This beach offers a quieter off-the-beaten path shoreline with a swimming area, picnic areas and amenities. Most beachfront in key west are constructed of coral or small stones and gravel, which separates Smathers Beach! Floridas three national parks capture everything thats natural and wild about the Sunshine State. You don't have to fly to the Caribbean to experience white-sand beaches. Map Long called the surf capital of the East Coast, Cocoa Beach has produced several big-name surfers, including Kelly Slater, an 11-time world surf champion. There are over 20 miles of beaches to enjoy with activities from volleyball, jet skiing, surfing , parasailing, and bicycles you can enjoy while spending the day at the It is one of the Best White Sand Beaches in Florida You Should Visit! A trip to the Rotary Centennial Nature Center helps visitors learn about the parks history and natural resources. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. Talk about relaxation. WebLocated on Floridas Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is an idyllic Gulf Coast destination with 24 miles of picturesque shoreline. Howard Park's location provides access to the Gulf of Mexico by a 1-mile long causeway. As one of the few completely natural islands along Floridas Gulf Coast, Caladesis white sand beaches were rated America's Best Beach in 2008. Best Beaches in Florida on East & West Coast. 1. Panama City Beach. The Panama City Beach features 27 miles of white sand beaches and is also home to St Andrews state park and Camp Helen state park. The beach has many public beach access points and legendary attractions. The Best White Sand Beaches of FloridaPanama City. One of the nicest beaches ever. Lido Key Beach. This place is very close to its sistering beach in Sarasota. Siesta Key. A gorgeous beach found on the outskirts of Sarasota Beach, this lovely coast is also filled with sand as white as snow.Anna Maria Island. It is one of those beaches found on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Clearwater Beach. The beachfront features a natural shoreline by the water and a white sandybeachfront area for sunbathing and enjoying the Florida sunshine. If you're looking for a slow oceanside afternoon, this is the place to go. Heading further south in Levy County is another local and secluded beach, Bird Creek Beach, which offers a small natural white sandy beachfront and a boat ramp. Heres a rundown of this trio of treasures. There is a pier to view the beautiful waters and sunsets, or cast a line and do some fishing. Pensacola . Courtesy of Visit Pensacola. One of the primary reasons behindCannon Beachs placement among the most beautiful beaches in the worldby National Geographic Magazinewas its kilometers of fine-sand beachand spectacular coastline, which featured tides breaking against towering boulders. The Sponge Industry helped build a Greek Community that is now famous not only for the worlds finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country. The keys offer excellent diving, snorkeling, sport-fishing, beautiful beaches and magnificent sunsets. Best beach for a family-friendly adventure. Sandy Neck Beach, which is located in the town of Sandwich on Cape Cod, is only a little over an hours drive away from the city of Boston, making it a convenient day trip destination. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. While the towns along this region are fishing and boating communities, some bring in soft white sand to create more beautiful shorelines in public parks. It is a fun find along the Nature Coast with a pretty beachfront and a cool history. If you are looking for the gorgeous white sand beaches, this is not the area for you. Whether its protecting sea turtle nestsor teaching kids about environmental protection, he knows he is helping preserve this park for future generations. One of Floridas most stunning Gulf Coast gems, St. Pete Beach is house to a gorgeous spread of undeveloped beaches with a gorgeous landscape of pure sugar sand and shimmering blue sea. This area is known for being a fishing village and home to somegreat seafood. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With a name that conjures up images of perfectly transparent water lapping against silky sand, Clearwater Beach sets expectations. If youre a history lover that happens to be in Key West on the third weekend of the month, youre in luck. | Contact Us. Be surprised by the diversity of Florida, which is so much more than beaches and theme parks. The water off the beach is usually very clear --especially before the If you discover yourself on the Florida Panhandle, you wont like to skip a daytime (or days) finished enjoying Miramar Beach. While the area is secluded from the rest of Floridaand the population is small, the town has grown to add a restaurant, a full-service marina, an athletic area, and a park. 15. You can pass your time here at Smathers or Higgs Beach, but for calm waters and wide stretches of sand, it's hard to beat Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. And to support a strong local community. It is regarded as one of the best beaches in the state ofFloridaand is well-known for its dazzling white, silky smooth sands, among other things. It boasts an average temperature of 75 degrees and 343 days of sunshine never mind snow-white beaches that beg you to ditch your sandals. 9 Clearwater Beach Clearwater Beach is an Whether you're here for a peaceful stroll, fishing or some recreational time with your four-legged friend, there is something to do for everyone on the beach at Honeymoon Island. Though the Florida Gulf Coast epicenter, Pensacola Beach is renowned for its emerald-green waters and sugar-white sands. VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Most known as the principal filming location for the 1961 Elvis Presley movie Follow That Dream. Caladesi Island boasts exquisite swirls of soft white sands and excellent beachcombing opportunities along the stretch that juts out toward the Gulf of Mexico. Naples is known for its pearly white sand a feature you'll find plenty of at Lowdermilk Park. The sand on the West Coast of Florida is mainly made of 99% crystal quartz Often a popular spring break destination , it can also make a great day trip from Orlando! Honeymoon Island is the perfect place to go when looking for outdoor recreational entertainment! I would suggest Mexico Beach as more of a getaway place. Even more secluded than Horseshoe beach and off of Hwy 357that connects to Hwy 351 (between Horseshoe Beach and Cross City), this area is largely undeveloped. Plus, it boasts spectacular sunsets over the Gulf. Horseshoe Beachis a very remote town in Florida that is located at the tip of a peninsula juttingout into the Gulf 20 miles from the nearest main roadway. All regular facilities are current at this coast: parking, showers, etc. 01 of 06. Draw up a bistro chair and drape your hand into the fine, white sand or join a game of beach volleyball. There are even volleyball nets on the seaside public for your use! Situated on the lovely island of Kauai,Tunnels Beach was used for scenes in the movieSouth Pacific, a 1950s classic. Dunedin FL 34698. Tigertail Beach Park entices vacationers to take long hikes, search for seashells, or rent kayaks. Floridas cuisine is a blend of Southern recipes, Latin American influences and old-school Floridian techniques here's your guide to the best of it. Spend the cool mornings curating your perfect stash of shells on Bowman's Beach before laying down a towel under the warm sun. A short drive from Tampa, beautiful Honeymoon Island offers visitors an escape from the bustle of city life. We follow the highest standards for listings and our editors will verify and approve all listings before they become active on our site. WebI live in north Florida and believe the panhandle has some of the most attractive beaches. This area is known by local residents as a weekend spot for boating and partying. It is comprised of seven islands and is perhaps the most isolated destination within the entire US National Park System. Situated in Marathon, this tranquil beach (with typically tranquil waters!) Spend the day walking the beach and looking for shells or rent a kayak and venture out into the blue, tranquil waters. Relax on the white sandy beach areafeaturing a playground and amenities. Grayton Beach is a location with Hemingway-style wooden places, known for its brightly stained art showrooms and retro homes situated on side lanes paved with crushed oyster shells. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. We are locals and writers who love to research, explore and share information about Florida. Your email address will not be published. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the states lead agency for environmental management and stewardship protecting our air, water and land. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Occupying more than 70,000 acres of land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal, the Greenway is a 110-mile linear park that is more than a mile wide in places. Everglades National Park is a wonderland of marshland, sawgrass and mangroves. When you envision a South Florida beach, its flat with white sand that stretches along the coast for as far as the eye can see. There are almost 9miles of whitesand at Orange Beach, which is situated in a particularly scenic part of the Gulf of Mexico. Dare we say this is the ultimate number one of all the white sand beaches in Florida? Just like the start of this list, its only fitting that it ends with a white sand beach from Florida as well. Lil Shark Park is a city park that offers a playground and white sand beachfront. At Floridas southernmost tip, the Florida Keys are surrounded by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and part of North Americas only living coral barrier reef. 12 Best White Sand Beaches in Florida You Should Visit Clearwater Beach . This And while the name suggests it is a Beach town, this small town is primarily a fishing and boating community. Here are the best experiences in the Sunshine State. Ideal for canoeing and kayaking, several Florida rivers empty into the Gulf of Mexico, the ninth largest body of water in the world and one of its most productive fisheries. No longer in commission with part of it still accessible to the public, the bridge eerily juts into the water from the parks most southwestern shore and provides panoramic views of the winged critters within the parks confines. It is possible to access Caladesi Island by taking a ferry from Honeymoon Island in Clearwater. In addition to campsites, a 1.5-mile nature trail and four pavilions for picnicking, this is the park for a day of paddling. Copyright 2023 USA by Numbers | All Rights Reserved, 13 Best White Sand Beaches in the US [List of 2023], 12 Best Beaches in Alabama You Must Visit [Update 2023], Top 16 Famous Landmarks in Hawaii [Update 2023], 17 Best Places to Visit in Hawaii [Update 2023]. Poipu Beach, Kauai, HawaiiOcean City, MarylandCoronado Beach, San Diego, CaliforniaPope Beach, Lake Tahoe, NevadaClearwater Beach, Clearwater, FloridaHarris Beach, OregonGlass Beach, Port Townsend, WashingtonOak Street Beach, Chicago, IllinoisCarlsmith Beach, Hilo, HawaiiWrightsville Beach, North CarolinaMore items Here are 14 of the best beaches in Florida. Inside the park, you'll find cable skiing, mountain bike trails, and a huge water park. You can focus your attention on nature particularly, the beach's rolling waves and sandy shores or walk along Millionaires' Row in the Old Naples area and pick out your dream house. All rights reserved. The following are the most spectacular white sand beaches every beachgoer will fall in love with in Florida. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Clearwater Beach. To be real without an agenda. Getting there will require a two-plus hour ferry ride via the Yankee Freedom III, a private boat charter or seaplane ride, all of which should be booked well in advance. Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email. The kids choose to be fascinated by the players and road entertainers at Sunsets at Pier 60. A must: walking out to a sandbar beyond the shore (dont worry, the waters are typically shallow and calm). Beyond its historical allure, the park is a stellar spot for a swim, with shallow and often serene waters. Sign up forour monthly enewsletterto stay up to date on what's happening in Florida, upcoming events and special deals. Check out thesehighest ziplines in the US. You want Tampa. This family-friendly seaside is an ideal place for children to entertain in the daytime by swimming and constructing sandcastles. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. On Siesta Key, the dunes are so delicate that you might mistakenly believe thatyou are putting your feet in icing. Here are the best things to do there. On a given day, dozens of species of wood warblers, great white herons, sandpipers and more are visible from its confines situated between Big Pine Key and Marathon. Hunter Springs Park sits on Hunter Spring Run with one of the 70 natural springs that feed the Crystal River and Kings Bay. Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on the West Coast of Florida, only a 30 minute drive from Tampa International Airport. Bearing in mind a wet season, possible hurricanes and a stretch of super-humid weather, here's when to visit Everglades National Park. Clearwater Beach gathers near Pier 60, a lovely play space, a fishing pier, and live amusement. The phrase pristine perfection has been used to describe it. Hours/availability may have altered. Pull up a lounge chair and drape your hand into the fine, white sand or join a game of beach volleyball. Several keys off shore have beachfronts as well. Spanning 125 miles of dynamic island bliss, there is no shortage of turquoise waters, white sands and outdoor delights in the Florida Keys. But in reality its due to the fact that thesands arealmost entirely composed of silicathat has been finely crushed. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Your email address will not be published. First-time Florida Keys: island hopping along the Overseas HighwayOn Election Day, Key West voted to ban large cruise shipsHooking a good meal in the Florida Keys. Weeki Wachee is famous for their Springs and mermaids, but if you head directly west, you will find a nice family beach that has something for everyone. Bring the whole family to Fort Walton Beach, as its an energetic beach townlet that is a maximum of appeals, gardens, galleries, and aquariums. Youll find joggers on the elevated dune path and paddle boarders and kitesurfers zipping across the waves. From baseball to bluegrass, road trips to wildlife, there are endless fantastic experiences to have across the US. Delray Beach is the perfect place to alternate between napping, swimming in the ocean, and people-watching. Madeira Beach is located on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast and is blessed with miles of gorgeous white sand beaches that boast that "Old Florida" feel yet Madeira Beach is part of the Tampa Bay region, one of the nations fastest growing metro areas. Nestled on the southwest tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor Park hosts a monthly Civil War reenactment (the fort remained in Union hands throughout the conflict). 2. But with all that shoreline, finding the state's best beaches requires some research. #1 Causeway Blvd. There is never a shortage of oceanside fun for the whole family at Sombrero Beach. On Siesta Key a short drive from downtown Sarasota you'll find yourself looking out over the glittering Gulf of Mexico with a cocktail in hand. 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There are two beloved kayak paths here, with the most popular being a 1.5-mile loop around Little Crawl Key that takes you through a mangrove tunnel, deep water lagoon and sandbars. When you start feeling antsy, walk along the promenade that separates the grass from the beach and keep an eye out for movie stars or film crews. 1. WebMap: Click Here: Madeira Beach: Madeira Beach is located on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast and is blessed with miles of gorgeous white sand beaches that boast that "Old Florida" feel yet Madeira Beach is part of the Tampa Bay region, one of the nations fastest growing metro areas. If that's the case, head to Deerfield Beach, a notoriously clean, family-friendly beach that used to beckon herds of local deer to its shores. Navarre Beach is nicknamed Floridas Playground, where you can absorb the untouched attractiveness of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Go for the glass-bottom boat which departs three times daily, every single day of the year. 14 Best Beaches in Florida With Soft Sand and Beautiful If the lively hustle and bustle of Key West isnt striking the right chord, the untouched beauty of Curry Hammock State Park will. For Local Businesses including Food & Drinks, Services, Health & Medical, Education, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment and more, click here. 50 E Beach Rd Tavernier, FL 33070 (305) 852-7161 Nestled in Tavernier, this man-made hideaway entices visitors with imported white sand and sparkling aquamarine water. Take a day trip to nearby Topsail Hill Preserve However, the communities in this region have some beaches to explore and offer a weekend getaway for locals. Siesta Key boasts some of the softest, whitest sand on the planet. The quartz that produces Siesta Key Beach can be outlined back to the Appalachian Mountains, suggesting it deteriorated over the years and soaked down into the Gulf of Mexico and onto the key. Beach areas are hard to come by without a boat to go out to one of the surrounding keys. Enjoy the vibrant environment to the fullest, while relaxing in the warm sunshine, looking for lovely shells or engaging in other outdoor activities like paragliding, surfing or river cruises, while also looking out for dolphins. Sand Key beach located on the barrier island is known as a secret beach! The sandy beach is man-made directly along the spring making it a beautiful way to spend the day. The beach also serves as the perfect spot Here are the Best White Sand Beaches in Florida you must not miss. You'll find the Loggerhead Marinelife Center a 15-minute walk down the beach, and a 10- to 15-minute car ride will take you to the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Ocala FL 34470, Contact the Statewide Information Line: However, these beaches would not even exist at least not in their current state if not for the beach dunes that are found on the west side of the island. Youll be enticed in by the velvety quartz sand, glistening turquoise waters, and laid-back beach townlet environment It is the Best White Sand Beach. Soak up the sun and dip into a little local history at the Beaches Museum, where exhibits include historic photography, artwork, and exhibits preserving the areas unique culture.Visitors may also enjoy a walk on the Jacksonville Beach Pier for unparalleled views of the Atlantic and to watch anglers fish To explore these beachfront areas, bring your boat or kayak. Of course, theres always plenty of space for just soaking up the sun on the beach! With a local, laid-back feel and plenty of surf schools, you'll be up on your board in no time.