The best beaches in the world 2016

The world's best beach for 2016 has been announced - and a heavenly stretch of sand in the Turks and Caicos has taken the top spot.

Grace Bay in Providenciales has been named as the best beach in the world by TripAdvisor in the Traveller's Choice Awards.

See also: Top ten beaches in Australia

See also: Can you guess is Britain's best beach for 2016?

The beach has outdone itself this year. having been placed in second place last year.

Providenciales is the most developed islands of the Turks and Caicos and Grace Bay is its most beautiful asset.

The island boasts a long coral reef filled with a host of stunning aquatic life.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: "It is clear why this beach is rated as #1. The.white sands are not only beautiful, but there is something about the consistency of it. It feels like walking on a soft bed."

Another said: "The waters have such beautiful colours...green, turquoise, blue, light blue...you could only imagine. Pictures do not do it justice."

Baio do Sancho in Brazil moved from first place to second in this year's list, while Playa Paraiso Beach in Cayo Largo, Caribbean, moved up a spot to land in third place.

All of these beaches are absolutely beautiful, so wherever they appear on the list we wish we were there right now.

To see the full list of top ten beaches in the world take a look at the slideshow below.