India, Nov. 10 -- Palolem Beach in South Goa has been named Asia's best beach and ranked sixth globally in Beach.com's Global Beach Index 2026. It is the only Asian beach among the world's top 25. Located in Canacona taluka, Palolem is known for its crescent-shaped bay, white sandy shores, palm trees and calm waters. The index assessed beaches on 18 parameters, including popularity, visitor sentiment, accessibility, climate and water quality, drawing on expert nominations, visitor reviews and NASA satellite data. According to Beach.com, Palolem scored highly for beauty, amenities, water quality and overall visitor experience. Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte said the recognition highlighted Goa's coastline and its appeal to international travellers. Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, dolphin-watching and backwater exploration. Goa is also promoting year-round tourism through heritage trails, wellness, cuisine and nature-based experiences. The five beaches ranked ahead of Palolem are Trunk Bay in the US Virgin Islands, Greece's Elafonissi Beach, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico's Flamenco Beach and Croatia's Golden Horn Beach.htc...