The World's 50 Best Beaches have been announced - Wanderlust (2024)

A beach in the US Virgin Islands has been named number one globally in the officialWorld’s 50 Best Beachesfor 2024.

More than 1,000 travel experts voted 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 leatherbackturtles(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 baysfeatured, whereas some of the first-time entries are lesser-known for their beaches, including Palawan, Japan and Venezuela.

And the rest…

11. Calo Des Moro, Spain

12. Le Morne Beach, Mauritius

13. Aharen Beach, Japan

14. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

15. One Foot Island, Cook Islands

16. Playa Balandra, Mexico

17. Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos

18. Puinn Sand Beach, Norway

19. Cala Goloritze, Italy

20. Anchor Bay Beach, Australia

21. Gardner Bay, Ecuador

22. Anse Source D’argent, Seychelles

23. Freedom Beach, Thailand

24. Cayo de Agua, Venezuela

25. Praia Da Marinha, Portugal

26. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands

27. Grote Knip, Curacao

28. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

29. Fteri Beach, Greece

30. Maundays Bay, Anguilla

31. Cayo Zapatilla, Panama

31. Boulders Beach, South Africa

33. Wharton Beach, Australia

34. Grand Anse, Grenada

35. Baia Do Sancho, Brazil

36. Kelebekler Vadisi Beach, Turkey

37. Colombier Beach, St Barth

38. Playa Xpu Ha, Mexico

39. Kelingking Beach, Indonesia

40. Kapalua Bay beach, Hawaii

41. Diamond Beach, Iceland

42. Pipe Creek Sandbar, Bahamas

43. Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic

44. Henderson Beach, Florida

45. Bon Bon Beach, Philippines

46. Cathedral Cove Beach, New Zealand

47. Varadero Beach, Cuba

48. Kynance Cove, UK

49. Eagle Beach, Aruba

50. Rabbit Beach, Italy

Learn more atworlds50beaches.com

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