DELRAY BEACH — The Village by the Sea, aka Delray Beach, has always prided itself on being a tourist destination, and it backs that up again this time, taking the top spot on USA Today’s “10 Best Beaches in Florida” list.
“Our award-winning beaches attract many visitors, protect us from hurricanes and tropical storms, and are home to an abundance of native plants and animals,” said Mayor Terrence Moore. “We are privileged to have such beautiful beaches, and we are honored to be named the No. 1 Best Beach in Florida in USA Today’s 2024 Top 10 Readers’ Choice Awards.”
Palm Beach County residents have even more to celebrate: Unlike other Florida counties, Palm Beach County has one more beach in the top 10. Jupiter Beach Park, with 1,700 feet of shoreline, fishing areas and picnic areas, came in at number 9.
What are USA Today’s “10 Best” Reader’s Awards?
According to USA Today, the awards spotlight the “best of the best” in a variety of categories, from travel destinations to food and drink, hotels and activities. Nominees in each category are recommended by a panel of travel experts. Editors from the “10Best” team then narrow down the nominees and select finalists for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers vote online.
In May, Delray Beach topped the polls, followed by Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Panama City Beach and Clearwater Beach, all of which made this year’s final list.
Delray Beach attracts tourists
According to the city, about 3.2 million people visit Delray Beach each year, which stretches along about two miles of Palm Beach County’s south shore.
This month, Delray Beach received the prestigious Blue Flag award for the second year in a row. The national award, presented by the American Coast and Beach Conservancy, recognizes beaches that meet a variety of criteria, from safety to environmental standards.
About 40 miles north of Delray Beach is Jupiter Beach Park, ranked #9 on USA Today’s list of best beaches. The park covers about 50 acres and offers picnic areas, a pier, fishing, and snorkeling.
What other Florida beaches made USA Today’s 10 Best list?
- Panama City Beach (Panama City Beach, Florida).
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida.
- Clearwater Beach (Clearwater, Florida).
- Treasure Island Beach (Treasure Island, Florida).
- Stuart Beach (Stuart, Florida).
- Cape San Blas (Port St. Joe, Florida).
- Destin (Destin, Florida).
- Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine, Florida).
The full list of winners can be found here.
Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached at jfernandez@pbpost.com or on Twitter at: Jasmine FernandesSupport our work: Subscribe now.
