New figures have revealed where some of the most family-friendly beaches in the world are located — and one of the selections can be found right on our doorstep
Porthcurno Beach is one of Britain’s most beautiful locations(Image: Getty Images)
A British beach has been named as one of the safest for families to have a day out. It has now been likened to similar beaches in sun-drenched locations such as the Caribbean or Mediterranean.
Porthcurno Beach is one of Britain’s most beautiful locations, hidden away on the Cornish coast. Located close to Land’s End, the cove is a gorgeous hidden gem for those looking to beat the crowds and have a more relaxed staycation.
And now, it has been revealed that Porthcurno Beach is one of the top 20 beaches in the world for families to enjoy themselves safely. It ranks among the likes of breathtaking Adriatic beaches and sun-kissed exotic locations, showing that Britain is indeed one of the best places for adults and kids alike.
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House of Travel put together a meta-list of the beaches that appear most regularly on the ‘world’s best beaches’ lists. Once a list was collated, the shortlist was generated, rating each beach’s cleanliness, local crime rates, lifeguard presence, and crowd levels.
Porthcurno Beach officially came in at #4 on the list, with experts praising its cosy nature, hidden away from the crowds of tourists. Whilst they did admit the beach did get rather packed in the summer, other elements raised its score to a high level.
“Turns out you don’t need to fly halfway around the world for a safe family beach experience, with Porthcurno Beach bringing Britain into the top five,” the study noted. “Tucked away in Cornwall near Land’s End, this cove is famous for its turquoise waters and white sand — colours you’d more typically associate with the Caribbean.”
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The study found that having lifeguards present and visible throughout the summer season improved the beach’s safety year-round. This is down to “strong Atlantic currents” that can prove dangerous if people aren’t aware of them. The cleanliness of the beach also put it in good standing, as well as Cornwall’s incredibly low crime rate, making it a perfect stay for those looking for a small getaway in a gorgeous part of Britain’s unbeatable coastline.
Topping the overall global list was Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Lifeguards are on duty practically all year round, with the beach never getting that busy, even at the height of the peak season.
Turkey’s Iztuzu Beach in the Dalyan area came in at number two, with a relatively busy peak season, but punters heading to the beach were seen to be very clean. Dubai’s Kite Beach rounded out the top three, although it was considerably more busy than most beaches that featured on the list and a marginally higher crime rate, and one shark attack in the region.
Other sunny holiday destinations featured throughout the list, including reliable British favourites in Spain, Portugal and Italy. However, more up-and-coming destinations, including Montenegro and Cambodia, also made appearances.
The full list of the world’s safest beaches is:
- Saadiyat Beach, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey
- Kite Beach, Dubai, UAE
- Porthcurno Beach, Porthcurno, United Kingdom
- Kalamies Beach, Paralimni region, Cyprus
- Playa de Rodas, Vigo, Spain
- Playa de Muro, Can Picafort, Mallorca, Spain
- Sveti Stefan Beach, Sveti Stefan, Montenegro
- Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal
- Henderson Beach, Destin, Florida, United States
- La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia, Italy
- Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
- Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
- Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta
- Kep Beach, Cambodia
- Tulum Beach, Tulum, Mexico
- Cala Brandinchi, Olbia, Sardinia, Italy
- Cannon Beach, Oregon, United States
- La Concha Beach, San Sebastián, Spain
- Mandraki Beach, Hydra, Greece