‘Congrats:’ Florida beach ranks No. 1 in America, new report says

ORLANDO, Fla. – A recent report by Condé Nast Traveler has revealed which beaches were rated among the best in the nation.

And as it turns out, the No. 1 spot was given to a beach right here in the Sunshine State.

According to the report, the ranking was built based on over 750,000 responses as part of the outlet’s 38th Readers’ Choice Awards.

“When it comes to the short list of the best beaches in the US, the candidates did not disappoint...” the report reads. “Your picks run the gamut of family-friendly fun, romantic seclusion, fly-and-flop convenience, and off-grid escape.”

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Florida had several different placements on the list, including St. Augustine Beach at No. 14, Siesta Beach at No. 8, and Navarre Beach all the way up at No. 2.

However, the top-ranked beach this year turned out to be Pensacola Beach.

"Taking the top spot on this list, Pensacola is so much more than its beach. Venture beyond its perpetually summery sands and discover a thriving arts and culture scene well worth its own full itinerary.

The so-called “Festival City of the South,” Pensacola has a fully booked dance card of cultural programming to catch, including Mural Fest, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, and the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival, all of which happen in November and showcase a wide range of regional artistic talent.

Add on a revitalized nightlife scene plus a culinary landscape where you can tell the chefs are having fun, and you have the ingredients for a formidableReaders’ Choice Awardswinner."

Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Beaches in the US, According to the Readers' Choice Awards"

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Visit Florida celebrated the achievement on Thursday, posting the results to social media.

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Meanwhile, the reasoning for the rest of the Florida beaches is as follows:

• No. 14 - St. Augustine Beach

"This northern Florida beach town likes to call itself the oldest city in the country, and it certainly has the historical charisma to back it up. Wander about its ambling brick streets and take a self-guided walking tour of the Spanish colonial architecture and remarkably preserved fortresses, some of which date back to the 17th century. True, the beach is home to the warm white sands and surfable waves many great beaches lay claim to, but what places St. Augustine over the top is its family-friendly boardwalk that has a little something for everyone. With a population just shy of 16,000 residents, St. Augustine offers idyllic small-town vibes."

Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Beaches in the US, According to the Readers' Choice Awards"

• No. 8 - Siesta Beach

"Siesta Beach recently celebrated recognition as not only one of the best beaches in the US, but also the title as one of the best in the world. The Sarasota County beach was recently ranked the 12th best beach in North America and 42nd best globally on The World’s 50 Best Beaches list for 2025. It’s one of three fabulous beaches on Siesta Key, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Sarasota. According to the World’s Best team, Siesta Beach stands out thanks to its “powdery, blindingly white sand, made up of 99% pure quartz from the Appalachian Mountains.” And it’s true, unlike many other beautiful beaches in the US, Siesta’s sand has a silky, sugar-fine texture. For some OOO time that keeps up with the best of ‘em, Siesta Beach is plucked straight from our daydreams."

Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Beaches in the US, According to the Readers' Choice Awards"

• No. 2 - Navarre Beach

“At this Florida panhandle beach, adventure exists all around you. Underwater, scuba down to the artificial reefs of Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, where swarming schools of fish, sting rays, and sharks swim among the coral. Once you’ve dried off, take the scenic route and savor the sea views just a little longer on a stroll down the pier, the longest in northwest Florida. With leg room aplenty for even the largest crowds, Navarre is a balmy sandbox waiting to be explored.”

Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Beaches in the US, According to the Readers' Choice Awards"