In general, most beaches can be considered relaxing, unless throngs of visitors are making things a little cramped. Or maybe it's the sound of a jet engine flying overhead that ruins the serenity. Either way, there are certainly some spots of sand that are more relaxing than others.
And now a new study has analysed online travel reviews to uncover the most relaxing beaches to visit around the world. Research by SpaSeekers.com counted the number of times the word 'relaxing' was mentioned in online travel reviews, revealing the must-visit coastal destination in each country for when you really just need to unwind.
Here are the top ten. This incredibly beautiful, jungle-backed, stretch of golden sand toward the northern tip of mainland Palawan is the centre of El Nido's surfing community and a relaxing place to watch the waves. The small town of Boca Grande is located on Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida, its beach coming in ninth place.
The data actually revealed that North America is the continent which is home to the most relaxing beaches with 42 per cent (21) of the top 50, and three of the top 15 relaxing beaches being scattered across the region. White Bay is located on the south side of Jost Van Dyke, just west of the ferry port with white sands and a barrier reef that shelters the water from swells and waves, making for a great spot for swimming and snorkelling. An Bang Beach in Vietnam ranks in seventh spot and is renowned for its unspoiled beauty, laid back vibes and gentle waves, offering travellers the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of vibrant Vietnam.
Otres Beach in Cambodia, known for its tranquil atmosphere and stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand, is the perfect spot for travellers looking to unwind on its quiet, pristine shores away from the busier beaches nearby. Saud beach located in Pagudpud, Philippines, offers a beautiful sunny and tropical getaway, with 14.5 per cent of its reviews pointing to how relaxing the location is.
The fourth most serene beach in the world can be found on the vibrant Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Yas Beach is a popular destination for adventure-lovers and relaxation-seekers alike, however with 14.9 per cent of its 1,096 reviews referring to the spot as relaxing, it outperforms many neighbouring beaches as an idyllic tranquil escape for beach-goers around the world.
A very unique type of beach is the world's third most relaxing beach, according to online travel reviews. Reykjavik's Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach is a beach where the cold waters of the North Atlantic are warmed by geothermal energy. The sandy beach provides visitors a spot to relax and recharge in, while its warm lagoon, with a streaming hot tub allows locals and tourists to relax all year round.
Just over 15 per cent of online reviews refer to this one-of-a-kind beach as 'relaxing', providing the perfect beach to recharge on in an unlikely climate. In second spot is Palm Cove Beach in North Queensland, Australia, with 15.3 per cent of its 2,228 reviews referring to the spot as the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Lined with tropical palm trees, the beach offers travellers the opportunity to unwind with a swim, with ocean water temperatures on the beach staying warm all year, ranging from 23 to 29 degrees. The research reveals that the world's most relaxing beach can be found on the private island of Little French Key, which offers visitors pristine beaches and clear turquoise waters to enjoy. Visitors to the beach clearly feel that it is the perfect spot to escape the stresses of everyday life, with almost 17 per cent of over 4,250 reviews referring to the hotspot as 'relaxing'.
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