By James Windell
If you live in South Haven, you may already know that South Beach is a special beach. In fact, it may be one of the reasons you chose to live in South Haven.
But USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards just confirmed what we already know when it named South Haven’s South Beach as Best Beach in Michigan.
This award comes to South Haven as lifeguards have returned to the beach for the first time in 25 years.
Located just south of the South Pier and South Haven’s historic red lighthouse, South Beach is known for its wide sandy shoreline, walkable access to downtown, and one of the most recognizable views on Michigan’s west coast – the South Haven Lighthouse and catwalk.
“For more than 100 years, South Haven has been a place where families come to make summer memories, and South Beach remains one of the most beloved parts of that tradition,” says Jen Sistrunk, Executive Director of Visit South Haven. “Generations of visitors have walked the pier, watched the sunset, played along the shoreline, and returned year after year. This recognition honors not only a beautiful beach, but South Haven’s lasting place as one of Michigan’s classic resort towns.”
“South Beach isn’t just a beautiful place to spend the day – it’s a beach designed for everyone,” said Kate Hosier, South Haven City Manager. “Its accessibility features, family-friendly atmosphere, and iconic lakeshore setting helped earn this well-deserved recognition as the best beach in the state.”
South Beach amenities include a playground, splash pad, concession stand, kayak and paddleboard rentals, free beach wheelchair rentals, and six life jacket loaner stations. Although South Haven is home to seven public beaches and access sites, both North Beach and South Beach are recognized as the community’s largest and most frequently used beaches.
According to Travel Michigan, Michigan tourism generated $54.8 billion in total economic impact in 2024, including more than $30 billion in visitor spending, and supported more than 350,000 jobs statewide. South Haven’s beaches, downtown, harbor, trails, events, and small businesses all play a role in that statewide tourism story.
Visit South Haven is the destination marketing organization for the South Haven area and Van Buren County, promoting travel, tourism, events, local businesses, and the lakeshore experiences that make South Haven one of Michigan’s premier beach towns.
Being designated as the Best Beach in Michigan is really important to Visit South Haven, according to Sistrunk.
“This recognition gives South Haven national credibility and puts us in front of travelers who may be choosing their next Lake Michigan getaway,” she says. “With our area already welcoming millions of visits each year, being named Best Beach in Michigan by USA TODAY gives people one more exciting reason to make South Haven their destination of choice when looking at other lakeshore communities.”
She added that the award helps make her and her staff’s jobs much easier.
“It gives us a powerful third-party endorsement that supports what we already know: South Haven is a premier beach destination,” she says. “It also gives our partners, businesses, and community a shared point of pride and a fresh reason to promote South Haven together.”
Sistrunk notes that the award will certainly be a boon to promoting South Haven. “We’ll use this recognition across our website, social media, email marketing, advertising, PR, and partner outreach to keep South Haven top-of-mind for travelers,” she says. “Our message is simple: come for Michigan’s best beach and stay for everything else that makes South Haven unforgettable.”
