According to Dr. Beach’s annual rankings, two Gulf Coast Beaches in Florida are recognized among the top ten beaches in America.
The 2025 list includes Dell No Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples at Spot No. 4, and St Andrews State Park in Panama City at Spot No. 7. Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York has been at the top of this year’s annual rankings, compiled by Dr. Stephen Leatherman since 1991.
Professors at Florida International University consider 50 factors in choosing the best beach in the country each year. Some of the standards are beach materials (highest fine sand), air and water temperature, sunny days, wildlife, trash and development.
Hawaii’s beaches won four of the top 10 spots on the list. This celebrated the sandy spread of South Carolina, Massachusetts and other New York Beach.
Suncoast Area //Shutterstock
Siesta Beach, Florida, located in Siesta Key, Sarasota, was named America’s Top Beach on Dr. Beach’s annual Top 10 Beach list in 2011 and 2017, and was named America’s Top Beach at the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. (Suncoast Alias/Shutterstock)
Since 2016, Florida Beach has landed three times in 2023 at the top of its list, including St. George Island State Park in the Panhandle. The winner of 2020 was Grayton Beach State Park.
Caladesi Island State Park came in fourth last year, but this year’s list was not considered. The beach is still closed amid continuing recovery efforts following the turbulent hurricane season of 2024.
The Delnor-Wiggins Pass ranked 8th on last year’s list, bringing up four spots in 2025.
“This Barrier Island Beach has beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear Gulf waters,” Leatherman wrote on his website. “Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, artillery fire and fishing. Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys and manatees. Pine trees provide a welcoming shade.”
Andrew Wardrow / Associated Press
St Andrews State Park near Panama City Beach is one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations on the coast. (Andrew Wardrow/Applications)
Regarding St Andrews State Park, Leatherman said, “This incredibly white sandy beach is perfect for artillery fire and birdwatching. Swimming and snorkeling are popular in both the American Bay and St Andrews Bay.”
Top 10 beaches in the US in 2025
Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii Dell Norwiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida Main Beach, East Hampton, New York Beach Walker Park, Kiawu Island, South Carolina St Andrews State Park, Panama City Lanaia, Big Grama City, Oahu, Hawaii Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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