Four South African beaches have earned places on Corona’s prestigious Beach 100 list for 2026, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a world-class coastal destination.

Kraalbaai in Langebaan, Camps Bay in Cape Town, Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town and Wilderness Beach along the Garden Route all feature among 100 celebrated ocean-front destinations spanning 22 countries.

The annual guide, released to coincide with World Oceans Day on 8 June, highlights beaches distinguished by natural beauty, unique character and strong connection to nature. This year’s edition includes 27 new additions, with Wilderness Beach making its debut on the list.

Rather than ranking beaches numerically, Corona’s guide uses a tier system with the highest designation being a “three sun” rating. Twenty beaches worldwide received this top honour for 2026, including Praia do Bonete in Brazil and Plage de la Dune du Sud in Canada, both new additions to the list.

Beaches were selected based on three criteria: scenic aesthetics, beach culture and connection to nature.

South Africa’s diverse coastal offering continues to attract global attention. Kraalbaai is known for calm turquoise lagoon waters and unspoilt surroundings, whilst Camps Bay remains one of the country’s most iconic urban beaches, framed by the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Boulders Beach draws visitors to its famous African penguin colony and granite boulders, and Wilderness Beach offers vast stretches of coastline with rolling waves and untamed scenery.

“Beach 100 is about much more than beautiful beaches,” said Melanie Nicholson, head of brand for Corona South Africa. “It’s about celebrating the natural systems that make these places possible and encouraging people to reconnect with nature.”

The initiative aims to inspire travellers to spend more time outdoors whilst developing deeper appreciation for coastal environments.

Corona has partnered with Tripadvisor to provide access to more than 300 000 nature-based experiences across 30 countries. The collaboration highlights conservation-focused itineraries designed to help travellers engage more thoughtfully with destinations.

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The brand has expanded its Beach 100 Grant Initiative in partnership with Oceanic Global, supporting community-led projects focused on marine debris reduction, biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration and coastal resilience in Beach 100 destinations worldwide.

As part of World Oceans Week, Corona and Oceanic Global are launching a content series titled Ocean is Living, which explores connections between beaches and the ecosystems that sustain them. The series showcases coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and open ocean environments whilst highlighting the importance of protecting interconnected marine habitats.

Marine conservationist and digital creator Danel Wentzel believes World Oceans Day serves as an important reminder of humanity’s relationship with the sea.

“As South Africans, our wellbeing is closely linked to the health of our oceans,” she said. “Preservation begins when we experience these places firsthand and understand their value.”

The full 2026 Beach 100 list can be explored here.

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