The world’s most disappointing beaches for cleanliness

A new study based on TripAdvisor reviews reveals the world’s dirtiest beaches. From California to Thailand, many dream destinations are falling short on cleanliness.

There are few things worse than imagining a dream day on a postcard-perfect beach only to arrive and find trash, foul smells, and polluted waters. A recent analysis by Cloudwards, based on TripAdvisor reviews of 200 of the world’s most famous beaches, reveals which destinations leave travelers most disappointed when it comes to cleanliness—and the findings are not encouraging.

The United States leads the ranking

At the top of the list is Venice Beach in California, where more than 60% of reviews cite dirt and waste. Not far behind is La Jolla Cove at 57.9% and Padre Island National Seashore in Texas at 55.7%. In fact, the United States claims five spots in the global top ten, proof that even world-renowned destinations struggle with waste management and urban pollution.

Problems far beyond the us

Crossing oceans doesn’t improve the picture. In Thailand, Freedom Beach racks up more than 52% complaints, while Sri Lanka’s otherwise stunning Bentota Beach disappoints with 48.2%. The list also stretches to Greece, Cuba, and the South Pacific, where natural beauty is undermined by neglect and poor tourism management.

Dangers go beyond appearances

This isn’t just about aesthetics. Coming across garbage, murky waters, and bad smells on a beach is a red flag for the environment—and for us. Trash poses a risk not only to public health but also to fragile marine ecosystems.

Visitors have reported everything from plastic waste to foul odors and runoff that clouds the water. One traveler to Venice Beach said that “some areas smelled like urine,” while another described the amount of trash on Padre Island as “shocking.” Every plastic bottle or bag abandoned on a shore isn’t just litter—it’s a toxic agent that can enter the food chain, threatening fish, seabirds, and ultimately humans.

Protecting nature isn’t just an act of civility; it’s an investment in the future. Every step toward sustainable management of our natural spaces helps ensure that future generations can still enjoy clean beaches, crystal-clear waters, and thriving marine biodiversity.

The dirtiest beaches ranking

Here’s the current top ten of the world’s dirtiest beaches:

Rank	Beach	Country	Complaints (%)
1	Venice Beach	USA	60.6
2	La Jolla Cove	USA	57.9
3	Padre Island Nat. Seashore	USA	55.7
4	Freedom Beach	Thailand	52.1
5	Bahia Honda State Park	USA	51.8
6	Sombrero Beach	USA	49.3
7	Bentota Beach	Sri Lanka	48.2
8	Balos Lagoon	Greece	47.3
9	Four Mile Beach	South Pacific	45.9
10	Playa Varadero	Cuba	45.1

 

Fonte: Cloudwards