A Panhandle beach is once again featured on Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beach in America list with the Forgotten Coast in the spotlight for 2021 – Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park is honored as one of the best beaches in America. Ranked at number four, this is the fourth time that this beautiful barrier island has appeared on the list in the last decade and the highest ranking for a Florida beach on the 2021 list.

Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park is nestled at the far east end of the 22-mile long barrier island in Franklin County. Boasting nine miles of preservation land, St. George Island State Park is the longest beachfront state park in Florida. Enjoy two large beach use areas with ample parking, pavilions, restrooms, grills, and boardwalks. Find sugar soft white sands and clear gulf waters to swim on the gulf side and marshes and trails on the bay side. Sunbathing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and nature study are popular activities among parkgoers.

According to Dr. Beach, St. George Island State Park made the 2021 list because: “This long barrier island, far from urban areas, is a favorite destination for beachgoers, anglers and bird watchers as nature abounds. Besides swimming in the crystal-clear water, I enjoy beachcombing and shelling.”

Dr. Beach, also known as Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, has been officially rating beaches since 1991. He uses a range of 50 criteria including water and sand quality, safety, and views. Leatherman is a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University and widely published author of books, journal articles, and technical reports. Other beaches to make the 2021 Top Beaches list include Hapuna Beach State Park – Big Island, Hawaii, Coopers Beach – Southampton, New York, and Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach – Outer Banks of North Carolina. CLICK HERE to see the complete list.