The 50 Best Beaches in the World for 2024 Revealed  

From Western Australia’s Turquoise Bay to the iceberg covered Diamond Beach in Iceland, these costal stretches rank as the most impressive on the planet.  

The annual World’s 50 Best Beach list for 2024 has been released, with over 1,000 travel journalists, influencers and professionals ranking bays, coves, inlets and beaches across the likes of Indonesia, the Seychelles, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Italy. 

This year’s top spot goes to Trunk Bay in the US Virgin Islands. 

Kingshill, U.S. Virgin Islands

Carambola Beach Resort St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

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The quintessential Caribbean paradise boasts pillow-soft sands and iridescent waters, a thriving population of native leatherback turtles and a protected location tucked away in the Virgin Islands National Park.   

“The protected status of the area ensures the absence of loud commercial activity and large buildings, allowing instead for lush greenery and local wildlife to flourish as a natural backdrop,” the list states. “Additionally, its sheltered location protects it from the Caribbean tradewinds, resulting in calm waters that are perfect for swimming.” 

To decide the sandy destinations deserving of the title, each beach is assessed according to eight criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife presence, pristine condition, natural sounds, ease of water entry, calm waters, low crowd density and the frequency of idyllic conditions.

Three Australian coastal destinations made it onto the list: Western Australia’s Wharton Beach and Turquoise Bay, as well as Far North Queensland’s Anchor Bay Beach. Turquoise Bay, which made the top 10, jumped from 17^th position on last year’s list to 6^th place in the 2024 ranking. 

Across the pond, New Zealand’s North Island claimed 46^th position with Cathedral Cove Beach.  

Find the full list of the world’s best beaches here and check out the top 15 below. 

1. Trunk Bay, US Virgin Islands
2. Cala Mariolu, Italy
3. Meads Bay, Anguilla
4. Entalula Beach, Philippines
5. Voutoumi Beach, Greece
6. Turquoise Bay, Australia
7. Pink Beach, Indonesia
8. Anse Georgetta, Seychelles
9. Green Lagoon, French Polynesia
10. Horse Shoe Island, Myanmar
11. Caló des Moro, Spain
12. Le Morne Beach, Mauritius
13. Aharen Beach, Japan
14. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii
15. One Foot Island, Cook Islands

Looking for more beach inspiration? Read Best Kept Secret: Dive into Australia’s Best Secluded Beaches