New research claims to have narrowed the best sunset destinations to a top ten list.
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The report comes from Bounce, a luggage and travel organization, to figure out the most beautiful places to watch the sun go down. The research used a combination of science, like light pollution and public opinion, through recommendations and Instagram posts.
Here’s a look at the results.
10. Key West, Florida
The bright lights of Key West and nearby South Florida make the night sky not entirely dark for this destination. However, this is a great spot if you’re a fan of Instagram sunsets. In all, the company found 62,103 posts about sunrises and sunsets. With an easy flight to Miami, this destination is easy to check off for Americans.
9. Boracay, Philippines
To avoid light pollution, you can head far out from any mainland. That’s where you’ll find Boracay. The small island is known for its resorts and water sports like diving in coral reefs and shipwrecks. As you can imagine, it’s nice to watch the sunset there.
8. Serengeti, Tanzania
Stepping away from the tropical islands means destinations like Serengeti, Tanzania. The area may be best known for its national park and diverse African wildlife. The Serengeti is home to the Great Migration, where millions of animals, including wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, are on the move. The area has the least amount of light pollution on the list.
7. Bali, Indonesia
The well-known vacation destination is also the king of Instagram. Out of all the places ranked Bali had the most sunsets and sunrises recorded on the app at 211,966. Besides beautiful beaches, visitors can also visit thousands of different temples in the area.
6. Grand Canyon, Arizona
The second of three U.S. destinations to make the list is the Grand Canyon. The area is the second most popular national park in the National Park Service. The desert landscape is excellent for escaping light pollution, with sweeping views from the rims during the day, providing a perfect setting for a sunset.
5. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is known as the largest religious structure in the world. The massive complex covers more than 400 football fields. A moat also surrounds the giant Buddhist temple.
4. Santorini, Greece
The only European destination to make the list is Santorini. The destination is an island off the coast of Greece in the Aegean Sea. The island is known for its towering cliffs and beautiful beaches. Much of its landscape formed due to a volcanic eruption in the 1500s. Some unique homes and hotels stand high above the sea for great views.
3. Haleakalā, Hawaii
It shouldn’t be surprising that the highest-ranking U.S. sunset destination is also one of the furthest west. Haleakalā is a massive dormant volcano that makes up most of the island of Maui. There’s also a national park in its name. A popular hike will take you to the volcano’s summit for stunning views.
2. Maldives
There’s definitely a correlation between beautiful destinations and incredible sunsets. The Maldives is part of South Asia and sits in the Indiana Ocean. The area has low light pollution, and with white sand beaches and turquoise water, you know it’s popular on social media.
1. Uluru, Australia
Finally, number one is Uluru, Australia. Uluru is a massive rock in the country’s interior. It’s considered a sacred place to indigenous Australians. Like many of these destinations, the area sits inside a national park called Uluru-Kata Tjuta. Getting there isn’t easy, with the largest town almost 300 miles away in Alice Springs. The town’s population is only 25,000. Either way, Uluru is as good at avoiding light pollution as it is providing Instagram posts.
Take a look at the top travel destinations for adventure.
