World's Best Beaches & Best Time to Visit

Many of us are thinking about a warm, beautiful beach somewhere, with sparkling turquoise water and equally sparkling sunsets. But where?

These beaches around the world, and ten more in the USA, have been named best in the world in the annual Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Elafonissi Beach in Greece ranks No. 1 Beach in the world, while Siesta Beach in Florida is named No. 1 in the USA.

Here’s the 2025 Best of the Best List, which is based on reviews received 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.

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.

Top Beaches in the World for 2025

Elafonissi Beach – Crete, Greece

Good for: Crystal clear waters, hiking and dunes, sunbathing, warm water
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.

Banana Beach – Phuket, Thailand

Good for: Boating, parasailing, day trips, colorful coral and fish
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.

Eagle Beach – Oranjestad, Aruba

Good for: White sand, watersports, calm waters
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.

Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal

Good for: Golden sand, walks, coastline and cliffs
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.

Playa Varadero – Varadero, Cuba

Good for: Watersports, white sand, walks, catamarans
Best time to visit: From December to March is the region’s dry season when the weather is stable, with warm temperatures.

Bavaro Beach – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Good for: White sand, excursions, resorts
Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season offers minimal rainfall, comfortable temperatures, and perfect conditions for beach activities.

Playa de Muro Beach – Mallorca, Spain

Good for: Shallow water, watersports, sand dunes
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.

Kelingking Beach – Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Good for: Cliffs, hiking, viewpoints, landscape
Best time to visit: During the dry season, from April to October, travelers can expect bright, sunny days.

Myrtos Beach – Kefalonia Island, Greece

Good for: White pebbles, crystal clear waters, cliffs
Best time to visit: Visit in the spring from May-June or early fall in September for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia, voted one of the best beaches in the USA_(C) Evelyn Kanter Photographer/all rights reserved_evelynkanter.com — Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia. (C) Copyright Evelyn Kanter Photographer/All Rights Reserved

Top 10 Beaches in the United States for 2025

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.

Siesta Beach – Siesta Key, Florida

Good for: Clear waters, powder sand, seashells, beachfront stay
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.

Poipu Beach Park – Poipu, Hawaii

Good for: Swimming, surfing, snorkeling
Best time to visit: During the shoulder seasons, April to June and September to November, you’ll enjoy warm, sunny weather, fewer crowds and lower prices compared with the peak summer and winter months.

Ka’anapali Beach – Maui, Hawaii

Good for: Surfing, snorkeling, whale-watching
Best time to visit: September to November is the most affordable time of year, but January through March brings exquisite whale-watching.

La Jolla Cove – La Jolla, California

Good for: Wildlife viewing, diving, picnics, swimming
Best time to visit: March through May and September through November offer the best temperatures to enjoy San Diego’s finest beach.

Waikiki Beach – Oahu, Hawaii

Good for: Surfing, swimming, boat tours
Best time to visit: From April and June, and September to November the weather is pleasant, with fewer crowds compared to peak summer months.

Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, Florida

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

Driftwood Beach – Jekyll Island, Georgia

Good for: Photo opportunities, sunrises, lighthouses
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.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach – Pahala, Hawaii

Good for: Black sand, tide pools, picnics
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.

Big Pine Key, Florida

Good for: Snorkeling tours, wildlife viewings, picnic
Best time to visit: In the late spring and early fall the weather is still pleasant, but the crowds are fewer.

Ho’okipa Beach Park – Maui, Hawaii

Good for: White sand, windsurfing, wildlife viewings
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, thwe also are 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

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

Tripadvisor Survey 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 for beaches, gathered over the 12-month period from November 30, 2023 to December 1, 2024

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.