Top 10 Beaches in the World

Top beach spots are named in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Mexico, and Central and South America.

TripAdvisor, a leading travel site has announced the winners of its inaugural 2011 Travelers’ Choice Beaches awards. 

Award winners were determined based on the most highly rated beach destinations by travelers in TripAdvisor reviews. Unlike any other honors, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers around the world, says the company.

According to a recent TripAdvisor survey of more than 2,100 U.S. respondents, 68 percent are planning a beach vacation in 2011.  Fifty-four percent are planning a trip to a U.S. beach destination. 

Seventeen percent intend to visit the U.S. southeast coast, 13 percent expect to explore the northeast coast, 12 percent plan to go to the gulf coast and 10 percent plan to visit the west coast. Twenty-six percent are planning a beach trip to the Caribbean or Mexico in 2011.

“It’s that time of year when travelers are dreaming of getaways to warm beach destinations.  To provide inspiration on where to go, we’ve named some amazing hot spots around the world, based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.

“In addition to the outstanding beaches, these destinations also feature top-rated options for hotels, vacation rentals, attractions, and restaurants.”

Travelers’ Choice Beaches Award-winning World Beach Destinations:

1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

2. Boracay, Philippines

3. Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba

4. Negril, Jamaica

5. Tulum, Mexico

6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

7. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

9. Cape May, New Jersey

10. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

The announcement was made today, April 5.