Bay in Turks and Caicos #1 in the World; 
Clearwater Beach in Florida Tops U.S. List

Winners Based on Millions of Reviews and Opinions From the TripAdvisor Community   

NEEDHAM, Mass., Feb. 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  TripAdvisor^®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice™ awards for Beaches. This year's awards honor 343 beaches including the top 25 in the world and lists for Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the U.K. and the U.S. Travelers' Choice award-winning beaches were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.

"We know travelers around the globe love sun and sand vacations, so we've tapped the TripAdvisor community to help us identify the world's best beaches," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "The 2016 Travelers' Choice Beaches award-winners will inspire many to book their next getaway, knowing that these beautiful spots are the very best from the TripAdvisor global community!"

For those planning a getaway to a Travelers' Choice award-winning beach, TripAdvisor has identified nearby value hotels and vacation rentals that will help travelers plan and book their fun in the sun.

Top 10 Travelers' Choice Beaches in the U.S:

1. Clearwater Beach — Clearwater, Florida

Boasting two and a half miles of powdery sand and calm, shallow water, this Floridian shoreline is a beachgoer's paradise. In between frolicking in the surf and sunbathing, travelers can stroll along the Beach Walk Promenade or check out the lively scene on Pier 60. "This needs to be added to the ‘Wonders of the World' list as it's absolutely breathtaking. Beach, pier, water sports, restaurants, hotels—this area has it all," shared a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Highly-rated value hotel¹ nearby: Sea Captain Resort on the Bay — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate² of $161/night (6% less than the city average)  
Vacation rental: Waterfront studio located on Clearwater Beach — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $114/night

2. Lanikai Beach — Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii

Located on the balmy Windward Coast of Oahu, Lanikai Beach, which means "heavenly ocean" in Hawaiian, is a tropical paradise. Travelers are encouraged to snorkel through the turquoise water where they will see magnificent sea life below the surface. A TripAdvisor reviewer shared, "This beach is absolutely gorgeous. The sand is silky and clean, the water was so calm and a beautiful shade of blue. It's a relaxing piece of heaven just 35 minutes from Waikiki."

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Paradise Bay Resort Hawaii — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $295/night (4% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Two bedroom Kailua home — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $310/night

3. Siesta Beach — Siesta Key, Florida

Claiming the "world's finest, whitest sand," Siesta Beach serves as a tranquil oasis offering stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Travelers have their choice of relaxing by the shore or trying their hand at a game of tennis or volleyball on the nearby courts. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted, "Siesta Beach is the most gorgeous beach I've ever visited. From the sand that feels like you are walking on air to the vastness of how big it is, it's just incredible. We also experienced the most amazing sunsets."

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Sea Spray Resort on Siesta Key — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $238/night (20% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Three-bedroom well-appointed home — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $239/night

4. Saint Pete Beach — Saint Pete Beach, Florida

Averaging 361 days of sunshine a year, Saint Pete Beach is an ideal destination for active beach goers. Travelers can partake in aquatic adventures including parasailing, stand-up paddle boarding and windsurfing or saunter along the shoreline. "This is my favorite place in the world! Beautiful beach, warm ocean and the best sunset I have ever seen! Plus there's a lot to do in the area," commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Sirata Beach Resort — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $254/night (7% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Three-bedroom waterfront home with pool — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $2,050/week

5. Wai'anapanapa State Park — Hana, Maui, Hawaii

Located off of the Hana Highway, this 120-acre state park is home to a majestic black sand beach known for its breathtaking scenery. Visitors will have the chance to explore the natural stone arches, lava caves and sea stacks where they could catch a glimpse of sea turtles and other wildlife. "Jaw-dropping natural beauty. The scenery is second to none thanks to the turquoise water, black lava rock, and the green lush plants that surround it all," shared a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Hana Kai Maui — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $337/night (24% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Two-bedroom beachfront home on Hana Bay — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $275/night

6. Ka'anapali Beach — Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Offering three miles of white sand and glistening water, Ka'anapali Beach boasts panoramic beauty just steps from the quaint shops at Whalers Village. Another attraction travelers should not miss is the sunset cliff diving ceremony off of Black Rock. "Ka'anapali Beach is clean, family-friendly and so lovely, with a beautiful view and amazing glimpses of the whales. This beach is paradise," added a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Lahaina Shores Beach Resort — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $309/night (17% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Four-bedroom Maui home — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $450/night

7. Pensacola Beach — Pensacola Beach, Florida

Pensacola Beach is an ideal seaside playground for travelers of all ages and is home to one of the longest piers in the Gulf of Mexico. Children will get a kick out of splashing in the shallow surf, while the young at heart are invited to kayak along the shore for a chance to see dolphins skimming the surface. "It's always stunning with the soft sands and emerald green water. The perfect place to relax with nature and watch the beautiful sunsets," commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $254/night (13% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Two-bedroom newly renovated condo — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $149/night

8. La Jolla Shores — La Jolla, California

Seated along the SoCal coast, this mile-long soft sand beach is renowned for swimming, surfing scuba diving or simply relaxing by the sea. Travelers can also take advantage of nearby Kellogg Park, which offers a picnic area where guests can enjoy lunch with a view. "What a real stunning place; the beaches are beautiful. The shore wraps around into small quaint caves allowing you to explore and walk along the water," added a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Empress Hotel of La Jolla — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $227/night (12% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Seven-bedroom home near La Jolla Shores — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $800/night 

9. Saint Augustine Beach — Saint Augustine Beach, Florida

Located on the southern end of Anastasia Island, this four mile stretch of sand is conveniently accessible from several points and offers fantastic amenities including a "Splash Park" for children, shaded pavilion and volleyball courts. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted, "We loved the sand dunes, walks on the beach and most of all the sunrise! A must-see during anytime of the year."

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $163/night (equal to the city average)
Vacation rental: Four-bedroom contemporary home with heated pool — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $349/night

10. Beach at Panama City — Panama City Beach, Florida

Travelers visiting Florida's Gulf Coast can experience 27 miles of shoreline ideal for sunbathing, building sand castles, or taking a dip in the warm water. As the sun begins to set, beach goers can swap their swimsuits for shorts and head to the nearby restaurants for fresh gulf seafood and cocktails. "Possibly the most beautiful beach in America. The sand is like powdered sugar and the people are wonderful — true Southern hospitality at its finest," raved a TripAdvisor reviewer.

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Palmetto Inn & Suites — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $125/night (22% less than the city average)
Vacation rental: Two-bedroom oceanfront condo — bookable on TripAdvisor starting at $139/night

Top 10 Travelers' Choice Beaches in the World:

1. Grace Bay — Providenciales, Turks and Caicos          

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Caribbean Paradise Inn — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $256/night (61% less than the city average) 

2. Baia do Sancho — Fernando de Noronha, Brazil 

Highly-rated value property nearby: Pousada Do Vale — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $201/night (49% less than the city average) 

3. Playa Paraiso — Cayo Largo, Cuba       

TripAdvisor is unable to offer information about accommodations in Cuba at this time, due to U.S. government restrictions on travel to Cuba.

4. Anse Lazio — Praslin Island, Seychelles

Highly-rated value property nearby: Beach Villa Seychelles — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $123/night (56% less than the city average) 

5. Cayo de Agua — Los Roques National Park, Venezuela

Highly-rated value property nearby: Villa Caracol — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $222/night (59% less than the city average) 

 6. Flamenco Beach — Culebra, Puerto Rico         

Highly-rated value property nearby: Palmetto Guesthouse — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $117/night (33% less than the city average) 

7. Playa de Ses Illetes — Formentera, Spain

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Hotel Voramar bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $133/night (13% less than the city average) 

8. Ngapali Beach — Ngapali, Myanmar

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Bayview — the beach resort — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $138/night (22% less than the city average) 

9. West Bay Beach — Bay Islands, Honduras   

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Bananarama Beach and Dive Resort — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $110/night (53% less than the city average)   

10. Nacpan Beach — El Nido, Philippines

Highly-rated value hotel nearby: Cadlao Resort — bookable on TripAdvisor for an average rate of $209/night (26% less than the city average) 

For the complete list of winners from the 2016 Travelers' Choice awards for Beaches, more reviews and candid traveler photos, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches.

TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site*. Travelers can read millions of reviews and opinions and book their next trip at: www.tripadvisor.com. 

Notes to editors:
¹Nearby value hotels have a minimum four out of five TripAdvisor bubble rating and are located within five miles of the award-winning beaches with the exceptions of Paradise Bay Resort in Kaneohe, Hawaii and Cadlao Resort in El Nido, Philippines located approximately 10 miles from the respective beaches. 

²Hotel pricing and average city rates are based on TripAdvisor data for February 1 through July 31, 2016, aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

About TripAdvisor
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*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, November 2015

**Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q3 2015

CONTACT:
Julie Cassetina
(781) 800-5194
jcassetina@tripadvisor.com