Best 'Secret Beaches' list includes two located in Southwest Florida
Can you keep a secret?
Southwest Florida's has two beaches listed on America's Favorite 100 Secret Beaches. But remember. It's a secret. Sort of.
The website Family Destinations Guide recently revealed its 2023 version of the best secret beaches in the U.S. and appearing on the list from Southwest Florida are No. 6 Lover's Key State Park and No. 56 Cayo Costa.
That's the good news.
The bad news? Both of these amazing places are currently not accessible to the public. Lover's Key State Park and Cayo Costa received significant damage when Hurricane Ian struck on Sept. 28, 2022. In fact, it was Cayo Costa Island where Ian made landfall.
What about 'hidden' beaches? Two Fort Myers-area islands on list of nation's top 100 hidden beaches
Hopes are high that both locations will open again soon.
What is a secret beach? Think: secluded. Think: off the beaten path. Think: not as easily accessible as some other beaches. If you like having a Tiki Bar near by or a gift shop, these beaches aren't for you.
Cayo Costa State Park: Five things to know
Accessible only by boat or kayak
It is a former fishing ground of the Calusa Indians
Features nin miles of undeveloped shoreline for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, fishing, bird-watching and exploration along with several walking and bicycling trails through the island’s interior
Shorebirds are numerous, and one might spot manatees, porpoises and sea turtles offshore
Campsites and cabins are available for overnight stays, and a ferry service runs to the island from several mainland locations
8 months after Ian: NBC's Lester Holt returns to SWFL for Hurricane Ian series
Lover's Key State Park: 5 things to know
Previously destined to become the site of luxury condominiums, the land that is now Lovers Key State Park was donated to the people of Florida so that its beaches and mangrove forests can be preserved for all to enjoy
The park is a popular romantic destination and frequently hosts picturesque gulf-side weddings
Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, shelling, fishing, hiking, bicycling, wildlife watching, canoeing/kayaking, geocaching and more
The park is about 710 acres of tidal lagoons, canals, and beautiful blue water beaches.
There are four barrier islands included in the park and is home to manatees, dolphins, coastal birds, and other wildlife
Top-5 secret beaches in America
Other Florida beaches ranked among best secret beaches in America
How the secret beach rankings came together
According to the Family Destinations Guide website, the rankings are the result of an online panel survey of 3,000 adults based on age, gender, and geography. Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lovers Key State Park, Cayo Costa included in best secret beaches list
