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Daily Mirror

Best beach in the world with 'whitest sand' is 'paradise' for travellers - top 20 list

It has been named the best beach in the world for those looking to enjoy the warm weather and relax on the white sands, according to a new study

Many Brits love to escape the dreary weather for a day by the sea. Perhaps it's the golden sand, crystal clear water or simply the warmer climate that draws you in. Well, Luxury holiday company CV Villas has conducted research to find out which beaches boast the whitest sand in the world. Let's be honest, nothing screams 'perfect beach' more than pristine white sand.

The study analysed Google Maps images of approximately 200 beaches, examining the colour of each shoreline to determine the results. Unsurprisingly, the beach with the whitest sand is nowhere near the UK, but it's certainly worth the flight time, reports the Express.

Tulum Beach in Mexico was crowned as having the whitest sand in the world, as it had the least deviation from pure white.

Tulum Beach sits on the Yucatan coast of Mexico at the country's southeastern tip, looking out to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum is a huge tourist destination known for its beaches and well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city.

The main building is a large stone structure called El Castillo which sits atop a rocky cliff looking down across the white sand beach and turquoise sea.

Given its tourist draw, there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars situated throughout the long narrow stretch of town.

However, some visitors on Tripadvisor do note that prices can be high for amenities such as parking.

Having visited in July 2024, an American tourist left a Tripadvisor review saying the area had both "good and bad" points. They described the beach, however, as a "paradise".

Coming in second place was Anse Source D'Argent in the Seychelles, which had a variation of 4.3, and Marmari Beach in Greece took third place with a variation of 6.5.

Here are the top 20 beaches with the whitest sand:

1. Tulum Beach, Mexico

2. Anse Source D'Argent, Seychelles

3. Marmari Beach, Greece

4. Tropea Beach, Italy and Platja de Muro, Spain

6. Cala Pluma, Spain

7. Plage de Valras, France

8. Cala Brandinchi, Italy

9. Stocking Island Beach, Bahamas and Taylor Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

11. Varadero Beach, Cuba

12. Punta Prosciutto, Italy

13. Maya Bay Beach, Thailand

14. Carmel Beach, USA

15. Bamboo Island Beach, Thailand

16. Siesta Key Beach, USA

17. Spiaggia La Pelosa, Italy

18. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico and Luskentyre Beach, Scotland

20. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

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Eight of the top 10 destinations are in Europe.

If you're after a beach closer to home, Scotland's Luskentyre Beach shares the eighteenth spot with Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico.

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