A Mayo beach has been included in a list of the best beaches in the world, alongside destinations in the Philippines, Greece, Australia and more.
The list was compiled by The World's 50 Best Beaches, which has been ranking beaches across the world since 2023. According to their website, the team "reach out to thousands of the world's most experienced travel professionals, and ask them to vote for what they think is the best beach on Earth".
"Voters are not given any specific criteria as to what makes a beach the best, but they are asked to describe why they think it is the best. Each vote was accompanied by a compelling description, adding depth to the selection process and making sure extra thought was put into the vote", they state on their site.
Once all votes are in, the team reviews them, alongside their Beach Ambassadors, "a carefully chosen group of individuals renowned for their extensive travel experiences particularly to the world's top beaches".
The final selection is made based on criteria including wildlife, how crowded the beach is, how easy the water is to enter and more.
Keem Beach on Achill Island just about made the list, clocking in at no. 50. Highlighted for its "tropical vibes in the raw Irish countryside", the remote beach was the only Irish entry on the list.
Editors noted its "raw natural beauty and surprisingly blue waters", which are more similar to waters found in tropical locations, they wrote.
"What also makes Keem Beach stand out is its horseshoe-shaped bay, surrounded by towering cliffs and picturesque hills, creating calmer waters that are ideal for swimming in the summer. The sand is nearly white, and the waters are among the cleanest in the area."
Entalula Beach in the Philippines was named the top beach in the world, followed by Fteri Beach in Greece at no. 2 and Wharton Beach in Australia at no. 3.
