Each year, the World’s 50 Best Beaches releases a curated ranking of what it considers the absolute best beaches worldwide. The list isn’t just thrown together; a fair bit of legwork and deliberation goes into each beach selection to ensure the ranking holds weight.
The process begins with the input of thousands of well-versed travel experts, asked to nominate what they consider the best beach on Earth. These professionals aren’t given rigid guidelines but are instead encouraged to explain their choices, focusing on what makes each beach special in their eyes. This free-form selection gives the initial list a varied and personal touch, as each expert advocates for their favorites based on unique experiences rather than any pre-set checklist.
However, simply tallying up votes isn’t enough to earn a spot on the final list. The internal team behind the rankings reviews and debates the initial submissions, considering not only the votes but a specific set of criteria for each beach. Key factors like the beach’s overall distinctiveness, the type of wildlife in the area, accessibility to the water, and crowd levels play a role. They even have something called the “Soundtrack of Nature” category, which emphasizes those places where you can only hear the gentle sounds of waves and surrounding nature rather than bustling crowds. After combing through all this information, the team ultimately ranks each beach, determining a final order for the year.
For 2024, Oahu’s Lanikai Beach has been honored as the No. 1 beach in the U.S. and lands at No. 14 worldwide. Known for its turquoise waters and powder-soft sand, Lanikai also boasts views of the Mokulua Islands, two striking islets just off the coast. Visitors often praise the beach for its serene atmosphere, where the only sounds are the swaying palms and lapping waves. Lanikai’s calm, clear waters make it a top spot for paddleboarding and kayaking, especially with the scenic Mokulua Islands as a backdrop.
As a cherry on top, the beach’s location makes it a prime spot for early risers looking to catch the sunrise. With the sun coming up over the horizon, visitors can sit back and take in the iconic view, making it a unique draw for those who appreciate natural beauty in a peaceful setting.
Other U.S. beaches that earned a spot on the list include Maui’s Kapalua Bay Beach, ranked at No. 40, and Henderson Beach in Florida, which took the No. 44 position. These beaches each bring their own charm and continue to contribute to the U.S.’s standing as a destination with some of the world’s most picturesque coastlines.
