The world’s 50 best beaches for 2025, according to a new report

Travel

Looking for the best beaches to visit in 2025? The hotly anticipated World’s 50 Best Beaches has just announced its annual list—and the results will spark serious wanderlust.

Unlike many other crowd-sourced rankings, this list is determined by votes from more than 1,000 travel industry professionals and influencers who know the world’s coastlines best.

Beaches were evaluated across eight criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched nature, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry, calm conditions, lack of overcrowding and consistency of idyllic settings.

“When searching for the best beaches in the world, we always have to consider what actually makes a beach great,” Tine Holst, cofounder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, told me in an interview. “For our ambassadors, judges and the Beaches team, the answer often comes down to natural beauty, a sense of tranquility and places that spark an almost emotional response. ”

Topping the 2025 list is Cala Goloritzé in Sardinia, Italy, a stunning stretch of coastline framed by soaring limestone cliffs. “Cala Goloritzé feels like more than just a beach—its raw beauty has a way of touching you emotionally the moment you lay eyes on it,” wrote the editors of the report.

Cala Goloritzé is perfectly preserved—it was named a natural monument in the 1990s, and it’s not easy to reach. You have to hike here (a limited number of tickets are sold each day) or arrive by swimming from a boat moored 656 feet away. “Our winner this year, Cala Goloritzé, stands out because important steps have been taken to limit daily visitors, and there is a clear sense of local pride in protecting its natural beauty,” says Holst.

In fact, environmental conservation was a major factor in creating the report. “With global tourism at an all-time high, it’s also clear that beaches where meaningful steps have been taken to preserve the environment tend to stand out,” says Holst. “Efforts to avoid overcrowding and over-commercialization truly make a difference, and that’s reflected in how our community votes.”

Cala Gabbiani beach, Sardinia, Italy world's best beaches — Cala Gabbiani beach in Sardinia, Italy—the world’s best beach for 2025.

In second place is Entalula Beach, a secret slice of paradise in the Palawan region of the Philippines that’s accessible only by boat. “This beach is less frequented than others in the area, offering visitors a chance to escape the usual tourist spots and truly immerse themselves in nature,” wrote the editors.

Coming in at number three: Bang Bao Beach on Thailand’s Koh Kood island, which feels worlds away from the country’s other bustling islands. Adding to its charm is a nearby fishing village where visitors can stroll along a wooden pier and dine on fresh-caught seafood. “Bang Bao Beach has all the elements of a perfect Thai beach, framed by lush jungle and very clear, shallow waters ideal for swimming,” noted the report.

Greece’s Fteri Beach—a secluded cove on the island of Kefalonia—takes the number four slot. It’s accessible only by boat or a steep hike.

Atoll of Fakarava Island with small anchored boat at beautiful palm tree beach in French Polynesia. — Crystal clear lagoon waters on the atoll of Fakarava, French Polynesia.

PK9 Beach—an untouched paradise within the UNESCO-protected Fakarava atoll in French Polynesia—rounds out the top five. It’s known for its “simple, serene beach perfection” and coral reefs loaded with tropical fish.

Only one U.S. beach made the 50 best list this year: Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, which ranked at number 42. The editors called out its family-friendly vibe, lack of large-scale development and powdery sand. Made up of 99% pure quartz, the sand stays cool even in the summer heat. “Often dubbed the ‘world’s finest, whitest sand,’ Siesta Beach is a standout thanks to its gentle slope, calm waters and pristine surroundings,” wrote the editors.

Some beaches stood out not just for beauty, but for their sheer uniqueness. At number 13 is Pink Beach in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, where the sand takes on a striking blush color thanks to crushed red coral mixing with the white grains.

The Caribbean region had a strong showing this year, with nearly a dozen beaches across the area making the list. Canto de la Playa in the Dominican Republic ranked as the top beach in the region—and number six overall. The authors of the report called this beach set on Saona island “one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets.”

Meanwhile, perennial favorite Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos claimed the number 10 spot. “It remains a textbook example of Caribbean beauty,” the report noted. Stretching for miles along the coast of Providenciales, the beach has soft, powdery white sand and vivid turquoise waters, protected by a coral reef about a mile offshore.

The countries with the most beaches on the list this year were Greece and Australia, with three beaches each.

Several new destinations broke onto the list this year, including Madagascar, Yemen, Antigua & Barbuda, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Tanzania, France, Ireland and the Maldives, as well as overseas territories American Samoa, the British Virgin Islands and Bonaire.

“We’re incredibly excited to have so many new and truly unique destinations featured on this year’s list. This is the highest number of new countries we have included in a release so far,” says Holst.

Holst says there were some surprises, too. “We are surprised with how many unique and lesser-known beaches beat out some beaches which have been included regularly on our lists in the past—like Tulum in the Riviera Maya, Iceland’’s beaches, as well as Hawaii not having a beach included this year,” she says.

And if you want to see the best of all time, you can check out the hall of fame with winners from past lists, including Trunk Bay in St. John (USVI), Cala Mariolu in Italy, Lucky Bay in Australia, Navagio Beach in Greece, Whitehaven Beach in Australia, Maya Bay in Thailand, Hidden Beach in the Philippines and Honolu Beach in Hawaii.

Read on for the full list—and pack your swimsuit.