Pictures: 12 best beaches in Florida

Siesta Beach on Siesta Key southwest of Sarasota, Fla., has been recognized for years as one of the best beaches in the country. It has the finest and whitest sand in the world, and I cannot argue with this claim. The powdery sand is nearly pure quartz crystal. The beatiful blue-colored water is clean and clear, making it so inviting to bathers and swimmers. - Dr. Beach It was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2011 survey of United States beaches.

(Tom Burton / Orlando Sentinel)

This undated photo provided by Visit South Walton shows Grayton Beach on Florida’s Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. Grayton Beach State Park is No. 3 on the list of top beaches for the summer of 2018 as compiled by Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, a professor at Florida International University. The beach was named No. 1 in the U.S. in Dr. Beach’s 1994 best beach list.

(David Bailey Photography/Visit South Walton via AP)

Caladesi’s fine, white quartz sand beach owes its creation to a 1921 hurricane, which separated it from nearby Honeymoon Island. Caladesi became a state park in 1968. The waves are generally low on Caladesi, which Dr. Beach said adds to its family-friendly atmosphere. Most beachgoers reach the island by a 15-minute, $9 ferry ride. Visitors -- unless they bring their own boat -- are limited to four-hour stays at the beach. -- Associated Press Caladesi Island near Dunedin was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2008 survey of United States beaches.

(Craig Litten / Associated Press)

Caladesi’s fine, white quartz sand beach owes its creation to a 1921 hurricane, which separated it from nearby Honeymoon Island. Caladesi became a state park in 1968. The waves are generally low on Caladesi, which Dr. Beach said adds to its family-friendly atmosphere. Most beachgoers reach the island by a 15-minute, $9 ferry ride. Visitors -- unless they bring their own boat -- are limited to four-hour stays at the beach. -- Associated Press Caladesi Island near Dunedin was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2008 survey of United States beaches.

(TOM SPITZ / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach. It was the No. 7 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2014 survey of United States beaches.

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach. It was the No. 7 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2014 survey of United States beaches.

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach. It was the No. 7 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2014 survey of United States beaches.

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach. It was the No. 7 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2014 survey of United States beaches.

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach. It was the No. 7 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2014 survey of United States beaches.

(WILFREDO LEE / Associated Press)

Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach. It was the No. 7 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2014 survey of United States beaches.

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County near St. Pete Beach is an 870-acre patch of paradise. It’s a mecca for migratory birds and migrating travelers who love to camp, swim, fish, picnic and otherwise duck civilization. Its wide expanse of beaches is ideal for privacy, and its waters have a blue-green Caribbean color. -- Boston Globe It was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2005 survey of United States beaches.

(Julie Fletcher / Orlando Sentinel)

The strip of coast between Tallahassee and Panama City may look like the middle of nowhere on a map. But that remoteness is what has kept the brilliant white beaches and dunes of St. George Island and St. Joseph Peninsula so unspoiled. Both beaches abound with rental cottages. St. George Island and St. Joseph Peninsula, 30 miles west, offer abundant outdoor activities, as does the surrounding Panhandle area. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park offers 20 miles of pristine shoreline, with picnicking, swimming, camping, fishing and hiking allowed. It was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 2002 survey of United States beaches.

(TOM SPITZ / ORLANDO SENTINEL)

St. Andrews State Recreation Area, near Panama City Beach, is one of the coast’s best snorkeling and diving destinations. Well known for its sugar white sands and emerald green waters, this former military reservation has over one-and-a-half miles of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon. Offshore you’ll find hundreds of varieties of shells, sea urchins and starfish. In Tampa Bay, try Egmont Key State Park. Not only does it have a beautiful beach more than a mile long, but you’ll find submerged armament bunkers offshore that have created a refuge for tropical fish. It was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 1995 survey of United States beaches.

(Andrew Wardlow / Associated Press)

St. Andrews State Recreation Area, near Panama City Beach, is one of the coast’s best snorkeling and diving destinations. Well known for its sugar white sands and emerald green waters, this former military reservation has over one-and-a-half miles of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon. Offshore you’ll find hundreds of varieties of shells, sea urchins and starfish. In Tampa Bay, try Egmont Key State Park. Not only does it have a beautiful beach more than a mile long, but you’ll find submerged armament bunkers offshore that have created a refuge for tropical fish. It was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 1995 survey of United States beaches.

(Andrew Wardlow / Associated Press)

St. Andrews State Recreation Area, near Panama City Beach, is one of the coast’s best snorkeling and diving destinations. Well known for its sugar white sands and emerald green waters, this former military reservation has over one-and-a-half miles of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon. Offshore you’ll find hundreds of varieties of shells, sea urchins and starfish. In Tampa Bay, try Egmont Key State Park. Not only does it have a beautiful beach more than a mile long, but you’ll find submerged armament bunkers offshore that have created a refuge for tropical fish. It was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 1995 survey of United States beaches.

(Andrew Wardlow / Associated Press)

Clear turquoise water surrounds Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys, which boasts the Keys’ only natural beach. The park encompasses over 500 acres and an offshore island offers some of the best snorkeling and and beachcombing in Florida. It was the No. 1 beach in the nation on Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman’s 1992 survey of United States beaches.

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)