Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach have landed in the top 10 dirtiest beaches in Florida according to a study by sustainable drinkware company Just Bottle. The analysis counted mentions of trash, litter, and other cleanliness issues in Tripadvisor reviews. Daytona Beach ranked eighth with 279 keyword mentions across 4,779 reviews. Cocoa Beach followed closely with 261 mentions in 3,843 reviews. Panama City Beach led the list with 585 mentions, followed by Clearwater Beach (460) and Fort Myers Beach (403). The study counted terms like 'trash,' 'smelly,' and 'cigarette butts' but did not verify if the complaints reflected current conditions.
Despite the high number of negative mentions, some beaches on the list still have strong overall ratings. Panama City Beach and Clearwater Beach each have an average Tripadvisor score of 4.6 out of 5. The rankings are based on total keyword mentions, not the percentage of reviews with complaints. Just Bottle did not independently confirm whether the comments referred to recent conditions or were outdated.
The findings highlight a gap between visitor complaints and overall satisfaction. Clearwater Beach, for example, has a high rating but also the second-highest number of litter-related mentions. Local officials have not yet commented on the study. The data comes from public reviews, which may not capture the full picture of beach cleanliness.
Residents and visitors have mixed reactions. Some say the beaches are cleaner than the reviews suggest, while others point to persistent issues with waste management. The study has sparked discussion about how to address litter without relying solely on tourist feedback. No immediate plans for cleanup initiatives have been announced by local authorities.