This Beach Was Named the World's Most Sustainable Beach

The world’s sandy beaches are slowly disappearing. A 2020 study published in Nature Climate Change showed that a quarter of sandy beaches across the globe had already eroded at a rate of more than 1.6 feet per year. It makes protecting what we have left all the more important, and as a traveler, you can do so by choosing to visit the most sustainable places possible. Luckily, Tripadvisor made that a little easier by compiling its list of the Best of the Best Sustainable Beaches.

Each year, Tripadvisor compiles several lists as part of its Best of the Best awards, which it explained are only awarded to places that receive a “high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community. Fewer than 1 percent of its listings make it to the list.  

To compile its list of the Best of the Best sustainable beaches, Tripadvisor began by partnering with BeCause as its data partner, which collated data from the international Blue Flag program, a nonprofit that has awarded more than 4,200 beaches all over the world with its mark of excellence. It awards this by looking at four key factors: environmental management, environmental education, water quality, and safety. 

Tripadvisor took that list of beaches and further narrowed the scope by looking at the reviews of its own listings added over 12 months, specifically collecting data on how many times 92 different sustainability-related terms and phrases were used in the reviews, including “environmentally friendly,” ”eco-tourism,” and “waste reduction.” 

Next, it analyzed some 2,000 Tripadvisor reviews to see which spots had at minimum 20 reviews within the 12-month period and an average Tripadvisor review bubble rating of 4 or above.

After crunching all the numbers, Tripadvisor named Sandbanks Beach in the United Kingdom its number one pick. 

“Sandbanks Beach is a family-friendly spot with soft, golden sand, clear water, and incredible views,” the rankings page shared about the beach, which has a 4.5 bubble rating out of nearly 1900 reviews. “It's a popular beach, but even during peak season, there's plenty of space. Try some water sports, go horseback riding, or bring your dog (it's pet-friendly with some seasonal restrictions) and take a walk on the shore. There are plenty of food options, from beachside cafes to nearby restaurants, plus parking's a breeze.”

It was followed by Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island, India, in second, along with Saundersfoot Beach in Saundersfoot, United Kingdom; Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi; and Galissas Beach on the island of Syros, Greece, rounding out the top five.

See all the rest of the Best of the Best Sustainable Beaches at tripadvisor.com.