The ‘English Seychelles’ named UK’s prettiest beach – beating paradise destinations in the Maldives and Australia

A relatively unknown UK beach described as the ‘English Seychelles’ has been named one of the world’s best – beating paradise bays in Australia, the Maldives and and the Philippines.

Pentle Bay, found on the east coast of the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, has claimed a place on a list of the 20 prettiest beaches in the world based on how often the word ‘paradise’ is used to describe them in online reviews.

While most beaches that feature in the paradise ranking are based in Asia and the South Pacific, Pentle Bay made a surprise appearance, coming in 13th place.

Known as the ‘English Seychelles’ due to its white sands, turquoise waters and distinctive grey rock formations, 8.7 per cent of its reviews used the word ‘paradise’ to describe the bay.

The half-mile crescent of sand is backed by low dunes and its remote location means that there are no nearby shops or facilities.

Family travel specialist Kuoni analysed thousands of online reviews for almost 200 of the world’s most beautiful beaches to discover which of these is most often described as ‘paradise’.

The word ‘paradise’ has been associated with beaches since the early 1900s, when beach holidays moved away from being prescribed health-boosting visits to a desirable and luxury activity.

Port Olry Beach in Vanuatu, a country in Oceania, came top of the list with 15.33 per cent of its reviews using the word ‘paradise’.

It is known as the ‘English Seychelles’ due to its white sands, turquoise waters and distinctive grey rock formations

Port Olry Beach in Vanuatu, a country in Oceania, came top of the list

The beach, found on the east coast of Espiritu Santo, is home to emerald-green foliage that hugs golden sands and shimmering turquoise waters.

Mozambique’s Parque Nacional de Bazaruto came in second place, with 14.29 per cent of its reviews mentioning ‘paradise’. The beach, with its swirling sand and bright blue sea, is known for its wildlife, including dolphins and spectacular dugongs – commonly known as ‘sea cows’.

Meanwhile, One Foot Island beach in the Cook Islands came in third place, with 13.28 per cent of the reviews containing the word ‘paradise’.

The only other European beach on the list was Navagio Beach on the Greek island of Zakynthos. It came in eighth place, with 10 per cent of its reviews containing the word ‘paradise’.

The beach is sometimes referred to as ‘Smugglers Cove’ thanks to the iconic rusting shipwreck of the MV Panagiotis that sits at the centre of the bay.