NEEDHAM, Mass., Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor^®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice^® awards for Beaches. This year, Baia do Sancho, in Brazil, was ranked by TripAdvisor reviewers as the global winner and Florida's Siesta Beach is #1 in the U.S. TripAdvisor has honored 343 beaches including the top 25 in the world and local lists for Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the U.K. and the U.S. Award winners were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor, gathered over a 12-month period.

"To inspire those planning a beach getaway, we've surfaced the world's best beaches from the millions of our traveler reviews," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "Traveling to a popular beach doesn't have to be expensive; TripAdvisor can help find the best prices for highly-rated hotels and has a variety of value options for those looking to get the most out of their money while visiting one of these amazing beach destinations."

"Winning a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Beaches award is very important for Baia do Sancho and Fernando de Noronha Island, where the beach is located. The award recognition is an opportunity for us to communicate all that this incredible place has to offer to global travelers," said Luís Eduardo Antunes, general administrator of Fernando de Noronha.

To help travelers planning their next beach trip, TripAdvisor has also identified the least expensive month for a hotel stay nearby the award-winning beaches and highlighted a variety of top-rated hotels to accommodate a range of budgets that travelers can shop on TripAdvisor.

Top 10 Travelers' Choice Beaches in the U.S.:
* (+/- denotes change in ranking year-over-year, beach destinations with no change are marked accordingly)

1.      Siesta Beach – Siesta Key, Florida (+2)*

Located about 10 miles south of Sarasota on Florida's Gulf Coast, Siesta Beach is renowned for its fine, white sandy beaches.  " I can't say enough great things about this amazing beach. Perfect white sand, soft on the feet and yet look around and you can also find shells. Sunset was amazing!" added a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Least expensive month to go¹: September, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $214 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: Twin Palms of Siesta – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $220 per night² (18% less than average hotel prices for Siesta Key³)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Sea Spray Resort on Siesta Key – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $246 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: Hyatt Siesta Key Beach Resort – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $775 per night

2.      Ka'anapali Beach – Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii (+4)

Among the most frequented beach in West Maui, one of Ka'anapali Beach's most famous attractions is the daily cliff diving ceremony off of the beach's northernmost cliffs known as Puu Kekaa or Black Rock.  According to a TripAdvisor reviewer, "Ka'anapali Beach is the nicest beach we have visited in our travels throughout the U.S. Clean and fine sand provides a pleasant experience for walking, catching the surf, or laying on the beach."

Least expensive month to go: May, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $376 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: Kaanapali Ocean Inn – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $187 per night (60% less than average hotel prices for Lahaina)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Maui Eldorado – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $223 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: Honua Kai Resort & Spa – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $508 per night

3.      Saint Pete Beach – Saint Pete Beach, Florida (+1)

Saint Pete Beach is famous for its golden-white sand and aquatic activities, such as parasailing, stand-up paddle boarding and windsurfing. "You can walk this entire beach from one end to the other in a couple of hours and enjoy the many resorts and restaurants along the way. Great for kids to collect seashells. Amazing sunsets!" commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Least expensive month to go: November, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $211 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: St Pete Beach Suites – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $212 per night (17% less than average hotel prices for Saint Pete Beach)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $231 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: TradeWinds Island Grand Resort – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $412 per night

4.      Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, Florida (-3)

Clearwater Beach dazzles with 2.5 miles of sugar-white sand, crystal-clear waters and sits on a barrier island caressed by tranquil Gulf breezes. "Clearwater Beach has one of the best waterfronts you can imagine. The white sand is outstanding, never hot on the feet. Also, there are bath and change rooms located along the beach front and a variety of restaurants to suit all budgets," shared a TripAdvisor traveler.

Least expensive month to go: November, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $186 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: Beachwalk Inn – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $188 per night (15% less than average hotel prices for Clearwater)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Pier House 60 Marina Hotel– available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $272 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa– available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $506 per night

5.      Beach at Panama City – Panama City Beach, Florida (+5)

Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of silky, white-sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay, where tourists can enjoy nearby restaurants for fresh seafood. "The beach is pristine and the waters calm, being one of the cleanest I've experienced. There you can see dolphins playing in the water and people fishing from the shore," wrote a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Least expensive month to go: January, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $103 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: Bikini Beach Resort Motel – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $147 per night (25% less than average hotel prices for Panama City Beach)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Osprey on the Gulf – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $174 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: Marriott's Legends Edge at Bay Point – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $335 per night

6.      Hollywood Beach – Hollywood, Florida (not ranked in 2016)
Hollywood Beach is well known as a family-friendly place due to the calm water, available bathroom facilities, live entertainment and the nearby restaurants across the large Boardwalk. "Simple, friendly, clean, accessible to young and old… Hollywood Beach is a diamond unspoiled by glitz. Go, have fun strolling the Boardwalk, lounging in the sun or beneath the shade of a palm, or skimming over the wave washed sand!" added a TripAdvisor user.

Least expensive month to go: September, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $172 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: St Maurice Beach Inn – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $140 per night (35% less than average hotel prices for Hollywood)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Caribbean Resort by the Ocean – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $220 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: Margaritaville Beach Resort – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $456 per night

7.      Pensacola Beach – Pensacola Beach, Florida (no change year-over-year)

Anchored at the western tip of Florida, this narrow strip of white sand features two totally different waterfront experiences; you can easily enjoy the Gulf side or opt for the serenity of the sound side. "Pensacola beach is a perfect place to visit all year round. There is always something for everyone, from beautiful sunrises and sunsets to amazing restaurants and the famous Double Bridge Run that takes place every February," commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Least expensive month to go: January, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $140 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $225 per night (22% less than average hotel prices for Pensacola Beach) 
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Beach – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $281 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: Portofino Island Resort – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $540 per night

8.      Saint Augustine Beach – Saint Augustine Beach, Florida (+1)

Saint Augustine Beach gives travelers plenty to enjoy all year long with its long stretch of white sand with uncrowded spots and promenades. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted, "With a splash park, many nearby eateries, and plenty of sunshine, this is the place to spend a day either on the beach, in the surf, swimming in the sea or fishing off the pier."

Least expensive month to go: January, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $138 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: Americas Best Value Inn St. Augustine Beach – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $132 per night (23% less than average hotel prices for Saint Augustine Beach)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $174 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: not available to book on TripAdvisor

9.      Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve – Honolulu, Hawaii (+3)

Located on the southeast coast of Oahu, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of Hawaii's most popular natural attractions. Travelers note that the beach is good for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and picnicking. According to a TripAdvisor user, "This place is awesome to snorkel with small kids. Reefs are very near to the shore and you don't have to swim far away."   

Least expensive month to go: April, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $307 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel pricing Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $273 per night (24% less than average hotel prices for Honolulu)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $299 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: The Kahala Hotel & Resort – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $506 per night

10.  Ocean City Beach – Ocean City, Maryland (+15)
Ocean City Beach is family-friendly and perfect for aquatic sports. During the summer, there are free family activities six nights a week, including concerts, movies and beach games. "This beach is great for a family vacation. It has a beautiful deep sandy beach with lots on the boardwalk--like shops, games, amusements parks, restaurants, and ice cream, to name a few things," noted a TripAdvisor's reviewer.

Least expensive month to go: November, when hotels are bookable on TripAdvisor for an average of $109 per night
Highly-rated bargain hotel nearby: Dunes Manor Hotel & Suites – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $242 per night (48% less than average hotel prices for Ocean City)
Highly-rated mid-range hotel nearby: Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $272 per night
Highly-rated luxury hotel nearby: Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront – available to book on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $307 per night

Top 10 Travelers' Choice Beaches in the World:

For the complete list of winners from the 2017 Travelers' Choice awards for Beaches, more reviews and candid traveler photos, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches. Travelers can also follow the conversation on Twitter at #TravelersChoice.

TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site*. Travelers can read millions of reviews and opinions and book their next trip at www.tripadvisor.com.  

Notes:
¹Least expensive months to go are based on TripAdvisor data for January 1 – December 31, 2016, aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

²Hotel pricing is based on TripAdvisor data for February 1 – July 31, 2017, aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

³Average city rates are based on TripAdvisor data for January 1 – December 31, 2016, aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to unleash the potential of every trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers, with 465 million reviews and opinions covering 7 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions, and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features — checking more than 200 websites to help travelers find and book today's lowest hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 390 million average unique monthly visitors** in 49 markets worldwide. TripAdvisor: Know better. Book better. Go better.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP), through its subsidiaries, manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands:

www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, November 2016
**Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q3 2016

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SOURCE TripAdvisor