Australia snubbed as US beach is named ‘best in the world’
Updated . First published
As Australians, we know that we’ve got some of the best beaches in the world, from the white sands of Far North Queensland to the isolated, stormy beaches in Tassie.
But it turns out, some experts disagree with our judgement.
This is the world’s best beach for 2026. iStock
According to Beach.com, which has just released its annual ranking of the World’s Best Beaches, no Aussie spot is worthy of the title.
The beaches are judged “through a combination of expert nominations, half a decade of NASA data, a decade of EU Program data, and an in-depth analysis of nearly 100,000 reviews,” per their website.
The number one beach in the world? Trunk Bay, a stretch of white sand and bright blue water found on St. John in the US Virgin Islands.
It’s located inside a protected national park, which helps keep it pristine, and is famous for its 200-metre underwater snorkelling trail right off the shore.
Elafonissi Beach famously has pink-tinged sand. iStock
“Few beaches came close to Trunk Bay’s final score,” stated the ranking. “It almost doesn’t feel real until you’re standing in it.”
Second place went to Elafonissi Beach in Greece, which is no stranger to being included in Best Beach rankings.
Found on the island of Crete, it is beloved for its unique pink sand, shallow turquoise waters, and connected islet lagoon which is perfect for swimming during the heat of the Greek summer.
Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos is a major tourist attraction. iStock
Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos came in third place, a world-famous beach that is 19 kilometres of soft, pure white sand. Thanks to its barrier reef just offshore, the water is calm and ripe for bathing.
Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico and Golden Horn Beach in Croatia rounded out the top five.
Boulders Beach is home to a penguin colony. iStock
Not a single Australian beach made it into the top 25. In fact, the highest-ranking beach in the Southern Hemisphere, Boulders Beach in South Africa, only clocked in at number 12.
Best beaches in the world for 2026
- Trunk Bay, USVI
- Elafonissi Beach, Greece
- Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
- Golden Horn Beach, Croatia
- Palolem Beach, India
- Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, USVI
- Playa Balandra, Mexico
- Praia da Falésia, Portugal
- Eagle Beach, Aruba
