"A Gulf Coast beach in Florida renowned for exceptionally soft, powdery-white sand made up of roughly 99% pure quartz that originated in the Appalachian Mountains, a composition that keeps the sand cool underfoot. The water is clear, shallow, calm and easy to enter, making it ideal for swimming and wading, and the shoreline has relatively little development, preserving a nearly pristine environment. Frequent dolphin sightings, consistently excellent sunsets and an overall laid-back vibe add to its appeal. It was the only U.S. entry on the World’s 50 Best Beaches list and has previously been named the No. 1 U.S. beach (and fourth in the world) by Tripadvisor; it also received the list’s “frequently idyllic” designation, reflecting favorable weather with fewer than ten rainy days in most months and year-round average highs typically between 70 and 90 degrees." - Opheli Garcia Lawler Opheli Garcia Lawler Opheli Garcia Lawler is a journalist with a decade of experience, half of which has been dedicated to covering the way we travel. From interviewing former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to digging into Amtrak customer complaint data, Opheli has developed a deep well of knowledge about what shapes our travel experiences. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines