Money.co.uk has analysed over 26 million Instagram hashtags to find not only the globe’s most mentioned beaches but also how many posts each metre of sand accumulated.
1. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali
80 metres, 4227 pictures per metre
This secluded, white sandy beach with turquoise waters is enclosed by a steep cliff.
One of its most popular landmarks is a plant-covered limestone headland, with massive waves crashing against it. This unique formation of the headland resembles the shape of a T-Rex’s head, so Kelingking is often called the T-Rex Bay of Bali.
2. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
1000 metres, 1776 pictures per metre
The sweeping white-sand crescent of Bondi is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. Reliable waves draw surfers while, nearby, hardy locals swim in the Icebergs ocean pool year-round.
Read more: Australian beach takes out top honours in annual awards
3. Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand
450 metres, 587 pictures per metre
Railay is now on every savvy traveller’s list because there are no roads, cars or buses; only footpaths.
The spectacular Phra Nang Peninsula is effectively cut off from the rest of Krabi by limestone headlands and steep jungle valleys and is only accessible by boat.
4. Tropea Beach, Calabria, Italy
115 metres, 423 pictures per metre
Tropea’s 4km of pristine white beaches are among the cleanest and best in Italy. Dramatic rock formations, cliffs, coves, and grottoes dot the coastline, holding ground against the sparkling, turquoise, Caribbean-like water.
5. Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece
182 metres, 403 pictures per metre
Back in 1983, a ship smuggling cigarettes into Greece washed up at this remote spot. The shipwreck, along with the pristine beach it sits on and the surrounding crystal-clear waters have now been photographed thousands of times.
Read more: Aussie beaches you can camp on
6. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, USA
570 metres, 345 pictures per metre
Hanauma (or curved) Bay is a former volcanic crater that became a protected marine life conservation area in 1967. Since then, it’s become an underwater park for snorkel enthusiasts, swimmers and anyone desiring to see more than 400 species of Hawaiian fish. It’s located on the southeast coast of Oahu, 17km east of Waikiki.
7. Tenby North Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
770 metres, 343 pictures per metre
This stunning Welsh hamlet – dotted with pastel houses, crags and an easterly aspect that traps more sun than many English counties – puts to bed the notion that the UK doesn’t do beaches.
8. Praia do Camilo, Lagos, Portugal
100 metres, 325 pictures per metre
Two hundred wooden steps through the scrub mark the path to this Algarve icon. The sea is emerald, and the photo opportunities are endless. Just be sure you go at low tide as half the beach disappears twice a day.
9. Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
420 metres, 323 pictures per metre
If this was just a regular beach, it would still be stunning. But the fact that you can get up close and personal with an African penguin colony adds a whole new dimension.
Read more: Nine things to please stop doing at the beach
10. Blue Point Beach, Ungasan, Bali
105 metres, 287 pictures per metre
This beautiful coral beach is located in Uluwatu and is a paradise for both surfers and those looking to relax.
How would you measure beach popularity? Have you visited any of these beaches? Share your favourite beach in the comments section below.
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