Florida beaches consistently rank in the Top 10, and this year is no different. Caladesi Island State Park took second place and Barefoot Beach Park just made the list at No. 10. Let's take a closer look at this year's Florida winners...
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. Admission fees are $4.00 for up to 8 people per private boat and kayakers $1.00 per person. Fees vary for parking at Honeymoon Island and ferry to Caladesi Island. Pavilion fees are $32.10 per pavilion with reservations two weeks in advance. Call 727-469-5918 for further information.
Barefoot Beach Park
The tangle of condos that line the drive to Barefoot Beach might give a false impression of what is to come, but paradise lies at the end — acres of dense tropical hammock, mangrove swamp and open-sand beach.The beach itself runs a mile and a half and is set off by low-lying dunes sprinkled with sea oats. Facilities include a learning/visitor center with exhibits on sea turtles and shorebirds.
Barefoot Beach Park is located about 12 miles north of Naples. Follow U.S. Highway 41 north to Bonita Beach Road (CR 865), turn south on Lely Barefoot Road for two miles into the park. Park hours are 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Parking is $3.00 per vehicle. Other facilities besides the learning/visitor include concessions, restrooms, picnic tables and showers. Call 941-353-0404 for more information.
Top 10 Beaches 2006
- Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
- Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Florida
- Ocracoke Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
- Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
- Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
- Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
- Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
- Barefoot Beach Park, Bonita Springs, Florida
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.Dr. Leatherman has been a coastal scientist with 30 years of international experience studying storm impacts, erosion and way to improve beach health. He is Florida International University's director of the International Hurricane Research Center and the Laboratory for Coastal Research. The center is also home to the National Healthy Beaches Campaign founded by Leatherman.
Meet Dr. Beach and read his story, find out how other beaches scored, and discover other beachy topics.
