ST. PETERSBURG – St. Pete Beach was named the best beach in the country based on Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice rankings, which moved from second place in 2020.
It defeats beaches in Hawaii, California, and even other beaches in Pinellas. Madeira Beach was ninth, Treasure Island Beach 16th and Clearwater Beach 18th.
According to St. St. Pete-Clearwater has St. Pete Beach last achieved the best spot in 2012. Their website awards the award to the white sandy beaches, warm golf water, beautiful sunsets and uninhabited space.
Beverly Ackah (25) and Franklin Okomba (31) are both big fans. The visitors in Seattle left snow behind as they traveled to Pinellas.
“You do not know what you have here,” Okomba said on Tuesday.
Steve Hayes, President and CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, said he thinks the space to disperse people along the Pinellas beaches has helped earn the award in a year plagued by coronavirus. Hayes said Tripadvisor told him that the rankings are also taken into account where people would most like to visit.
“If you look at four beaches in the same destination in the top 25, you can find it nowhere else on the list,” Hayes said.
It was the first year that Treasure Island and Madeira Beach topped the list of local “hidden gems,” he said.
Worldwide, St. Pete Beach was named the fifth best beach by Tripadvisor. It is the only beach in the continental United States that tops the global list.
“I just think it’s still raising our awareness as an international destination,” Hayes said. “And if they go further, they’ll find out that there are three more beaches in the top 25 in the US.”
Tripadvisor calls itself the world’s largest travel guidance platform. Each year, the company compiles reviews and rankings submitted by users and honors them in the Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards. Along with beaches, the restaurants, national parks, popular destinations, budding destinations and more are judged.
Here are the 10 best beaches from Tripadvisor.
1. St. Pete Beach, St. Pete Beach, Florida
A large walking beach with white quartz sand, clear calm water and shells at the truck. The perfect place to watch the sun set over the sea. ”
Ka’anapali Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii
‘This beach is so beautiful and accessible to everyone. There is easy parking and a great road to walk along the beach with showers to clean. You can walk on the soft sand, go hiking, snorkeling, swimming or boarding in the clear, calm water. It is truly a paradise! ”
3. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California.
A beautiful beach and a great place to look for moonstones and jade. When the tide disappears, you can explore the tidal pools … magically! ‘
4. Wailea Beach, Wailea, Hawaii
‘The hiking trail along Wailea Beach offers breathtaking views of the Maui coast. Whether it is a quick walk or a leisurely stroll, the beauty of the surroundings abounds. You can even see whales directly outside! ”
5. Cannon Beach, Cannon Beach, Ore.
‘This beach is breathtaking and huge – both long and deep! Haystack Rock with low tide is amazing with all the tidal pools and sea creatures. Make sure you bring a sweater, it can be cold and windy! ”
6. Napili Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii
‘This little cove is a hidden gem. There is a small natural reef of about 30-50 meters, and there lives a lot of marine life. It was the best snorkeling experience I have had. ”
7. Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, Maine
‘This beach is impeccably clean and has a smooth, sandy floor. At low tide, the beach is probably the widest beach ever. With high tide you can walk hundreds of feet and still be only waist high. ”
8. Wai’anapanapa State Park, Hana, Hawaii
“This black sand beach (produced by volcanic activity on the island) is worldwide along the beautiful coastline.”
9. Madeira Beach, Madeira Beach, Fla.
‘Very nice, flat beaches. The beach is very clean – we even saw a beach that Zamboni used every morning. You can walk miles on the beach. ”
Kailua Beach Park, Kailua, Hawaii
‘Kailua offers a lot of everything: sand, open spaces, fewer crowds and a good park. This beach is amazing, coming from a guy who grew up on an island. ‘
Photographer Martha Asencio Rhine contributed to this report.