Jessica Reid | 01 May 2024
The World's 50 Best Beaches 2024 have been announced
The USA, Italy and Australia dominate the rankings, while other little-known gems also get a look in...
The USA, Italy and Australia dominate the rankings, while other little-known gems also get a look in...
A beach in the US Virgin Islands has been named number one globally in the official World's 50 Best Beaches for 2024.
More than 1,000 travel experts weighed in to vote Trunk Bay to the top of the rankings.
Thanks to the Virgin Island National Park as its luscious natural backdrop, and its sheltered position creating calm, clear waters idyllic for swimming, it’s the protected nature that has distinguished this Caribbean beach from other paradise hot spots.
The bay was named after the local population of leatherback turtles (known as ‘trunks’) who can be found swimming among the nearby reefs, which visitors can snorkel.
Coming in at a close second in the World’s 50 Best Beaches ranking is Cala Mariolu, located on Sardinia’s eastern coastline, followed by Meads Bay in Anguilla in third – both beaches again commended for their natural beauty and lack of crowds.
The USA has two more mentions. Hawaiian paradises of Lanikai (#14) and Kapalua Bay (#40) joined Trunk Bay on the list.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, destinations such as Italy, the Philippines, Australia and Greece had multiple sandy bays featured, whereas some of the first-time entries are lesser-known for their beaches, including Palawan, Japan and Venezuela.
The UK even just made the cut, with Kynance Cove in Cornwall polling at #48. The beach was praised for its turquoise waters and rugged beauty and was said to stand out ‘considering its northern location’.
Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World's 50 Best Beaches said: "Our list will help inspire travellers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth."
Beaches were ranked on eight different criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.
Trunk Bay (Alamy)
Cala Mariolu (Alamy)
Entalula Beach (Alamy)
Voutoumi Beach (Shutterstock)
Turquoises Bay (Shutterstock)
Pink Beach (Shutterstock)
Anse Georgette (Shutterstock)
Green Lagoon (Alamy)
Horse Shoe Island, Myanmar (Shutterstock)
Learn more at worlds50beaches.com
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