty of Playa Norte is better experienced than explained. Having been on many beaches all over the world I would rate Playa Norte as one of the best. Each day of our vacation we walked the calm shallow waters. There are plenty of beach bars to stop for refreshments or snacks’

A prime attraction in Negril, Jamaica, are the beaches, specifically the famous Seven Mile Beach. At one time the sandy strip was controlled by unruly pirates but these swashbucklers have since been replaced by sun-worshipers. One impressed visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: ‘The beach itself is amazing. Water as clear and blue as a pool. Calmest in the morning, and a sky full of fantastic sunsets in the evening. Not much to see underwater, but you could certainly snorkel. There were some small schools of tiny fish, and the occasional starfish or stingray’

The unusual red sand and dramatic cliffs surrounding the bay has seen Falesia Beach in Portugal enter the top 20 this year. It stretches for six kilometres along the coastline and is decorated with pine trees. To access the sand, beach-goers have to clamber down wooden steps through the cliffs. One of the reviews on TripAdvisor reads: ‘Quiet secluded beach but stunning views and miles of sand to spend all day enjoying yourselves and not commercialised. Small cafe and toilets at the entrance then miles of perfect beach. Well recommended’

Brazil’s Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, in the Cabo State of Rio de Janeiro, is one single beach divided into two and separated by rocks. The main feature is the calm turquoise sea, and it is a popular spot for swimming and diving. The area is accessible from from Rio de Janeiro, taking around two-and-a-half hours by car and three hours by bus. One traveller wrote on TripAdvisor: ‘These beaches are, from my point of view, the most beautiful in the southeastern coast in Brazil. Amazing white and thin sand and light blue sea are a perfect spot to enjoy life as it is. They are not as crowded as other beaches in Arraial do Cabo. Depending on the day, you might just be as lucky as swim with turtles or small fish’

Playa de Ses Illetes has an impressive 80 per cent ‘excellent’ rating on TripAdivisor, with travellers deeming the spot on Formentera in Spain as ‘stunning’ and comparable to a beach in the Caribbean. One reviewer wrote: ‘Just one word: Paradise on earth! Free beach and private beaches, incredible water and sands, few restaurants and bar. Perfect for a long weekend to escape from the town’

Ka’anapali Beach, which is around 50 minutes from Maui’s Kahului Airport, landed at number 14 in the rankings for its white sands and crystal clear waters, which are perfect for snorkelling. One reviewer wrote: ‘This beach seems to go on for miles and is a beautiful, pristine beach with a wonderful miles-long boardwalk full of restaurants, shops, crafts, etc. If you happen to have a hotel in Ka’anapali you don’t even really need a car to enjoy all the beauty of Maui. The swimming and snorkelling is awesome from this beach’

The famous lagoon of Balos is located 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos. It is popular for its turquoise waters and wild natural beauty . One reviewer wrote: ‘Take a boat trip around the headland and view this fabulous unspoilt lagoon in all its glory. You will be amazed at the colour and temperature of the sea. Not to be missed’

Radhanagar Beach, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is counted among the most beautiful beaches of Asia with the rainforest bordering a strip of white sand. It has a 77 per cent ‘excellent’ rating on TripAdvisor, with travellers deeming it ‘awesome’ and ‘clean’. On recent review reads: ‘The Indian Ocean at its best here. Clear blue water and you can swim as you like. Tall trees and green belt around the beach, and guarded on two sides by hills, this makes a perfect setting for a beautiful beach. The beach is free from hawkers and eateries except for one restaurant serving vegetarian lunch. There is a stall selling handicrafts’

Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica has two main beaches, including Playa Manuel Antonio which came number 17 in the ranking. It is around a 30-minute hike from the main entrance of the park. It is a popular area to visit for wildlife spotting, with the park home to 109 species of mammal and 184 types of bird. One reviewer said of the place: ‘Walking into Manuel Antonio and hiking provides you with excellent chances of seeing many of the animals that live in the park. Follow the hike with a trip to the beautiful beach where you can spend hours enjoying the sandy beach and warm water. It was our family’s favourite day in Costa Rica’

The top-rated beach in Australia is the famous Manly Beach in Sydney, which is popular with both holidaymakers and surfers. It attracts eight million beachgoers each year and most take the 30 minute ferry ride across Sydney’s famous harbour to reach the sand. One recent review reads: ‘Manly is amazing! Three beaches, every restaurant and souvenir shop imaginable and miles of sandy beach! The surf is incredible and there was every kind of surfer there’

Kelingking Beach is considered one of Bali’s top sandy spots, with a secluded cove edged by turquoise waters. There is also a steep cliff and headland, which is a popular place for travellers to take photos from. One reviewer wrote recently: ‘If you are looking for the perfect Instagram photo then this is it! To get there you can go with a car or hire scooters. We hired scooters because we love going out on our own.’ The traveller said that once you reach the headland, there is a path leading down to the quiet beach. They add: ‘It’s a difficult path to get down but so worth it’

The highest rated beach in the UK according to TripAdvisor is Bournemouth Beach, thanks to its clean golden sand. Councillor Pat Oakley, from Bournemouth Council, said: ‘It’s very exciting to top the TripAdvisor awards lists for the second year in a row! Tourism makes a £1 billion contribution to the local economy here… We value our beautiful, attractive yet fragile environment and are resolute in our commitment to both developing and protecting what makes Bournemouth such a great place to visit’

Elafonissi Beach in Crete has dropped down ten rankings when compared to last year. Unlike many other beaches, the sand looks almost pink while the water is relatively shallow. It has a 72 per cent rating on TripAdvisor and one traveller describes it as ‘a must see in Crete’. They add: The pink shade of coral on the sand, the crystal waters of the sea, warm too! The vibe! It’s just stunning. The drive there is also an experience, driving through lively traditional villages. We have been countless times and every time it was amazing’

Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus is one of the top ten rated beaches in Europe with its beautiful sands and family-friendly shallow waters. On TripAdvisor, 70 per cent of reviewers have rated it as ‘excellent’ and the beach is best known for the number of water sports on offer. One of the reviews, left in December 2018, reads: ‘What a great little beach this is, lovely white sands and a shallow slope into the water ideal for young children, great local amenities within spitting distance also’

Surfers Paradise beach is Queensland’s best known beach with a temperate climate all-year round. It came number 23 in the TripAdvisor list, beaten by Manly Bay in Sydney to Australia’s top spot. One TripAdvisor review said of the popular surf and swimming spot: ‘Surfer’s Paradise beach is so good, we never even bother to go to other beaches when we travel overseas. Miles of beautiful sand, clean water, litter free environment and space for everyone, put this beach right up there with the world’s best’

A sun-seeker explores the large rock boulders strewn across the highly-rated Anse Lazio beach in the Seychelles.  It has slipped from number 15 in the TripAdvisor list to 24th place. Despite the fall, holidaymakers who have made the trip to the beach still can’t praise the white sand and crystal clear waters enough. One reviewer wrote: ‘A must visit destination of your Seychelles trip. It is situated in Praslin Island which can be reached by domestic flights or by boat. A magnificent beach… It will add colour to your journey’

Santa Monica Beach in Boavista, Cape Verde, stretches more than 22km along the south-west area of the island. It sits on the Atlantic Ocean, with the waters ideal for experienced surfers. Visitors can get to more secluded parts of the beach on quad bike excursions. One traveller wrote on TripAdvisor: ‘This beach is well worth a visit! We have now visited three times. We came here twice on quad bike tours, where you go to the area with loads of sand dunes. You can quad bike on the dunes and get to stop for a toe dip in the sea’