5 Florida Beaches Ranked Among Top Beaches In The South
After taking votes from readers, USA Today put together a list of 10 locations in the south they call ‘must-visit’ beaches. Five of them are in Florida. Which of them did they call #1?
After taking votes from readers, USA Today put together a list of 10 locations in the south they call 'must-visit' beaches. Five of them are in Florida. Which of them did they call #1?
In the southern region of the U.S., which was considered Virginia to Texas, 5 of the beaches that made the top 10 were from Florida. That in itself shouldn't be surprising.
Why does Florida do so well in these polls? There are 825 miles of sandy beaches. They're divided among three sections: Florida Panhandle, the Southwest Florida Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean beaches. That may have something to do with it.
Here are the Florida beaches that landed on the USA Today 10Best "Best Beach in the South".
No. 10: Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine
Located a mile east of downtown St. Augustine, Anastasia State Park is popular for windsurfing and kayaking, along with hiking its nature trails.
No. 7: Stuart Beach
Another Atlantic beach, Stuart Beach is located on a barrier island east of Stuart Florida, north of Palm Beach, south of Port St. Lucie. Located near the Elliott Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, it's a perfect place for a family to visit. There are beach volleyball courts, snacks at the Seaside Cafe and picnic areas to relax for the day.
No. 4: Venice Beach
Florida's Venice Beach features a sail pavilion as this Gulf Coast beach's familiar landmark. Not far from the Venice Public Fishing Pier, there are plenty of chances to see dolphins and various shorebirds. Marine turtles also nest around May and October. Parking is free, and there are lifeguards, concessions, shelters, volleyball courts and picnic areas.
No. 3: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach
An Atlantic beach, located at the relaxing town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, this beach a short drive from the busy city of Ft. Lauderdale. Surrounded by a number of cafes, this is a great escape from the active cities nearby. This is also a popular area for beach diving. There's a coral reef system 100 yards from the beach, perfect for snorkling or scuba diving.
No. 1: Clearwater Beach
In our own backyard, Clearwater Beach is no stranger to the accolades given to the white, sandy beach we see every day. More than just a beach, Clearwater Beach has something for everyone to experience. Surrounded by hotels, restaurants and shops, Clearwater Beach has become one of the world's most famous destinations for fun in the sun. Pier 60 is the centerpiece. The beach is lined with its familiar cabanas and umbrellas. Add in the many things-to-do, including sightseeing by boat, visiting world-famous Clearwater Marine Aquarium, or join the crowd for 'Sunsets at Pier 60' each evening.
Highlighted by that view of Pier 60 leading into the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater Beach is a highly recognizable Florida destination.
