World's best beaches revealed and one in the UK makes the list – alongside Thailand and Bahamas
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Published: Invalid Date,
A UK beach has been named one of the best 100 in the world.
Fistral Beach in Cornwall is often celebrated for being a surf hub, but now it has also been named as one of the top 100 beaches in the world by Corona beer.
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The beach boasts a a long stretch of golden sand and a thriving surf scene, all within a short distance of the bustling town of Newquay.
In fact, the first British surfing championships were held at the beach in 1966.
The beach featured alongside destinations in The Bahamas Costa Rica, Portugal and Mexico.
The guide states: "Fistral Beach is Britain's surf capital.
"Facing the full force of the Atlantic, it's where you go to chase sets, drink tea with cold hands, and feel like you're part of something.
"The beach delivers all year, with consistent swell, golden sand, and a surf scene that's as seasoned as it is welcoming.
"From world-class comps to waist-high rollers, Fistral doesn't need sunshine to shine — just wind, water, and the right kind of restless."
In addition to a great surf scene, there are numerous tin-shack surf shops to explore.
At one end of the beach sits The Fistral Stable - a pizza restaurant inside a glass fronted building looking out across the beach and sea.
At the other end of the beach is SeaSpray Fistral - a cosy timber joint serving up breakfast, lunches and coffee.
TOP UK ATTRACTION
Surfers Against Sewage also regularly clean the beach and have launched awareness programmes across the coast.
Nearby, on the otherside of Newquay town, is a collection of open fields that in August transform into the popular Boardmasters music festival.
The festival will also be expanding its usage of Fistral Beach this year, with a bigger programme including the return of a skate ramp, a rebranded Boardmasters Beach Bar and a larger Fistral Village for festival-goers.
Corona assembled the top 100 beach guide using a panel of beach experts, including oceanographers, surfers, free divers, and other nature enthusiasts.
The beaches were then ranked using a curated criteria and each beach was 'Sun Awarded' – rated between one to three suns based on three essential elements: Beachside Culture, Connection to Nature, and Scenic Aesthetics.
Fistral Beach scored one out of three suns.
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One visitor recently commented in a review: "Fistral Beach is a cracking spot in Newquay - gorgeous stretch of sand that's perfect for a day out.
"It's brilliant for dogs, with plenty of space for them to run around and splash in the waves, and it's dog-friendly all year, which is a big plus.
"The surfing scene here is top-notch—loads of surfers catching waves, and it's easy to see why this place is famous for it.
"Great vibes and stunning views!"
Another commented: "Pretty golden sand beach popular with surfers and swimmers, and bars/restaurants overlooking the beach.
"Access to beach from car park and golf course paths."
Several beaches elsewhere in Europe were also named in the top 100.
One beach - Plage Notre Dame in France - is located on the car-free island of Porquerolles in Cote d'Azur and is known for its crystal-clear water.
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Surrounding the beach is also beautiful scenery, leading the area to often being referred to as an 'untouched paradise'.
Along the Mediterranean Sea, La Pelosa in Sardinia, Italy, is loved for its white-sand and water activities including scuba diving.
The beach also boasts a number of nightclubs, bars and restaurants - most of which have sea views.
In the surrounding area, visitors enjoy heading to the Della Pelosa and Falcone Tower ruins and exploring the cliffs of Capo Falcone nature preserve.
In addition, Unstad Beach on the Lofoten Islands in Norway, made it onto the list.
This beach spot is popular with surfers and photographers due to the scenery with sand, seaweed and boulders.
The beach is also known for sometimes being able to see the Northern Lights.
A number of other beaches across the world were also ranked in the top 100 beaches Cloud 9 Beach in Philippines and Nose Iranja in Madagascar.
The top 100 beaches in the world
All of the top 100 beaches in the world, including Fistral Beach in the UK:
Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Lucky Bay, Australia
Sanya - Yalong Bay, China
Riyue Bay (Hainan, Wanning), China
One Foot Island, Cook Islands
Natadola, Fiji
Tavarua Island, Fiji
Radhanagar, India
Pink Beach Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
Yohana Maehama Beach (Okinawa), Japan
Jodogahama Beach, Japan
Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Wharariki Beach, New Zealand
Cathedral Cove, New Zealand
Cloud 9 Beach, Philippines
Alegria Beach, Philippines
Hidden Beach (El Nido), Philippines
Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
Koh Mak Island, Thailand
Railay Beach, Thailand
Phra Nang Beach, Thailand
Soi Sim Beach, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Boulders Beach, South Africa
Camps Bay, South Africa
Kraalbaai, South Africa
Natures Valley, South Africa
Loango National Park, Gabon
Nose Iranja, Madagascar
Le Morne, Mauritius
Legzira, Morocco
Fistral Beach, UK
Stiniva, Vis, Croatia
Plage Notre Dame, France
Calanque d'En-Vau in Cassis, France
St Jean Cap Ferrat, France
Elafonissi, Greece
Paralia Pori, Koufonissi, Greece
Kolona, Greece
Stokksnes Beach, Iceland
Rossnowlagh, Ireland
La Pelosa, Sardinia, Italy
Cala Domestica, Sardinia, Italy
San Vito Lo Capo, Italy
Baia Verde, Italy
Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
Unstad, Norway
Praia da Falesia, Portugal
Praia de Odeceixe, Portugal
Cala Jondal, Ibiza, Spain
Tarifa, Spain
Cala Macarelleta, Spain
Ses Illetes, Spain
Vila Tacul, Argentina
Punta de Lobos, Chile
Anakena Beach, Chile
Caleta Cóndor Beach, Chile
Playa Del Cabo / Tayrona, Colombia
Corona Island / Islas Del Rosario, Colombia
McBean Lagoon (San Andres), Colombia
Palomino Beach, Colombia
Atins / Lençois Maranehenses, Brazil
Copacabana, Brazil
Baia do Sancho (Fernando de Noronha), Brazil
Jericoacoara / Praia do Preá, Brazil
Taipu de Fora Beach, Brazil
São Miguel dos Milagres Beach, Brazil
Madeiro Beach, Brazil
Love Island, Alter do Chao, Brazil
Saco do Mamanguá, Brazil
Guarda do Embaú Beach, Brazil
Praia dos Carneiros, Brazil
Tortuga Bay Beach, Ecuador
Isla Perro (San Blas), Panama
Playa Venao, Panama
Mancora, Peru
Huanchaco Beach, Peru
La Mina Pisco Beach, Peru
Tulum, Mexico
Playa Balandra, La Paz, Mexico
Playa Los Barriles, Mexico
Playa Carrizalillo, Mexico
Playa Escondida, Nayarit, Mexico
Pipe Creek Sandbar, Bahamas
Shroud Cay, Bahamas
Placencia Beach, Belize
Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda
No Name Beach, Bonaire
Tobermory Beach, Canada
Cox Bay (Tofino), Canada
Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
Playa Uvita, Costa Rica
Playa Cocles, Costa Rica
Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
Pilar Beach, Cuba
Bahía de las Águilas, Dominican Republic
Playa El Tunco, El Salvador
Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii
Playa Mango, Nicaragua
Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
Plus, the English beach town named one of the UK's coolest places to live with fish festivals and legendary ice cream.
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