[imagesource: Tripadvisor]

The more life I live, the more I realise what a gift it is to be able to lie on the warm sand and swim in crystal waters.

That’ll be my “what are you grateful for?” item of the day.

While South African beaches are stunning and absolutely worth a shoutout, none of them landed on Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022: The Best of the Best Beaches.

Somehow.

But at least Tripadvisor users all over the world are relishing in the “white-sand beaches” and “turquoise-tinged water clear as gin” like I am.

Interestingly enough, Australia only made the cut with one beach. Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, which was at the top of the list last year, didn’t even crack the top 10 this year, reported CNN.

Rather, an unlikely contender came out shining with three beaches on the list: Brazil.

But still, the Caribbean is the best place to go if you’re looking for paradise.

Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands has been crowned the best beach in the world for 2022:

Tripadvisor said in a news release that Grace Bay beach had more than 7 200 reviews to date, and that 90% of them rate it at five “bubbles,” its highest ranking.

A barrier reef offshore helps keep Grace Bay Beach clear of seaweed and other objects, the official Turks and Caicos tourism website says. Boating and other water sports are popular in the calm, shallow waters between the beach and the reef.

Here’s the list of the top 10 beaches for 2022:

1. Grace Bay Beach: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

2. Varadero Beach: Varadero, Cuba

3. Turquoise Bay: Exmouth, Australia:

4. Quarta Praia: Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil

5. Eagle Beach: Palm – Eagle Beach, Aruba:

6. Radhanagar Beach: Havelock Island, India

7. Baia do Sancho: Fernando de Noronha, Brazil:

8. Trunk Bay Beach: Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands

9. Baía dos Golfinhos: Praia da Pipa, Brazil

10. Spiaggia dei Conigli: Lampedusa, Italy:

The beaches are selected according to the most popular spots voted among Tripadvisor’s reviewers, gathered between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.

You can see the full list here.

[source:cnn]