The World’s Quietest Beach Is a Remote Indian Island Reached by an 18-Hour Boat Ride

A new Travel and Leisure list has ranked the world’s quietest beaches, for travelers who want the opposite of the busy, attraction-filled seaside spots that usually top beach charts. The ranking was compiled by betting site JB.com, which said it considered factors such as web search volume, visitor ratings, lodging availability, summer temperatures, and access to restaurants and bars.

Topping the list is Minicoy, one of the southernmost islands in India’s Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea off southwest India. According to the ranking, its permit system limits visitor numbers, and reaching it requires about an 18-hour boat trip, helping preserve its calm atmosphere. The island is not completely unknown, with about 78,000 monthly searches online, more than 80 Tripadvisor reviews, and an average score of 4.9 out of 5.

Visitors to Minicoy can go kayaking, snorkeling, visit a historic lighthouse built in 1885, and walk among the island’s coconut groves. There are only four places to stay on the island.

Second place went to Whitehaven Beach in Australia’s Queensland, in Whitsunday Islands National Park, where access is mainly by boat or seaplane and there are almost no tourist facilities such as restaurants, bars, or beach clubs. Its standout feature is white sand made up of 98% silica. Third was Cala Goloritzé in Sardinia, Italy, followed by Pasjača Beach in Croatia and Playa Tecolote in Mexico.