Florida's Fort DeSoto Park ranked second to this year's national winner Kaanapali Beach in Hawaii. Over three miles long, it is located on the dry, sunny side of Maui. White coral sand and emerald green water factored into its #1 ranking.
Florida also scored two other spots on Dr. Beach's 10-entry list — Caladesi Island State Park and Cape Florida State Recreational Area. Other beaches making the top 10 are Ocracoke Island, North Carolina (No. 3), Hanalei Bay, Hawaii (No. 4), Main Beach, East Hampton, New York (No. 6), Makalawena Beach, Hawaii (No. 7), and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (No. 10).
Let's take a closer look at this year's Florida choices...
Fort Desoto Park
Fine beaches, fishing, nature trails, camping, boating, and much more make this a gem for your discovery. Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, the park is made up of five islands with a total of over seven miles of beaches and some of the best camping in Florida.Fort Desoto Park is located in South Pinellas County and open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Pets are restricted to certain areas. Saltwater fishing licenses are required in Florida. Reservations for camping must be made in person no more than 30 days in advance. Payment must be made at the time of the reservation. Call 813-866-2484 for further information.
Caladesi Island State Park
Fishing, shelling and nature studies are good ways to enjoy a visit to Caladesi. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, sand dunes line the open beach with turtles and shore birds finding it the perfect location for nesting. Periodic storm tides cover the area limiting the plant diversity, but sea oats and palmetto are two of the most hardy.Ferry service is available from the mainland, departing hourly with weather permitting. Picnic pavilions, bath houses and a park concession provide additional amenities to make your visit to Caladesi more enjoyable. Boaters can enjoy the bayside marina where overnight docking is permitted.
Caladesi Island State Park is located west of the city of Dunedin (north of Clearwater) on the Gulf Coast. Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. Pets are not permitted in many areas. Saltwater fishing licenses are required in Florida. Call 727-469-5918 for further information.
Cape Florida State Recreation Area
A little over a mile of wide, sandy beachfront offers visitors exceptional Atlantic swimming year-round. Shoreline fishing from the seawall located along Biscayne Bay along with guided tours of the Lighthouse and Cultural Complex offer visitors a variety of activities. Covered pavilions provide shaded picnicking and overnight boat mooring is available based on availability.Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area is located on Key Biscayne in Southeast Florida. Hours of operation are year round 8 a.m. to sundown. Pets are restricted from many areas. Saltwater fishing licenses are required in Florida. For further information call 305-361-5811.
Dr. Beach
The way Dr. Leatherman began rating the nation's beaches and how he became affectionately named "Dr. Beach" is an interesting story that had its beginning in childhood. What is especially interesting is that in a few short years, he has turned his passion into a legend, and he has become practically an icon.Meet Dr. Beach and read his story, find out how other beaches scored, and discover other beachy topics.
