Voted 6th ‘Best Beach Town In The South,’ This Seashell Paradise Is A Little Over 3 Hours From Miami

Everybody knows that if there’s one thing our beautiful Sunshine State has are beach towns aplenty. And if you’re thinking of planning your next summer escape, you can do so right along the Gulf Coast! Southern Living just published its list of “50 Best Beach Towns in the South,” based on what its readers had to say, and checking in at No. 6 is the idyllic Sanibel Island.

Here’s what the publication had to say about the renowned seashell paradise:

“A sunny slice of paradise that’s as resilient as they come, Sanibel was struck by three hurricanes (Ian, Helene, and Milton) in the span of just over two years, but it continues to persevere. With no stoplights or high-rises, the island is an old-school beach town at its best. Once you’ve come here, it won’t be long before you’ve adopted the Sanibel stoop, the well-known posture of serious shell seekers.”

A gem just off the coast of southwest Florida, Sanibel is known for its picturesque beaches, nature preserves and peaceful atmosphere. Most notably, the island is famous for its abundance of shells — more than 400 species — attracting enthusiasts from all over the world. You can end up with a common cockle shell or rarer junonia shell!

While you’re not sunbathing on the beach or checking out the island’s historic lighthouse, there also a variety of shops and eateries to explore, as well as ample opportunities to explore wildlife as it has a long history of conservation efforts, particularly with organizations like the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

What are the best beaches in the south?

Of course, several other Florida beach towns made the list such as Anna Maria Island, Naples, Captiva Island and New Smyrna Beach. In fact, the state was the most well represented with 19 total beaches listed.

Here are the top 15 best beach towns for 2025, according to Southern Living readers:

1. St. Simons Island, Georgia
2. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
3. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
4. Tybee Island, Georgia
5. Jekyll Island, Georgia
6. Sanibel Island, Florida
7. St. Augustine Beach, Florida
8. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
9. Fairhope, Alabama
10. Fernandina Beach, Florida
11. Anna Maria Island, Florida
12. Rosemary Beach, Florida
13. Isle of Palms, South Carolina
14. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
15. Siesta Key, Florida