Conde Nast Traveler announces world’s best beach list

When it comes to beaches, Australia arguably has some of the best. But now, a prestigious global ranking has given one spot Down Under the crown.

Australia really is spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches, and now one of the most prestigious annual lists has given a spot Down Under the title of the world’s best.

Every year Condé Nast Traveler ranks the beaches from around the world to curate a list of 34 locations.

Our local treasures dominated this year’s list’s upper rankings with five of the top 10 locations coming from Australia and New Zealand. And while locals might argue Byron Bay or even Bondi Beach should be at the top, the winner is in fact much further north.

With a “combination of leaning palm trees on powdery sand”, the publication crowned Palm Cove Beach as the best beach in the world, describing the slice of Queensland as “the epitome of a tropical paradise”.

Palm Cove has been rated as the best beach in the world.

Located in the state’s far north just north of Cairns, Palm Cove was praised by journalist Lizzie Pook for being relatively “crowd free” and full of wildlife including dolphins and whales off the famous jetty.

While some on social media agreed with the win, others argued much better spots could be found around Australia’s coastline.

“The only way you rank Palm Cove as the best beach in the world is if you have never been to Palm Cove or don’t like beaches,” one wrote.

“Eyre Peninsula beaches leave Palm Cove for dead,” another added.

“Best beach if you don’t ever want to go in the water. What about all the magic in WA?” one questioned.

Palm Cove crowned best in the world.

The journalist praised the wildlife that can be viewed from the jetty.

Coming in second, Honopu Beach in Kauai, Hawaii and in third spot Brekon, Shetland (found on an archipelago off Scotland).

Honopu Beach was described on the list as the ultimate hidden gem that can only be accessed by water, with the trek to get to the Hawaiian beach is well worth it.

“The only (legal) way to reach remote Honopu is by water,” Pook explained.

“Meaning you have to swim from an offshore boat, or from neighbouring Kalalau Beach, a quarter of a mile away (fins are a must).

“But given that the cayenne-coloured cliffs and smooth sands of this isolated spot provided the backdrop for Raiders of the Lost Ark and King Kong, the schlep is cinematically worth it.”

Palm Cove was praised by author Lizzie Pook for being relatively ‘crowd free’ and full of wildlife. Picture: iStock

Rounding out the rest of the top 10, Byron Bay’s ever-popular Wategos Beach was praised in fourth spot, with the publication describing the “bohemian enclave” as a “sheltered beach lined with screw pine trees and offering up calm swimming conditions”.

“The beach is also home to a popular walk that leads up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, a particularly scenic spot to be at during sunset,” Pook added.

Wategos Beach came in at number four.

The beach was praised for offering calm swimming conditions.

Ora Beach in Indonesia took out fifth spot, and in sixth position Mona Vale Beach kicked Bondi to the kerb as the “unsung hero” of Sydney’s many beaches.

Describing Mona Vale as “perfect for walking” and “splashing in the rolling waves” all while “watching the horizon for passing pods of dolphins” — the ocean-fed lap pool is also described a highlight.

Noosa Beach came in eighth position, while our friends across the ditch got a nod for the “people’s beach” that can be found at Awaroa in New Zealand’s South Island.

“Deep in the heart of New Zealand’s glorious Abel Tasman National Park, Awaroa is hemmed in by clover-green native bush and seas that sparkle like freshly blown glass,” Pook explained.

Holiday crowds at Noosa Main Beach. Picture Lachie Millard

“Most visitors come here either by water – swooshing in on kayaks or small boats – or on foot, to ramble around the park’s lush forests. It has an important place in the hearts of the locals, who banded together to crowdfund the purchase of the privately held beachfront when it came up for sale in 2016, thus giving this pretty part of the planet the nickname the ‘People’s Beach’.”

Conde Nast Traveller’s Best Beaches of the World 2024

1. Palm Cove Beach, Australia

2. Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

3. Brekon, Shetland

4. Wategos Beach, Australia

5. Ora Beach, Indonesia

6. Mona Vale Beach, Australia

7. Dune du Pilat, France

8. Noosa Beach, Australia

9. Awaroa, South Island, New Zealand

10. Die Plaat, South Africa