This Island Was Named the Most Beautiful in the World—and It Has Waterfalls, Volcanoes, and Tranquil Coves

Travel + Leisure

5 days ago

There is nothing quite like a beach vacation—there's long swims in the water, reading in the shade, and watching the colors of the sunset reflect off the water. But for those chasing the best of the best, one dreamy coastline rose above them all.
Online travel agency Trip.com recently conducted a study to figure out which beach destinations are the best on the planet. To determine its rankings, it considered hundreds of millions of data points from its platform, including customer reviews, sales popularity, and each place's unique features.
After reviewing all the data, it named Bali, Indonesia, the No. 1 island destination on the planet.
Bali is actually made up of a few islands (out of thousands in Indonesia), but it is arguably one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the country, with its vibrant, local culture and gorgeous temples. During a trip here, visitors can also see and experience things like majestic waterfalls, volcanoes, calm coves, and rice terraces.
There's also something in Bali for every kind of beach lover. Surfers like to flock to Uluwatu, Canggu, and Kuta to shred the tropical waves. The local surf culture is known for being relaxed and friendly, with surf camps like Goddess Retreats open to beginners who are hoping to just enjoy the waves and learn something new.
Meanwhile, scuba divers often head to the north of the island to swim among manta rays, reef sharks, and turtles. Bali's most famous dive site, the USAT Liberty Shipwreck, is famous for its soft coral, angelfish, garden eels, and other underwater creatures. Whether you want to spend your holiday watching the waves crash off dramatic cliffs or snorkeling with colorful fish, Bali has the beach for you. Sustainability Tip
To protect the stunning coastlines and vital coral reefs, visitors are reminded to dispose of their trash properly, avoid plastic whenever possible, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Other destinations that made the list include Phuket, Thailand; Malé, Maldives; Sanya, China; and Singapore. For the full list, visit trip.com.