Grayton Beach State Park Named Top Ten Beach

Grayton Beach State Park has once again been included in the list of Top 10 Beaches in this year's 26th annual picks by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, the professor at Florida International University also known as Dr. Beach.

Grayton Beach State Park offers sugar-white sand and emerald green water where development is restrained and large sand dunes still dominate the landscape.  At the same time, all the amenities of great restaurants and accommodations are close by in the old town of Grayton Beach or nearby Seaside.  Many people love camping in this wonderful state park dominated by a rare coastal dune lake that provides excellent fishing and boating.

“More attention is being paid to safety and management this year and extra credit is being awarded to beaches that prohibit smoking,” said Visit South Walton Director of Marketing, Jon Ervin. “These changes allowed the list of best beaches to begin anew. This is why Grayton Beach, which has been recognized before by Dr. Leatherman, has once again made the list.”     

As “Dr. Beach,” Leatherman has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991.  Fifty criteria are used for evaluation including water and sand quality, safety and management. Dr. Leatherman is an internationally-known coastal scientist who has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles and reports about storm impacts, coastal erosion and ways to improve beach health and safety. 

SoWal Insider Tip: meet at The Red Bar in "downtown" Grayton Beach to begin exploring the town. The beach is out back and you can walk to the park. The entrance to Grayton Beach State Park is on Scenic 30A just east of town.