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A Florida Island Has Been Named One Of Travel+Leisure’s ’50 Best Places to Travel in 2024′

Author Joe Winner
Aerial view of Anna Maria Island, white sand beaches and blue water, barrier island on Florida Gulf Coast. Manatee County. USA

One of our secret gems is a secret no more. Travel + Leisure released their ’50 Best Places to Travel in 2024′, and an island here on the Florida West Coast made the list. An island south of Tampa just off the coast of Bradenton that’s only a two hour drive from us here in Fort Myers or Cape Coral.

Anna Maria Island is one of Travel + Leisure’s ’50 Best Places to Travel in 2024′

This is no small deal. Travel + Leisure focuses on worldwide travel and most of the destinations on the list are not in the United States. Only one other ‘Beach Vibes’ location made the list, Hawai’i Island. Anna Maria Island, a seven-mile-long barrier island, was selected for it’s “no-high-rises shoreline, incredible sunsets, and small-town feel.” And despite now being worldwide famous, it’s really not as expensive as you think. Newly opened Mello On The Beach has pet friendly rooms that start under $200 a night. 

And the dining. Along with plenty of local beach fare like the Ugly Grouper, you can also dine upscale at the Doctor’s Office.

Although the island has everything you need, a water taxi service is starting next month. For just $8 the 50-foot open-air catamarans will shuttle you back and forth to Downtown Bradenton. A great way to visit the island without adding to the traffic, or a chance to step off the island to check out Bradenton. Really, for $8, it’s probably a great trip out on the water to see the sights. From the beaches to the bay, it’s an incredibly beautiful area. But there’s another part of Anna Maria Island that isn’t discussed as often.

There’s also a UFO connection to the Bradenton, Florida area.

Anna Maria Island isn’t just known for it’s fantastic beaches. There’s also been numerous UFO sightings in the area. Some have been witnessed on Anna Maria Island. This has been well documented over the years, and as the article states, the picture and video links keep disappearing from the internet.

Above all, enjoy casual island life, amazing beaches, great food and drink – and maybe even see a UFO. In other words, it’s easy to see why Travel + Leisure put Anna Maria Island on the worldwide list of Best Places To Travel.

5 Florida Beaches Named the Best 'Secret Beaches' in America

Summer is here, and it’s going to be hot, as always, in Florida. Florida beaches are very popular and fun. But, they can also get crowded. Thankfully, there are some “secret” beaches that are kind of more difficult to find.

If you’re looking for some “secret” places to get your beach on in Florida, the crew at Family Destinations Guide has done the research to find you those spots. “We surveyed 3,000 families in the United States to determine the hidden beaches they most want to visit in summer 2023,” they state in the study.

As it turns out, Florida has four of the top 10 “secret beaches” in America, according to this study. That means they shouldn’t be too overcrowded. That’s a great thing.

If you’re wondering about Family Destinations Guide, they regularly feature “reviews of hotels, resorts, destinations, and attractions your whole family will love. In addition, the site is filled with ideas that will help you plan your next trip. From family trips with infants and children, to excursions with teens and older kids, Family Destinations Guide gives you detailed advice for traveling with kids of all ages.” Even if you don’t have kids, their content can be useful. For example, these secret beaches can be fun to visit no matter your age. Read on for four Florida spots that made the top 10 of the list and one extra. Find the full list here.

  • Shell Key Preserve

    Shell Key Preserve, Florida is ranked No. 2 on the list. That’s amazing! What makes it stand out? According to Family Destinations Guide, “The beach is unspoiled and natural, with no development or buildings, offering a peaceful and serene atmosphere.”

    Shell Key Preserve

    Shell Key Preserve is a jewel-in-the-rough that few people take the time to experience. A 1,828-acre archipelago at the mouth of Tampa Bay off Florida's Gulf Coast, Shell Key Preserve is frequented primarily by birds and other wildlife. For people to get there, they must take a boat to Shell Key, the biggest piece of dry land in the preserve.

  • Lovers Key State Park

    Lovers Key State Park is ranked No. 6 on the list. According to the official Florida State Parks website, the park “protects some of the most pristine barrier islands in Southwest Florida.” It also features “over two miles of sugar-sand beaches.”

    Lovers Key State Park

    Once a collection of secluded barrier islands reachable only by boat, Lovers Key, in recent years, has become a romantic destination for spectacular, beachside weddings.

  • Dry Tortugas National Park

    Dry Tortugas National Park is ranked No. 9 on the list. According to the park’s official website, “This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.” It’s also accessible only by boat or seaplane.

    Dry Tortugas National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

    Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.

  • Boneyard Beach

    Boneyard Beach is ranked No. 10 on the list. According to the Florida State Parks website, it “is a favorite Jacksonville retreat and close-kept secret.” It also offers three miles of shoreline along the Nassau Sound.

    Boneyard Beach

    Escape the hustle of the city shore and explore a wilder side of Jacksonville at a one-of-a-kind beach at Big Talbot Island State Park.

  • Navarre Beach

    Navarre Beach is ranked No. 13 on the list. According to the Visit Florida website, “Navarre, a compact beach community found just east of Pensacola at the far northwestern tip of the state, beckons with 12 miles of pristine white shoreline.”

    Navarre Florida - Vacation Guide & Attractions in Navarre FL

    Nestled between Gulf Islands National Seashore and Navarre Beach County Park, the beach community of Navarre offers solitude and simplicity. Relaxation is the main attraction here.

  • Source

    This study comes from the Family Destination Guide. They surveyed 3,000 families in the United States to find the hidden beaches they most want to visit in summer 2023. Find the full list here.

    100 Best Secret Beaches in the USA for (2024)

    Looking for the top hidden beach destinations in the USA? Click this now to discover the BEST secret beaches in the USA - AND GET FR

Joe Winner spends his days combing through memes and off beat stories to bring you the side of Florida not always seen.

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