A UK beach has been named one of the best 100 in the world.
Fistral Beach in Cornwall is often celebrated for being a surf hub, but now it has also been named as one of the top 100 beaches in the world by Corona beer.
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The beach boasts a a long stretch of golden sand and a thriving surf scene, all within a short distance of the bustling town of Newquay.
In fact, the first British surfing championships were held at the beach in 1966.
The beach featured alongside destinations in The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Portugal and Mexico.
The guide states: “Fistral Beach is Britain’s surf capital.
“Facing the full force of the Atlantic, it’s where you go to chase sets, drink tea with cold hands, and feel like you’re part of something.
“The beach delivers all year, with consistent swell, golden sand, and a surf scene that’s as seasoned as it is welcoming.
“From world-class comps to waist-high rollers, Fistral doesn’t need sunshine to shine — just wind, water, and the right kind of restless.”
In addition to a great surf scene, there are numerous tin-shack surf shops to explore.
At one end of the beach sits The Fistral Stable – a pizza restaurant inside a glass fronted building looking out across the beach and sea.
At the other end of the beach is SeaSpray Fistral – a cosy timber joint serving up breakfast, lunches and coffee.
Surfers Against Sewage also regularly clean the beach and have launched awareness programmes across the coast.
Nearby, on the otherside of Newquay town, is a collection of open fields that in August transform into the popular Boardmasters music festival.
The festival will also be expanding its usage of Fistral Beach this year, with a bigger programme including the return of a skate ramp, a rebranded Boardmasters Beach Bar and a larger Fistral Village for festival-goers.
Corona assembled the top 100 beach guide using a panel of beach experts, including oceanographers, surfers, free divers, and other nature enthusiasts.
The beaches were then ranked using a curated criteria and each beach was ‘Sun Awarded’ – rated between one to three suns based on three essential elements: Beachside Culture, Connection to Nature, and Scenic Aesthetics.
Fistral Beach scored one out of three suns.
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One visitor recently commented in a review: “Fistral Beach is a cracking spot in Newquay – gorgeous stretch of sand that’s perfect for a day out.
“It’s brilliant for dogs, with plenty of space for them to run around and splash in the waves, and it’s dog-friendly all year, which is a big plus.
“The surfing scene here is top-notch—loads of surfers catching waves, and it’s easy to see why this place is famous for it.
“Great vibes and stunning views!”
Another commented: “Pretty golden sand beach popular with surfers and swimmers, and bars/restaurants overlooking the beach.
“Access to beach from car park and golf course paths.”
Several beaches elsewhere in Europe were also named in the top 100.
One beach – Plage Notre Dame in France – is located on the car-free island of Porquerolles in Cote d’Azur and is known for its crystal-clear water.
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Surrounding the beach is also beautiful scenery, leading the area to often being referred to as an ‘untouched paradise’.
Along the Mediterranean Sea, La Pelosa in Sardinia, Italy, is loved for its white-sand and water activities including scuba diving.
The beach also boasts a number of nightclubs, bars and restaurants – most of which have sea views.
In the surrounding area, visitors enjoy heading to the Della Pelosa and Falcone Tower ruins and exploring the cliffs of Capo Falcone nature preserve.
In addition, Unstad Beach on the Lofoten Islands in Norway, made it onto the list.
This beach spot is popular with surfers and photographers due to the scenery with sand, seaweed and boulders.
The beach is also known for sometimes being able to see the Northern Lights.
A number of other beaches across the world were also ranked in the top 100 beaches Cloud 9 Beach in Philippines and Nose Iranja in Madagascar.
The top 100 beaches in the world
All of the top 100 beaches in the world, including Fistral Beach in the UK:
- Whitehaven Beach, Australia
- Lucky Bay, Australia
- Sanya – Yalong Bay, China
- Riyue Bay (Hainan, Wanning), China
- One Foot Island, Cook Islands
- Natadola, Fiji
- Tavarua Island, Fiji
- Radhanagar, India
- Pink Beach Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
- Yohana Maehama Beach (Okinawa), Japan
- Jodogahama Beach, Japan
- Sipadan Island, Malaysia
- Wharariki Beach, New Zealand
- Cathedral Cove, New Zealand
- Cloud 9 Beach, Philippines
- Alegria Beach, Philippines
- Hidden Beach (El Nido), Philippines
- Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
- Koh Mak Island, Thailand
- Railay Beach, Thailand
- Phra Nang Beach, Thailand
- Soi Sim Beach, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
- Boulders Beach, South Africa
- Camps Bay, South Africa
- Kraalbaai, South Africa
- Natures Valley, South Africa
- Loango National Park, Gabon
- Nose Iranja, Madagascar
- Le Morne, Mauritius
- Legzira, Morocco
- Fistral Beach, UK
- Stiniva, Vis, Croatia
- Plage Notre Dame, France
- Calanque d’En-Vau in Cassis, France
- St Jean Cap Ferrat, France
- Elafonissi, Greece
- Paralia Pori, Koufonissi, Greece
- Kolona, Greece
- Stokksnes Beach, Iceland
- Rossnowlagh, Ireland
- La Pelosa, Sardinia, Italy
- Cala Domestica, Sardinia, Italy
- San Vito Lo Capo, Italy
- Baia Verde, Italy
- Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
- Unstad, Norway
- Praia da Falesia, Portugal
- Praia de Odeceixe, Portugal
- Cala Jondal, Ibiza, Spain
- Tarifa, Spain
- Cala Macarelleta, Spain
- Ses Illetes, Spain
- Vila Tacul, Argentina
- Punta de Lobos, Chile
- Anakena Beach, Chile
- Caleta Cóndor Beach, Chile
- Playa Del Cabo / Tayrona, Colombia
- Corona Island / Islas Del Rosario, Colombia
- McBean Lagoon (San Andres), Colombia
- Palomino Beach, Colombia
- Atins / Lençois Maranehenses, Brazil
- Copacabana, Brazil
- Baia do Sancho (Fernando de Noronha), Brazil
- Jericoacoara / Praia do Preá, Brazil
- Taipu de Fora Beach, Brazil
- São Miguel dos Milagres Beach, Brazil
- Madeiro Beach, Brazil
- Love Island, Alter do Chao, Brazil
- Saco do Mamanguá, Brazil
- Guarda do Embaú Beach, Brazil
- Praia dos Carneiros, Brazil
- Tortuga Bay Beach, Ecuador
- Isla Perro (San Blas), Panama
- Playa Venao, Panama
- Mancora, Peru
- Huanchaco Beach, Peru
- La Mina Pisco Beach, Peru
- Tulum, Mexico
- Playa Balandra, La Paz, Mexico
- Playa Los Barriles, Mexico
- Playa Carrizalillo, Mexico
- Playa Escondida, Nayarit, Mexico
- Pipe Creek Sandbar, Bahamas
- Shroud Cay, Bahamas
- Placencia Beach, Belize
- Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda
- No Name Beach, Bonaire
- Tobermory Beach, Canada
- Cox Bay (Tofino), Canada
- Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
- Playa Uvita, Costa Rica
- Playa Cocles, Costa Rica
- Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
- Pilar Beach, Cuba
- Bahía de las Águilas, Dominican Republic
- Playa El Tunco, El Salvador
- Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii
- Playa Mango, Nicaragua
- Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
Also in Cornwall, is a ‘Forgotten Corner’ with glorious unspoilt beaches and very few tourists in peak season.
