FOR most people, the ideal beach is one with clear blue waters, lapping calmly against the shore.
Plenty of countries in the world have clear seas, but unexpected waves make them less enjoyable places to go.
GettyThe waters at Marathi Beach in Greece are said to be the calmest in Europe[/caption]
Luckily for holidaymakers looking for tranquil waters, Hawaiian Islands has put together a list of all the beaches with the calmest waters in the world.
The blog analysed more than 1.5 million Tripadvisor reviews of the top beaches in the world that mention “calm waters” and ranked them accordingly.
While most of the top ten were in places like the Caribbean, one of them can be found in Europe, just a short flight from the UK.
Marathi Beach in Crete, Greece, has the seventh calmest waters according to Hawaiian Islands’ research.
The beach picked up a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award last year, with the review site singling it out because of its calmer seas.
It says: “Nestled within Souda Bay with views of the White Mountains, the turquoise waters of Marathi Beach remain calm and tranquil even when winds bring crashing waves to other beaches in the area.”
Reviewers agreed, with plenty of them mentioning the sea too.
One said: “This is a very quiet and relaxing beach. Shallow and calm waters.”
Another wrote: “Beautiful sand with calm clear waters.”
A third added: “Gorgeous beach, ideal for young kids. Water was warm, shallow, clean and calm.”
Anyone wanting to head to Marathi Beach can fly to Heraklion airport, the main airport in Crete.
Hawaiian Islands also pointed out that most of Europe’s top ten beaches for calm waters are also in Greece.
They said: “Greece boasts over half of Europe’s top ten beaches for calm water.
“On top is Marathi Beach in Marathi, Crete, for which 16.17 per cent of reviews left by the public mention its calm water.
“Situated in Souda Bay, this beach is naturally protected from the rough waves and strong winds found at other beaches nearby, and tourists can’t get enough.”
Lefkos Beach in Lefkada, Damnoni Beach in Crete, Mikri Vigla Beach in Naxos, Glystra Beach in Rhodes and Kolymbithres Beach in Paros also made the top ten list in Europe.
Two beaches in Portugal and two others in Spain completed the European list.
The calmest waters in the world meanwhile are found on Baby Beach in Maui, Hawaii.
Ten Bay Beach in the Bahamas and Browne’s Beach in Barbados complete the global top three.
Top ten calmest beaches in the world
Baby Beach – Maui, Hawaii, USA
Ten Bay Beach – Eleuthera, Bahamas
Browne’s Beach – Bridgetown, Barbados
Bloody Bay – Negril, Jamaica
Morne Rouge – Grenada
Playa Mansa – Punta del Este, Uruguay
Marathi Beach – Crete, Greece
Playa Las Ballenas – Dominican Republic
Carlisle Bay – Bridgetown, Barbados
Mauna Kea Beach – Hawaii, USA
Meanwhile, these UK beaches made a list of the most stunning in Europe.
And these are the best beaches in the world including one in the UK.
GettyA lot of reviewers mentioned the tranquil waters at Marathi Beach[/caption]