Florida lands Top-5 spot in America’s Favorite 100 Secret Beaches list
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, the countdown to the first day of summer gets serious.
In case you didn't know, the first day of summer this year is June 21.
Now is the time for Florida families to plan their excursions to the awesome beaches around the state, including some that might not be as well known, or as some refer to them, "secret beaches."
We are here to help with a big assist from Family Destinations Guide, which according to its website "reviews of hotels, resorts, destinations, and attractions your whole family will love. In addition, the site is filled with ideas that will help you plan your next trip."
Family Destinations Guide recently revealed its 2023 "America’s Favorite 100 Secret Beaches" and the Sunshine State ended up with nine in the rankings including one in the Top-5. Here's a closer look at the rankings:
Florida's Shell Key Preserve selected No. 2 overall 'secret' beach
With three of the beaches in the Top-5 located in Hawaii, it seems a little extra special to have a Florida beach recognized among such elite company. Shell Key Preserve is located Southwest of St. Petersburg in the Gulf of Mexico.
Here's what the Family Destinations Guide had to say about one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands in the St. Pete/Clearwater region:
"The beach at Shell Key Preserve in Florida is a beautiful and secluded stretch of pristine white sand, bordered by clear turquoise waters and lush vegetation. The beach is unspoiled and natural, with no development or buildings, offering a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or simply strolling along the shore, taking in the breathtaking scenery and listening to the sound of the waves. The beach is also a nesting ground for sea turtles, making it an important conservation area."
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Top-5 secret beaches in America
Florida beaches ranked among best secret beaches in America
NOTE: The beach, boat ramp, trails and paddling launch areas of Lovers Key State Park remain closed. Please adhere to all posted signs and avoid closed areas. The bayside is open for limited day use activities.
NOTE: Cayo Costa State Park is closed due to damage from Hurricane Ian.
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: Florida beaches ranked among American's favorite secret locations
