Two Florida State Parks Ranked Among Nation’s Best Beaches
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2025St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proud to announce that two Florida State Parks have once again been recognized among the best beaches in the nation on Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beach List for 2025. “Florida State Parks continue to set the standard for natural beauty, visitor experience and resource protection,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Our parks offer some of the best beach experiences anywhere in the country, and we are proud to share them with the world.” Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is home to numerous shorebirds and wildlife. Visitors enjoy activities such as snorkeling the reef, hiking, birdwatching, fishing, picnicking and paddling. Kayakers and paddleboarders can explore the mangrove-lined Wiggins Pass, which opens to the Gulf of America. St. Andrews State Park features a mile-and-a-half of pristine shoreline ideal for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and fishing. Visitors can also hike nature trails through pine forests and coastal ecosystems or take a ferry to the undeveloped Shell Island, known for its emerald waters and secluded beaches. “Delnor-Wiggins Pass and St. Andrews are incredible natural treasures,” said Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher. “We're proud of the work our team has done to protect these beaches while ensuring they remain accessible for everyone to enjoy.” The annual Top 10 Beach List is curated by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, known as Dr. Beach, a professor at Florida International University. The list, released each Memorial Day weekend since 1991, ranks beaches based on 50 criteria, including water color and clarity, sand softness, safety, cleanliness and available amenities. “Florida State Parks’ beaches are among the most outstanding in the nation, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass and St. Andrews are two of the best examples,” said Stephen P. Leatherman, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Beach. “Several other Florida beach parks also ranked in the top 20 this year, which speaks to the exceptional quality and stewardship across the entire park system.” Florida’s state park beaches have consistently earned high rankings, with six parks previously landing the No. 1 spot:
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida ### |
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About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first four-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005, 2013 and 2019 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association. Florida’s 175 state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With more than 815,000 acres, 101 miles of beaches and more than 3,024 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/3e26a4b |
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