Florida Beaches - Take your pick!
Florida beaches offer some of the nicest spots in the world, so nice that some of them even receive awards from various rating organizations. Three of Florida beaches have even made the top ten list in 2005, so what are you waiting for? Ft. De Soto Park, St. Petersburg earned the number one spot in the country, with Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater at number four, and Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne at number eight!
The waters are generally warmer than the rest of the US. The surf is higher on the Atlantic coast with relatively little surf on the Gulf coast. The temperature is also warmer on the Gulf coast throughout the year.
The sand consistency and texture varies in different regions. The consistency along Pensacola, and Panama City Beaches is fine and very white. Clearwater Beach also shares this same fine and very white texture. Beaches along the Atlantic tend to shade towards light beige with a somewhat coarser texture. Daytona Beach is unique with its hard packed sand which is accessible to motor vehicles
Bradenton is located in the central western region. You will find blue green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay eye popping. There are over 20 miles of fine Florida beaches and many of them are shaded by tall Australian Pines.
Clearwater is also located in the central western region. It is the center of a equally beautiful Florida beaches to its north and south. You can choose from a popular and busy beach or a quiet and relaxing beach.
Daytona Beach is located in the central eastern region. Miles of hard packed sand make this part of Florida beaches an ideal site for driving cars, four-wheelers, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles. In the summer and during spring break it is bustling with activities but during the winter months it has a more leisurely pace.
Ft. Lauderdale is located in the southeastern region. Florida beaches north from Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale Beach has a pleasant strip of sand accented with palms and many parks.
At Fort Myers which is located in the southwestern region, you will find a world of tropical beauty and wildlife with many islands to explore. This area is the playground of Florida beaches. Ft. Myers beach, Bonita Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva are just a few excellent places to enjoy the sand, sea and sun.
Jacksonville located in the northeastern region offers twenty miles of wide beautiful Florida beaches along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. In the coastal communities of Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and sunning are popular sports. At Jacksonville Beach you will find a 1,000 foot long fishing pier that welcomes fishermen and sightseers. It also has a restaurant and gift shop on the premises.
Miami located in the southeastern region, is a strip of miles of fine golden sand with emerald waters. People flock to Miami’s Florida beaches for business events, sun, sand, as well as attractions and entertainment.
St. Petersburg located in the central western region offers seven miles of Florida beaches. This region has fine white sand that is typical of the central western coast.
Ft. De Soto beach is a natural beauty with magnificent beaches and recreational facilities. This beach was rated North America’s best beach in 2005.
Panama City Beach located in the northwestern region. This beach is among the best Florida beaches has to offer with nearly 20 miles of fine white sand and relatively warm calm surf. The water is crystal clear and is a gorgeous emerald blue green color.
Naples is located in the southwestern region, originally established itself with its spectacular Florida beaches. This region has become a community known for its golfing and shopping.
Pensacola is located in northwestern region, also known as the panhandle. This area of Florida beaches is best known for its many miles of snow white terrain. Sand dunes decorated with sea oats that accent the coast. With so many miles of beach it is easy to find a secluded spot away from it all.
St. Augustine located in the northeastern region of Florida beaches has several miles of hard packed sand and is bordered with beautiful natural dunes. In some areas, driving is still permitted on the hard sand. There are many popular swimming, surfing, sunning and fishing sites at this beach.