Aussie favourite loses crown in latest ranking of the ‘best beaches’ in the world
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A famous Aussie beach has been knocked down a few pegs, dropping five spots in the latest ranking of the best beaches in the world.
Global travel site Big 7 Travel has released its 2026 list of the 50 Best Beaches in the World. Now in its eighth year, the list is based on past results, official Blue Flag beach awards, social media buzz, and insights from the site’s expert travel team.
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays has been ranked 6th in 2026. iStock
Whitehaven Beach has been named the sixth-best beach in the world, thanks to its seven-kilometre stretch of swirling silica-white sand. However, it has fallen down the list after it was ranked number one in 2025.
This year’s ranking features everything from remote island hideaways to classic coastal icons.
Coming in at number one is Anse Source d’Argent in Seychelles, with the experts claiming: “The extraordinary surroundings make every corner look like it should be on the front of a postcard”.
Second place went to Entalula Beach in the Philippines. The “hidden” spot is only accessible by boat but has become a favourite among travellers. It was actually named the best beach by Time Out in 2026.
Anse Source d’Argent is the best beach in the world for 2026. Getty Images
Pink Beach in Indonesia rounded out the top three. Found on Komodo Island, tiny fragments of red coral mix with the sand on the beach, which gives the sand a pink hue.
Both Landy Lane Beach, Barbados, and Ee Motu Beach, Cook Islands, outranked Australia’s best this year, landing in fourth and fifth respectively.
Whitehaven Beach wasn’t the only Aussie spot to be mentioned. Sydney’s Manly Beach just scraped onto the list, ranked number 50 on the overall.
Manly Beach in Sydney scraped into the top 50 in 2026. iStock
