Western Australia’s Lucky Bay voted best beach in the world

Esperance in Western Australia has been recognised as having two of the world’s top beaches, with Lucky Bay receiving the coveted number one spot in a global round-up of the 50 Best Beaches in the World for 2023.

Overall, Australia features four times on the list with Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays placed fourth, Turquoise Bay in the Cape Range National Park on Western Australia’s Coral Coast placing 17th on the list and Esperance’s Little Hellfire Beach coming in at number 28.

The list, based on a collection of votes from more than 750 experienced travel experts, journalists and influencers from around the world was conducted by American sunscreen brand Banana Boat.

Commenting on the list, the organisers advised “it is without any doubt the most accurate and well researched list of beaches ever compiled.”

Lucky Bay’s number one spot noted that if features “friendly kangaroos” and “some of the most pristine snow-white sand and incredible turquoise water you will ever see”, adding “stretching over 5 km guarantees you'll find a spot less crowded to simply take in all the natural beauty.”

Earlier this year Esperance was ranked 12th in the International Tourism Sentiment Index’s 2023 edition of Leading Places: The 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World.

At the time, Shire of Esperance President Ian Mickel congratulated the region’s tourism industry on the ranking, noting its importance, as the score is directly related to what visitors “are actually saying”.

Mickel advised “we have Australia’s most stunning white beaches and spectacular scenery, but without efficient, friendly customer service and world-class facilities from our local tourism industry, we wouldn’t gather the volume of amazing comments that have made this score possible.”

Commenting on Turquoise Bay near Exmouth the organisers advised “with its gorgeous Cape Range as a backdrop and fluffy soft sand, it truly lives up to its name with the most fantastic turquoise water.

“Snorkelling at Turquoise Bay is one of the best experiences you'll ever have, with a healthy coral reef and lots of turtles to see.”

Brianna Bostick, Associate Manager of PR & Brand Partnerships at Banana Boat, noted “at Banana Boat, we believe in creating experiences that help you enjoy, embrace, and say 'yes' to more fun outdoors.

“We are proud to present a list of world class beaches that help you achieve this, especially as we approach the summer months.'

“The list is uniquely defined by the firsthand experiences and careers of the industry's top professionals, making it the most trustworthy and accurate list of the world's best beaches ever created.”

1. Lucky Bay, Western Australia, Australia
2. Source D'Argent, the Seychelles
3. Hidden Beach, the Philippines
4. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia
5. One Foot Island, Cook Islands
6. Trunk Bay, US Virgin Islands
7. Honopu Beach, Hawaii, USA
8. Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
9. Navagio Beach, Greece
10. Balandra Beach, Mexico
11. Cala Goloritze, Italy
12. Pipe Creek Sandbar, Bahamas
13. Pink Beach, Indonesia
14. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
15. Gardner Bay, Ecuador
16. McWay Falls Beach, California, USA
17. Turquoise Bay, Western Australia, Australia
18. Le Morne Beach, Mauritius
19. Baia do Sancho, Brazil
20. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
21. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii, USA
22. Maya Bay, Thailand
23. Calo des Moro, Spain
24. Kelingking Beach, Indonesia
25. Meads Bay, Anguilla
26. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
27. Cayo Arena, Dominican Republic
28. Little Hellfire Bay, Western Australia, Australia
29. Anse Lazio, Seychelles
30. Vaeroy Beach, Norway
31. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
32. Myrtos Beach, Greece
33. Hidden Beach, Mexico
34. Grand Anse, Grenada
35. Xpu Ha Beach, Mexico
36. San Josef Bay, Canada
37. Matira Beach, French Polynesia
38. Capriccioli Beach, Italy
39. Pasjaca Beach, Croatia
40. Boulders Beach, South Africa
41. Salines Beach, Martinique
42. Champagne Beach, Vanuatu
43. Praia de Marinha, Portugal
44. Balos Beach, Greece
45. Achmelvich Beach, Scotland
46. Kaputas Beach, Turkey
47. Radhanagar Beach, India
48. Varadero Beach, Cuba
49. Piha Beach, New Zealand
50. Pink Sand Beach, Bahamas

Click here to view the full list.

Images: Esperance's Lucky Bay (top and middle, credit: Tourism WA) and Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays (below, credit: Tourism Queensland).