This Is the No. 1 Beach in the U.S. Southeast—and It Has Some of the Bluest and Clearest Waters in the Nation

Florida has more than its fair share of gorgeous beaches for blissful getaways, but one special place along its eastern coast stands above the rest. 

According to a recent study from Beach.com, Ocean Reef Park in Riviera, Florida, is the very best beach in the southeastern U.S. Roughly 13-acres big, the public park beat out over 1,300 beaches in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to take the crown.

Researchers used a combination of advanced satellite data, AI-powered analysis of over 220,000 reviews, and geometric calculations to assess each beach in crucial beach categories: water color and clarity, accessibility and convenience, natural environment, facility quality, and the number of in-depth positive reviews on Google. 

The Sunshine State had a tremendous showing in all categories, claiming every single spot on the study’s top 12 list. And six of the top 12 winners are in beautiful Palm Beach County, including No. 1 honoree Ocean Reef Park. 

The picturesque beach is located on Singer Island, a peninsula in the city of Riviera Beach just off Florida’s Atlantic Coast. It performed particularly well in the study’s water quality, environment, and visitor response categories. 

Over 2,500 enthusiastic Google reviews helped propel Ocean Reef Park to its top-tier designation. Beachgoers rave about its vibrant coral reef, which allows for exceptional snorkeling experiences. From sea turtles to squids and nurse sharks, the abundance of marine life leaves visitors dazzled time and again.

Many reviewers credited the beach’s immaculate facilities and amenities— including bathrooms, charcoal grills, tables, and picnic pavilions—for making their visits true trips to paradise. Ocean Reef Park also won legions of fans with its ample, well-located free parking and shade-providing trees.

Overall, Singer Island stood out as a must-visit destination. The runnerup beach in the study, Riviera Beach, is on the peninsula just one mile away from Ocean Reef Park. It also scored points thanks to the area’s remarkably pristine water and well-maintained facilities. 

When it comes solely to which beach has the most heavenly water color and clarity in the Southeast, Delray Public Beach just south of Riviera City wins the title. Researchers analyzed five years of satellite data to measure each beach’s chlorophyll-a concentrations and blue-band reflectance, determining that Delray’s acclaimed water strikes a perfect balance between the two.

Although they didn’t make the list of the overall best beaches, Georgia and North Carolina’s coastal destinations both earned category wins. Bonnett Street Public Beach Access in Nags Head, N.C. ranked highest for strong reviewer sentiment and access. Meanwhile, Jekyll Island, Georgia’s Great Dunes Pavilion was found to have the highest quality facilities in the Southeast.