From the Caribbean to Europe, the world’s 10 best beaches in 2026 span some of the most popular coastal destinations. The list also features an Indian…
1/10Trunk Bay, US Virgin Islands | Trunk Bay on St. John in the US Virgin Islands has been named the world’s best beach in 2026. It scored highly for its clear blue waters, natural beauty and visitor ratings. Located within a national park, it is known for its white sand and mountain views. April to June is considered the best time to visit. (Image: Canva)
2/10Elafonissi Beach, Greece| Elafonissi Beach in Greece has secured the second position globally. It is known for its clear turquoise waters, pink sand and shallow lagoon, making it popular with families and visitors who enjoy swimming in calm waters. The beach has received more than 32,000 Google reviews. May to July is the recommended visiting period. (Image: Canva)
3/10Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos | Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos has been ranked the world’s third-best beach. It received strong ratings from travel experts and visitors, with particularly high scores for environmental quality and natural beauty. Its white sand, clear blue waters and calm sea make it a popular destination. April to June is the best time to visit. (Image: Canva)
4/10Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico | Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island in Puerto Rico has secured the fourth position. It is known for its white sand, clear waters and shallow swimming areas. The beach also features two abandoned US Navy tanks covered in colourful graffiti, which have become popular photo spots. April to June is the recommended time to visit. (Image: Canva)
5/10Golden Horn Beach, Croatia | Golden Horn Beach in Croatia has been ranked fifth among the world’s best beaches. Located in Dalmatia, it is known for its distinctive horn-shaped shoreline, clear waters and surrounding pine forest. The beach also scored highly for its facilities, accessibility and overall visitor experience. June to August is the best time to visit. (Image: Canva)
6/10Palolem Beach, India | Goa’s Palolem Beach has been ranked the sixth-best beach in the world and is among the highest-ranked beaches in Asia. The beach received strong ratings for its natural beauty, facilities, water quality and overall visitor experience. It is known for its crescent-shaped shoreline, calm waters and beach shacks. March to May is considered the best time to visit. (Image: Canva)
7/10Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, US Virgin Islands | Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands has secured the seventh position. The beach stands out for its natural surroundings, clear blue waters and relatively untouched coastline. It received high scores for beauty and overall visitor experience. April to June is the recommended visiting period. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
8/10Playa Balandra, Mexico | Playa Balandra in Mexico has been ranked eighth among the world’s best beaches. It is known for its shallow turquoise waters, soft sandy seabed and rock formations. One of its notable attractions is a mushroom-shaped rock formation. The beach is also popular for swimming and snorkelling. May to July is the recommended time to visit. (Image: Canva)
9/10Praia da Falésia, Portugal | Praia da Falésia in Portugal has secured the ninth position in the global ranking. Stretching for more than 8 km along the Algarve coast, the beach is known for its natural beauty and clear waters. It also received strong visitor ratings and recommendations from travel experts. June to August is considered the best time to visit. (Image: Canva)
10/10Eagle Beach, Aruba | Eagle Beach in Aruba completes the list of the world’s 10 best beaches in 2026. It is known for its wide stretch of white sand, clear turquoise waters, palm trees and distinctive fofoti trees. The beach also scored well for accessibility and visitor ratings. While it offers favourable beach weather throughout the year, March to May is the recommended visiting period. (Image: Canva)
