Ever wondered what are considered to be the best beaches on the planet? According to online reviewers on Tripadvisor, the best beach in the world – where even the sharks are supposedly friendly – is in Brazil. Baia do Sancho lies on the fantasy archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, just a short flight from Sao Paolo. In fact, Brazil can lay claim to three of the best beaches in the top 25, as can Australia. Collectively, Europe performs surprisingly well with six more beaches from the 25, whilst the likes of the Maldives and Mauritius are notable in their absence, and only two beaches in the whole of Asia make an appearance. Anyway, for what it’s worth, these are the top 25 beaches in the world according to Tripadvisor reviewers:

1. Baia do Sancho

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Best time to go: Year-round

2. Grace Bay

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Best time to go: Year-round

3. Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco)

Culebra, Puerto Rico

Best time to go: Year-round

4. Rabbit Beach

Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily

Best time to go: May-September

5. Whitehaven Beach

Whitsunday Island, Whitsunday Islands

Best time to go: Year-round

6. Playa de ses Illetes

Formentera, Balearic Islands

Best time to go: Year-round

7. Anse Lazio

Praslin Island, Seychelles

Best time to go: Year-round

8. Lanikai Beach

Kailua, Hawaii

Best time to go: Year-round

9. Rhossili Bay

Swansea, United Kingdom

Best time to go: July – September

10. Playa Norte

Isla Mujeres

Best time to go: Year-round

11. Playa Paraiso Beach

Cayo Largo, Cuba

Best time to go: Year-round

12. Praia dos Carneiros

Tamandare, Brazil

Best time to go: Year-round

13. Lopes Mendes Beach

Ilha Grande, Brazil

Best time to go: December – March

14. The Baths

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Best time to go: Year-round

15. Playa de las Catedrales

Ribadeo, Spain

Best time to go: July – August

16. Ka’anapali Beach

Lahaina, Hawaii

Best time to go: Year-round

17. Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi, Greece

Best time to go: May – October

18. Cala Mariolu

Baunei, Italy

Best time to go: May – September

19. White Beach

Boracay, Visayas

Best time to go: December – May

20. Turquoise Bay Exmouth

Exmouth, Australia

Best time to go: May – October

21. Anse Source d’Argent

La Digue Island, Seychelles

Best time to go: Year-round

22. Cable Beach

Broome, Australia

Best time to go: Year-round

23. Playa Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Best time to go: Year-round

24. Camp’s Bay Beach

Camps Bay, South Africa

Best time to go: November – April

25. Radhanagar Beach

Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Best time to go: November – April

Have you been to any of these beaches? Have you been to some that you would think would be worthy additions to the list? Please tell us in the comments!