Conde Nast Traveler’s unbridled appreciation for all things Pensacola and coastal Northwest Florida reached what could be a pinnacle in 2025 with Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach finishing as numbers one and two respectively on the publication’s list of 15 top beaches in the United States in its 38th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
The two Gulf Coast beaches, separated from one another by seven miles of Gulf Islands National Seashore coastline, were selected as first and second among 15 beaches chosen by more than 757,000 global respondents for the honor of best beach.
“Nestled along the scenic shores of the Gulf of America, Navarre Beach stands out as a gem with its pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters,” a Conde Nast news release said in announcing the beach’s runner up status and its place as “a premier coastal destination for sun, sand, and adventure.”
The praise for Pensacola Beach also included accolades for the city itself, which also placed No. 10 this year on Condé Nast Traveler’s 38th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards Top 10 Best Small Cities in the U.S. under 350,000 for 2025.
“Pensacola is so much more than its beach,” the tribute to the country’s No. 1 beach said. “Venture beyond its perpetually summery sands and discover a thriving arts and culture scene well worth its own full itinerary.”
What did Conde Nast Traveler say about Pensacola Beach
Conde Nast Traveler was actually more effusive in its praise for Pensacola’s beaches in its designating the city as a top 10 small town.
“Florida certainly has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but few places have the blindingly white sand and Caribbean-blue waters you’ll find in and around this town. Head to the nearby barrier islands for the best (and least crowded) stretches of sand: Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island is often cited as the crown jewel of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, complete with dolphin-rich waters and sand so soft you’d swear you were walking on baby powder,” it wrote.
The ranking of best beaches highlighted the city itself, “the so-called ‘Festival City of the South.’ ”
“Pensacola has a fully booked dance card of cultural programming to catch, including Mural Fest, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, and the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival, all of which happen in November and showcase a wide range of regional artistic talent,” Conde Nast Traveler said. “Add on a revitalized nightlife scene plus a culinary landscape where you can tell the chefs are having fun, and you have the ingredients for a formidable Readers’ Choice Awards winner.”
What were Conde Nast’s thoughts on Navarre Beach?
In noting that Navarre Beach had finished second only to Pensacola Beach and ahead of such iconic destinations such as Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, Conde Nast Traveler said the beach appeals to a wide range of visitors.
“At this Florida Panhandle beach, adventure exists all around you,” the tribute’s authors said. “Underwater, scuba down to the artificial reefs of Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, where swarming schools of fish, sting rays, and sharks swim among the coral. Once you’ve dried off, take the scenic route and savor the sea views just a little longer on a stroll down the pier, the longest in northwest Florida. With leg room aplenty for even the largest crowds.”
In announcing its place as second among 15 of the finest beaches in America, the tribute’s authors called Navarre “a balmy sandbox waiting to be explored.”
“This recognition adds to a growing list of honors for Navarre Beach, reinforcing its reputation as a top travel destination for both leisure and adventure,” the news release announcing the award said. “Locals and visitors alike take pride in the area’s natural beauty, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to preserving its coastal environment.”
What are Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards?
The Readers’ Choice Awards are among the longest-running and most respected recognitions in the travel industry, with hundreds of thousands of readers casting votes for their favorite destinations worldwide.
What U.S. beaches made Conde Nast Traveler’s top 15?
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola and Navarre beaches judged top 2 in U.S. by Conde Nast readers
Reporting by Tom McLaughlin, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
