Coquina Beach, Anna Marie Island Rates #5 in the World for the Perfect Sand in 2015

MANATEE COUNTY - Anna Maria Island's Coquina Beach has been named one of the world's "top island beaches for perfect sand" by Conde Nast Traveler Readers for 2015.

Facts

THE TOP 10

Top 10 island beaches for perfect sand:

1. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia

2. Cayo de Agua, Los Roques, Venezuela

3. Cocoa Island, Maldives

4. White Beach, Boracay, Phillippines

5. Coquina Beach, Anna Maria Island

6. Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

7. Vamizi Beach, Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique

8. Kaihalulu Beach, Maui, Hawaii

9. Playa Falmenco, Culebra, Puerto Rico

10. Playa Negrita, Vieques, Puerto Rico

Source: Conde Nast Traveler

Coquina Beach is the only Florida -- and U.S. mainland -- beach to make the top 10 list year. Other destinations include the No. 1 spot, Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, Australia; No. 2, Cayo de Agua in Los Roques, Venezuela; No. 3, Cocoa island in the Maldives, plus beaches in Hawaii, Anguilla, Puerto Rico and the Phillipines.

Conde Nast Traveler's "Readers' Choice Awards," which has been rating travel destinations for more than 25 years, is seen in the industry as a coveted seal of approval. The awards rank top cities, hotels, resorts, spas and cruiselines.

Coquina Beach was chosen as the No. 5 beach destination because of the sugary texture and color of its sand.

It was described by Conde Nast Traveler as "the opposite of South Beach: It's laid-back, bordered by towering pines, and boasts perfect, unspoiled sand as fine as powder. It's also the longest stretch of sand on Anna Maria -- uninterrupted but for remnants of old piers jutting out into the water."

"This ranking confirms how special Coquina Beach is, not only to our community, but to visitors as well," said Elliott Falcione, executive director at the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Coquina is just one of the Bradenton area's beautiful sugar white-sand beaches, and we are thrilled that it continues to set us apart from others around the state, country and world while maintaining its authentic Florida charm."

This isn't the first time a Southwest Florida destination has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler Readers.

Last year, Siesta Key was included on a list of Florida's top white sand beaches by Conde Naste's The Daily Traveler.

The Resort at Longboat Key Club earned the No. 12 spot on a list of Top 40 Florida Resorts released by the 2013 Conde Nast Travelers Readers' Choice Awards. It was the first time the Longboat Key Club made the Top 40 list for Florida resorts.

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota also made the 2013 list, taking the No. 28 spot. The Gasparilla Inn & Club, in Boca Grande, was 26th.

Article by Justin Griffin, Herald Tribune