The world’s best beaches

A white sand beach on the uninhabited island of Cayo Zapatilla in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Tiny beach has been featured among tropical paradises in Thailand and Brazil

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The stunning sandy beach at Rhossili Bay on the Gower 

Peninsula has been named the best in Europe

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The three-mile long Rhossili Bay beach falls on the Gower Peninsula 

which was designated as the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK

This Welsh hideaway joined picturesque locations such as the Tikehau Island in French Polynesia, South Miami Beach in Florida, USA, and Koh Kradan in Thailand.

Others featured include Pamalican in the Philippines, Bocas del Toro in Panama, Baia do Sancho in Brazil, Radhanagar Beach in India, Honokalani Beach in Hawaii and Loblolly Beach in the British Virgin Islands.

Suitcase Magazine described Rhossili Bay, which boasts sandy dunes and rolling hills, as a “three-mile long stretch of wide beach with fantastic views from a top Rhossili Down and an exposed shipwreck visible only at low tide”.  This wreckage is of a sailing vessel called the Helvetia from Norway which sank in 1887.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, from Swansea Council, said: “Recognition of this nature is nothing new for Rhossili Bay, but it reinforces how lucky we are to have such a world class beach on our doorstep here in Swansea.

“It also shows why we include stunning images and footage of Gower’s coastline so regularly in our outdoor and online advertising campaigns to encourage as many people as possible to visit Swansea Bay.

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The beach boasts stunning sand dunes and rolling hills

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The 19th century shipwreck of the Helvetia can be seen on the beach during low tide

“Tourism is already worth more than £400 million a year to Swansea’s economy, but recognition of this kind will further raise Swansea Bay’s profile right across the world.

“This will hopefully result in increased awareness, visits, spend and jobs locally. ”

Rhossili Bay featured in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games when a youth choir began performances of “Bread of Heaven” live at the location.

It has also featured in sci-fi show Doctor Who as the setting for New Earth.

The Gower Pensinsula was the first area in the UK to be designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956.

Here are the nine other beaches to make the world’s top 10 according to Suitcase magazine:

Pamalican, Philippines

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Pamalican in the Philippines was named among the best beaches in the world

Bocas del Toro, Panama

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A white sand beach on the uninhabited island of Cayo Zapatilla in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Tihekau Island, French Polynesia

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Tourist walking on jetty, Tikehau atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia

Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

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The Baia do Sancho in the South American country of Brazil was also picked out for its natural beauty

Koh Kradan, Thailand

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The beach at Koh Kradan in Thailand also made the magazine’s top 10

Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India

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Radhanagar, Havelock Island, has also been featured. It was previously

 voted the Best Beach of Asia by Time Magazine in 2004

Honokalani Beach, Maui, Hawaii

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The famous Honokalani black beach in Hawaii was named as one of the world’s top ten beaches

South Beach, Miami, US

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South Miami Beach on the world famous American resort is also included on the list

Loblolly Beach, British Virgin Islands

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The stretching soft sandy Loblolly Beach in the British Virgin Islands 

is consistently ranked among the world’s best

The top 10 beaches in the world

Pamalican, Philippines

Bocas del Toro, Panama

Tikehau Island, French Polynesia

Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Koh Kradan, Thailand

Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India

Honokalani Beach, Maui, Hawaii

South Beach, Miami, USA

Loblolly Beach, British Virgin Islands

Rhossili Bay, Swansea, UK