THE Gold Coast's beaches and bikinis have long been world famous - now they're world record holders too.

More than 350 bikini babes yesterday gathered on the Glitter Strip to set a Guinness World Record for the biggest-ever bikini parade.

In all, 357 women wore bikinis to strut their stuff in a parade from Cavill Avenue on to the Surfers Paradise beach.

Four had to be disqualified for being overdressed.

The feat smashed the previous record of 331 set in the Cayman Islands last year.

Surfers Paradise councillor Susie Douglas said it was fitting the Gold Coast held the record.

"We have beautiful beaches ... we've got a great foreshore and got healthy young women and a sense of fun," she said.

Originally published as Bikini parade busts world record