Hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches grace the Sunshine State’s coastlines, but only one city can now lay claim to being home to the best.
Let’s give a wave of applause to Delray Beach, which beat out 19 other finalists to win the USA Today 10Best 2024 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Beach in Florida.
The winner was announced Wednesday, May 29, after a month-long round of voting gave readers the opportunity to choose their favorite sandy destinations.
The 20 finalists, which also included three other beaches in our backyard — Jupiter Beach Park, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and South Beach — were chosen by 10Best editors who received nominations from a panel of travel writers, according to USA Today.
Delray’s Municipal Beach spans about 2 miles, welcoming about 3.2 million visitors annually to catch some rays, splash around in the warm waters and enjoy stunning sunrises.
“Our award-winning beach attracts so many visitors, protects us from hurricanes and tropical storms, and is home to an abundance of native plants and animals,” Delray Beach City Manager Terrence Moore said in a statement. “We are privileged to have such a beautiful beach and it is an honor to be voted the No. 1 Best Beach in Florida, in the USA Today 10Best 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.”
While USA Today said “visitors are welcome to lay out and soak in the sun all across the beach,” it also pointed to Atlantic Dunes Park, which “provides some added natural beauty thanks to its sloping sand hills.”
If you visit the beach, look up for the Blue Flag flying overhead through April 30, 2025. Delray Beach recently received the international eco-award for the second year in a row. The designation recognizes Delray’s efforts to meet more than 30 criteria for water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and services, sustainable tourism and social responsibility, according to a city statement.
How did South Florida’s other beaches fare in the contest?
Here are the top 10 winners, ranked in order:
- Delray Beach
- Panama City Beach
- Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
- Clearwater Beach
- Treasure Island Beach
- Stuart Beach
- Cape San Blas
- Destin
- Jupiter Beach Park
- Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine)
Interested in adding one of our local beaches to your summer to-do list? USA Today noted some of the amenities you’ll find:
- Jupiter Beach Park has 3 miles of “idyllic shoreline, with soft white sand, clear aqua-blue water, and mellow waves,” with lifeguards, picnic areas, a jetty, and fishing and snorkeling opportunities.
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is “known for its clear waters, making it a prime spot for snorkeling and diving, especially with the Shipwreck Snorkel Trail just a swim away.”
- South Beach is “far more than just a nightlife destination. In addition to serving as a major hub for LGBTQ+ tourism, the area also earns abundant acclaim for its sandy beach. Stay beachfront at a number of hotels or check out a beach club to enjoy lounging by the sea in luxury.”
Read about the full list of winners at 10best.usatoday.com.
