Australia takes out Tripadvisor award for world’s best beach

Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia - February 5, 2020: A person admiring the view of the beach at Whitsunday Island.

As lockdown has left most of us longing to be somewhere – anywhere else than stuck at home – Tripadvisor has just the thing to help your clients escape: its Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for beaches!

And this year, they don’t have to go overseas to enjoy the winning beach.

The awards are based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings from Tripadvisor travellers for beaches, gathered over a 12-month period.

New for 2021, the Best of the Best Beaches also takes into account the volume of “saves” for beaches on Tripadvisor, reflecting the position that many travellers were in for much of 2020 – unable to travel, desperate to travel and lusting after the beaches they wished
they could visit.

In 2021, our very own Whitehaven Beach has taken the top spot amongst global travellers, and is also the number one beach in the South Pacific.

The remote Australian paradise, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, is only accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter and is coveted by travellers for its soft white sand and turquoise water.

Speaking of turquoise, another Australian gem on the global list is Turquoise Bay, rated sixth in the world and second in the South Pacific.

Of the 10 best beaches in the South Pacific, Australia dominates the list, with the top 50 per cent located across Queensland and Western Australia.

Seeing as local travel is much more likely in the coming months, here are the top 10 beaches in the South Pacific as voted by TripAdvisor users:

1. Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Island, Australia

Image source: iStock/byrneck

Travellers said: From the crystal-clear turquoise water to the miles of pure white sand, it is truly breathtaking.

2. Turquoise Bay Exmouth, Australia

Image source: iStock/Daphne Bakker

Travellers said: This pristine beach is amazing. It is a fantastic beach for snorkelling, swimming and walking.

3. Cape Le Grand National Park – Esperance, Australia

Image source: iStock/PaulMorton

Travellers said: The colours of the ocean, the sand, the sky make this area unmissable.

4. Greens Pool – Denmark, Australia

Image source: iStock/Sahil Malhotra

Travellers said: Beach is amazing! Safe swimming and great for exploring with kids.

5. Cable Beach – Broome, Australia

Image source: iStock/paul fowler

Travellers said: Searching for marine life in the rock pools at low tide is a highlight.

6. Matira Beach – Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Image source: iStock/TriggerPhoto

Travellers said: A long sandy beach where you can walk out for ages and still only be up to your waist.

7. Piscine Naturelle – Ile Des Pins, New Caledonia

Image source: iStock/Zarnell

Travellers said: Great place for a refreshing swim and a snorkel to check out the fish.

8. Ohope Beach – Whakatane, New Zealand

Image source: iStock/halbergman

Travellers said: Ohope Beach is truly a beach where there is space for everyone. We love going to Ohope Beach for family picnics.

9. Kaiteriteri Beach – Kaiteriteri, New Zealand

Image source: iStock/LazingBee

Travellers said: You can hire kayaks to explore the bay or go further to visit the Split Apple Rock.

10. Mt Maunganui Main Beach – Mount Maunganui, New Zealand

Image source: iStock/vkp-australia

Travellers said: Great beach for swimming and bodyboarding the waves – the sand is so soft.

To see Tripadvisor’s world rankings in full, go HERE.


Featured image source: iStock/Caroline Brundle Bugge

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