Paradise Found: Tripadvisor Names World's Best Beaches in Travelers' Choice Awards

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Tripadvisor has announced its 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches, with Greece's Elafonissi Beach claiming the top spot globally and Siesta Beach in Florida ranking first in the U.S. The rankings are based on traveler reviews from the past year.

Elafonissi Beach, known for its pink sand and crystal-clear waters, climbed 23 places to reach No. 1 globally. The top 10 global beaches span six continents and include destinations in Thailand, Aruba, Portugal, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Spain, Indonesia, and Greece.

In the U.S. rankings, Siesta Beach moved up from second place last year to claim the top position, with Hawaii dominating the list with five beaches in the top 10. The awards also feature a special 25th anniversary list, with Balos Lagoon in Crete, Greece, recognized as the top beach of the past 25 years based on all-time reviews.

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Elafonissi Beach in Greece ranks No. 1 Beach in the world, while Siesta Beach in Florida is named No. 1 in the U.S. in Tripadvisor's 2025 Best of the Best List

NEEDHAM, Mass., Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tripadvisor^®, the world's largest travel guidance platform, today unveils the latest edition of Travelers' Choice^® Awards: Best of the Best Beaches for 2025. The prestigious list is based on a comprehensive analysis of global beach reviews on Tripadvisor over the last year.

The award highlights the highest-rated beaches, as rated by real travelers who have visited and shared their tips and experiences. From stunning sands and clear waters, to perfect conditions for snorkeling and watersports, these award-winning beaches deliver unparalleled experiences. The full list of winners can be found at tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches.

Travelers' Choice acknowledges the best beaches in the world, as well as the top in the U.S. Rejoining the list for the first time since 2021 and climbing 23 places to take the No. 1 spot in the world for 2025 is Elafonissi Beach in Greece. Located on the southwest coast of Crete, this remote beach is known for its pink sand and crystal-clear waters. A popular summer getaway spot, drawing both sunbathers and water sports lovers, visitors will find a mix of relaxation and activity. This stunning family-friendly beach promises clear shallow waters, a scenic drive down and plenty of photo opportunities too.

"Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards uniquely reflect the voices of millions of global travelers and help guide people to plan their best trip yet. In my family, beaches aren't just for sunbathing - we like to get out and explore! The diversity of this year's winners really showcases everything that a beach trip can have to offer, said Kristen Dalton, President, Tripadvisor.

"Whether it's strolling the beautiful pink sand beaches of our world winner, Elafonissi beach, in Greece, experiencing breathtaking vistas in Indonesia, whale watching in Hawaii or diving in magical bioluminescent waters in Thailand - there really is something for everyone. This year's lists span an incredible six continents and 50 countries with over 100 of the very best beaches showcasing the eclectic mix of coastal spots across the world."

Top 10 Beaches in the World for 2025

1. Elafonissi Beach – Crete, Greece
     a. Good for: Crystal clear waters, hiking and dunes, sunbathing, warm water
     b. Best time to visit: May and September offer warm, sunny weather with significantly fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months of June, July, and August.

2. Banana Beach – Phuket, Thailand
   a. Good for: Boating, parasailing, day trips, colorful coral and fish
   b. Best time to visit: Between November and March, Phuket enjoys clear skies, dry weather, and calm seas, making it the perfect time for beach activities and swimming.

3. Eagle Beach – Oranjestad, Aruba
     a. Good for: White sand, watersports, calm waters
     b. Best time to visit: From April to August, the weather is excellent with fewer crowds than the peak season, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

4. Siesta Beach – Siesta Key, Florida
     a. Good for: Clear waters, powder sand, seashells, beachfront stays
     b. Best time to visit: Between April and May, or September and October, the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller, and temperatures are more moderate compared to the peak summer months.

5. Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
     a. Good for: Golden sand, walks, coastline and cliffs
     b. Best time to visit: From April to October, the weather is warm and sunny with minimal rainfall. The shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October also offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds.

6. Playa Varadero – Varadero, Cuba
 a. Good for: Watersports, white sand, walks, catamarans
 b. Best time to visit: From December to March is the region's dry season when the weather is stable, with warm temperatures.

7. Bavaro Beach – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
     a. Good for: White sand, excursions, resorts
     b. Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season offers minimal rainfall, comfortable temperatures, and perfect conditions for beach activities.

8. Playa de Muro Beach – Mallorca, Spain
     a. Good for: Shallow water, watersports, sand dunes
     b. Best time to visit: With a Mediterranean climate, featuring hot, dry summers and mild winters, the best time to visit is between July and August.

9. Kelingking Beach – Nusa Penida, Indonesia
     a. Good for: Cliffs, hiking, viewpoints, landscape
     b. Best time to visit: During the dry season, from April to October, travelers can expect bright, sunny days.

10. Myrtos Beach – Kefalonia Island, Greece
     a. Good for: White pebbles, crystal clear waters, cliffs
     b. Best time to visit: Visit in the spring from May-June or early fall in September for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

In the U.S., Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida jumped to the No. 1 spot from second place last year, and Hawaii leads in best beaches overall with five out of ten of the best beaches on the top list.

Beach-loving travelers flock to Siesta Beach for many reasons including the powdery white-quartz sand, clear shallow waters and family-friendly atmosphere. The beach has lifeguards on duty, while the relaxing town offers nearby cafes and oyster bars all within walking or biking distance. Visitors can spot wildlife like manatees and dolphins while on kayaking tours, and enjoy beautiful sunsets from the soft sand beach.

Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. for 2024

1. Siesta Beach – Siesta Key, Florida
     a. Good for: Clear waters, powder sand, seashells, beachfront stays
     b. Best time to visit: From April to May and September to October, the weather is mild, crowds are fewer, and temperatures are more moderate than during the peak summer months.

2. Poipu Beach Park – Poipu, Hawaii
     a. Good for: Swimming, surfing, snorkeling
     b. Best time to visit: During the shoulder seasons, from April to June and September to November, you'll enjoy warm, sunny weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices compared to the peak summer and winter months.

3. Ka'anapali Beach – Maui, Hawaii
     a. Good for: Surfing, snorkeling, whale-watching
     b. Best time to visit: September to November is the most affordable time of year, but January through March brings exquisite whale-watching.

4. La Jolla Cove – La Jolla, California
     a. Good for: Wildlife viewing, diving, picnics, swimming
     b. Best time to visit: March through May and September through November offer the best temperatures to enjoy San Diego's finest beach.

5. Waikiki Beach – Oahu, Hawaii
     a. Good for: Surfing, swimming, boat tours
     b. Best time to visit: From April and June, and September to November the weather is pleasant, with fewer crowds compared to peak summer months.

6. Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, Florida
     a. Good for: Watersports, sunsets, white sand
     b. Best time to visit: From October to December, the weather is mild, crowds are smaller, and humidity is lower during the autumn months.

7. Driftwood Beach – Jekyll Island, Georgia
     a. Good for: Photo opportunities, sunrises, lighthouses
     b. Best time to visit: Shoulder seasons in the spring and fall offer a quieter getaway with mild temperatures - travelers can also check tide charts for best access to its unique driftwood formations.

8. Punalu'u Black Sand Beach – Pahala, Hawaii
      a. Good for: Black sand, tide pools, picnics
      b. Best time to visit: The best time to visit is in spring or fall, when the weather is mild, and the beach is less crowded.

9. Bahia Honda State Park – Big Pine Key, Florida
     a. Good for: Snorkeling tours, wildlife viewings, picnics
     b. Best time to visit: In the late spring and early fall the weather is still pleasant, but the crowds are fewer.

10. Ho'okipa Beach Park – Maui, Hawaii
     a. Good for: White sand, windsurfing, wildlife viewings
     b. Best time to visit: Mid-March to mid-May offers warm, pleasant weather without the summer heat, and smaller crowds compared to peak winter months.

In celebration of Tripadvisor's 25^th anniversary, Tripadvisor is honoring the top beaches of the last 25 years based on all-time reviews. Topping the list is Balos Lagoon, regarded as one of the most photographed spots on the island of Crete with hypnotizing turquoise waters and a panoramic landscape. Reviewers refer to Balos Lagoon as a "heaven for beach lovers" with breathtaking views and crystal-clear waters.

25^th Anniversary: Global Beaches

1. Balos Lagoon – Crete, Greece
2. Eagle Beach – Oranjestad, Aruba
3. Waikiki Beach – Oahu, Hawaii
4. Ipanema Beach – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
5. Isla Pasion – Cozumel, Mexico
6. Playa Manuel Antonio – Quepos, Costa Rica
7. Spiaggia La Cinta – Sardinia, Italy
8. Banana Beach – Phuket, Thailand
9. Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
10. Manly Beach – New South Wales, Australia

With spring and summer trips on the horizon, travelers looking for a beach getaway or day trip can take inspiration from Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches to find their next relaxation spot, water adventure, or perfect photo opportunity.

Methodology

The Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches honor travelers' favorite beaches worldwide, based on the quality and quantity of global reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor for beaches, gathered over the 12-month period from November 30, 2023 to December 1, 2024.

About Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform*, helps millions of people each month** become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use Tripadvisor's website and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than a billion reviews and contributions, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.

Tripadvisor LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRIP). The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands and businesses, operating under various websites and apps.

* Source: SimilarWeb, unique users de-duplicated monthly, Feb 2025

** Source: Tripadvisor internal log files

 

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SOURCE Tripadvisor

FAQ

Which beach was named #1 in Tripadvisor's 2025 Best Beaches Awards?

Elafonissi Beach in Crete, Greece, was named the #1 beach in the world for 2025, climbing 23 places from its previous ranking.

What is the best time to visit Elafonissi Beach according to Tripadvisor (TRIP)?

The best time to visit Elafonissi Beach is during May and September, when there are warm, sunny conditions with significantly fewer crowds compared to peak summer months.

Which U.S. beach topped Tripadvisor's 2025 domestic rankings?

Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida, was ranked as the #1 beach in the United States for 2025, moving up from second place the previous year.

How many Hawaiian beaches made Tripadvisor's 2025 top 10 U.S. beaches list?

Five Hawaiian beaches made the top 10 U.S. beaches list, making Hawaii the state with the most top-ranked beaches in the country.

Which beach was named the best of the past 25 years in Tripadvisor's anniversary list?

Balos Lagoon in Crete, Greece, was named the top beach of the past 25 years based on all-time Tripadvisor reviews.

What period did Tripadvisor (TRIP) analyze for the 2025 beach rankings?

The rankings were based on reviews and ratings gathered over a 12-month period from November 30, 2023 to December 1, 2024.