World's best beaches for 2026 include two reachable from a £44 flight

Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards lists Isla Pasion in Cozumel as the top beach for 2026, with Elafonissi and Balos Lagoon in Crete also among the highest-ranked; the article notes UK flights to Chania can be found from about £44.

Tripadvisor has published its Travellers' Choice 'Best of the Best' list of beaches for 2026. The awards are based on a high volume of positive traveller reviews collected over a 12-month period. The ranking includes a mix of secluded islands, family-friendly lagoons, and busy city shores. The article highlights that two of the top three beaches are in Crete and mentions budget flights from the UK to Chania from around £44. Key findings: - Isla Pasion (Passion Island), Cozumel, Mexico is ranked number one and is described as a small, secluded island reached by a short boat ride. - Elafonissi Beach in Crete is ranked second, noted for its pink sand and clear water, and is reached via Chania with flights from the UK cited from about £44. - Balos Lagoon in Crete is ranked third and is described for its warm, calm waters and white and pink sand; it is also accessible from Chania. - Boulders Beach Penguin Colony in Simon's Town, South Africa appears in the top ten and is noted for its African penguin population and visitor boardwalks. - Praia da Falésia in Olhos de Agua, Portugal is listed in the top five and is described as a long beach with red cliffs and golden sand. Summary: The Travellers' Choice ranking highlights a range of popular beach destinations and some of their distinguishing features, such as pink sands, lagoons, wildlife, and long coastal stretches. Undetermined at this time.