Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi has been named one of the world's best stretches of coastline, ranking 19th in The World's 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.
The beach was one of only two destinations from the Middle East, along with Detwah Lagoon in Yemen, to feature on this year's ranking. The list was compiled from votes by more than 1,000 travel professionals, including journalists, content creators and industry experts.
The eight-kilometre beach was praised for its white sand, turquoise waters and conservation efforts.
“Saadiyat Beach, located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, offers travellers not only an escape from the vibrant, bustling city, but also a destination that rivals some of the best Caribbean and Maldivian beaches,” organisers said in their description of the destination.
The ranking recognises the wider Saadiyat Beach, which includes public and private destinations such as Kai Beach, Saadiyat Beach Club and stretches of shoreline attached to luxury resorts, all set along the island's natural coastline.
The beach's environmental credentials were a major factor in its selection. Organisers highlighted efforts to protect endangered hawksbill turtles that nest along the shore, as well as the area's rich marine ecosystem.
The waters surrounding Saadiyat Island form part of the Saadiyat Marine National Park, a 59-square-kilometre protected area that is home to bottlenose dolphins, hawksbill turtles and a variety of other marine species.
Yemen's Detwah Lagoon, is located on the western tip of Socotra Island, which was named a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008. It's known for its turquoise waters, white sand shoreline and distinctive trees. "The lagoon is surrounded by towering, rugged hills and dotted with unique vegetation, giving the area an almost otherworldly appearance. The shallow waters are teeming with marine life, including rays and small fish," organisers of The World's 50 Best Beaches said.
Destinations on the list are nominated by travel professionals and then assessed by the organisation's team and a panel of "beach ambassadors" who evaluate factors including wildlife, natural beauty, remoteness, water quality, calm conditions and the overall beach experience.
Saadiyat Island is one of Abu Dhabi's flagship tourism destinations, known for its luxury resorts and cultural attractions. It is home to Saadiyat Cultural District, which includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and the soon-to-open Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
This year's World's 50 Best Beaches list was topped by Entalula Beach in Palawan, the Philippines, followed by Fteri Beach in Greece and Wharton Beach in Australia.
The World's 50 Best Beaches 2026
- Entalula Beach – Philippines
- Fteri Beach – Greece
- Wharton Beach – Australia
- Nosy Iranja – Madagascar
- East Beach, Vomo Island – Fiji
- Shoal Bay East – Anguilla
- Dhigurah – Maldives
- Playa Balandra – Mexico
- Koh Rong – Cambodia
- Donald Duck Bay – Thailand
- Cayo de Agua – Venezuela
- Cala Macarella – Spain
- One Foot Island – Cook Islands
- Princess Diana Beach – Antigua and Barbuda
- Turquoise Bay – Australia
- PK 9 Beach – French Polynesia
- Grace Bay – Turks and Caicos Islands
- Anse Georgette – Seychelles
- Saadiyat Beach – UAE
- Canto de la Playa – Dominican Republic
- Wineglass Bay – Australia
- Boulders Beach – South Africa
- Pink Beach – Indonesia
- Detwah Lagoon – Yemen
- Anse Source d'Argent – Seychelles
- Baia do Sancho – Brazil
- Seven Mile Beach – Cayman Islands
- Siesta Beach – US
- Klein Bonaire Beach – Bonaire
- Cathedral Cove – New Zealand
- Santa Giulia – France
- Paje Beach – Tanzania
- Ofu Beach – American Samoa
- Grand Anse – Grenada
- Le Morne Beach – Mauritius
- Voutoumi Beach – Greece
- Bahia de las Aguilas – Dominican Republic
- Meads Bay – Anguilla
- Porto Katsiki – Greece
- Goyambokka Beach – Sri Lanka
- Flamenco Beach – Puerto Rico
- Nungwi Beach – Tanzania
- Bon Bon Beach – Philippines
- Cala Goloritze – Italy
- Bang Bao Beach – Thailand
- Green Lagoon Beach – French Polynesia
- Horseshoe Bay – Bermuda
- Moheli – Comoros
- Palombaggia – France
- Kelingking Beach – Indonesia
