No. 4 in the US for 2025

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No. 4 in the US for 2025

Beach lovers in Southwest Florida rejoice!

According to

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, a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at

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, Southwest Florida, specifically Naples, is home to one of the best beaches in the United States for 2025.

Leatherman, who turned hitting the beach into a vocation, has released his 35th annual rankings of the best of America’s 650 public beaches.

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in Naples is one of two Florida beaches in the Top-10. coming in at a very impressive No. 4.

More: Now reopened: Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park finishes partial restoration after hurricanes

The other Florida beach to make the list this year?

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in Panama City at No. 7.

Delnor-Wiggins State Park: What to know

Up from No. 8 in 2024, the 

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 in Naples was highlighted for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters.

“Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing. Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys, and manatees. Pine trees provide welcome shade,” Leatherman said.

Florida’s Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples is eighth on the list of the 10 best US beaches put out annually by Stephen Leatherman.

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: What they are saying about Delnor-Wiggins

Finja said (May 2025): Beautiful beach , very calm and clear water. We love to come here for years. And it was not crowded on a Saturday afternoon, cause all parking slots are open again now!

JackD5 said (March 2025): Such a lucky find! Gorgeous sand and dunes. Vanderbilt Beach was jam packed but this beach was beautiful with plenty of room for everyone. Only 2 of 6 parking lots were open (the rest being renovated) but still we found parking after only a 5-10 minute wait.

Wherenext14 (February 2024): Such a beautiful beach! We arrived early and found a parking spot. Plenty of beautiful beach to go around! We walked from one end to the other while we were there. Lots of shells. Very clean. Port-a-potties were also clean.

2024 hurricanes: Impact on this year’s best beaches list

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, a perennial contender, was not a qualifier this year since it 

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 after taking damage from Hurricane Helene, Leatherman said in an email.

Delnor-Wiggins was damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 and re-opened in February this year.

What criteria is used to pick the top beaches in the US?

Dr. Beach uses 50 criteria to evaluate beaches, including water and sand quality, safety and environmental management practices. Beaches receive bonus points for not allowing smoking.

What beach is Dr. Beach’s top pick for 2025?

It is Coopers Beach on Long Island, New York.

Dr. Beach described Coopers Beach, which is on the south shore of Long Island, as “hundreds of yards wide, made of grainy white quartz sand” and backed by large sand dunes interspersed with extravagant mansions.

What are Dr. Beach’s top 10 beaches for 2025?

1-Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

2-Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii

3-Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

4-Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida

5-Main Beach, East Hampton, New York

6-Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

7-St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida

8-Kaunaoa, Big Island, Hawaii

9-Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

10-Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News:

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