Tourists have another good reason to check out Florida this summer.
The Sunshine State received three of the top spots on the annual Best Beaches in the United States survey released Friday by Florida International University coastal research professor Steve Leatherman.
Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne came in at No. 10 on the list, beaten out by No. 1 Siesta Beach in Sarasota and No. 6 St. George Island State Park in the Florida Panhandle.
Siesta Beach is an eight-mile long, crescent shaped barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico known for its powdery white sand that stays relatively cool.
Leatherman, who also goes by the name "Dr. Beach," evaluates the beaches each year based on 50 factors, including water temperature and color, noise and smell.
"Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf," Leather wrote in his description. "This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach.
