Here are the top 10 beaches in Florida up and down the Atlantic coastline, the Gulf Coast and the Florida Keys jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico toward Cuba. These sandy beaches rival any in Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands, the Mediterranean, or anywhere. Florida's best beaches are some of the best we have visited on our travels.
1. Bahia Honda State Park, Florida
Bahia Honda has several white sandy beaches for you to enjoy. Calusa is the smallest beach; it is located on the northwest
side of the island. There are several small pavilions in this area and a
bathhouse with outdoor, fresh water showers. Loggerhead is the
shallowest beach and is located on the south side of the island. It is
known for the large shallow sand bar just a few feet offshore. It shares
the same bathhouse with the Calusa beach. Sandspur is the largest beach;
it is located on the southeast end of the island. There are three large
pavilions in the Sandspur area and a bathhouse with outdoor, fresh water
showers.
2. Fort Desoto Park,
Florida
Fort Desoto is located in the southwest corner of
Mullet Key, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. 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.
3. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida
This state park has miles of white sand
beaches, striking dune formations, a heavily-forested interior and a
favorable climate for year-round outdoor recreation characterize this
peninsular state park. The 2,516-acre park is bounded on three sides by
the waters of St. Joe Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
This Florida state park has 3 miles of nature trail
and 108-slip marina. Caladesi Island has something for everyone. Picnic
pavilions, bathhouses, and a park concession all make the visit more
comfortable. Fishing, shelling, and nature studies are all ways to enjoy
a visit.
5. Cape
Florida State Park, Florida
Whether it's relaxing day at the beach,
visiting a historic lighthouse or fishing in the ocean, Cape Florida SRA
offers visitors an outstanding, outdoor recreational experience. The
park has a beach that's 1.25 miles of wide that offers visitor swimming
year-round. The Lighthouse Cafe offers visitors casual oceanfront dining
in a relaxed open-air setting and offers a variety of rentals including
bicycles, Hydrobikes, rollerblades, ocean kayaks, windsurfers, beach
chairs and umbrellas.
6. Captiva Beach, Florida
Captiva Island is a barrier island on
Florida's Gulf Coast near Fort Myers, FL. The beach is situated at the north
end of Captiva Road. This beach is
noted for its laid back easy lifestyle, breathtaking sunsets, and
wonderful shelling. The beach has white sugar sand, speckled by pretty
and unusual shells. The island has lush tropical vegetation and is
cooled by gentle sea breezes. Dolphin, Manatee and waterfowl
sightings are common.
7. Perdido Key SRA State Park, Florida
Perdido Key is a 247-acre barrier
island near Pensacola. Florida. The white sandy beaches and the rolling
sand dunes covered with sea oats make this a pristine oasis.
8. Sand Key Park, Florida
Sand Key Park was
opened in 1984. 95 acres are located on this barrier island. Clearwater
Pass, leading from the Gulf to the Intracoastal waterway, separates the
park from Clearwater Beach.Sand Key Park houses the base of operations
for the artificial reef program. Sand Key Park’s natural communities
include a beach where sea turtles annually deposit eggs.
9.
Grayton Beach SRA, Florida
Grayton Beach SRA neighbors the
township of Grayton Beach, one of the oldest townships along the Gulf of
Mexico. This 400- acre park offers rolling sea oat-covered dunes with
white sand beaches and emerald green waters of the Gulf. Thirty-seven
campsites are equipped with picnic tables, grills, water and
electricity. Park rangers provide campfire programs seasonally. A large
picnic pavilion overlooking the Gulf waters may be reserved for groups.
10. St. Andrews SRA, Florida
St. Andrews State Recreation Area is located three
miles east of Panama City Beach.
Travel Magazine named St. Andrews as
"The World's Best Beach," in 1995. This beach is well known for
its sugar white sands and crystal-clear emerald green water. You can
swim in the shallow, protected pools behind the jetties and can relax
while snorkeling is an adventure in either swimming area. The shoreline
and rock jetties offer an excellent place to study marine life.