The sandy beach in one of the sunniest parts of the UK has been ranked 15th on Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best beaches worldwide, beating destinations in Turkey, Indonesia and Greece
The coast is the sunniest part of the UK (Image: Oscarhill via Getty Images)
A breathtaking sandy beach in one of Britain’s sunniest corners has earned a spot on a prestigious list of the world’s finest coastal destinations.
Yaverland Beach at Sandown on the Isle of Wight has secured its place on Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best list, unveiled this morning. Claiming the No. 15 position in its first appearance, it outranks beaches in Turkey, Indonesia and Greece. Celebrated as a jewel in Britain’s coastal crown, Yaverland Beach features an expansive, golden, dog-friendly stretch with crystal-clear, shallow waters and striking multi-coloured cliffs.
With top-notch facilities on site and the award-winning The Beach Cafe nearby, it makes for an ideal day out throughout the year.
There’s solid reasoning behind why Yaverland deserves a visit. The Met Office has recently named the Isle of Wight Britain’s sunniest location, with inhabitants of this southern haven enjoying an average of five hours of sunshine daily, reports the Express.
This stands in stark contrast to the UK’s gloomiest spot, Lowther Hill in Scotland, which manages just shy of 2 hours and 45 minutes of daily sun.
Since last May, the brightest spot in the nation’s brightest region has officially been Shanklin, a beloved seaside destination on the island’s eastern shore that’s witnessed a surge in visitor numbers lately. Sandown lies merely 2.5 miles along the coast from Shanklin, meaning it’s clearly absorbing plenty of sunshine too.
The picturesque Sandown Bay earned the title of Britain’s favourite beach from Countryfile Magazine readers back in 2019. The stunning stretch spans eight miles of coastline linking Sandown and Shanklin.
Capitalising on this glorious setting and beautiful shoreline, a local community group is currently constructing a new tidal sea pool at Yaverland. Billed as “Olympic-sized and accessible”, it would mark the first development of its kind in the UK for a hundred years, according to the organisation.
Best UK holiday cottage deals
From £27 per night
Sykes Cottages
Sykes Cottages offers a wide range of handpicked holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, from cosy countryside retreats to stunning coastal escapes. Prices start from £27 per night
Another remarkable local attraction is Shanklin Chine – a striking, largely concealed tourist destination that carves through the clifftops overlooking the Shanklin stretch of beach before descending onto the sand. A chine refers to a stream eroding into soft cliff faces, with Shanklin’s example formed over the past 10,000 years, extending 400m with an impressive 32m vertical drop. This wooded coastal gorge features waterfalls, woodland, and abundant greenery, with pathways and walkways offering paid entry for tourists.
This coastal location has welcomed numerous distinguished guests, including Charles Dickens, poet John Keats, American poet Longfellow, Lewis Carroll, and Charles Darwin, who penned portions of his work Origin of the Species there.
Top 10 Beaches in the World for 2026 according to Tripadvisor
1. Isla Pasion – Cozumel, Mexico
Good for Private island oasis, crystal-clear waters, marine life encounters, and snorkeling, which travelers can book through this Catamaran Snorkel Adventure to El Cielo and The Money Bar Beach experience.
Best time to go: November-April
Unique features: Protected coral reefs, sea turtle nesting sites, exclusive day-trip destination
2. Elafonissi Beach – Crete, Greece
Good for: Pink sand phenomenon, shallow lagoons, protected nature reserve, and can be easily accessed from Chania through the Elafonissi Beach Trip from Chania tour.
Best time to go: May & September
Unique features: Rare pink sand created by crushed shells
3. Balos Lagoon – Kissamos, Greece
Good for: Turquoise lagoon waters, dramatic landscapes, and Instagram-worthy vistas like this Balos & Gramvousa Luxury Catamaran Sailing Cruise from Kissamos experience.
Best time to go: April-June, September-October
Unique features: Former pirate hideout, protected Natura 2000 site
4. Eagle Beach – Eagle Beach, Aruba
Good for: Pristine white sand, watersports paradise, activities like this 3-Hour Electric Scooter Island Tour in Arubadivi.
Best time to go: April-August
Unique features: Sea turtle nesting ground, iconic Ffofoti trees
5. Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
Good for: Ochre cliffs with spectacular views that can be experienced during this Benagil And Dolphins Tour.
Best time to go: April-October
Unique features: Dramatic red cliff formations
6. Banana Beach – Ko He, Thailand
Good for: Crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs with amazing snorkeling that travelers can book through this Banana Beach Snorkeling Adventure.
Best time to go: November-March
Unique features: Part of Racha Islands, premier diving destination
7. La Jolla Cove – California, USA
Good for: Sea lion colonies, underwater park, kayaking adventures like this Sea Caves Kayak Tour.
Best time to go: March-May, September-November
Unique features: Protected marine reserve, year-round wildlife viewing
8. La Pelosa Beach – Sardinia, Italy
Good for: Caribbean-like waters, ancient watchtower views that can be experienced through this Half Day Catamaran Tour to La Pelosa with Aperitif tour.
Best time to go: June-September
Unique features: 16th-century Torre della Pelosa
9. Manly Beach – Sydney, Australia
Good for: Surf culture, beachside promenade, a scenic Sydney Harbour Ferry Ride.
Best time to go: September-May
Unique features: Historic surfing beach, pine tree-lined Corso
10. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony – Simon’s Town, South Africa
Good for: African penguin sanctuary, granite boulders that travelers can experience during this Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape point Day Tour.
Best time to go: September-April
Unique features: One of few mainland penguin colonies globally