USA TODAY 10Best
10 must-visit beaches in the South for your next vacation
Best Beach in the South (2023)
Beaches in the Southern United States are beloved for their warm waters, soft sands and multitude of activities. Whether you want to enjoy water sports, wildlife watching, shelling, swimming or sunbathing, you can find a beach that matches your preferences.
From Virginia to Texas, there are hundreds of miles of coastline to explore, with beaches ranging from lively and boisterous to secluded national parks. Here are the 10 best beaches in the South, according to readers.
Photo courtesy of fcafotodigital // Getty Images
No. 10: Anastasia State Park - St. Augustine, Florida
Featuring white quartz sand and clear blue waters, the beach at Anastasia State Park is known for its wild beauty. Located in north Florida, this pristine beach is a favorite of expert Annita Thomas, who says this is the "perfect beach for biking, kayaking, enjoying a picnic or relaxing by the shore." There is a nominal per car fee to enter and the beach is monitored by lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Photo courtesy of nazar_ab // Getty Images
No. 9: Mustang Island State Park - Corpus Christi, Texas
Texas’ Mustang Island State Park is known for beautiful sandy shores, clear blue waters and diverse coastal ecosystems. Popular for swimming, camping, hiking and other water sports like kayaking, surfing and kiteboarding, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure and fun.
Photo courtesy of mihailomilovanovic // Getty Images
No. 8: Virginia Beach Oceanfront - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach boasts a long and wide stretch of well-maintained sandy shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean with tons of space for sunbathing, swimming and surfing. In addition to the beach, visitors can explore the bustling boardwalk that runs parallel to the beach and features a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment options.
Photo courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing
No. 7: Stuart Beach - Stuart, Florida
Wide and sandy, Stuart Beach in Florida is a family-friendly beach conveniently located across from local attractions, the Elliott Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Perfect for swimming, sunbathing and playing in the sand, the beach is monitored by lifeguards 7 days a week. There is also a beach wheelchair program to allow access to individuals of all abilities.
Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
No. 6: Gulf Shores Beach - Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, known for its soft, sugar-white sand and emerald-green waters. This popular destination offers a wide range of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing and water sports. With warm waters, beautiful sunsets and a vibrant beach culture, Gulf Shores Beach offers visitors both relaxation and fun.
Photo courtesy of Folly Beach Tourism Board
No. 5: Folly Beach - Folly Beach, South Carolina
Folly Beach is a popular coastal destination known for its relaxed and bohemian vibe, offering visitors 6 miles of wide sandy beaches. Described by Chelle Koster Walton, 10Best contributor, as "close to Charleston, but with a surfer-dude vibe," the beach is also known for its excellent waves, perfect for surfing enthusiasts. In addition, the surrounding areas features eclectic shops and casual dining options.
Photo courtesy of Don Hubbard/City of Venice
No. 4: Venice Beach - Venice, Florida
Florida's Venice Beach is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" due to an abundance of fossilized shark teeth that can be found along the shore. In addition to hunting for shark teeth, visitors can enjoy relaxing on pristine white sand, swimming in clear blue waters and exploring the natural coral reef formations just offshore. This beach is monitored by lifeguards and offers a full range of amenities.
Photo courtesy of The Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
No. 3: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach - Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida
Described by 10Best contributor Marla Cimini as a "lovely, relaxing destination," Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is a charming small town with a beautiful 2.5-mile-long stretch of sandy beach lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, offering a laid-back vibe. Known as the "Beach Diving Capital of Florida," the beach is a magnet for divers and snorkelers, boasting a vibrant coral reef system that's easily accessible from the shore.
Photo courtesy of Crystal Coast TDA
No. 2: Emerald Isle Beach - Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Featuring emerald-green waters and soft sandy shores, Emerald Isle Beach is located on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. This family-friendly beach offers opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing and water sports, making it a beloved destination for beachgoers seeking a peaceful coastal retreat. There's an hourly fee for parking, but only from April through September.
Photo courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater.com
No. 1: Clearwater Beach - Clearwater, Florida
Known for its perfectly groomed white sand and upbeat social vibe, Florida's Clearwater Beach is where people go to have fun. Located on the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, visitors combine relaxing on the beach with water sports, beach games, live music and dining at the various restaurants and cafes along the shore. Not to be missed is the daily sunset celebration at Clearwater's Pier 60 with local artisans and street performers.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Annita Thomas
Annita is the on-air personality of Travel With... Read More
Annita is the on-air personality of Travel With Annita radio show, the recipient of two Gold Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards. With 40 years of travel experience she has been to 119 countries and territories, and has worked in several areas of the travel industry. She started her travel career with Pan American World Airways and later worked for the Atlanta CVB during the 1996 Olympics. The multi-media journalist not only host a travel show on terrestrial radio, but also a Lowell Thomas Bronze Award winning podcast - Quarter Miles Travel featuring stories based on the U.S. Mint coins programs. She writes for Upscale Magazine and is an ambassador for Oprah Daily digital magazine. Annita's mission is to inspire Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters to go out and explore the world, creating memorable experiences. She values storytelling, cultural awareness, sharing human interest stories and highlighting sustainable travel brands. Her mission is to help shape the listeners and readers perspective of beautiful destinations around the world. She is the proud fur-baby mom of two fun loving Chocolate Labs, Boris and Natasha. Her favorite destination - the last place she visited. Her favorite travel quote - “Let’s Go!”
Annita Thomas
Annita is the on-air personality of Travel With Annita radio show, the recipient of two Gold Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards. With 40 years of travel experience she has been to 119 countries and territories, and has worked in several areas of the travel industry. She started her travel career with Pan American World Airways and later worked for the Atlanta CVB during the 1996 Olympics. The multi-media journalist not only host a travel show on terrestrial radio, but also a Lowell Thomas Bronze Award winning podcast - Quarter Miles Travel featuring stories based on the U.S. Mint coins programs. She writes for Upscale Magazine and is an ambassador for Oprah Daily digital magazine. Annita's mission is to inspire Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters to go out and explore the world, creating memorable experiences. She values storytelling, cultural awareness, sharing human interest stories and highlighting sustainable travel brands. Her mission is to help shape the listeners and readers perspective of beautiful destinations around the world. She is the proud fur-baby mom of two fun loving Chocolate Labs, Boris and Natasha. Her favorite destination - the last place she visited. Her favorite travel quote - “Let’s Go!”
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton – the Local Expert for... Read More
Chelle Koster Walton – the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean – has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton – the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean – has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer... Read More
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos have appeared in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to working for Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos have appeared in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to working for Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los... Read More
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family – pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family – pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Lauren Mack
Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food... Read More
Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food journalist whose work has appeared in 150+ publications, including The Daily Meal, Culture Trip, Cheapflights.com, TripSavvy, Booking.com, Newsweek International, ThoughtCo, and more. She currently writes for INSIDER, Thrillist, Time Out USA, Seeker, Goldbelly, Savory Traveler, and BestColleges. A journalist for 23 years, Lauren has edited and written travel guidebooks on Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Miami, and New York for Zagat, Time Out, GuidePal, and Explorer Publishing. Lauren has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School. She has traveled to 54 countries on five continents and counts Beijing and Taipei, two cities where she lived for many years, as favorites. Lauren is a 2023 recipient of Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Key award. Facebook: laurenmackny | Twitter: @lmack | Instagram @mack_lauren | Website: www.laurenmack.com.
Lauren Mack
Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food journalist whose work has appeared in 150+ publications, including The Daily Meal, Culture Trip, Cheapflights.com, TripSavvy, Booking.com, Newsweek International, ThoughtCo, and more. She currently writes for INSIDER, Thrillist, Time Out USA, Seeker, Goldbelly, Savory Traveler, and BestColleges. A journalist for 23 years, Lauren has edited and written travel guidebooks on Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Miami, and New York for Zagat, Time Out, GuidePal, and Explorer Publishing. Lauren has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School. She has traveled to 54 countries on five continents and counts Beijing and Taipei, two cities where she lived for many years, as favorites. Lauren is a 2023 recipient of Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Key award. Facebook: laurenmackny | Twitter: @lmack | Instagram @mack_lauren | Website: www.laurenmack.com.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in... Read More
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.