These 5 Florida beach destinations get 'Best in South' designation

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·3 min read
27

Folding chair. Check. Sunscreen. Check. Cooler. Check. You are all set to be a Beach Bum in Florida, something that is pretty easy to do in the Sunshine State.

We are surrounded by beaches, and many that rank high among experts who rate them.

That can make it challenging to figure out which one to go. Thankfully, USA TODAY got input from readers for its 2023 Readers' Choice series and for "must visit" beaches in the South for your next vacation, Florida has five locations locked up on the list of 10 beaches.

Where are the best beaches in the South?

Stuart Beach is in Martin County. It made USA TODAY's list of 'must-visit' beaches in the south and was one of four Florida beaches to make the list.
Stuart Beach is in Martin County. It made USA TODAY's list of 'must-visit' beaches in the south and was one of four Florida beaches to make the list.

The list came out last week. These are the picks for Florida beaches for 2023's Best Beaches in the South:

No. 10: Anastasia State Park - St. Augustine

WHAT THEY SAID: Featuring white quartz sand and clear blue waters, the beach at Anastasia State Park is known for its wild beauty. Located in north Florida, this pristine beach is a favorite of expert Annita Thomas, who says this is the "perfect beach for biking, kayaking, enjoying a picnic or relaxing by the shore." There is a per-car fee to enter and the beach is monitored by lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

No. 7: Stuart Beach - Stuart

WHAT THEY SAID: Wide and sandy, Stuart Beach in Florida is a family-friendly beach located across from local attractions, the Elliott Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Perfect for swimming, sunbathing and playing in the sand, the beach is monitored by lifeguards 7 days a week. There is also a beach wheelchair program to allow access to individuals of all abilities.

Visitors do Yoga on Venice Beach.
Visitors do Yoga on Venice Beach.

No. 4: Venice Beach - Venice

WHAT THEY SAID: Florida's Venice Beach is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" due to an abundance of fossilized shark teeth that can be found along the shore. In addition to hunting for shark teeth, visitors can enjoy relaxing on pristine white sand, swimming in clear blue waters and exploring the natural coral reef formations just offshore. This beach is monitored by lifeguards and offers a full range of amenities.

Look for fossilized teeth in Venice: More than luck? Venice diver who found 6-inch megalodon tooth shares tips on teeth hunting

No. 3: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach - Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

WHAT THEY SAID: Described by 10Best contributor Marla Cimini as a "lovely, relaxing destination," Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is a charming small town with a beautiful 2.5-mile-long stretch of sandy beach lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, offering a laid-back vibe. Known as the "Beach Diving Capital of Florida," the beach is a magnet for divers and snorkelers, boasting a vibrant coral reef system that's easily accessible from the shore.

No. 1: Clearwater Beach - Clearwater

WHAT THEY SAID: Known for its perfectly groomed white sand and upbeat social vibe, Florida's Clearwater Beach is where people go to have fun. Located on the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, visitors combine relaxing on the beach with water sports, beach games, live music and dining at the various restaurants and cafes along the shore. Not to be missed is the daily sunset celebration at Clearwater's Pier 60 with local artisans and street performers.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida beaches: These five earned 'Best in the South' recognition