Siesta Key Beach has the most white sand if you are asking about the whitest sand. The Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida probably has the most white sand by volume and shear length of the near continuous white sand beaches. The best white sand beaches are all of the Gulf Coast.
From Gulf Islands National Seashore to the east side of Panama City Beach there are around 90 miles of gorgeous white sand beaches. If that sounds to good to be true then let me add that they would easily be the best in Florida if, the Florida Panhandle did not get so cold in the winter.
Soft quartz sand is why these gulf coast shores are so brilliant and white. The sand started off in the Appalachian Mountains and over time made it's way here. Is it pure quartz sand? Nearly but there are slight differences along the coast. There are factors involved but trust me you can rarely tell the difference with the naked eye.
Gulf Islands National Seashore & Pensacola Beach are pretty much the westernmost part of the Emerald Coast. Many beach lovers will visit these locations but there is always room left. There are limited ways to reach this barrier island and at the ends of the more densely populated areas there is always room.
Navarre Beach is one of the beaches found to the east. It too is on the same barrier island and it is far from where most boats venture. There are plenty of hotels but only 1 main road will get you here. Among Florida's Emerald Coast offerings Navarre Beach is the place for a purely beach vacation.
Fort Walton Beach & Okaloosa Island
Fort Walton Beach is next to Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field AFB. I lived in Santa Rosa Beach for about 18 years or so of my life. I have spent many days wondering around Okaloosa Island and fishing at the Okaloosa Island Pier. I have also witnessed many get their cars stuck in that powdery white sand. Keep that soft sand in mind when you are looking to park your car at Florida beaches.
Santa Rosa Beach is a surprisingly large area. It also contains Washington Point State Forest. The State Forest will hopefully slow development there.
Destin Florida has grown into much more than just a fishing village. Most people who own boats there and I used to be one, rarely fish. Crab Island on the north side of the Destin Bridge is the party capital. The city is the quintessential beach town with all of the best water sports. Jet skiing, scuba diving, wind sailing and of course deep sea fishing and rent equipment are readily available. Most people however just come here for the beautiful white sand beaches.
Miramar Beach is a hidden gem with that same turquoise water other beaches here have. It is just east of San Destin Beach and west of both Seaside Beach and Grayton Beach. Then you will eventually come to Panama City Beach. The closer you get to Destin and Panama City the more you need to watch your calendar. Spring Break, for example brings hundreds of thousands of vacationers to Florida's emerald waters.
The news paper in St Pete Beach used to be free on days with no sunshine. Is that hard to believe? It shouldn't be if you know about the Tampa Bay area. Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island and other nearby Tampa Bay beaches have all the Sunshine State needs. At one time Clearwater Beach had 700 days in a row of continuous sunshine.
Back to the white sand beaches in Florida. Where better to enjoy them? Surely time off for a vacation takes scheduling and a certain amount of risk is involved. Well great news ! From Honeymoon Island southward you can usually plan a beach vacation year round. Of the available locations Clearwater Beach is probably my favorite pure white sand beach.
Sooner or later you will need a break from that glistening white sand. Clearwater Beach wins the day for year round use and the best overall beach town. It is a barrier island and has a fantastic full service marina with water sports etcetera. You can even visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to view some marine life is you have someone who may not enjoy cruise or ride on one of the party boats.
About 20 minutes to the south of Clearwater FL's attractions you will come to St Petersburg. The gorgeous beach is well known for its beach front hotels and attractions. Fantastic restaurants and beach bars are within walking distance and the white sandy beaches will not disappoint. There are a lot of attractions that will surprise you here. May be you will want to move here and try the city life.
Among the white sand beaches in Florida there is not one brighter and whiter than on Sand Key. Sand Key Beach is the namesake but there are a couple of others on this barrier island. This beach is known for being wide and having very soft white sand and the highest content of quartz sand on the gulf coast. Other places may lay claim to the longest pier, best town or a greater variety of attractions but they certainly do not have more beautiful beaches or the softest sand.
Fort Myers Beach also has white sands. If this seems monotonous to you then be of good cheer. Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach are slightly darker and very nearby. For those who like to search the beach for fossils, sharks teeth then a beautiful beach for that you have just found. Some refer to Caspersen Beach as the black beach but is more of a tan color.
Sanibel Island and Bowman's Beach are also nearby Fort Myers Beach and Estero Island. There are several smaller beaches on Sanibel Island that are beautiful beaches. The island itself is crescent shaped and has around 17 miles of the finest sand you could ever want.
Smathers Beach is probably the easiest to find and get to from Key West. For those who want the bluest water and whitest sand then try one of the 7 islands of Dry Tortugas National Park. Keep in mind that the park is a 3 hour boat ride on good day but you can fly there. Jet skiing may be illegal there even if you take one on a larger boat. Is it worth it? It is one of the most secluded and prettiest beaches in the world.
South Beach will probably always be though of for having white sands. They are actually more of a white'ish sand but still beautiful. What do you picture when you think of South Beach and Miami Beach? The Miami Skyline? Beautiful people and an amazing nightlife? To be honest that is what you find there. To me it is just way to much hassle. There are better beaches that have the same thing. Because of the overall picture here, this is not one of my favorite beaches.
One of the best white sand beaches in Florida is thought to be Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach is famous for it's surfing, the pier and being able to watch a rocket launch from it. The Kennedy Space Center is 15 minutes away and Cocoa Beach borders Cape Canaveral. It does have a great small beach town feel and cobalt blue waters. Which are your favorite among the best white sand beaches in Florida?
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