We all dream of turquoise waters and powdery white sands, the postcard-perfect beaches that promise beauty and sunshine. But not all coastal escapes live
up to their glamorous Instagram reputation. A new study by Cloudwards, which analysed TripAdvisor reviews of nearly 200 of the world’s most popular beaches, has revealed a surprising truth: many of these supposed “paradises” are actually among the most complained-about beaches in the world.
The World’s Dirtiest Beaches
Cloudwards’ data paints a grim picture for some global favourites. The dirtiest beaches are dominated by U.S. destinations, with:
Venice Beach (California)
La Jolla Cove (California)
Padre Island National Seashore (Texas)
Internationally, Freedom Beach (Thailand) and Bentota Beach (Sri Lanka) also scored high on cleanliness complaints.
The World’s Most Overcrowded Beaches
Europe leads in this category, with Italy’s La Pelosa and Spiaggia dei Conigli among the worst offenders. Praia da Falésia in Portugal isn’t far behind. Meanwhile, Hawaii’s Poipu Beach Park is proof that even paradise can feel claustrophobic.
From overcrowding to filthy sand and deafening noise, here are the 10 beaches travellers regretted visiting the most.
Waikīkī Beach, Hawaii, USA
Hawaii’s iconic Waikīkī Beach tops the list with a perfect 100/100 complaint score. While its golden stretch and views of Diamond Head make it one of the world’s most famous beaches, over four million visitors a year mean there’s barely space to lay a towel. The main issue? Overcrowding so bad that relaxation becomes impossible.
Venice Beach, California, USA
Known for its eclectic boardwalk and street performers, Venice Beach takes second place, but for all the wrong reasons. Travellers repeatedly describe it as dirty, littered, and chaotic. Despite its cultural charm, it’s officially the dirtiest beach in the world, according to Cloudwards’ findings.
Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
A lush setting inside Manuel Antonio National Park hides an unfortunate reality: crowds, long queues, and noise. The beach’s growing fame as a party hub has led to overcrowding complaints, even from Costa Rica’s most seasoned travellers.
Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA
Once crowned “America’s No. 1 Beach,” Clearwater now finds itself on the opposite end of the spectrum. Tourists lament dirty waters, endless crowds, and overpriced amenities. What was once a tranquil Gulf escape is now one of the most overrated and overrun beaches in the U.S.
Bournemouth Beach, United Kingdom
This English seaside favourite charms visitors with views of the Isle of Wight, but during summer, Bournemouth turns into a wall-to-wall crowd fest. Litter and lack of space top the list of traveller frustrations, pushing it to the fifth most-complained-about beach globally.
La Jolla Cove, California, USA
La Jolla Cove looks idyllic in pictures — a tiny beach framed by sandstone cliffs and clear waters. But with limited space and heavy footfall, it suffers from filthy waters and unpleasant smells (largely due to sea lions). Over 57% of reviews specifically mention unclean conditions.
Elafonisi Beach, Greece
Famous for its pink-tinted sands and shallow turquoise lagoons, Elafonisi is a victim of its own fame. Though it’s a protected nature reserve, it’s crowded almost year-round, with travellers complaining about packed parking lots and noise disrupting its supposed tranquility.
Magens Bay Beach, US Virgin Islands
Despite being ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean, Magens Bay leaves many travellers frustrated. Over 60% of reviewers cite overcrowding and long queues, especially during cruise season, when thousands of visitors descend daily.
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Bondi is a global icon — home to surf lifesavers, beach culture, and a lively promenade. But that same popularity makes it one of the most overcrowded beaches in the world. Locals often advise avoiding weekends altogether if you want to see sand instead of selfie sticks.
Maho Beach, Sint Maarten
If the roar of jet engines is your thing, Maho Beach might thrill you. But for most travellers, it’s a sensory nightmare. Sitting right under an airport runway, it’s the world’s noisiest beach, where planes swoop just meters above the crowd — more chaos than calm.
