Source: Pinterest
According to the annual ranking released by a university professor known as “Dr. Beach,” a 9-mile (14-kilometer) stretch of Florida’s sugar-white sand in an unspoiled natural setting beside the Gulf of Mexico has been named the nation’s best beach for 2023.
The state park on St. George Island, situated off the Florida Panhandle, has been crowned the top honor by Stephen Leatherman, a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University.
This is the 33rd year that Leatherman has evaluated America’s 650 public beaches around Memorial Day, the customary start of summer, and St. George Island has frequently made the list. However, according to Leatherman, this year’s natural beauty, lack of development, and abundant activities such as fishing, swimming, kayaking, cycling, camping, and an unparalleled view of the night sky for stargazers set it apart from others.
“There’s just so many things that capture my imagination there,” Leatherman said in an interview reported by the
Associated Press. “It’s an idyllic place.”
“People can have the best of both worlds there, just miles and miles of unspoiled beaches,” Leatherman added.
The park covers about 2,000 acres (810 hectares) on the island’s east end. The island is linked to the mainland by a bridge that spans Apalachicola Bay, known for its oysters. The remaining areas of the island consist of a small village, eateries, vacation rentals, and motels, but only a little else, making it the perfect escape for those looking to soak up the sun amidst natural, unspoiled beauty!