Visitors to this coast will also have a great opportunity to staining some nature, with dolphins often living sprinkled release in the water. Required fields are marked *. Thanks to Florida's hundreds of miles of coastline, beaches with soft sand and crystal clear water are just a short flight (or even drive) away. One of the most northwesterly beaches finishes in all of Florida, Perdido Key is a top white sand seaside on the Florida Panhandle. WebWhat are the top attractions near the beaches? Search along scenic South Beach Park before joining a game of pickup volleyball. In the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, you'll find trendy beachgoers, rollerbladers, and a smattering of young, beautiful (and perfectly tanned) locals. Check out the area's historic Art Deco architecture, walk around South Pointe Park, or swing by Joe's Stone Crab for a meal you won't soon forget. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Spend the cool mornings curating your perfect stash of shells on Bowman's Beach before laying down a towel under the warm sun. Tucked in the northwest corner of Florida, this sliver of paradise is so narrow you can often see the Gulf of Mexico and the bay at the same time. Be included in our Business Directory. Seashell collectors have long known about this stunning island southwest of Fort Myers. And if you enjoy boating or fishing, this beach has a boat ramp and a pier. 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. Sunbathers appreciate the calm old-Florida vibeand mild waves that are ideal for swimming. The entire island is now Fort De Soto Park, a Pinellas county park which offers fine beaches, fishing, nature trails, camping, boating, and much more. Being one of the best white sand beaches in the US, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Oregon. 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]. A short drive from Tampa, beautiful Honeymoon Island offers visitors an escape from the bustle of city life. If you love tracking for seashells, this is an ideal beach for you! Crystal River is a haven for water, nature and wildlife lovers and while the beach is man-made, it is a gorgeous beachfront to relax and enjoy Florida living. Ultimate Beach Guide to St Pete Florida Area Beaches, Florida Smart Guide to Disney World Resorts, The Best Places to Learn about Floridas African American History, Ultimate Beach Guide to Pensacola Florida Beaches, 11 Festive Florida Towns to get you in the Holiday Spirit. All rights reserved. 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. If you go beyond the beach, there is a lot more for you to discover, such as forests, cranberry bogs, and wetlands. On Siesta Key, the dunes are so delicate that you might mistakenly believe thatyou are putting your feet in icing. Clearwater Beachis renowned for its immaculate white sands and beautifully turquoise waters, and is one of the biggest attractions on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. This unique find is the beautiful beachfront and clear waters of this lake that was developed around a former limestone mine with a 70 acre spring-fed lake. With a local, laid-back feel and plenty of surf schools, you'll be up on your board in no time. Here are some of the best things to do. Beach areas are hard to come by without a boat to go out to one of the surrounding keys. The barrier island across from Miami has a fossilized mangrove reef, which is home to colorful sea life that has long attracted divers and snorkelers. Located between Duck Key and Marathon, this park has 1000 lush acres that are primed for outdoor adventures. Nothing beats a quiet day spent at the beach. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It has a shoreline that is six miles long and has protected waters where one can go swimming to cool down. A prized stop on the Florida Birding Trail, Bahia Honda State Park is loaded with wildlife and vantage points for taking it all in. Though its not a Gulf front beach, this man-made lakefront beach features a beachfront with calm swimming and cool fresh spring water with white sand shorelines and is a pleasant surprise along the Nature Coast. Best beach for a totally isolated retreat. The beach also serves as the perfect spot WebThe white sand beaches and diverse nature trails of Honeymoon Island State Park make this barrier island an ideal place to get away from it all. Adjacent to the park is the Key West Wildlife Center, where local birds, sea turtles and other creatures are rehabilitated. 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. The kids choose to be fascinated by the players and road entertainers at Sunsets at Pier 60. As part of Florida's Treasure Coast, the area draws treasure hunters who come and try their luck at finding the riches lost when early 18th-century Spanish ships sunk in a hurricane. The lay of the land at Honeymoon Island State park has been shaped formed and influenced by a variety of natural and man-made occurrences. It is comprised of seven islands and is perhaps the most isolated destination within the entire US National Park System. In fact, these states are home to the best white sand beaches in the world, not just America. In addition to campsites, a 1.5-mile nature trail and four pavilions for picnicking, this is the park for a day of paddling. Siesta Beach is the ideal illustration of a white-sand Florida seaside. To find out more about Central West Florida click the following Link: Apollo Beach is named for the mythical Greek God who brought light and warmth to the world each day. Cedar Key Airport Beach is a beachfront along Airport Road that offers white sand and quiet gentle waters. The Florida Keys stretching from Key Largo south to Key West (and well beyond) is loaded with beach options for everyone, whether you're into eco-adventures or delicious tropical cuisine. You want Florida, you want it all, and you only want to unpack once. 15. If you can't sit still, you'll find nature trails and snorkel rentals on site. All images on this page copyright FloridaSmart.com. A fourth-generation Floridian, Todd is proud to work at Honeymoon Island State Park. Spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling before taking a break to check out the park's pre-Civil War fortress. It is a wonderful beach in all-around and one of the most lovely beaches in Florida! If youre a history lover that happens to be in Key West on the third weekend of the month, youre in luck. Clearwater Beach gathers near Pier 60, a lovely play space, a fishing pier, and live amusement. But, once youre there, vivid coral reefs, a massive Civil War-era fortress (Fort Jefferson) and secluded beaches like no other await. 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. Check out thesehighest ziplines in the US. George has received the 2020 Irene DeLaby Award for contributing 10,000 hours of volunteer service at Honeymoon Island State Park. The beachfront offers a natural beach area with a man-made white sandy beach area for enjoying the soft sand. This family-friendly seaside is an ideal place for children to entertain in the daytime by swimming and constructing sandcastles. 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. In this beach, silica composes the majority of the sands, giving it a bright white color that glows in the sunlight. There are even volleyball nets on the seaside public for your use! But it most certainly is. The following are the most spectacular white sand beaches every beachgoer will fall in love with in Florida. Why We Recommend This Beach If youre searching for family-friendly Florida Keys beaches, look no further than Harry Harris Park. This Rent a bike and authority to Bean Point, where the Gulf of Mexico meets Tampa Bay, to find a perfect spot to watch dolphins sloshing back in the moisture and manatees grazing by. Framed in forests of mangrove trees, the shell mounds and ridges of Mound Key rise more than 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay. 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 For the best vantage point, take a stroll on the Old Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge. If you're searching for sunny days and temperate waters, it doesn't get much warmer than the beaches of Key West, the state's southernmost point. These beaches are laden with pure white sand, great fishing, and mom-and-pop stores and restaurants. The beachs topography of virgin sugary white sand and turquoise sea is a wonderful oasis for personality lovers looking to unwind. The beachfront is a beautiful white sand natural beach. At the westernmost edge of Florida is Pensacola and its spectacular beaches, including Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key (Spanish for Nicknamed the Worlds Luckiest Fishing Village, Destin is a hugely famous area for sport fishing but is even excellent for residents who simply like to lie around and let the soft, silky sands surround them as they sunbathe and de-stress. A truly urban beach, this spot regularly sees toned locals playing volleyball or getting bronzed under the ever-shining sun. However, if you want a blend of luxury and relaxation, then Californian white sand beaches like Coronado Beach and Carmel Beach are great options. Tucked in the northwest corner of Florida, this sliver of paradise is so narrow you can often see the Gulf of Mexico and the bay at the same time. Best white sand beach 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. If you tire of life on the beach, Miramar's South Walton neighborhood is full of scenic beach roads and antique shopping waiting to be discovered. There are almost 9miles of whitesand at Orange Beach, which is situated in a particularly scenic part of the Gulf of Mexico. You can walk along the bouncy Pensacola Beach Pier, snorkel, examine aquatic marine life, indulge in refreshed seafood, or wait for sunset and enter the monthly stargazing groups. It is one of the multiple appropriate white sand beaches in Key West. There is a pier to view the beautiful waters and sunsets, or cast a line and do some fishing. This beach is popular among locals for launching kayaks and fishing from the shore. For a memorable view of it all, the park offers numerous boat tours throughout the day. Boating is a favored recreation here, and seafood fans will find delicious feasts available at numerous regional eateries. 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. Leisure is king here, and you will be hard-pressed to discover anything more pleasant than swimming in its emerald sea, biking the picturesque trails, or sunbathing on the virgin white seasides. Tucked on Key Wests southern coast, there is plenty of space for lounging or adventure. Blind Pass Beach is the perfect piece of form for a seaside: there are showers, facilities to rent instruments, and a tremendous large parking lot nevertheless, thats where it finishes! Heres a rundown of this trio of treasures. #1 Causeway Blvd. Home to a Campground, boat ramp, and beachfront. 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. For a day of gathering seashells, lead to Coquina Beach at the islands southern border. 2. But all of this activity contributes to the islands beautiful, unique landscape. Appreciate the overload of water activities, lounge beneath an umbrella, and drink up the warm Florida sunlight. 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. Beaches are quite common in the United States, but white sand beaches? The sands at Perdido Key are fluffy and welcoming, and there are different dunes to investigate too. Walk the nature path, kayak in Western Lake, or cycle past lovely pine Flatwoods. Pensacola Beach, Florida (View on Map) In comparison to many of the top beaches in the country, Plus, it boasts spectacular sunsets over the Gulf. There are many islands off the coast that have some sandy beachfronts in the Nature Coast. Florida and Hawaii are definitely the standout states for enjoying beautiful white sand beaches, featuring the most well-known ones. Also see ourUltimateFlorida Beaches Guidefor more beaches in Florida. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. Located on the Gulf in New Port Richey, Robert K Rees Memorial Park features beach frontage and a swimming area. Caladesi Island Ferry provides access to the island. Offers may be subject to change without notice. There is something for everyone in the family including volleyball courts, an aqua park, paddlesport rentals, a wakeboard cable and concessions. The Nature Coast includes Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco Counties. 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). Often a popular spring break destination , it can also make a great day trip from Orlando! The Pensacola Beach pier extends out into the water, delivering a wonderful place to sit, calm, and observe the waves or sunset in the evenings. Scientists have investigated the sand and discovered that it is produced up of 99% quartz, indicating its extraordinarily refined and handles delicate and silky as you stroll along. It would be an hour or so from the airpot.. Cape San Blas State Park is abour 45 minutes from Mexico Beach which may have your snorkeling. To explore these beachfront areas, bring your boat or kayak. It attracts travelers with its dazzling white sand and clear, shallow waters. For Local Businesses including Food & Drinks, Services, Health & Medical, Education, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment and more, click here. The pioneers called it Hog Island, but it became Honeymoon Isle in 1939 when a New York developer built 50 palm - thatched bungalows for honeymooners. And thanks to an '80s redesign, you can choose between sitting in the sand or posting up in the park's shaded grassy area. The island encompasses Perdido Key State Park, Big Lagoon State Park and Johnson Beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore, all heaped with gloriously soft sand. Word: | The generous waters here are simply respectable for swimming and paddling, and there exist different fun exercises to be located nearby at locations somewhere near Henderson State Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, John Pennekamp State Park features nearly 200 nautical square miles of coral reefs and marine life, regularly including great barracudas, parrotfish and more. Sitemap, 13 of the Best Florida Keys Resorts for Families, 13 of the Best Family Campgrounds in Florida, Where To See Alligators in Florida: 13 Gator Watching Spots, Palm Springs Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting With Kids, Seattle Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Las Vegas Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Florida Keys Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Myrtle Beach Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, The Bahamas Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids. South Walton, Florida. Stake out your spot in the A family-friendly area with limitless opportunities for beachgoers. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West, Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, 28 Best Beaches on the East Coast From Maine to Florida, The Best Texas Beaches for Every Kind of Traveler, 29 Best Tropical Vacations Around the World, The 15 Best Beaches in Africa for Snorkeling, Surfing, and Remote Relaxation, The 15 Best Beach Destinations to Visit in January, 7 Gorgeous Gulf Coast Beaches From Texas to Florida, 25 Best Things to Do in Miami, From Art Museums to Food Halls, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center. Horseshoe Point is the spot at the end of County Road 351, aka Main Street, where you can find the only natural beachfront in the area. It is possible to access Caladesi Island by taking a ferry from Honeymoon Island in Clearwater. Your email address will not be published.