More than 1,000 travel industry professionals come together each year with the mission of selecting the 50 best beaches in the world. These are the so-called The 50 Best Beaches, an initiative born in 2017 to "inspire and inform" travelers on their next beach adventure. This year, the number one not only boasts crystal-clear waters and white sand, which is already taken for granted, but is also hidden in a national park and features a unique underwater snorkeling trail in the world. We are talking about Trunk Bay, in the US Virgin Islands. A small paradise in the privileged Caribbean protected from the trade winds where swimming is a true pleasure.
The extensive list follows established criteria, including not being too crowded and the sea embracing it being calm to relax in the water. Easy access to the shore is also important, and the soundtrack should be nature: they are better valued if all you hear is the sound of the waves and the natural surroundings. The best beaches are also surrounded by a unique landscape and are far from the usual tourist routes. And if you are likely to encounter incredible wildlife on this beach or in the water, this adds even more points. Finally, this selection, in which Banana Boat collaborates this year, takes into account the idyllic factor: "that the chances of having perfect beach days are much higher than average."
All this explains the choice of this year's number one. "What really sets Trunk Bay apart from other Caribbean destinations is its location within the stunning US Virgin Islands National Park." This protected status means that there is no commercial activity or large buildings, and, best of all, the lush vegetation grows limitlessly.
Following Trunk Bay in second place is Cala Mariolu, in Sardinia. On an island like Italy with magnificent beaches, this one stands out for a highly coveted feature: the privacy it offers by only being accessible by boat or following a hiking trail. This, and being framed by spectacular steep cliffs. Meads Bay, in Anguilla, the northernmost of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies, ranks third. Facing west, it offers great sunsets to travelers.
No ranking is credible without including a Philippine beach. Therefore, it is not surprising that Entalula Beach in Palawan has claimed the fourth spot. That extremely white sand, those rock formations, and the extraordinarily clear water paint an unbeatable picture, also perfect for snorkeling as the coral reefs are very close to the shore.
The journey through the best beaches continues in Greece with one of its worst-kept secrets. Voutoumi Beach, on the island of Antipaxos, has become one of the most sought-after beaches in the Ionian Islands. And with good reason. Even on a cloudy day, the blue color of its waters is astonishing.
With Turquoise Bay in Australia; Pink Beach, again in Indonesia and indeed pink due to the mix of sand and coral remains; and the pristine beach of Anse Georgette in the Seychelles, also in the top ten. A representative of French Polynesia could not be missing, appearing in ninth place with the Green Lagoon of Fakarava, located in one of the largest atolls in the Tuamotu archipelago and designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
The choice of Horseshoe Island beach that closes the top ten is striking. Nestled in Myanmar, "it is one of the last paradises to be discovered on Earth." It is a pity that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation advise against traveling to the Asian country except for exceptional and justified reasons. We will have to wait... We are happy to explore the number 11, Calo des Moro, one of the crown jewels of our Balearic Islands: just 40 meters, but pure Mediterranean.