It’s time to start planning that summer vacation you’ve been waiting for.
Luckily, for residents in metro Atlanta, two of the top beaches in the U.S. are less a day’s drive away.
Every year, Dr. Beach ranks the country’s best beaches based on criteria like sand softness, water temperature and wave size.
This year’s first-place winner is St. George Island State Park on the Florida panhandle, which is about a six-hour drive from Atlanta. The barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico boasts nearly 2,000 acres to explore.
The beach comes in at #1 in the U.S. because of its crystal-clear water, distance from urban areas and sugary fine, white sand.
The island suffered a big blow during Hurricane Michael in 2018, but has since recovered.
Nature is abundant on the beach, which is within a protected state park. Sea turtles and shore birds nest on the island in the summer. The beach is also a popular place to fish, kayak and camp.
Beachwater Park on Kiawah Island in South Carolina came in at #7 on the list. The beach about a five-and-a-half hour drive from metro Atlanta, south of Charleston. Canoeing and Kayaking are popular on the beach’s tidal inlets.
The top 10 beaches on Dr. Beach’s list for 2023 are:
- St. Georgia Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
- Duke Kahanamoki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
- Coopers Beach, Southhampton, New York
- Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater Florida
- Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina
- Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
- Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
- Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
- Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
- Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts