With 663 miles of beaches, Florida is rich in coastal escapes with white sand, clear blue water, and some of the best sunsets in the country. But, according to Dr. Beach (whose real name is Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman), one beach stands out above the rest. In this annual America's Best Beaches list, the scientist, author, professor, and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University deemed Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park the top beach in Florida.
The warm, blue-green water and the pristine white beaches of the Gulf create South Padre Island's Caribbean comparison, with average temperatures around 74 degrees year-round.