In a cheeky twist that’s got locals buzzing, our beloved Bondi Beach has snagged the dubious honor of being named the world’s 5th most overrated stretch of sand, trailing just behind fellow Aussie icon Byron Bay at number 4.
While Bondi reigns supreme in popularity, topping charts on Google searches and TikTok vibes, it’s also racked up a fair share of negative reviews from visitors who apparently expected more than golden waves and sunrise yoga sessions…
The verdict comes courtesy of a fresh analysis by Ibiza Summer Villas, who crunched data from the most buzzed-about beaches online, pitting them against heaps of real-user feedback.
We’re not alone in this sandy shame—Thailand dominates the podium with Railay Beach claiming the crown as the ultimate overrated escape, shadowed by Patong Beach in second and Maya Bay in third. Rounding out the top 10 post-Byron and Bondi are Indonesia’s Gili Trawangan, the Philippines’ Alona Beach, Bali’s Seminyak Beach, Mexico’s Playa Paraiso, and India’s Palolem Beach.
For the full rundown of the world’s most “meh” shores, check the list below.
And if that’s not enough to ruffle your beach towel, Sydney’s Manly Beach sneaks in at 14th, with Queensland’s Palm Cove hot on its heels at 15th in the top 20.
On a brighter note, the study flips the script to celebrate the globe’s hidden gems. The most underrated beaches—where Spain steals the show.
Leading the pack are Playa de la Concha, Playa de Bolonia, and Playa de la Barrosa, proving that sometimes, the best waves are the ones flying under the radar.
So, Bondi fans, is this ranking spot-on or just sour grapes from jet-lagged tourists?
