LONDON, UK. – 26 February 2019 – Bournemouth Beach in Dorset is named the best-rated beach in the UK, in the Travellers’ Choice^® awards for Beaches, announced today by TripAdvisor.

Not just a winner in the UK, Bournemouth beach also celebrates the title of sixth best-rated in Europe and 20^th in the world, ranking above beaches in locations known the world over for their paradise-like beaches of fine, white sand and azure waters, including Australia, the Seychelles and Cape Verde. Bournemouth’s seven mile stretch of sandy beach offers visitors traditional seaside attractions, famous beach huts for hire, water sports and stunning views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks. The bay also has its own micro-climate which means swimmers can enjoy some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK there.

In the world ranking, Baia do Sancho in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago with UNESCO world heritage status, has reclaimed its crown from last year’s winner, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, to be named the number one beach in the world.

One glance at a photo of Baio do Sancho confirms that the title of world’s best beach is absolutely justified – the bay of crystalline water and soft white sand coupled with surrounding cliffs teeming with exotic wildlife are what dreams are made of.

The second best rated beach in the world is Varadero Beach in Cuba – a 20km stretch of golden sand along what is one of the largest resorts in the Caribbean.  

“Time after time, the UK’s beaches hold their own in these awards against those in countries with much warmer climes, proving that sunshine isn’t everything when it comes to the formula for a world-renowned beach. Our beaches continue to get the recognition they deserve from global travellers who visit – and love them - year after year, and for that, we should be very proud!” commented Hayley Coleman, TripAdvisor spokesperson.

For those who want to visit a beach outside of the UK that is a little closer to home than Brazil or Cuba, La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain, remains Europe’s number one beach for the second year running. This beach is located in the centre of the city and has no less than 1,500 metres of white sand, plus a small island off the bay that beachgoers can swim out to with its own small beach, a lighthouse, picnic tables and a bar.

The second best-rated beach in Europe is Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa, Sicily. While third place goes to Falesia Beach in Olhos de Agua, Portugal.

Spotlight on UK winners

Dorset’s Bournemouth Beach celebrates the win in the UK’s best beaches list for the second year running, holding onto the title after climbing an impressive six places from 2017 to be named UK’s number one in 2018 and now again in 2019.

Councillor Pat Oakley, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Arts in Bournemouth, said, “It’s very exciting to top the TripAdvisor awards lists for the second year in a row! Tourism makes a £1bn contribution to the local economy here in Bournemouth. We value our beautiful, attractive yet fragile environment and are resolute in our commitment to both developing and protecting what makes Bournemouth such a great place to visit, live, work and study. The popularity of Bournemouth’s beaches translates into visitor spend that is invested back into the town. We’re extremely proud of this achievement.”

Second place in the UK this year goes to Scotland’s Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris, which also comes in 12^th in Europe, climbing four places from 16^th last year. While St. Brelade's Bay Beach in Jersey comes in third place.

Travellers’ Choice Beaches award-winners were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.

For the complete 2019 Travellers’ Choice Beaches Awards winners and more reviews, opinions and candid traveller photographs, go to http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Beaches.

Top 10 Beaches in the World

1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
2. Varadero Beach, Varadero, Cuba
3. Eagle Beach, Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba
4. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian – Donostia, Spain
5. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
6. Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States
7. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Sicily, Italy
8. Seven Mile Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
9. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
10. Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica, Caribbean

Top 10 Beaches in Europe

1. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian – Donostia, Spain
2. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Sicily, Italy
3. Falesia Beach, Olhos de Agua, Portugal
4. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain
5. Balos Beach and Lagoon, Kissamos, Crete, Greece
6. Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset
7. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Greece
8. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
9. Cala Rossa, Isola di Favignana, Sicily, Italy
10. Playa de Muro Beach, Playa de Muro, Majorca, Spain

Top 10 beaches in the UK

1. Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset
2. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Scotland
3. St. Brelade’s Bay Beach, St Brelade, Jersey
4. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe, Devon
5. Barafundle Beach, Stackpole, Wales
6. Filey Beach, Yorkshire
7. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili, Wales
8. Gorleston Beach, Norfolk
9. Perranporth Beach, Perranporth, Cornwall
10. Newborough Beach, Dwyran, Anglesey, Wales

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