BeachAtlas, a London-based company known for its beach guides, thought about all of these things and more. This year, the Golden Beach Award 2024 winners were chosen by looking at beaches in a bigger picture, highlighting hidden gems that offer more than just pretty views and soft sand. Then, they asked influential people and travel experts from all over the world to rank the final list.
The result is a list of 100 beaches that offer a wide range of qualities, such as natural beauty, party and lifestyle options, community, cultural importance, and openness to everyone. An island group in French Polynesia called Bora Bora has the best beach in the world.
It is said by BeachAtlas that Bora Bora is “where your wallet whispers ‘help’ but your Instagram screams ‘heaven.'” Dive into the clear water during the day, and take pictures of the sunset at night.
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The name “Bora Bora” makes people think of beauty, wealth, and privacy. Its land size is only 12 square miles, and it is protected by a barrier reef and a bright blue lagoon. Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, two dormant volcanoes that rise from the middle of the main island, are what make it stand out. The main island is ringed by motus, or small islands, that are usually too small for more than a few beach chairs.
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Island | Bora Bora is surrounded by small stretches of sand. |
| Main Beach | Matira Beach is thought to be one of the best on the island. |
| View | Enjoy views of the lagoon’s artificially blue waters and towering hills. |
| Best Beach 2024 | Trunk Bay, located on St. John, is ranked as the best beach. |
| Swimming | The waters are quiet and great for swimming. |
| Snorkeling | Colorful fish can be seen while snorkeling around coral. |
| Selection Process | Thousands of travel professionals nominate their favorite beaches. |
A list of the world’s 50 best beaches joins other lists that try to find the best beaches in the world. For example, earlier this year, TripAdvisor called Praia da Falésia in Olhos de Água, Portugal, the world’s best beach. Some time ago, European Best Destinations called Ghajn Tuffieha Bay Beach in Malta the most beautiful beach in all of Europe. Barbie has also unofficially brought attention to pink-sand beaches all over the world over the past year.
Today on NYT “Strands,” we have clues, a spangram, and answers for Saturday, December 21st.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches report says that Trunk Bay is the most perfect Caribbean beach for a number of reasons.
The story says, “Visitors love the very soft sand and the clear, pool-like water, but what really sets Trunk Bay apart from other Caribbean vacation spots is its location in the beautiful Virgin Islands National Park.“
Basically, this means that the beach is a safe place to be, with lots of plants and animals living there.
The Leatherback turtle, which lives in the area and is called a “trunk,” gave the bay its name.
“Those who live on the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands and those who come back to visit hold Trunk Bay and the many beaches across the islands in a special place in their hearts,” says Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of the USVI Department of Tourism in a news release. “We have long regarded our beaches as some of the best in the world, and this recognition helps us share that with the world.”
From December to April is the Caribbean’s high season, and that’s when Trunk Bay is busy.
Lucky Bay, in western Australia, is a favourite spot for kangaroos. It was voted the best beach last year.
What are the best beaches in the US?
Henderson Beach in Florida on the Emerald Coast was the only beach in the United States to make the top 50 list. It came in at number 44.
Lanikai Beach on Oahu came in at No. 14, and Kapalua Bay Beach on Maui, which is lined with palm trees, came in at No. 40.
List of Top 10 best beaches in the world
BeachAtlas chose 99 beaches, besides Bora Bora, that stood out because of their past, the communities they build, or the way they make everyone feel welcome. Here are the top 10 pictures:
No. 1: Bora Bora, French Republic, Pacific Ocean
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Society Islands, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean |
| Distance from Tahiti | ~230 km (143 mi) northwest of Tahiti |
| Size | Main island: ~6 miles (10 km) long, 2.5 miles (4 km) wide; total area ~38–39 km² |
| Population | ~10,600 (2020s) |
| Main Village | Vaitape |
| Highest Point | Mount Otemanu (727 m / 2,385 ft) |
| Notable Features | Turquoise lagoon, barrier reef, motu (small islets), luxury overwater bungalows |
| Climate | Tropical, warm year-round; wet season (Nov–Apr), dry season (May–Oct) |
| Official Language | French, Tahitian (English widely spoken) |
| Currency | CFP franc |
| Main Industry | Tourism (luxury resorts, honeymoons, water sports) |
| Famous For | Romantic getaways, snorkeling, shark/ray feeding, stunning sunsets, Heiva festival |
| Cultural Highlights | Polynesian dance, music, cuisine, annual Heiva festival |
| Historical Notes | WWII supply base, remnants of old cannons/bunkers |
| Unique Facts | Birthplace of overwater bungalows, no natural fresh water source |
No. 2: Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Simon’s Town, Cape Town, South Africa |
| Famous For | Endangered African penguin colony |
| Established | Penguin colony began in 1982–1983 |
| Beach Type | Sheltered cove with ancient granite boulders, soft white sand, and clear, calm water |
| Protected Area | Part of Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area |
| Swimming | Safe, family-friendly, calm waters, rock pools |
| Penguin Viewing | Wooden boardwalks and dedicated viewing areas |
| Conservation Status | African penguins classified as endangered since 2010 |
| Visitor Facilities | Boardwalks, benches, restrooms, Boulders Visitor Centre |
| Entry Fee | Yes, conservation fee required |
| Other Rules | No touching/feeding penguins, no alcohol, no smoking, no pets, no vessels in swimming area |
| Nearby Attractions | Foxy Beach, Simon’s Town, False Bay |
| Annual Visitors | Over 60,000 |
| Unique Fact | One of the only places in the world to see African penguins up close in their natural habitat |
No. 3: Waikiki, Neighborhood in Hawaii, U.S.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | South shore of Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 21°16′31″N 157°49′52″W |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| County/City | Honolulu County / Honolulu |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (9 km²) |
| ZIP Code | 96815 |
| Area Code | 808 |
| Population | ~19,720 (narrowly defined area, 2000 Census); ~27,500 (broader ZIP code area, 2000 Census) |
| Main Beach | Waikīkī Beach (plus Queen’s, Kuhio, Gray’s, Fort DeRussy, Kahanamoku Beaches) |
| Famous For | Iconic beach, luxury hotels, surfing, shopping, nightlife, tourism hub |
| Notable Sites | Kapiʻolani Park, Fort DeRussy, Kahanamoku Lagoon, Kūhiō Beach Park, Ala Wai Harbor |
| Economic Role | Supports about 8% of Hawaii’s GSP; ~73,000 jobs statewide linked to Waikiki tourism |
| Visitor Volume | ~72,000 visitors per day (2002 data) |
| Historic Note | First capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii (1795–1796) |
| Beach Type | Mostly man-made, famous for long white sand and turquoise water |
| Tourism Impact | Accounts for 44–46% of state tourism’s economic contribution |
No. 4: Copacabana, Brazil
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | South Zone, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Coordinates | 22°58′1″S 43°10′50″W |
| Country | Brazil |
| State | Rio de Janeiro (RJ) |
| City | Rio de Janeiro |
| Neighborhood Type | Bairro (neighborhood) |
| Famous For | 4 km (2.5 miles) crescent-shaped Copacabana Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world |
| Beach Features | Wide, white sands; black-and-white wave-patterned promenade by Roberto Burle Marx; lined with kiosks, bars |
| Prominent Landmarks | Copacabana Palace Hotel, Fort Copacabana (1914), Fort Duque de Caxias (1779), Sugar Loaf Mountain views |
| Population | ~160,000 (varies by source and year) |
| Tourism | 63 hotels, 10 hostels; major nightlife, restaurants, cafés, theaters, and shopping |
| Events | New Year’s Eve celebrations (millions attend), FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, 2016 Olympics beach volleyball |
| Transport | Subway (Siqueira Campos station), tunnels, Avenida Atlântica |
| Notable History | Originally called Sacopenapã; renamed after chapel dedicated to Virgen de Copacabana |
| Safety | Beach is patrolled, but caution advised at night |
| Nickname | “A Princesinha do Mar” (Princess of the Sea) |
| Other | Always lively-sunbathing, football, volleyball, music, and vibrant Carioca culture |
No. 5: Maya Bay, Thailand
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Le Island, Krabi Province, Thailand |
| Coordinates | Latitude: 7.678889° N Longitude: 98.764999° E |
| Area | Part of Ko Phi Phi Le Island (approx. 2 km² / 0.77 sq mi) |
| Geography | Limestone hills surrounding two shallow bays: Maya Bay and Loh Samah |
| Access | Boats anchor at Loh Samah; visitors walk through rocks and jungle to reach Maya Bay |
| Famous For | Stunning turquoise lagoon, white sandy beach, dramatic cliffs, bioluminescent plankton |
| National Park | Part of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park |
| Tourism Impact | Up to 1.7 million visitors annually before closures; previously 5,000 visitors and 200 boats/day |
| Environmental Status | Closed since 2018 for ecological recovery due to coral reef damage and pollution |
| Conservation Efforts | Coral rehabilitation initiated; visitor numbers to be limited upon reopening |
| Cultural Note | Famous as filming location for the movie “The Beach” (2000) |
| Time Zone | UTC +7 (Indochina Time) |
No. 6: Black Sand Beach, Iceland
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach |
| Location | South Coast, near Vík, Iceland |
| Coordinates | 63.404271° N, -19.049165° W |
| Distance from Reykjavík | ~180–190 km (112–118 miles) southeast; ~2.5 hours by car |
| Origin of Black Sand | Volcanic basalt, formed from cooled lava |
| Famous For | Dramatic black sand, basalt columns, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, powerful Atlantic waves |
| Nearby Landmarks | Reynisdrangar sea stacks, Dyrhólaey peninsula, Vík village, Hálsanefshellir cave |
| Safety | Swimming is dangerous and forbidden due to strong waves and undercurrents |
| Tourism | One of the most famous non-tropical beaches in the world; popular filming location (e.g., Game of Thrones) |
| Best Time to Visit | Year-round |
| Accessibility | Easily accessible by car; parking available |
| Special Features | Basalt column cliffs, sea caves, puffin viewing (in season) |
No. 7: Glass Beach, U.S.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Fort Bragg, Mendocino County, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39.452717° N, -123.813866° W |
| Nearest City | Fort Bragg, California |
| Area | 38 acres (15 hectares) |
| Established | 1949 as dump site; incorporated into MacKerricher State Park in 2002 |
| Governing Body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Origin | Former city dump site (1949–1967); glass and pottery tumbled smooth by ocean waves |
| Notable Feature | Beach covered with colorful, smooth sea glass |
| Access | Public parking available; short walk from parking to beach |
| Collecting Glass | Prohibited at Site 3 (main Glass Beach in state park); discouraged elsewhere |
| Nearby Attractions | MacKerricher State Park, Coastal Trail, Sea Glass Museum, Pudding Creek Beach |
| Unique Fact | Glass Beach is a result of decades of ocean-tumbled trash, now a popular tourist destination |
No. 8: JBR Beach, UAE
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Coordinates | Approx. 25.078° N latitude, 55.135° E longitude |
| Length | 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) |
| Area | 2 square kilometers (0.77 square miles) gross floor area |
| Development | Waterfront community with 40 towers (35 residential, 5 hotels) |
| Number of Apartments | 6,917 apartments ranging from 900 sq ft studios to 5,500 sq ft penthouses |
| Population Capacity | Approximately 15,000 residents and hotel guests |
| Residential Blocks | Six blocks: Shams, Amwaj, Rimal, Bahar, Sadaf, Murjan |
| Key Features | Beachfront access, The Walk shopping and dining promenade, proximity to Dubai Marina and public transit |
| Developer | Dubai Properties (subsidiary of Dubai Holding) |
| Completion Year | Project launched in 2002, completed in 2010 |
| Nearby Attractions | Dubai Marina, Dubai Tram, Dubai Metro |
| Notable Hotels | Rixos Premium Dubai JBR, Hilton Dubai The Walk |
No. 9: Skeleton Coast, Namibia
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Atlantic coast of Namibia, from the Kunene River (Angola border) to the Swakop River |
| Coordinates | Approx. 21°36′44″S 14°32′24″E |
| Length | ~500 km (310 miles) |
| Part of | Namib Desert coast |
| Protected Area | Skeleton Coast National Park (est. 1971), area: 16,845 km² (6,504 sq mi) |
| Landscape | Soft sand, gravel plains, high sand dunes (north), rocky outcrops, salt pans, ephemeral riverbeds |
| Climate | Arid, annual rainfall <10 mm, frequent dense ocean fog, cold Benguela current, heavy surf |
| Etymology | Named for whale/seal bones and thousands of shipwrecks along the shore |
| Wildlife | Cape fur seals (Cape Cross colony), desert-adapted elephants, lions, giraffes, black rhinos, gemsbok, jackals, birds |
| Tourist Attractions | Shipwrecks, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, surfing (Skeleton Bay), sand dunes, Himba villages, unique geology |
| Accessibility | Southern section: 4×4 vehicles allowed; Northern section: fly-in only, highly restricted |
| Cultural Note | Called “The Land God Made in Anger” by San people; “The Gates of Hell” by Portuguese sailors |
| Unique Fact | One of the world’s largest ship cemeteries; some shipwrecks now far inland due to shifting sands |
No. 10: Omaha Beach, France
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Normandy coast, France; facing the English Channel |
| Coordinates | Approx. 49°22′N, 0°53′W (decimal: 49.366667, -0.883333) |
| Length | 8 km (5 miles), from east of Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes to west of Vierville-sur-Mer |
| Historical Significance | One of five D-Day landing beaches, site of major Allied amphibious assault on June 6, 1944 (WWII) |
| Operation | Operation Overlord (Normandy landings, D-Day) |
| Allied Forces | U.S. 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, supported by U.S. Navy and Coast Guard |
| German Defenses | 352nd Infantry Division, 13 strongpoints, mined beaches, pillboxes, machine gun nests, anti-tank obstacles |
| Terrain | Crescent-shaped, backed by 30 m (100 ft) cliffs, shingle banks, sea walls, and steep bluffs |
| Casualties | U.S.: 2,000–5,000+ killed, wounded, or missing |
| Objective | Secure a beachhead, link British Gold Beach (east) and American Utah Beach (west) |
| Current Status | Historic site, memorials and cemeteries nearby, popular for remembrance tourism |
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