Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands By. GETTY IMAGES
St. John’s very own Trunk Bay has topped this year’s list of the 50 best beaches in the world. The “quintessential Caribbean paradise”, as dubbed by the 50 Best Beaches team, was rated for its “incredibly soft sand and the crystal-clear, pool-like waters.”
Climbing five spots from 2023’s sixth position finish, Trunk Bay was most notable for its location within the bounds of the Virgin Islands National Park. Because of the area’s protected status, the loud commercial activity and large buildings that might surround other beaches are absent, allowing visitors to Trunk Bay to bask on the pristine sands.
Evaluators also took note of Trunk Bay’s geography, which provides protection from the trade winds, leaving perfectly calm waters ideal for swimming.
The 2024 list of the World's 50 Best Beaches is based on votes cast by over 1000 travel influencers and professionals, as well as a veritable army of Beach Ambassadors. The beaches were ranked along eight different criteria: how often idyllic conditions prevailed, how easy it was to enter the water, how often was the water calm, how crowded it was, what the background sounds/noise were like, whether the beach appears untouched, and what wildlife could be seen/experienced.
"Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world," said Tine Holst, co-founder of The World's 50 Best Beaches. "Our list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth."
Apart from Trunk Bay in pride of place at the top of the list, Cala Mariolu in Italy, and Meads Bay in Anguilla round out the top three this year.
