Indonesia’s Gili Trawangan Island has been named the world’s best swimming destination for 2026 by Forbes. Unlike Bali, which is known for its busy beach clubs and traffic, this tiny island offers a much more relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
In a Forbes report titled “These Are The Most Swimmable Destinations In The World”, researchers from British luxury villa specialist CV Villas evaluated more than 100 coastal destinations worldwide.
The study examined a range of environmental indicators to determine which destinations offer the most suitable swimming conditions throughout the year.
As a benchmark, researchers referred to the World Health Organisation’s recommended sea temperature for recreational activities, which ranges between 26°C and 30°C as a benchmark while researching other important factors like wind speeds, cloud cover, and UV index levels.
Gili Trawangan is the top
The Gili Islands are a trio of small islands) – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air – located off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia and accessible via fast boat from Bali or Lombok.
One defining feature of Gili is its prohibition of motorised vehicles. Transport is limited to bicycles and cidomo or traditional horse-drawn carriages. This policy reduces air pollution and traffic congestion, contributing to a quieter environment.
Gili Trawangan is the largest and most popular of the three islands and it secured the top position ahead of several well-known destinations in the Middle East and Europe. Gili Trawangan’s consistently warm waters, relatively calm sea conditions and stable climate contributed to its leading score. The island is known for clear water visibility and manageable currents, making it accessible for a wide range of swimmers.
Gili Trawangan’s beaches face both east and west. This allows visitors to observe sunrise with views towards Mount Rinjani on Lombok, and sunset over the sea. Several beachfront locations feature a swing installed in shallow waters, which has become a recognisable feature of the island.
Beyond surface swimming, the surrounding waters are known for marine biodiversity. Snorkelling and diving sites around the Gili Islands provide opportunities to observe coral reefs, green sea turtles and tropical fish. The island also offers relaxing, eco-friendly tourism as well as a vibrant nightlife, with a variety of beach clubs, bars, and parties, especially during peak season.
Other Top-Ranked Islands and Coastal Destinations
In second place was Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Located along the Red Sea, it is famous for its coral reefs and recognised for strong underwater visibility and warm waters supported by a stable desert climate. The desert climate helps with consistently pleasant sea temperatures which makes it a great destination for year-round swimming.
Hurghada, also in Egypt, ranked third with the same score. The coastal city is known for long sandy beaches and favourable sea conditions as it also benefits from Egypt’s stable desert climate.
Europe’s highest-ranked destination was Fethiye in Turkey, which placed fourth. The seaside destination on Türkiye’s famous Turquoise Coast boasts sheltered bays and naturally protected inlets, which help maintain calm and pleasant swimming temperatures throughout a good part of the year.
Protaras in Cyprus completed the top five, supported by warm sea temperatures, relatively low wind levels and ample sun for most of the year.
Photo Credit: Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock.com
