Australia misses out on top-10 beaches in new survey

The New Daily
Feb 21, 2025, updated Feb 21, 2025

Elafonissi Beach on the Greek island of Crete is the 'best beach of 2025'. Photo: Gerd AT Müller

Australians pride themselves on the quality – and sheer number, of their country’s exquisite beaches – but it seems the travelling world does not agree.

Travel review platform Tripadvisor’s legion of users have decided 25 of the world’s best beaches for 2025, and remarkably Australia does not feature in the top 10.

While two Australian beaches made the extended top 25, beachgoers will be scratching their heads over the inclusions – both from the same city.

Based on user reviews, Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards “uniquely reflect the voices of millions of global travellers”, Tripadvisor president Kristen Dalton in statement this week.

“The diversity of this year’s winners really showcases everything that a beach trip can have to offer,” she said.

So according to Tripadvisor, the best beach in the world is Elafonissi Beach on the Greek island of Crete, thanks to its pink sands and turquoise waters.

In the No. 2 spot was Banana Beach in Phuket, Thailand with its boating, parasailing and diving opportunities beating out the Caribbean white sands of Eagle Beach in Oranjestad, Aruba.

Siesta Beach on Florida’s Siesta Key came in fourth, with Praia da Falésia in Algarve, Portugal, rounding out the top 5.

Manly Beach has been hailed for its convenience to the Sydney CBD. Photo: AAP

As for Australia, apparently our best beaches are Manly Beach at No 15 and Bondi at No 24.

“Manly Beach is at the centre of everything – literally,” Tripadvisor explains, adding it’s a “quick ride from the Sydney CBD.

“Go swimming or surfing in the ocean or take a dip in the saltwater pool. Then, go for a stroll along the long beach walkway and take in the panoramic views.”

Tripadvisor says Bondi, the famed Sydney beach, is perfect for both surfing and chilling out, or even “a relaxing day with the fam”.

As well as it’s world-best list, Tripadvisor released a list of the best beaches in the South Pacific, dominated by Australian locations.

Toped by Manly and Bondi, Bora Bora’s Plage de Matira came third, followed by Turquoise Bay in Exmouth, WA, Queensland’s Surfers Paradise, Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

Bondi is certainly popular if nothing else. Photo: AAP

Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas was No 7, followed by Plage Publique de Temae in French Polynesia, Broome’s Cable Beach and Lalomanu Beach in Samoa rounding out the top 10.