The world's most disappointing beach has been named, and it's one of the most famous
For many, setting foot on a beach is the pinnacle of a holiday or mini-break away from home.
But for some, that feeling is tinged with disappointment, and a sense of 'is this it?' The beach could be packed, dirty, or both.
A new ranking has named the world's most complained-about beaches and it features some particularly famous destinations.
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A famous and beloved beach has topped the list. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The survey is from Cloudwards, a cloud storage review site. It looked at 200 of the world's top beaches and analysed the number of complaint-related keywords like "dirty", "overcrowded", "long queues", and "noise" on Tripadvisor reviews.
Waikiki Beach in Hawaii tops the list with the primary issue being overcrowding, making up close to 70 per cent of complaints. Cleanliness also received criticism (15.9 per cent) and to a lesser extent, long queues and noise.
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It wasn't a great showing for beaches in the US, with Venice Beach (second), Clearwater Beach (fourth), and La Jolla Cove (sixth) also making the top 10.
Though Waikiki Beach may be crowded, it's to be expected; many of Honolulu's resorts line that stretch of sand. It has waves for surfing, it has snorkelling opportunities, and it's a short walk to hundreds of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
The beach itself is over three kilometres long, so if you are up for a bit of a walk, it shouldn't be too hard to find yourself a secluded spot of sand.
Or if you want a calmer alternative, you could consider Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach. Just a 45-minute drive from Waikiki, these calm, clear beaches have fine sand, scenic views, and are often cited as the best beaches on the island.
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Oahu is more than just Waikiki - Lanikai is a secluded beach just a short drive away. Getty Images/iStockphoto
One Australian beach was also listed high up on the list of 'disappointing' beaches - Sydney's Bondi in ninth. No New Zealand destinations were featured.
Cloudwards CEO Mauricio Preuss said the research "underscores the importance of looking beyond the highlight reel".
"The most rewarding beach experiences might be found at lesser-known destinations that haven't yet been overwhelmed by mass tourism.
"Sometimes the best paradise is the one that isn't trending on TikTok."
One Aussie beach made it into the top ten: Bondi. Getty
Top 10 most complained about beaches, according to Cloudwards
- Waikiki Beach (US)
- Venice Beach (US)
- Playa Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica)
- Clearwater Beach (US)
- Bournemouth Beach (UK)
- La Jolla Cove (US)
- Elafonissi Beach (Greece)
- Magens Bay Beach (US Virgin Islands)
- Bondi (Australia)
- Maho Beach (Sint Maarten)
This story originally appeared on Stuff and was republished with permission.
