Aerial View of Miami Beach, South Beach – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Mia2you
Summer officially comes to an end on September 22, but all Floridians know that there’s really no such thing as “the end of summer.” Summer in the Sunshine State lasts year-round.
With that being said, it comes as no surprise that we have some beautiful beaches. In fact, not one, or two, but four of the nation’s top beach destinations are located right here in Florida!
According to a new list by Condé Nast Traveler, 4 of the 19 beaches in the United States who made the cut are located in Florida.
“It should come as no surprise that some of the best beaches in the U.S. can be found in Florida,” says Caitlin Morton of Condé Nast Traveler.
So, which beaches earned a spot? Grayton Beach State Park, Caladesi Island State Park, Bowman’s Beach, and last, but not least, South Beach.
Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
Facing the Gulf Coast and located right on the panhandle of Florida, Morton writes “Grayton Beach State Park, found on the lovely Gulf Coast, is one of our favorites, with more than 400 acres of fine, white sands and a wildlife-rich coastal dune lake.”
Besides visiting the gorgeous white-sanded beach, she added that beachgoers can explore the underwater reefs or camp in the park. “The state park happens to be home to the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), the nation’s first permanent underwater sculpture exhibit, which lets travelers snorkel and scuba dive around seven larger-than-life pieces of artwork.”
Grayton Beach State Park is located at 357 Main Park Rd., Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. For more information, click here.
Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Florida
This hidden gem is located just north of Clearwater on the west coast of Florida. Morton writes, “accessible by pedestrian ferry boat, private boats, or a long walk from Clearwater Beach, Caladesi is well-worth the trek. The untouched, 3.5-mile-long island dazzles with its soft, crystalline quartz sand and cerulean waters, but visitors should also make time for kayaking and canoeing through the mangroves—the birdlife here is quite prolific.”
Caladesi Island State Park is located at 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698. For more information, click here.
Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, Florida
Right under Captiva on the west coast of Florida sits a “remarkably undeveloped” beach that transports guests to paradise. Morton writes, “easily accessible off the main Sanibel-Captiva Road yet remarkably undeveloped, this family-friendly beach lacks the crowds of neighboring stretches but promises all the pastel-hued sunsets and excellent shelling for which Sanibel Island is known.”
The spot is known for its dense collection of seashells. “Pack a picnic, refreshments, and a bucket—and perhaps an aspirin or two to alleviate any aches and pains from doing the ‘Sanibel Stoop’ while collecting seashells along the sand.”
Bowman’s Beach is located at 1700 Bowmans Beach Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957. For more information, click here.
South Beach, Miami
Last, but not least, is South Beach. Located on the east coast of the Sunshine State and in the lower half of Miami Beach, this tourist-filled beach is one of a kind.
According to Morton, “The siren song of Miami’s South Beach is undeniable. Beautiful people, flashy cars, Art Deco architecture: It’s all here.”
She continues, “The busiest—and most touristy—section runs parallel to Ocean Drive (between 5th and 15th Streets), so locals tend to hang around the quieter patches of SoFi (South of Fifth). But we say those famous white sands are worth bumping elbows with a few fellows.”
South Beach sits along the east shoreline of Miami Beach between 5th and 23rd Streets. For more information, click here.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
