The crown for Florida’s best beach is staying put in Palm Beach County for a third consecutive year.
Delray Beach is once again ranked No. 1 in USA TODAY’s annual “10Best” list of the best beaches in Florida, selected by a panel of travel experts and then voted on by the readers.
“We’re honored that Delray Beach has once again been recognized as the Best Beach in Florida,” said Laura Simon, executive director of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority.
“Winning this award three years in a row speaks to the unique experience Delray Beach offers — from our beautiful shoreline and clean, walkable beach environment to the energy, culture, dining, and hospitality found throughout our downtown. It’s a destination that truly has something for everyone.”
Florida is a premier destination for vacationers all across the country. The state has hundreds of public beaches stretching 825 miles across the coast.
What made Delray Beach stand out?
Delray Beach promotes itself as “The Village by the Sea.” To get to the beach, tourists can take a stroll down Atlantic Avenue, a walkable main street filled with boutiques, restaurants and art galleries.
According to the list, the water at Delray Beach is “crystal-clear” and a recent $19 million renourishment project has expanded the beach’s sandy shores, making it wider and more resilient to storms and erosion.
It’s also one of the only beaches in the continental U.S. to receive the International Blue Flag award, which recognizes water quality, accessibility, safety and proper waste management. Only 5,274 sites across the globe earned that distinction in 2026, and Delray Beach has had it for four years in a row.
Gulf coast beaches dominated the rest of the USA TODAY rankings. Finishing behind Delray Beach were Treasure Island Beach, Clearwater Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Panama City Beach, St. Pete Beach, Barefoot Beach Preserve, Destin, Surfside Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach earns USA TODAY’s top beach honor for 3rd straight year
Reporting by Brian Olmo, Special to The Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
