Despite its deadly creatures and harsh weather, Palm Cove in northeastern Australia has been named the world’s best beach, defeating competitors from Hawaii, Greece, and Fiji. Conde Nast Traveller magazine selected the two-kilometer length of pure white sands surrounded by rows of palm palms as the world’s number one beach.
Palm Cove is located in “Croc Country” in Australia, and Tropical Cyclone Jasper devastated its lively eateries and high-end hotels late last year. However, Mayor Terry James argues that its natural advantages, particularly “magnificent melaleucas” (a plant), merit a best-in-world ranking. What differentiates it from other beaches is its jetty feature, which provides visitors with a beautiful view of the beach, making it the perfect spot to fish, walk, or rest.
List of top ten beaches in the world by Conde Nast Traveller
- Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia
- Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
- Brekon, Shetland, Scotland
- Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, Australia
- Ora Beach, Maluku, Indonesia
- Mona Vale Beach, Sydney, Australia
- Dune du Pilat, France
- Noosa Beach, Queensland, Australia
- Awaroa, South Island, New Zealand
- Die Plaat, Walker Bay Nature Reserve, South Africa
Many Australian beaches are on the list, including Wategos Beach near Byron Bay
“The recognition of Palm Cove as the world’s number one beach by an award-winning travel magazine and website just verifies what locals already know about Palm. Many more Australian beaches were on the list, including Wategos Beach near Byron Bay, Mona Vale Beach in Sydney’s northern suburbs, and Noosa in Queensland. Other top contenders included Honopu Beach on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Ora Beach in Indonesia, and Dune du Pilat in France.