Top Florida Beaches in America’s Best Beaches: latest official list
Professor Stephen Leatherman, better known as Dr Beach, still publishes one of the best-known annual U.S. beach rankings. As of May 2026, the latest published official list is the 2025 ranking, so that is the most current version travellers can rely on until a newer list is released.
Florida’s beaches on the latest official Dr Beach list
Florida placed two beaches in Dr Beach’s 2025 top ten:
- #4 Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples
- #7 St. Andrews State Park, Panama City
That gives Florida representation on both coasts of the state: the Gulf-facing Naples area in Southwest Florida and the Panama City area in the Panhandle.
What the 2025 top spot was
Dr Beach’s number one beach for 2025 was Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York. The list also included Hawaii, South Carolina and New York entries, so Florida’s two placements remained strong but did not top the ranking that year.
How to read the page in 2026
Because the official 2026 Dr Beach list had not been published at the time of this update, it would be wrong to rewrite this page as if a confirmed 2026 ranking already existed. The sensible approach is to use the latest official list, then re-check for a new release if you are travelling later in the year.
If you also want a traveller-voted comparison, read our separate page on best Florida beaches in traveller rankings.
Which kind of Florida beach trip suits each area?
Rankings are useful, but they do not replace practical trip planning. Naples works well if you want a calmer Gulf Coast stay, while Panama City and the wider Panhandle feel different again. For broader context, see our regional guides to the Gulf Coast, Northwest Florida and South Florida.
Beach safety still matters more than rankings
However pretty a beach is, day-to-day conditions matter more than list positions. Before swimming, check our guides to Florida beach safety, beach safety tips and Florida beach warning flag colours.
