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. At the same time, deep-sea fishing, boating, jet-skiing, and discovering dolphins are also live favorite sports. WebIn addition, other beaches like Ormond Beach and Cocoa Beach also have darker sandy colors. The beachs topography of virgin sugary white sand and turquoise sea is a wonderful oasis for personality lovers looking to unwind. If you have little ones, they may not share your vision for a day spent sitting and doing nothing. Go for the glass-bottom boat which departs three times daily, every single day of the year. Here are some of the best things to do. It is a wonderful beach in all-around and one of the most lovely beaches in Florida! Interested in subscribing to DEP newsletters or receiving DEP updates through email? Caladesi Island boasts exquisite swirls of soft white sands and excellent beachcombing opportunities along the stretch that juts out toward the Gulf of Mexico. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 72 Best White Sand Beaches of in Florida | BeachCatcher Best beach for a family-friendly adventure. Beaches in Florida And while the name suggests it is a Beach town, this small town is primarily a fishing and boating community. 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. Seashell collectors have long known about this stunning island southwest of Fort Myers. 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. In comparison to many of the top beaches in the country, Pensacola Beach isbreathtaking and featuresdazzling white sands. It has a shoreline that is six miles long and has protected waters where one can go swimming to cool down. In this beach, silica composes the majority of the sands, giving it a bright white color that glows in the sunlight. Compensate your journey's carbon footprint by supporting the most impactful climate projects around the world. Bring the whole family to Fort Walton Beach, as its an energetic beach townlet that is a maximum of appeals, gardens, galleries, and aquariums. Pull up a lounge chair and drape your hand into the fine, white sand or join a game of beach volleyball. Honeymoon Island is the perfect place to go when looking for outdoor recreational entertainment! There is something for everyone in the family including volleyball courts, an aqua park, paddlesport rentals, a wakeboard cable and concessions. C/O Koreshan State Park Lodging options run the gamut from hotels, condos, rental houses, and bed and breakfasts to camping. If you're yearning for glittering white beaches that tempt you to ditch your shoes, these three beauties are bound to please. The Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches In Florida While some The beach in Hudson is small and usually frequented by locals, but recently more vacation goers have discovered that it is a nice place to be. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Floridas natural resources and enhance its ecosystems. A fourth-generation Floridian, Todd is proud to work at Honeymoon Island State Park. Map has shaded picnic spots, barbecue pits, a playground, volleyball courts and plenty of space to unwind. Its one of the most suitable white-sand seasides in Florida! Just like the start of this list, its only fitting that it ends with a white sand beach from Florida as well. 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. But, once youre there, vivid coral reefs, a massive Civil War-era fortress (Fort Jefferson) and secluded beaches like no other await. 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. The sands of this beach glitter like gold when the sun shines upon them,because of thehigh levels ofsilver andminerals. 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. Located on the Gulf in New Port Richey, Robert K Rees Memorial Park features beach frontage and a swimming area. If you're searching for next-level people-watching, look no further. Get barefoot! 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. Best beach for kayaking and paddle boarding. Read our Privacy Policy. 14 of the Best White Sand Beaches in Florida for Families The Nature Coast of Florida is rightly named as a nature lovers paradise with a plethora wildlife,state parks and old Florida small town charm. One of the most useful things about the Blind Pass Beach is the nearshore shelf of Floridas white sand stretches relatively far out, so you can sense that youre distant away from the beach while still being secure and not proceeding into waters that are too serious! Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The Nature Coast includes Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco Counties. 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. A truly urban beach, this spot regularly sees toned locals playing volleyball or getting bronzed under the ever-shining sun. There are many islands off the coast that have some sandy beachfronts in the Nature Coast. 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. If you need to get out of the sun, hop in the car and drive north to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. It was also declared the Number Two Beach in America and the Number 16 Beach in the World in 2013 by TripAdvisor. Floridas three national parks capture everything thats natural and wild about the Sunshine State. At the westernmost edge of Florida is Pensacola and its spectacular beaches, including Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key (Spanish for 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. You want Tampa. Our goal is simple. The following icons link to free Reader/Viewer software:
You can splurge on plane tickets to Bermuda or Cancn, but the reality is that you can find some of the world's most beautiful beaches right here in the U.S. 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. Why We Recommend This Beach If youre searching for family-friendly Florida Keys beaches, look no further than Harry Harris Park. Cedar Key is a small city in Levy County that includes a cluster of islands. From little surf towns to action-packed hotspots, appreciate the postcard-perfect terrains at one of Floridas greatest white sand seasides. Located in Sarasota, Siesta Key's public beach is among the most acclaimed in the world. 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. The park is also the ferry terminal for access to another unspoiled state park, Caladesi Island. Though the Florida Gulf Coast epicenter, Pensacola Beach is renowned for its emerald-green waters and sugar-white sands. If youre a history lover that happens to be in Key West on the third weekend of the month, youre in luck. Pensacola . To share the positive things that make the area unique. A trip to the Rotary Centennial Nature Center helps visitors learn about the parks history and natural resources. Belleair Beach maintains a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere providing all the advantages of waterfront living and the charm of an old-fashioned neighborhood. And thanks to an '80s redesign, you can choose between sitting in the sand or posting up in the park's shaded grassy area. All businesses must be located in Florida to be included. All regular facilities are current at this coast: parking, showers, etc. Nearby Siesta Key Village is brimming with one-of-a-kind restaurants, tropical-feeling bars and mom-and-pop stores, all easily accessible via the trolley. South Marco Beach situated alongside lodges and condos delivers an abundance of room for sunbathing and floating. With a local, laid-back feel and plenty of surf schools, you'll be up on your board in no time. The South Beach Pavilion provides bicycles to rent by the hour or day and kayaks are available at Caf Honeymoon. The following are the most spectacular white sand beaches every beachgoer will fall in love with in Florida. Draw up a bistro chair and drape your hand into the fine, white sand or join a game of beach volleyball. The Town of Redington Beach, Florida, is located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. But with all that shoreline, finding the state's best beaches requires some research. Tucked on Key Wests southern coast, there is plenty of space for lounging or adventure. 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. 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. Powered by Mai Theme, 18 Best Day Trips From Orlando Worth The Effort. 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. The 13 Top Florida Keys Beaches | Travel | U.S. News Hours/availability may have altered. But as any Florida beach fanatic knows, this stretch of sand doesn't disappoint. In addition to campsites, a 1.5-mile nature trail and four pavilions for picnicking, this is the park for a day of paddling. For a memorable view of it all, the park offers numerous boat tours throughout the day. Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on the West Coast of Florida, only a 30 minute drive from Tampa International Airport. WebWhat are the top attractions near the beaches? With its truly clear waters and white-sand shores, visitors come from Tampa (and all of Florida) to enjoy the calm Gulf waters or partake in one of the area's many activities, from parasailing to fishing. Walk the nature path, kayak in Western Lake, or cycle past lovely pine Flatwoods. 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. Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email. It is one of the multiple appropriate white sand beaches in Key West. They share one thing in common passion for parks. This family-friendly seaside is an ideal place for children to entertain in the daytime by swimming and constructing sandcastles. Click here for our Complete Real Estate and Accommodation Guide to the Nature Coast, Florida. Tucked on Key Wests southern coast, there is plenty of space for lounging or adventure. Daytona beach has a wide sugary white sand beach that you can drive onto. Sombrero Beach's soft white sands border the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, making the area ideal for snorkeling. Perdido Key. Siesta Key boasts some of the softest, whitest sand on the planet. ALSO READ Best Natural Springs Near Tampa You Must Visit. Plus, it boasts spectacular sunsets over the Gulf. 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. Navarre Beach is nicknamed Floridas Playground, where you can absorb the untouched attractiveness of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. To help, we've curated some of our favorite Florida hot spots, from sprawling family-friendly stretches to tiny islands with intimate beach nooks, so you can make digging your toes into sugar-white sand a reality. Especially if you can find a stretch of silky sand that youll have to yourself. Its pure quartz sand is easy on the eyes as well as the feet, and its crystal clear waters are ideal for swimming. This beach is a very secluded spot so be sure to get gas and food prior to going. 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. A prized stop on the Florida Birding Trail, Bahia Honda State Park is loaded with wildlife and vantage points for taking it all in. 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. 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. Jacksonville The Most Treasured White Sandy Beaches of Florida 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. There are almost 9miles of whitesand at Orange Beach, which is situated in a particularly scenic part of the Gulf of Mexico. 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. On the Olympic Coast of Washington, youll find the wild and remote Shi Shi Beach, which is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Sandy Neck Beach Sandwich, Massachusetts, 10 Best Lake Resorts in Iowa [Ranked in 2023], Top 17 Drunkest Cities in America [Report 2023], 12 Major Cemeteries in Iowa [Update 2023], 10 Best Ziplines in Iowa You Must Enjoy [Update 2023], Top 17 Most Boring Cities in America [Report 2023]. 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. Situated on the lovely island of Kauai,Tunnels Beach was used for scenes in the movieSouth Pacific, a 1950s classic. This area is known by local residents as a weekend spot for boating and partying. 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. 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're looking for a slow oceanside afternoon, this is the place to go. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. With a name that conjures up images of perfectly transparent water lapping against silky sand, Clearwater Beach sets expectations. Conservation areas along the southwest Gulf Coast include 15aquatic preserves, 40 state parks, 14 national wildlife refuges, two national parks and the more than 110,000-acre Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. The following are the most spectacular white sand beaches every beachgoer will fall in love with in Florida. 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. These beaches are laden with pure white sand, great fishing, and mom-and-pop stores and restaurants. Swim, snorkel or kayakin the fresh cool spring waters and spot a manatee or two. 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. When looking skyward, eagles, osprey and great horned owls can be seen, while ground animals include gopher tortoises, raccoons and armadillos. 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. 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. This list of 14 of the best white sand beaches in Florida for families provides many beaches that can fit your familys needs during your next trip. If visiting an underwater world doesn't interest you, look up Crandon Park is one of the Miami area's top bird-watching destinations (herons, hawks, ospreys, and songbirds are often spotted here). Stake out your spot in the Among its attractions are volleyball courts, food trucks and watersport companies offering parasailing, jet ski rentals, kayak excursions and more. 1. If you are looking for the gorgeous white sand beaches, this is not the area for you. 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. 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. Southwest Florida Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Your JavaScript is turned off limiting this websites functionality. 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. Fiddler crabs live along the sides of the beach in the grassy areas. Listen to the waves lapping and birds chirping as you break a healthy sweat. With a wide, sandy sprawl that's lined with grass and palm trees, you'll have plenty of space to relax. Delray Beach is the perfect place to alternate between napping, swimming in the ocean, and people-watching. Beaches on Floridas Gulf Coast The kids choose to be fascinated by the players and road entertainers at Sunsets at Pier 60. The sandy beach is man-made directly along the spring making it a beautiful way to spend the day. The keys offer excellent diving, snorkeling, sport-fishing, beautiful beaches and magnificent sunsets. The park has a boat ramp and picnic areas for enjoying the water view, but no beachfront. Every beach is distinct, with its levels and segments, but some of the gorgeous beaches are the ones with paradisiacal white sands and crystal transparent waters. 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 This 15. Visitors to this coast will also have a great opportunity to staining some nature, with dolphins often living sprinkled release in the water. To experience such a subtropical climate and year-round warmth, one may not think it is accessible in the contiguous United States. 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. There is a pier to view the beautiful waters and sunsets, or cast a line and do some fishing. One of the most northwesterly beaches finishes in all of Florida, Perdido Key is a top white sand seaside on the Florida Panhandle. 13 Best White Sand Beaches in the US [List of 2023] 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. Of course, theres always plenty of space for just soaking up the sun on the beach! Florida Beach Services offers casual beach fare, has a small gift shop and is located steps away from the ferry dock. In the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, you'll find trendy beachgoers, rollerbladers, and a smattering of young, beautiful (and perfectly tanned) locals. Not so much. Here are the best experiences in the Sunshine State. And its no wonder. It is a fun find along the Nature Coast with a pretty beachfront and a cool history. This extended, slim key has a bunch of sand to appreciate, so theres consistently a ton of room for everyone, even on the most occupied of days. 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. Moreover, it providesbreathtakingly magnificent golf courses, ideal places for accommodation, along with other amenities. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Your email address will not be published. However, with stunning coastal states like Florida, Hawaii and California, there really isnt a shortage of white sand beaches in the US. 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.