To explore these beachfront areas, bring your boat or kayak. Perdido Key. Fort De Soto is located in the southwest corner of Mullet Key, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. We are locals and writers who love to research, explore and share information about Florida. 12 Best White Sand Beaches in Florida You Should Visit Clearwater Beach . 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. WebI live in north Florida and believe the panhandle has some of the most attractive beaches. The seasides on Anna Maria Island puff soft white sand and transparent turquoise waters that will draw you in for a daytime of washing up Floridas eternal sunshine. Situated in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico, that honor goes to Dry Tortugas National Park. It is one of the multiple appropriate white sand beaches in Key West. Its accolades include being named as Americas Best Beach in 2011 by Dr. Beach and again in 2017 when the criteria was changed. Grab a bag of picnic supplies and spend the morning swimming and soaking up the sun on Juno's pristine shores. Bearing in mind a wet season, possible hurricanes and a stretch of super-humid weather, here's when to visit Everglades National Park. Pensacola Beach, Florida (View on Map) In comparison to many of the top beaches in the country, When you need a break from the sun, browse the shops on Atlantic Avenue or take in the murals and public art in the Pineapple Grove Arts District. Also see ourUltimateFlorida Beaches Guidefor more beaches in Florida. If you're searching for next-level people-watching, look no further. Take a day trip to nearby Topsail Hill Preserve By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. has shaded picnic spots, barbecue pits, a playground, volleyball courts and plenty of space to unwind. Relax. There are plenty of other historical attractions within the park year-round, too, including tours of the brick-clad fort and its extensive collection of seaside-positioned cannons and artillery. No problem! As one of the few completely natural islands along Floridas Gulf Coast, Caladesis white sand beaches were rated America's Best Beach in 2008. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Beautiful Places to Visit in California On 2023, Amazing Things To Do In Corpus Christi USA, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Best Natural Springs Near Tampa You Must Visit, 10 Best Natural Springs Near Tampa You Must Visit, 20 Best Breakfast in Orlando, Florida | Breakfast Spots Near Orlando, 12+ Best Crab Legs in Orlando You Must Try, 20+ Best Lake Nona Restaurants Orlando You Must Visit In 2023, 11+ BEST Wings In Orlando, Florida You Must Try. 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. Key West may have west in its name, but its actually not the most western attraction in the Keys. If you're yearning for glittering white beaches that tempt you to ditch your shoes, these three beauties are bound to please. The beachfront is a beautiful white sand natural beach. 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. Just south of Horseshoe Beach is another small beachfront area, Shired Island Beach. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here, we take a look at a handful or so of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Florida, starting on the Panhandle and working our way south. Beach areas are hard to come by without a boat to go out to one of the surrounding keys. 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. First-time Florida Keys: island hopping along the Overseas Highway, On Election Day, Key West voted to ban large cruise ships, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The beachfront offers a natural beach area with a man-made white sandy beach area for enjoying the soft sand. | Contact Us. It is a small sandy area fronting the Gulf that has a small stretch of natural sandy shoreline. The coast itself is an extensive spectrum of smooth white sand and ocean remains! Sand Key Beach, Clearwater, Florida. Beaches I would suggest Mexico Beach as more of a getaway place. 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. Available through two bridges from Naples, Florida, Marco Island presents guests with a special mix of high-end resorts and unspoiled habitats. 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. Best beach for a family-friendly adventure. Back on land, check out the parks visitor center, which has a 30,000-gallon aquarium. Beaches in Florida 3800 Corkscrew Road 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. While the beach itself certainly one of the best beaches in Florida is a wonderful hangout for kids and adults alike, the nearby Quiet Waters Park is a great bail-out option if the kids get bored. All in all, it is truly the best white sand beach in the US. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Ocala FL 34470, Contact the Statewide Information Line: White Sand Beaches In Florida The sandy beach is man-made directly along the spring making it a beautiful way to spend the day. Nothing beats a quiet day spent at the beach. While some But it most certainly is. Miramar Beach. Map We are bordered by North Redington Beach to the north, Madeira Beach to the south, the Intracoastal Waterway on the east, and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. Smathers Beach is just that. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. In addition to campsites, a 1.5-mile nature trail and four pavilions for picnicking, this is the park for a day of paddling. The silky beaches of Kaanapali, formerly a retreat for the states royalty, and its emerald waters now entice visitors to engage in a wide range of amenities, from drinkingto lounging, surfing, swimming and cliff jumping. WebIn addition, other beaches like Ormond Beach and Cocoa Beach also have darker sandy colors. From April through October, the beach is a Loggerhead Turtle nesting hotspot as well, which is bound to be a memorable sight for those of all ages. Beachcombing, boating, visiting quaint shops and then later, relax in one of our unique Inns. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Map: Monroe is a mixture of two extremes from the virtually uninhabited mainland Everglades, to the bustling Florida Keys with popular Key West. A short drive from Tampa, beautiful Honeymoon Island offers visitors an escape from the bustle of city life. 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. Lodging options run the gamut from hotels, condos, rental houses, and bed and breakfasts to camping. This area is known by local residents as a weekend spot for boating and partying. Smathers Beach is just that. A truly urban beach, this spot regularly sees toned locals playing volleyball or getting bronzed under the ever-shining sun. If you want to learn more, swing by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center at the northern end of the park. Whether its protecting sea turtle nestsor teaching kids about environmental protection, he knows he is helping preserve this park for future generations. It has always been given awards for the grade of the beach, the lovely town location with family-friendly interests, and its spectacular sunset viewpoints. Read our Privacy Policy. Situated on the lovely island of Kauai,Tunnels Beach was used for scenes in the movieSouth Pacific, a 1950s classic. These beaches are laden with pure white sand, great fishing, and mom-and-pop stores and restaurants. Several keys off shore have beachfronts as well. Even though the sand is not inherently occurring and is imported, that wont prevent you from enjoying the gorgeous surroundings and iconic white Florida sand! 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. It boasts an average Note that this is not a pristine beachfront. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the states lead agency for environmental management and stewardship protecting our air, water and land. So finding one isnt particularly easy. Our goal is simple. 16 Prettiest White Sand Beaches in the United States If you go beyond the beach, there is a lot more for you to discover, such as forests, cranberry bogs, and wetlands. Certified Visitor Information Centers North Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Northeast Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central West Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central East Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southwest Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southeast Florida, Florida Travel and Vacation Guides - United States, Exchange Rates, Conversions, And Processes. Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email. Estero FL 33928, 300 Anastasia Park Road Here are the Best White Sand Beaches in Florida you must not miss. Ultimate Beach Guide to Florida's Nature Coast - Florida Belleair Beach maintains a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere providing all the advantages of waterfront living and the charm of an old-fashioned neighborhood. Offers may be subject to change without notice. South Marco Beach situated alongside lodges and condos delivers an abundance of room for sunbathing and floating. Just like the start of this list, its only fitting that it ends with a white sand beach from Florida as well. Draw up a bistro chair and drape your hand into the fine, white sand or join a game of beach volleyball. Turquoise water and white sand - where 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. ALSO READ Best Natural Springs Near Tampa You Must Visit. It is a wonderful beach in all-around and one of the most lovely beaches in Florida! The sand is a natural tan color and the waters are the warm calm waters of the Gulf. The phrase pristine perfection has been used to describe it. And to support a strong local community. 20 Florida Beaches That Could Pass For the Caribbean - Southern Honeymoon Island State Park attracts visitors from all over with its world-class beaches. Beaches Marco Island. To share the positive things that make the area unique. Ultimate Beach Guide to Florida's Nature Coast - Florida A series of 30-foot white sand dunes underscore the natural beauty of this Panhandle beach. 9 Clearwater Beach Clearwater Beach is an outstanding and prominent beach in Florida. The area features 2 beachfronts with swimming areas, picnic tables, sand volleyball court, a playground, concession standand amenities. Skin yourself from the sands to witness aquatic life at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park or analyze hands-on exhibits at Emerald Coast Science Center. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Floridas natural resources and enhance its ecosystems. Here are 14 of the best beaches in Florida. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Certain appeals may be temporarily closed or need reservations. 1. The highlight of Coronado Island in San Diego is themile-long stunning white sandbeach located in that area. Moreover, it providesbreathtakingly magnificent golf courses, ideal places for accommodation, along with other amenities. With a wide, sandy sprawl that's lined with grass and palm trees, you'll have plenty of space to relax. They share one thing in common passion for parks. The World's Beaches With the Whitest SandQueensland, Australia. Spending a lot of time in Australia's Whitsunday Islands is sure to amaze you, particularly iconic Whitehaven Beach.Clearwater, Florida, USA. Bora Bora, Tahiti. Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Boracay, Philippines. Lofoten Islands, Norway. Zanzibar, Tanzania. Jericoacoara, Brazil. Okinawa, Japan. New South Wales, Australia. #1 Causeway Blvd. Note that the road ends with a round-about where you can park on the side, get out and walk across the jetty to the preserved land marsh, and walk across the beachfront area. The waters here are again beautiful and transparent, with soft waves supplying ideal requirements for swimming. In Carmel Beach, situated in California, the natural beauty never endsfrom the dolphins and marine mammals swimming in the Ocean to the beach goers surfing the waves. With a local, laid-back feel and plenty of surf schools, you'll be up on your board in no time. If you love tracking for seashells, this is an ideal beach for you! Departing from Miami, Orlando, Tampa and diverse landscapes in between, these are the best ways to get to Everglades National Park. Of course, Marco Islands pristine shores are maybe its most useful component. The sand on the West Coast of Florida is mainly made of 99% crystal quartz Especially if you can find a stretch of silky sand that youll have to yourself. Siesta Key Beach has succeeded in awards for its sand, which has been ranked among the whitest anywhere globally. Cedar Key is a small city in Levy County that includes a cluster of islands.