These Florida spots, one near the Keys, were named the best secret beaches in the U.S.

A family travel guide has just released a list of the best “secret” beaches — and nine Florida beaches made the list, including one near the Keys.

Family Destinations Guide, a website that highlights reviews of hotels, resorts, destinations, and other attractions with a family-friendly atmosphere, asked readers to vote for the “secret” beaches they most wanted to visit. Florida and Hawaii beaches turned out to be the most popular on the 100 Best Secret Beaches list.

The most sought-after Florida beach, No. 2 on the list, is the undeveloped Shell Key Preserve, just south of St. Petersburg. The island, which is only accessible by boat, is loaded with seashells, sand dollars and starfish, with white sands and clear waters. It’s also a nesting ground for sea turtles.

No. 9 on the list was the remote Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West, which includes several small islands and the historic Fort Jefferson. Like Shell Key Preserve, the only way to get there is via boat (or seaplane, if that’s how you roll). There aren’t many amenities, but the snorkeling and diving draw lovers of the underwater world.

Seven other beaches in Florida made the list. None were in South Florida, and two remain closed due to massive damage sustained during 2022’s Hurricane Ian.

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Lovers Key State Park (6): The barrier island that’s home to this state park on Fort Myers Beach, famous for its white sand and great views of the Gulf of Mexico, sustained tremendous damage last September during Hurricane Ian and remains closed.

Boneyard Beach (10): To get to this spot at Big Talbot Island State Park off Jacksonville, you hike through a maritime forest to find every beachgoer’s favorite thing: a shoreline with limited development.

Navarre Beach (13): Another quiet beach experience! This beach in Florida’s Panhandle is surrounded by protected lands, including the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which may explain its peaceful beauty.

Crescent Beach (17): Surrounded by dunes and vegetation, this beach lies just south of St. Augustine and features white sand and clear waters.

Caladesi Beach (23): Accessible by boat only, this beach on a barrier island across from Dunedin features great shell collecting opportunities, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding.

Cayo Costa State Park (56): Just north of Captiva, this state park known for its pines, mangrove swamps and sand dunes, also sustained massive damage during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and remains closed.

Camp Helen State Park (64) Located near Panama City in the Panhandle, this park is home to diverse ecosystems including dunes, marshes and rare coastal habitats. It’s also home to a few historic buildings, including the Lodge at Camp Helen.

The most popular beach, Family Destinations Guide reports, is the secluded Awahua Beach on the island of Molokai in Hawaii, famous for turquoise waters and soft white sand. The other top five beaches are Lanikai Beach in Oahu, Hawaii; Kauapea Beach on Kauai, Hawaii; and, in a move nobody saw coming, Sedge Island in New Jersey.

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