Clearwater Beach has the clearest water of any beach in Florida. After all, it's Clearwater Beach. On a serious not this changes from day to day due to local conditions. All of the water is from the Atlantic Ocean and is distributed by the gulf stream. The closer the gulf stream is to shore the clearer the water is.
The Emerald Coast lies along the Florida panhandle and is generally considered to be in Destin Florida. However the quality of the beach sand is the same from Panama City Beach thru Henderson Beach State Park, nearby Fort Walton Beach thru Navarre Beach and even Pensacola Beach.
Nature lovers love Florida's gulf coast white sand beaches and emerald green waters. The only downside is the water gets to cold to use these pristine beaches year round. Panama City Beach is also one of those Spring Break party towns. On a side note, pass on Santa Rosa Beach and maybe try Grayton Beach or Rosemary Beach 2 other Emerald Coast Beaches.
Having way over 100 recognized beaches in Florida it is surprising to find that the best beaches are gulf coast ones. Emerald green waters take about 10 seconds to get used to after you find out they have crystal clear water and true, white sand beaches. Trust me, on the east coast you hear that term but find it to not be true most often. Cocoa Beach Florida on the Atlantic Coast to me is a pinkish white color and if you poured sand on it From Destin or Clearwater Beach it would look like sugar on a cupcake.
Clearwater Beach | St Pete Beach
Honeymoon Island State Park is a secluded area in Central Florida and on a barrier island. Honeymoon Island State Park is a beautiful sanctuary that is well worth the trip to it. If you want the feel of a undiscovered slightly less trafficked area with nature trails you can find that hear. Spend the time it is worth the day trip to Honeymoon Island State Park.
Other Florida Beaches worth discovery are Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key Beach or Sanibel Island all found in Southwest Florida and south of Tampa Bay. These stunning beaches have unbelievable white powdery sandy beaches that are not quite what you are expecting. They feel different and they look different. If you think you have seen a beautiful beach and have not seen these you are in for a treat.
The Florida Keys are not necessarily synonymous with popular beaches. Mostly there is coral, wilderness ad fishing villages. However as you pass by most of the keys on you way south you will finally come to Smathers Beach just to the east of Key West. It is just about the best you can do without a boat. Most of the attraction in Key West is the party life and the famous Dry Tortugas National Park which is about 70 miles west of what most of us call the Keys.
South Beach, Miami Beach Delray Beach all the way up to Palm Beach are famous Atlantic Ocean beaches in Florida. Most of us see photos of that cobalt blue water and think it is the clearest and it may be at times. However to enjoy a beach vacation it takes more than the water in Florida. You will find a much better atmosphere and traffic etcetera on the gulf coast and nowhere is better than St Pete beach and Clearwater Beach.