Tripadvisor recently released their Travelers’ Choice Awards for the best beaches in the world. I know lists like this are totally subjective and change each year but they’re still fun to read since it helps you daydream, plan a trip or reminisce about some great memories. At least, that’s what it does for me since I’ve been fortunate to have traveled to beaches all over the world, including many on the list below. RELATED: 8 Affordable Beach Vacations to Take in 2023
When I go on vacation, I prefer beach destinations over landlocked mountains though I’m not the type of person who likes to lay on beaches in the hot sun all day, or even for an hour. I had squamous cell carcinoma on my lip which required Mohs surgery. I almost always need to be on the go but if I have a comfortable beach chair, an umbrella and a cool breeze, I’m content for a few hours.
I’ll share my favorite beaches at the bottom of this post but for now, let’s see the 25 beaches in 16 countries that made Tripadvisor’s list for world’s best beaches for 2023:
Coming in at number one …
1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
I’ve never been to this beach but Tripadvisor describes it as, “a beautiful remote beach that can only be reached by descending ladders and stone steps. The majestic bluffs will take your breath away.”
2. Eagle Beach, Palm – Eagle Beach, Aruba
It’s been a while but I’ve been to this beach and it’s worthy of being on this list.
3. Cable Beach, Broome, Australia
I’ve been to Australia many times but never to Western Australia. It’s on my list and everyone I know who has been to Broome says it’s one of their favorites.
4. Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Iceland
I’ve been to Iceland a few times but not to Vik. It looks awesome to explore for a couple of hours but it’s not necessarily a destination you think of when you hear ‘beach’.
5. Grace Bay Beach, Grace Bay, Providenciales
Sadly, I’ve never been to Grace Bay but it’s supposedly off the hook. It’s on my bucket list.
6. Praia da Falesia, Olhos de Agua, Portugal
I’ve been all around Portugal except the south, where this beach is located. It looks like a dream in photos.
7. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
I’d be lying to you if I told you I knew where this beach was located. I had to look it up on Google Maps and it’s in the middle of the Indian Ocean between India and Thailand.
8. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily
I’m half Italian and one of my favorite beaches is on the island of Ischia but more for sentimental reasons. I’ve never traveled to Sicily but after watching White Lotus 2 I’m ready – minus the death at the end, of course!
9. Varadero Beach, Varadero, Cuba
I’ve never been to Cuba but sign me up.
10. Ka’anapali Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii
My family and I recently returned from a week on Maui. We spent half our time on Ka’anapali Beach. The view is dreamy but the ocean is a little rough, especially for little ones. But it is beautiful, without question.
11. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
When people used to tell me Florida’s west coast has some of the nicest beaches on the planet, I thought they were nuts. That’s until I visited. It’s so nice that I got engaged there.
12. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia
I’ve never been here but have heard good things about it.
13. Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
I love Manly Beach, including the 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay in downtown Sydney. Whenever I go, I take the path to Shelly Beach, which is a little bit less crowded.
14. Seven Mile Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Just the other day, my wife suggested we take the kids to the Cayman Islands for Spring Break because Seven Mile Beach is so perfect for little kids. I thought it was a great idea until I saw airfares from Los Angeles. Whenever I hear Cayman Islands, I automatically think of Anthony Bourdain since this is where he held his annual Cayman Cookout and it was so cool to see him hang out with all of his famous chefs in a relaxed, gorgeous setting.
15. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian – Donostia, Spain
I’ve never been to this part of Spain, which is a real shame.
16. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali
I’ve been to Bali twice, including on my honeymoon. I love it, especially because of the people and the incredible food. I do think the beaches here are overrated though, which was a disappointment.
17. Playa de Muro Beach, Playa de Muro, Spain
This beach is located on the island of Mallorca. I have never been but was close when I spent some crazy nights on the nearby island of Ibiza, about 30 years ago.
18. Playa Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
My brother had his bachelor party in Manuel Antonio. He and his buddies rented two houses near the beach and the sparkly black sand and the rainforest make it memorable. I don’t have photos from the trip (I’m sure you understand.)
19. Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
As Tripadvisor describes it, “a beautiful beach with a more laidback vibe.” I spent the day playing volleyball here and it should be in the top 10.
20. Nungwi Beach, Nungwi, Tanzania
The only time I went to Tanzania was for a safari but if I’m fortunate enough to go back, this beach looks off the charts.
21. Falassarna Beach, Falassarna, Greece
There are so many incredible beaches in Greece that you can’t go wrong and Falassarna seems to be a safe choice.
22. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
I visited Cyprus in 2007 on a press trip and they took us all over the island. It was a whirlwind trip but I do remember that one beach was amazing and I think it was Nissi.
23. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
This beach is close to Cancun in Mexico and looks like a real gem.
24. Magens Bay, Magens Bay, St. Thomas
What’s nice about St. Thomas is that you don’t need a passport since it’s part of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
25. Balos Lagoon, Kissamos, Greece
See number 21.
So there you have Tripadvisors world’s best beaches for 2023. Do you agree with their choices? My top three beaches in the world are my hometown of Manhattan Beach, Whitehaven Beach in Australia and Navplion in Greece, where my wife and I swam in some of the most beautiful, tranquil waters.
How many of these beaches have you been to? What beaches would you add to this list? Tell us in a comments.
KEEP READING:
–10 Best Budget-Friendly Vacation Destinations For 2023
–10 Best Budget-Friendly Destinations in the United States For 2023
–8 Affordable Beach Vacations to Take in 2023
–Free Things to Do in 10 Canadian Cities If You’re Traveling on a Budget in 2023
–The 10 Most Instagrammable Tourist Attractions in California
Love to save money when you travel? Sign up to Johnny Jet’s free newsletter and check out these popular posts: 10 ways to find cheap flights and 12 ways to save money on baggage fees. Follow Johnny Jet on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for all of my travel posts.
