Yes Florida has the nicest beaches. Not only are Florida beaches the nicest in America but the best beaches in Florida are on the gulf coast. Let's take a look at them from Gulf Islands National Seashore to Marco Island and Key West and South Beach to Amelia Island State Park.
Although not the furthest west of the beaches in Florida these are the most well known. Perdido Key is actually in both Florida and Alabama but few Floridians visit it. Gulf Islands National Seashore is a barrier island which extends for nearly 48 miles from Pensacola Bay to Destin Florida and the inlet there. Along this island there is a continual white sand beach which includes Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach Marine Park and Okaloosa Island. There are only 4 bridges to this barrier island. To many this expansive and often undeveloped beach is the finest of the Florida beaches.
Certainly among the best gulf coast beaches are the ones in South Walton County. Florida's Gulf Coast has no finer white sand beaches Destin is famous for deep sea fishing, scuba diving and it's white sands. There are many smaller beaches along this stretch you may hear of like Henderson beach State Park, June White Decker Park, Miramar Beach and Seaside. Grayton Beach State Park is my favorite of the list. If you fish then Pensacola Beach, Navarre beach and Okaloosa Island each have a great fishing pier.
Panama City Beach is a different entity than Panama City. The beach is centered around the sugar white sand that makes up the sandy shores so many people come to see. Countless hotels, bars, restaurants and interesting venues surround this famous beach. A word to the wise unless you are aware of what you are getting into this place may not be for you. especially around holidays and spring break. Traffic can back up and be almost a parking lot even worse than South Florida.
From Mexico Beach and George Island State Park which are east of Panama City Beach to the sun coast there are smaller less populated beaches in Florida. Not all of this coastline is beaches and much of it is very rural. However, if privacy or seclusion is your thing there are some great stops with white sands. The further west or south you go the better.
Beach access in this region is everywhere and Clearwater Beach is consistently voted as or near the best beaches in Florida and for that matter in America. St Pete Beach is nearer the southern tip of this region and between it and Clearwater Beach the Sunshine State has no finer beach destination, all things considered. The beach towns also have to be considered as they are part of the overall experience. as for Sunshine, no Florida beach has more than Clearwater Beach.
Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island have beaches, nature trails and plenty of parking. Another very interesting and must see location is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It is easy to reach from the beach but pricey. A well known dolphin movie made this aquarium more well known.
Siesta Beach is world famous and also ranks among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Its' soft sand can make beach volleyball somewhat difficult because it is so fine. The west coast of Florida has quartz sand. Siesta Beach has a 99% pure quartz beach and should be the definition of sugar white sand. It is unbelievably soft and cool on your feet during the hottest summer months. Sanibel Island is another barrier island beach between Siesta Key and Naples. Any of these locations are perfect for hunting sand dollars.
Marco Island is just about as southwest in Florida as you can drive to. It is certainly a unique experience and has several amazing beaches just a short walk from one another. If you prefer you can take a boat ride to very private gulf coast beach to the south on a chain of smaller islands. A warning, a visit to this location has left many with a strong desire to relocate.
Please do not interpret that as me saying that the best Florida beaches are in Key west or the Florida Keys because that certainly is not true. In fact most beaches on the east coast are more impressive. The Keys are for deep sea fishing, water sports like scuba diving with sea turtles etcetera. Still locations like Bahia Honda State Park
Both Miami Beach and South Beach are very popular destinations. I personally don't think Miami Beach or South Beach should rank in the top 25 best beaches in Florida based on the local area and quality of the beach. Not to mention horrible traffic and one of the highest property crime rates in America.
The Lure of The Atlantic Ocean is a very strong one. The cobalt blue waters are all along the east coast even if the sand is not as white or as powdery. To the north the beaches improve as you head toward Hollywood Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach. Of those two Hollywood Beach is the least used and southeast of Fort Lauderdale Airport. It is basically just a narrow barrier island with sand dunes, hotels and the blue Atlantic Ocean waters.
Delray Beach is where much of my family lived for years. My father in law owned two beach front mansions where my wife fell in love with sea turtles and sea turtle rescue. Delray Beach is a very exclusive and wealthy area similar to Boca Raton.
If you are searching for sand dunes mixed with a little seclusion venture northward on A1A to Palm Beach. Beaches are everywhere and often it is very easy to get some private space around you on the beach or at the nearby fishing pier. Beaches like Crescent Beach, Smyrna Beach and Cocoa Beach are all useable year round. Daytona Beach has the most attractions but those are only the focus a few times a year.
Previous Article
Next Article
407-575-5392
Mouse Asset Management LLC
DBA Morris & Co
Licensed in the State of Florida
BK 3146762
16797 Broadwater Avenue
Winter Garden, Florida 34787
