#1 beach in America 2023

ST George Island State Park, Florida panhandle

This long barrier island, far from urban areas, is a favorite destination for beachgoers, anglers and bird watchers as nature abounds. Known for its emerald green water and white sand beaches. Besides swimming in the crystal-clear water, you can enjoy beachcombing and shelling. While St. George Island suffered a big hit in 2018 by Hurricane Michael, the area has substantially recovered, especially the sugary fine, white sand beach. There is much to explore at this serene 1,962-acre park.

#4 beach in America 2023

CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARK, DUNEDIN/CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

Caladesi is reached by pedestrian ferry boat, private boats or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach–the inlet is closed so Caladesi is no longer a true island, but still a great getaway.  The white beach is composed of crystalline quartz sand which is soft and cushy at the water’s edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters.  There are boardwalk trails, but my favorite is the kayak and canoe trails through the mangroves to see the large blue herons and other birds that frequent this wonderful natural area.

2020 National winner: GRAYTON BEACH STATE PARK

This beach boasts of its sugar-white sand and emerald green water where development has been restrained so big sand dunes still dominate the landscape.  At the same time, all the amenities of great restaurants and accommodations are close by in the old town of Grayton Beach or Seaside.  Many people choose to camp in this wonderful state park that also features tidal lakes and freshwater ponds.  Former Governor Bob Graham told me that this was his favorite beach.

2017 National winner: SIESTA BEACH SARASOTA, FLORIDA

With some of the finest, whitest sand in the world, this beach attracts sand collectors from all over.  Siesta Beach has clear, warm waters ideal for swimming.  The beach is hundreds of yards wide in the shape of a crescent due to anchoring of onshore rocks to the south.  This beach is great for volleyball and other types of recreational fitness.

Florida’s vanishing beaches:

According to a June report by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, more than half of the 825 miles of coastline they surveyed are critically eroded.

Known for soothing waves, great fishing, and beautiful dunes, Pass-a-Grille Beach, last renourished in 2014, is considered critically eroded.

"In this area in Pass-a-Grille, we've lost about 140,000 cubic yards since the last renourishment project," Dr. John Bishop, Coastal Management Coordinator for Pinellas County, told ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska.

To put how much sand that is into perspective. A cubic yard is 3-feet-by-3-feet-by-3-feet, and a dump truck carries 12 cubic yards. So it would take 11,666 dump trucks full of sand to replace it.

Bishop said as long as the sand renourishment projects continue, he doesn't see Florida losing its beaches.

“For now, we've been able to sort of maintain our current level with just replacing sand. So it's going to largely be dependent on where sea level is and the quantity of sand sources available to be used."