Every year for 33 years, days before Memorial Weekend that opens the summer season in the United States, Stephen P. Leatherman, professor and director of the Coastal Research Laboratory at Florida International University in Miami, better known as Dr. Beach publishes its list of the ten most beautiful public beaches in the country. It has now become a tradition that all travelers look forward to discovering new places. This year, Florida wins the award as Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Beach in the Panhandle tops the list.
Photo courtesy of Marie Poupart
dr Julian G. Bruce Beach in St. George Island State Park in the Panhandle region of Florida is considered the most beautiful beach in the United States according to Professor Stephen P. Leatherman.
A pristine beach
But how does this beach on the Gulf of Mexico, an hour and a half south of Tallahassee, stand out from the rest?
“Firstly, it is far from urban areas, and since there is rich fauna and flora there, it is the most popular destination for swimmers, fishermen and bird watchers. I enjoy bathing in its clear waters and strolling along the beach to search the fine sand for shells.
Photo courtesy of Marie Poupart
dr Julian G. Bruce Beach in St. George Island State Park in the Panhandle region of Florida has been rated “the most beautiful beach in the United States” according to Professor Stephen P. Leatherman. Photo courtesy of Marie Poupart
“This island was hit hard by Hurricane Michael in 2018, but the area has made a significant recovery since then, especially the beach, whose sand is so fine and white it looks like sugar.” , explained Dr. Beach, who received his doctorate in coastal environmental sciences from the University of Virginia, in his press release.
Photo courtesy of Stephen P. Leatherman
Stephen P. Leatherman (Dr. Beach) has reviewed, rated, and rated beaches and coastal areas around the world for over thirty years. In addition to his annual ranking of America’s Best Beaches, he works tirelessly to raise awareness of the dangers of rip currents and to promote a no-smoking policy on beaches.
Many activities
Thus, this park offers 14 km of beaches that are among the least explored in the United States. There are also many activities such as canoeing and hiking. On the other hand, because the island is isolated, it is a popular spot for stargazing and admiring the stunning sunsets. But what surprises most about this huge beach is the exceptional whiteness of its sand. When we visited, we felt as if we were walking on miles of white sand that felt as soft as cotton. It is definitely a destination to add to your bucket list.
Photo courtesy of Marie Poupart
A campsite near the beach
Another attraction of this state park is its campground. Outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted as the park has several campgrounds about 10 minutes from the beach, a rarity in Florida. If that lifestyle isn’t your thing, you can stay in hotels or rent particularly lovely vacation homes in the small village of St. George Island, just 4 miles from the state park.
Photo from the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Facebook page
The beach at Caladesi Island State Park in the Dunedin/Clearwater area ranks fourth on Stephen P. Leatherman’s list.
Caladesi Island State Park
Another top 10 recommendation for a trip to Florida is the beach at Caladesi Island State Park in the Dunedin/Clearwater area. To get there, you must take the pedestrian ferry, a private boat, or take a long walk from Clearwater Beach. This place has it Dr. Beach is particularly appealing for several reasons: the white sand made of quartz is also particularly soft and soft, especially at the water’s edge. In his opinion, swimming in these crystal clear waters is a real pleasure. Finally, he likes this place for its wooden walkways on which to stroll and admire the landscape. But his favorite thing to do is paddle a kayak or canoe through the mangroves to spot the gray heron and other birds that frequent these idyllic spots.
Photo from the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Facebook page
honeymoon island
During your stay at Caladesi Island State Park, take the opportunity to discover Honeymoon Island, the neighboring island. In 1921, after a hurricane, the islands were split in two. Although a bit busier, it’s another peaceful oasis with miles of snow-white sandy beaches and a landscaped pine forest with hiking trails. On foot or by bike. From Honeymoon Island we also board the ferry to Caladesi Island.
Photo from the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Facebook page
comparison criteria
To create his list of the ten most beautiful public beaches in the United States, Stephen P. Leatherman uses fifty criteria, including the color of the water and its temperature, the color of the sand and its softness, the frequency of rainfall. the number of days of sunshine, the presence of rip currents that you can bring to shore, the slope of the slope underwater, the fauna and flora, the safety balance, the presence of algae, traffic and of course the presence of garbage, cigarette butts, etc. For the ban on smoking, the beaches received bonus points. In addition, a Florida law allows local authorities to ban smoking on beaches. For example, smoking is banned in Clearwater Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Miami Beach, as well as on all beaches in the Keys.
Photo from the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Facebook page
During your stay at Caladesi Island State Park, take the opportunity to discover Honeymoon Island, the neighboring island.
Last year, Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, won the title of Most Beautiful Beach in the United States, Caladesi Island took second place, and St. George Island State Park took fourth place. In all, there are approximately 650 public beaches in the United States, and over the years each of these beaches has been rated according to these 50 criteria.
Photo courtesy of Marie Poupart
Lovely, quaint homes for rent on St. George Island, in the Panhandle region of Florida.
Your favorite beaches on the Atlantic coast
No beaches on the Atlantic Coast made the list this year, but we asked Stephen P. Leatherman about his favorite beaches on Florida’s east side. Here is what he replied to us:
- Beach at Lake Worth
- Ocean Reef Park – Avoid rocks near water
- Juno Beach Park
- Jupiter Beach Park
- Pompano Beach
- Cape Florida State Park
Stephen P. Leatherman is America’s foremost beach expert. He is the author of the 1999 book America’s Best Beaches. He is also an international authority on the effects of hurricanes, beach erosion, the effects of sea level rise and currents. In short, a very well documented essential.
Top 10 Best Beaches in the United States:
Here are the beaches in turn this year, according to Dr. Beach stand out.
1. St Georges Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
2. Duke Kahananoku Beach Oahu, Hawaii
3. Cooper’s Beach, Southampton, New York
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
5. Lighthouse Beach, Buxton Outer Banks of North Carolina
6. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
7. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
8th. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina
9. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
10 Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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