Australian beach crowned world's best in prestigious list
#13 – Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain: The stunning Canary Islands beach has over 3 million people per year visit it. The perfect little bay is known for its warm waters and brilliant golden sands. Photo: istock
#12 – Luskentyre Beach, Scotland: Again, not really the place you'd think you'd find one of the best beaches in the world but the Outer Hebrides location is clearly brilliant. It hardly looks like it's from Scotland but the location means it's not often it's fit enough for swimming. Photo: istock
#11 – Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands: While it's not quite seven miles long (it's actually 6.3 miles or 10kms long) it's a jawdroppingly beautiful beach. Photo: istock
#10 – White Beach, Philippines: While Boracay Island has incredible beaches, White Beach is a step above. The white powdery sand is simply lovely, particularly with the backdrop of palm trees and jungle right on its doorstep. Photo: istock
#9 – Sandy Lane Beach, Barbados: Again, if you haven't been convinced by the Caribbean's beauty, here is yet another perfect example. It's no surprise so many hotels and wealthy locals live right nearby. Photo: istock
#8 – White Sand Beach, Thailand: Found on the western coast of the island of Koh Chang, the beach is far quieter than the big tourist beaches in Koh Samui and Phuket but the titular white sand is pretty amazing. Photo: TripAdvisor
#7 – Le Morne Beach, Mauritius: The African nation of Mauritius is largely known because of its beaches. Le Morne Beach shows exactly why. Photo: istock
#6 – Starfish (Sao) Beach, Vietnam: Officially called Sao Beach, it's better known for the starfish that live in the waters surrounding the bay. Crystal clear waters, and coral reefs make this a snorkeller's delight. Photo: istock
#5 – Plage de Notre Dame, Porquerolles, France: On the island of Porquerolles, Plage de Notre Dame is a rare gem. It's secluded, separate from more popular islands and about as relaxing as it gets. Photo: istock
#4 – Reethi Beach, Maldives: I mean just look at it. The Reethi resort in the northeast region of Baa Atoll is accessible through seaplane or speedboat but is undeniably stunning. Photo: Supplied
#3 – Ksamil Beach, Albania: The bronze medal is going to a bit of a left field but breathtakingly stunning Ksamil Beach. While Albania may not be the top of your travel list, the southwestern gem of Ksamil is known as the "Maldives of Europe" and you can see why. Photo: istock
#2 – Anse Source D'Argent, Seychelles: For the silver, it's a bit more traditional with Anse Source D'Argent in the Seychelles lining up on the second step of the podium. Famous for its striking granite boulders and clear, shallow waters, the beach attracts photographers and beachgoers alike, yet its spacious layout ensures a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Picture: iStock
#1 – Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia: But seriously, who are we kidding? It had to be an Aussie beach to top the list – it's almost unfair to the rest of the world! As part of the Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach regularly tops lists like this and with its glistening white 98 per cent silica sands, it's just indescribably beautiful. Photo: istock
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