Best Beaches

2008 "Best Beach" Winners
Dr. Beach announced his most recent list of the nation’s Top 10 beaches on May 22, 2008. Three Florida beaches made the cut.

#1 – Caladesi Island State Park, one of the last undeveloped large barrier islands on the Gulf of Mexico, claimed the #1 spot for the year . Sandwiched between Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf, Caladesi is known for its soft sand and pristine natural habitat and is only accessible by boat (ferry service is available). The park features a nature trail, kayaking trail, a marina and concessions. For information, call the park at 727-469-5918, or call the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 877-352-3224.

#3 – Siesta Beach in Sarasota has some of the world’s finest, whitest sand (it’s 99% pure quartz). Dig your toes in it as you relax in the sun, or opt for fishing, shelling, swimming, parasailing, boating or snorkeling. Beach amenities include concessions, tennis and volleyball courts, and a shaded playground and picnic area. And it’s all within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of beachy Siesta Key Village. For more information, call the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce at 941-349-3800 or call the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-522-9799 or 941-957-1877.

#9 – Cape Florida State Park. Have you ever been on a beach that was voted one of the Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. looking out to sea and ask can it get any better than this? Well, at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park we think we can make that perfect moment even better. The staff and volunteers would like to invite you to join them and see our beach from a bird's-eye-view. Be ready to ascend the 109 steps to the lighthouse watch room and enjoy the view of the beach, Miami and Biscayne Bay from the top. Lighthouse tours are at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Thursdays through Mondays. The lighthouse tower will be open for an hour beginning at tour time. A tour of the keeper's quarters and a video may be available as well, staff permitting. Complete your perfect day with a sample of authentic Cuban Cuisine or fresh seafood at the Lighthouse Café, by the beach, or Boater's Grill, overlooking No Name Harbor. The cafe is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until sunset. The Grill is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. (Sunday thru Thursday), and 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Then you will say, “It can’t get any better than this!”

For Information about Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, please call 305-361-5811.

Welcome to Caladesi Island State Park

We would like to invite you to visit Caladesi Island State Park. From 3 miles of nature trail and a 108-slip marina to the Best natural beach in the Nation, Caladesi Island has something for everyone. Picnic pavilions, bathhouses, and a park concession all make the visit more comfortable. Fishing, shelling, and nature studies are all ways to further enjoy a visit to Caladesi Island State Park. One of the few completely natural islands along Florida´s Gulf Coast, Caladesi´s white sand shores have been rated as one of the nation´s best beaches. The park is accessible only by private boat or ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Saltwater anglers can fish from their boats or throw a line out into the surf. Nature enthusiasts watch wildlife while hiking the three mile nature trail through the island´s interior or paddling a three mile kayak trail through the mangroves and bay. Picnic tables and shelters are located near the beach; picnic pavilions can be reserved for a fee. The park has a marina with electric and water hookups for boaters. The park also has a snack bar and gift shop. For ferry information call (727) 734-5263. Located one mile west of Dunedin off the Gulf Coast.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Caladesi Island State Park, please call 727-469-5918.

Siesta Public Beach
Siesta Public Beach is renowned for its breath-taking sunsets, easy-going waves, and gorgeous, crystal-white sand. The sand is 99% pure quartz, soft and cool on the feet. Among the many awards it has earned are: “the whitest and finest sand in the world” (The Great International Beach Challenge, 1987) and “The Best Sand Beach in America” (The Travel Channel, 2004).

Walking along or swimming and playing in the Gulf of Mexico, or merely basking in the tropical sun is enough fun for many folks, but others are drawn by the Public Beach's many amenities: tennis and volleyball courts, shaded playground and picnic area, and convenient concession stands. Shallow water near the shoreline and year-round lifeguard protection make it a great family beach. Beach wheelchairs can be borrowed to help special needs visitors cross the sand.

There's always something to do at Siesta Public Beach, and it's within easy walking distance of the many shops and restaurants in Siesta Village. Come to enjoy the day or evening, and be sure to stop by the “Drum Circle” on Sunday evening, a theatrical feast for the eyes and ears as sunset falls on another perfect Siesta Key weekend.

Welcome to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Cape Florida is the home of a historic lighthouse built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Visitors come to the park to sunbathe, swim, and picnic on over a mile of sandy Atlantic beachfront. Biking and kayaking are also popular activities. Anglers can throw in their lines from the seawall along Biscayne Bay for some of the best shoreline fishing in the region. Guided tours of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper´s cottage are given twice daily, Thursdays through Mondays. The Boater´s Grill offers casual waterfront dining, or picnickers can reserve a pavilion and grill their own dinner. Bicycles, beach chairs, and umbrellas are available for rental. Overnight boat camping is allowed in No Name Harbor, and a primitive campsite is available for organized youth groups. Located at the southern end of Key Biscayne off the Rickenbacker Causeway, south of downtown Miami.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, please call 305-361-5811.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Past #1 Winners

Fort De Soto Park's North Beach (2005). Actually five interconnected islands off the southern tip of the Pinellas peninsula, Fort De Soto Park has miles of sandy beach, a historic fort, a nearly seven-mile recreation trail, boat ramps, campsites and fishing piers. "North Beach and Fort De Soto Park just have so much to offer," shares Dr. Stephen Leatherman." In addition to its great natural setting, Dr. Leatherman claims "Fort De Soto Park offers something for everyone; there's great fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, bird-watching, camping, biking, walking trails and a dog park. There’s even a 105-year old fort on-site that's a landmark of Florida history." For more information, call the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 877-352-3224.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (2002). Housed on an island off Port St. Joe in Northwest Florida, this park has a 10-mile white-sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico and some of the highest sand dunes in the state. The park features a boat ramp, small marina, picnic pavilions, cabins, campsites and nature trails. For more information, call the park at 850-227-1327, or call the Gulf County Tourist Development Council at 800-482-4853.

St. Andrews State Park (1995). This Northwest Florida beach in Panama City is known for its sugar-white sands, dunes and clear, emerald-green water. The park features two fishing piers, a boat ramp, picnic pavilions, campsites and nature trails. There are also three concession stands offering snacks, souvenirs and fishing supplies. Boat tours to Shell Island are available in the spring and summer. For information, call the park at 850-233-5140, or call the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-553-1330.

Grayton Beach State Park (1994). Sea oat-covered dunes, white sands and emerald-green water make up this Northwest Florida beach on the Gulf. The park features an amphitheater, a boat ramp, a nature trail, cabins and campsites. For information, call the park at 850-231-4210, or call the Beaches of South Walton at 800-822-6877.

Bahia Honda State Park (1992). Bahia Honda, located south of Marathon in the Florida Keys, has three sandy beaches, which is unique for the Keys. The park features nature trails, a canoe ramp, picnic pavilions, cabins and campsites. For information, call the park at 305-872-2353, or call the Florida Keys and Key West Tourist Development Council at 800-352-5397.