Western Australia's Turquoise Bay Has Been Named the Best Beach in the South Pacific for 2022

When it opens its borders in early March, Western Australia will allow travellers from interstate and international destinations to visit for the first time in nearly two years — and, if it's beaches you're after, you have plenty of reasons to make the trip. Already in 2022, WA's Misery Beach was named Australia's best beach for the year. Now, the state's Turquoise Bay has nabbed its own accolade, topping a list of best beaches in the South Pacific for 2022.

In Tripadvisor's just-announced 2022 lineup of the region's best beaches, which ranks ten idyllic locations, seven Aussie spots made the cut — and two from New Zealand. In fact, the only patch of sand that wasn't from either country was Bora Bora's Matira Beach, which came in fifth. Yes, that means three Aussie beaches and one NZ spot pipped French Polynesia.

Located in Exmouth, Turquoise Bay came in third in Tripadvisor's top ten list of beaches around the world, too, moving up a spot from sixth in 2021. So, if you're making beachy holiday plans, this WA locale has been given the tick twice over.

Greens Pool, Denmark, Western Australia

On the South Pacific list, Broome's Cable Beach, also in WA, came in second — followed by New Zealand's Kaiteriteri Beach at third, then Greens Pool in Denmark, WA at fourth.

Norfolk Island's Emily Bay ranked sixth, Queensland's Mooloolaba Beach came seventh, Cape Le Grand National Park in Esperance, WA sits eighth and 2021 best beach in the world winner Whitehaven Beach in Queensland came ninth. Rounding out the rankings: Tahunanui Beach in Nelson, NZ.

Clearly, WA beaches scored big — with most locations named this year also placing in 2021.

Kaiteriteri Beach, New Zealand

On the worldwide list, Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands emerged victorious — moving up from fourth place in 2021 — followed by Varadero Beach in Cuba at second. Brazil's Quarta Praia in Morro de Sao Paulo came fourth, Aruba's Eagle Beach sits fifth and Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island in India ranked sixth. They were followed by Baía do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil at seventh; Trunk Bay Beach in the Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands at eighth; Baía dos Golfinhos in Praia da Pipa, again in Brazil, at ninth and Italy's Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa at tenth.

The global list also named spots from 11th to 25th place, with Broome's Cable Beach coming in 11th.

Across both the worldwide and South Pacific rankings, winners were chosen as part of Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice awards, which is based on reviews and ratings left on the online platform across 2021.

Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands

TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC FOR 2022:

1. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, Western Australia
2. Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia
3. Kaiteriteri Beach, Kaiteriteri, New Zealand
4. Greens Pool, Denmark, Western Australia
5. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
6. Emily Bay, Norfolk Island, Australia
7. Mooloolaba Beach, Mooloolaba, Queensland
8. Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia
9. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland
10. Tahunanui Beach, Nelson, New Zealand

TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE WORLD FOR 2022:

1. Grace Bay Beach, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
2. Varadero Beach, Varadero, Cuba
3. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, Western Australia
4. Quarta Praia, Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
5. Eagle Beach, Palm, Eagle Beach, Aruba
6. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India
7. Baía do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
8. Trunk Bay Beach, Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands
9. Baía dos Golfinhos, Praia da Pipa, Brazil
10. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy

To check out the full list of top beaches for 2022, head to Tripadvisor. 

Top image: Tourism Western Australia.