Two Florida State Parks have been listed among the best in the nation on Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beach List for 2019. Grayton Beach State Park is ranked at number three while Caladesi Island State Park has been set at number seven.
Both are Florida State Parks. Both also offer white sand beaches, beautiful scenery and amenities for visitors to enjoy.
“Caladesi Island and Grayton Beach state parks are outstanding examples of natural Florida landscapes.”
Florida Park Service Director Eric Draper
Grayton Beach
Grayton Beach State Park – which is in Walton County – is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, boating and more. Its golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings make it the perfect spot for enjoying natural beauty.
Moreover, there are plenty of opportunities to paddleboard, canoe and kayak there on Western Lake. Moreover, there’s hiking on nature trails. You can trek four miles through a coastal forest.
Additionally, Grayton Beach offers multiple options for those looking to explore or relax, all surrounded by Gulf Coast scenery.
Caladesi Island
Caladesi Island State Park, is located on an offshore island near Clearwater. It is one of the few completely natural islands along Florida’s Sun Coast.
The white sand beach gives visitors the options of swimming, sunbathing or beachcombing. Fisherpersons can enjoy boating and surf-fishing, Hikers and birders can spot wildlife on a 3-mile nature trail.
There also are great kayaking opportunities.
Who is Dr Beach?
The list is produced by “Dr. Beach” – aka coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman. He is a professor at Florida International University.
Every year, since 1991, Dr. Beach has released a list of the top 10 beaches using 50 criteria he created to determine the ranking of the nation’s top beaches. Those include water temperature, sand softness and park safety.
Remember, there are lots of great beaches along the 12 Coasts of Florida – these are just two.
