Key Point
A recent study sought to find the most complained-about beach destinations in the world—and one popular beach came out on top.
There’s nothing like a beach day. Ideally, you’ll set up your towel on a stretch of white sand near clear water, with just the sound of rushing waves as your main soundtrack. But, at some of the most popular beaches in the world, that picture-perfect day might not be possible.
A new report from information tech publication Cloudwards analyzed the 200 most popular beaches in the world to see which destinations have been complained about the most. For its analysis, it combed through Tripadvisor reviews and looked for keywords in four categories: dirtiness, overcrowding, long lines, and noise. It then assigned each beach a “Complaint Score” between zero and 100—and one tropical destination took the most heat from travelers.
Based on Cloudwards’ research, the most complained-about beach in the world is Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Waikiki scored a perfect 100, primarily for overcrowding, and to a lesser degree, for cleanliness issues and noise.
The second most complained about beach on the list was Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California—Venice Beach’s score (89.7), however, was primarily affected by cleanliness concerns.
Playa Manuel Antonio, in Costa Rica, rounded out the top three with a score of 73.5. This beach also suffers from overcrowding and long lines, according to Tripadvisor reviews.
Here are the top 10 most complained-about beaches in the world, according to Cloudwards:
1. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
2. Venice Beach, California
3. Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
4. Clearwater Beach, Florida
5. Bournemouth Beach, United Kingdom
6. La Jolla Cove, California
7. Elafonissi Beach, Greece
8. Magens Bay Beach, USVI
9. Bondi Beach, Australia
10. Maho Beach, Sint Maarten
In the top 10 list, there are four American beaches, more than any other country. Regardless of geographic location, however, the most common complaint among reviewers tended to be about overcrowding. If you’re seeking out something quieter and more relaxing, that’s some great intel to have when planning your next beach getaway.
“For travelers, this research underscores the importance of looking beyond the highlight reel,” Mauricio Preuss, Cloudwards CEO, said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. “The most rewarding beach experiences might be found at lesser-known destinations that haven’t yet been overwhelmed by mass tourism. Sometimes the best paradise is the one that isn’t trending on TikTok.”