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News.com.au
7 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Byron Bay and Bondi ranked as some of the world's most ‘overhyped' destinations
They are the beaches along the east coast championed to the world as Australia's best. Byron Bay and Bondi have long been tourist postcard stops (particularly for backpackers) for decades on end, but a new report may well flip some of our most popular beaches on its head. A new survey has carved out the most overhyped beaches around the world — and the ones that actually live up to their insta-worthy promise. Ibiza Summer Villas, which is a service that specialises in 'curating unforgettable experiences through an exclusive portfolio of luxurious villa rentals across the stunning island of Ibiza' dished the dirt onthe most overhyped beaches in the world, versus the ones that genuinely live up to the hype. The survey ranked over 100 recognised beaches globally by 'combining publicly available traveller reviews, search interest on Google and TikTok, and annual rainfall data to assess weather reliability.' Each beach in focus was scored based on how often it disappointed versus how popular it was online. Topping the list in the first three positions were all Thailand-based — being Railay Beach (famous for its limestone cliffs and accessible only by boat), followed by Patong Beach (often billed as Thailand's party capital) and in third spot was Maya Bay (the stunning cove made famous by the film, The Beach). But coming in fourth place as the world's most 'overhyped' beach was Byron Bay in NSW — followed by the always popular, Bondi Beach. According to the survey, Byron Bay — despite the laid-back lifestyle and celebrity sightings — ranked poorly on satisfaction (with 1.57 per cent of reviews as negative versus the destination's high search volume) and had relatively high rainfall. Bondi Beach — known as one of the most recognisable beaches in the world — had many claim the reality of the location didn't quite live up to the expectation. The survey revealed that Bondi had the highest percentage of negative reviews relative to total reviews, with 2.70 per cent of visitors using words like 'disappointing' or 'overrated.' 'Overcrowding, commercialisation, and tourist fatigue are common themes [for Bondi] earning it a firm spot in fifth place on the overhyped list,' the survey said in a statement. The Bondi Beach reputation has received a rough serve this week — with research conducted by Cloudwards (a source of cloud and privacy software reviews, including popular categories such as cloud storage, VPN and password managers) named Bondi Beach as part of the top 20 most complained about beaches worldwide. The research claimed to 'meticulously' examine TripAdvisor reviews for 200 of the world's most popular beaches to determine 'which sandy shores are leaving visitors feeling salty'. It then ranked the beaches from 1 – being the most complained about, to 100, the least complained about. The study focused on four main areas of criticism – cleanliness, overcrowding, long queues and noise disruption. Coming in first was Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, followed by Venice Beach in LA and Playa Manueel Antonio in Costa Rica. Bondi Beach ranked ninth while Manly Beach secured the 20th spot. According to the study, Bondi has a complaint score of 57.1, a 'dirty' rating of 13 per cent, 'overcrowded' percentage of 75.9 and 'noise disruption' of 3.4 per cent.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The most overrated beaches in the world - and the hidden gems to visit instead
Everyone loves the idea of discovering the next big beach, but new research reveals that some of the world's most viral bays might not live up to the buzz. While stunning Instagram photos and TikTok clips might paint a picture-perfect paradise, the reality for many travellers is far less idyllic, with overcrowding, poor weather, and inflated expectations often leaving visitors disappointed. A recent study from Ibiza Summer Villas has ranked over 100 of the world's most popular beaches, revealing exactly which beaches are most likely to disappoint - and which deliver everything they promise, and more. Researchers analysed thousands of traveller reviews, TikTok virality, Google search trends, and environmental data such as annual rainfall, to uncover where the biggest gap exists between expectation and reality. To ensure accuracy, the study only included beaches with at least 1,000 publicly available reviews. The percentage of negative reviews - specifically those containing terms like 'overrated' or 'disappointing' were then weighted against each beach's popularity. Read on to discover five of the world's most overrated beaches as ranked by tourists - and the five hidden gems to visit instead. Top five most overrated beaches Ibiza Summer Villas has ranked over 100 of the world's most popular beaches, and found the most overrated. With 110,000 TikTok views and 165,000 monthly Google searches, Railay Beach serves as a classic cautionary tale for travellers chasing Instagram perfection. LEFT: What visitors expect. RIGHT: The reality 1. Railay Beach, Thailand Renowned for its towering limestone cliffs and accessible only by boat, Railay is a frequent feature in travel reels on social media. But despite its dramatic setting, 1.59 per cent of its reviews use negative terms, with visitors citing overcrowding and underwhelming experiences. With 110,000 TikTok views and 165,000 monthly Google searches, it serves as a classic cautionary tale for travellers chasing Instagram perfection. 2. Patong Beach, Thailand Patong's bustling party scene has long attracted - and united - backpackers and revellers, but many visitors leave the Thai hotspot disillusioned. High noise levels, pushy vendors, and cleanliness issues earned it the second-highest "overrated" rating in the study. It also scored poorly on weather, with some of the highest rainfall scores in the study. 3. Maya Bay, Thailand Made famous by Danny Boyle's adventure thriller, The Beach, Maya Bay once epitomised tropical escape. But the picture-postcard bay has suffered from years of overtourism, which resulted in the beach being closed temporarily by the Thai government in 2018 to allow nature to recover. It has since reopened under strict restrictions: no swimming, limited access, and large crowds. Despite ongoing viral interest, 2.05 per cent of reviewers expressed disappointment, citing a gap between the dream and the reality. 4. Byron Bay, Australia Known for its bohemian vibe and A-list fans, Byron Bay might be Australia's most famous beach town - but the numbers suggest it doesn't deliver the serenity it promises. With 1.57 per cent negative reviews and frequent mentions of high rainfall, it ranked poorly on overall satisfaction. Visitors who had hoped for tranquility also reported being met with a commercialised, crowded hotspot on arrival. 5. Bondi Beach, Australia With 447,000 TikTok searches and 673,000 Google searches, Bondi Beach may be iconic, but it also tops the list for disappointment. With the highest rate of negative reviews (2.70 per cent), it's become a victim of its own success. Overcrowding, sky-high prices, and tourist fatigue are common complaints, suggesting that its global fame might come at the cost of authenticity. Top five hidden gem beaches 1. Playa de la Concha, San Sebastián, Spain Topping the list is Playa de la Concha, an elegant crescent-shaped beach combines natural beauty with urban charm. Reviewers consistently praise its cleanliness, calm waters, and walkable location in one of Spain's most stylish seaside cities. 2. Playa de Bolonia, Andalusia, Spain A rugged, unspoiled stretch of sand backed by ancient Roman ruins and rolling dunes, Bolonia offers a natural alternative to Spain's more crowded beaches. 3. Playa de la Barrosa, Andalusia, Spain Loved for its golden sands and laid-back atmosphere, this beach earned top marks for both scenery and experience without the viral spotlight. 4. Tropea Beach, Italy Perched below a cliffside town, this southern Italian gem blends history, stunning views, and warm waters, all with a warm local feel. 5. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Beach, France Set in the wild Camargue region, this beach is perfect for travellers seeking nature and peace. Its low crowds and high satisfaction ratings make it a standout hidden spot.
