5 Beach Destinations
Having a Moment Right Now
Forget the same old Mykonos and Ibiza searches. The babes who are really in the know are already booking somewhere different this year. Here are the five destinations blowing up for 2026 — and what to pack from your Waterbabes edit.
Every year a new wave of destinations breaks through — places that suddenly feel like the only place to be. Sometimes it's a celebrity post that does it. Sometimes it's a TikTok. Sometimes it's just the world quietly agreeing that somewhere is absolutely worth the hype. This year, the travel data backs it up: these five spots are trending hard, and honestly, we completely understand why.
Madeira, Portugal
If you haven't booked Madeira yet, you're about to wish you had. TripAdvisor named this volcanic Portuguese island the number one trending destination in the world for 2026 — and once you see the dramatic coastline, the lava pools, and the year-round sunshine, you'll wonder why it took this long.
It's got that rare quality of feeling genuinely wild and untouched while still having incredible food, boutique hotels, and the kind of scenery that makes every photo look like a campaign shoot. The black sand beaches hit differently against a bright bikini, just so you know.
Waterbabes Pick: Go bold. A pop of red or coral against Madeira's volcanic black beaches is a look. Pack your cover-up for the clifftop restaurants.
Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia has been the insider secret for years, but 2026 is the year everyone's finally catching on. Expedia reported a 63% spike in searches for the island — and for good reason. Costa Smeralda's turquoise waters and white sand coves are genuinely jaw-dropping, and the pace of life here is slow, intentional, and deeply Italian.
Think long lunches of fresh seafood, exploring hidden coves by boat, and evenings that drift naturally into aperitivo. It's the Amalfi Coast's less crowded, more effortlessly chic sister — and it deserves every bit of the attention it's getting right now.
Waterbabes Pick: Sardinia calls for something sleek. A one-piece with a linen cover-up for the harbour towns — understated but absolutely iconic.
Okinawa, Japan
Japan is having a huge travel moment in general, but Okinawa is the destination within the destination that's capturing everyone's imagination. An archipelago of over 160 islands with coral reefs, turquoise waters, and a culture that's distinct from mainland Japan — it's as close to a tropical paradise as Asia gets.
It's also one of the world's Blue Zones, where people live the longest, eat the freshest food, and generally approach life with an ease that's infectious. Come for the beaches, stay for the mindset shift. And yes, the snorkelling is extraordinary.
Waterbabes Pick: Bright prints work beautifully against Okinawa's clear blue water. Pack a mix — bikini for the beaches, swimsuit for the reef dives.
Vis, Croatia
While Dubrovnik and Hvar get all the headlines, Vis has quietly become the destination for travellers who know. The most remote of Croatia's inhabited islands, Vis was closed to tourists until 1989 and has retained an authenticity that's increasingly rare in the Mediterranean.
There are no package holiday resorts here — just old fishing villages, crystal clear coves, brilliant local wine, and a pace of life that makes you want to stay forever. It's the kind of place you tell your closest friends about and no one else.
Waterbabes Pick: Vis is effortless and unspoiled — match the energy. Simple, beautiful swimwear in natural tones. Let the island do the talking.
The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve has always been beautiful, but it's having a genuine renaissance right now. The cliff-lined coves, the golden rock formations at Ponta da Piedade, the increasingly brilliant food scene — it's no longer just a family holiday destination. It's become a babe destination, and we're here for it.
With direct flights from most UK airports and a strong boutique hotel scene emerging around Lagos and Tavira, the Algarve is ticking every box for 2026. The water is cold but the light is extraordinary and the sunsets are absolutely unreal.
Waterbabes Pick: The Algarve's golden cliffs call for warm tones — terracotta, amber, burnt orange. Your Vacay pieces will get serious mileage here too.
Wherever you're headed, pack one more swimsuit than you think you need. Trust us — you'll wear it. And always bring a cover-up you can dress up. You never know where the day will take you.
The world is full of extraordinary beaches, and 2026 feels like the year everyone's ready to explore beyond the obvious. Whether you're island-hopping in Croatia, watching the sun set over Madeira's volcanic cliffs, or drifting through Sardinia's turquoise coves — pack your Waterbabes, bring the confidence, and go.
Pack Your Waterbabes Edit
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