Florida Coasts for Beach Lovers

When Dr. Beach chooses it for America's Best Beaches, you know the beach is something special.

Since 1991, Dr. Beach, aka Dr. Stephen Leatherman, has released an annual list of America's Best Beaches, just in time for the summer beach season. Dr. Beach rates beaches on 50 criteria, and only the absolute best make his lists. This year, three Florida beaches have the honor of receiving the best beach "Oscar" from Dr. Beach.

Caladesi Island State Park, near Dunedin/Clearwater, FL, is one of the few completely natural islands along Florida's Gulf Coast. With sparkling white sand shores, the Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only by private boat or by ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Saltwater anglers can fish from their boats or throw a line into the surf. Nature enthusiasts watch wildlife while hiking the three-mile nature trail through the island's interior or paddling a kayak trail through the mangroves and bay. The park has a marina with electric and water hookups for boaters. Caladesi Island State Park is located one mile west of Dunedin, FL (near Clearwater) off the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Lighthouse Point Park near Daytona Beach, FL, is located on 52 acres of pristine land. The park is on the north side of Ponce DeLeon inlet in the town of Ponce Inlet, just south of Daytona Beach. Lighthouse Point Park offers swimming, picknicking, fishing, nature trails, and an observation deck and tower. A variety of wildlife call the Lighthouse Point Park home, including possums, armadillos, shore birds, and birds of prey.

Siesta Beach, near Sarasota, FL, has the "whitest and finest sand in the world," according to the judges of the Great International White Sand Beach Challenge, held in 1987. Unlike most beaches, which are primarily made up of coral, the sand at Siesta Beach is 99% quartz, so even on the hottest of Florida days, the reflective sand feels cool to the feet. Siesta Beach also offers picnic tables, tennis courts, volleyball on the beach, a soccer field, and a fitness trail.

If a beach vacation to one of these top Florida beaches is on your calendar, CRSHotels.com has the perfect hotel for you. On the west coast of Florida, choose the Beachcomber Beach Resort & Hotel St. Pete Beach, the Sailport Resort Waterfront Suites on Tampa Bay, or the Grand Plaza Beachfront Resort Hotel & Conference Center St. Pete Beach. Stay at the Tahitian Resort Tarpon Springs Florida, the Belleview Biltmore Resort, Golf Club, Spa & Beach Club in Clearwater, or the Quality Hotel on the Beach Clearwater. A bit further south on the west coast, enjoy the Gullwing Beach Resort Ft. Myers Beach, or the DiamondHead Beach Resort Ft. Myers Beach. Stay at the Pointe Estero Beach Resort Ft. Myers Beach, or the Santa Maria Harbour Resort Ft. Myers Beach.