Florida Beaches -
Fun in the Sun

Having fun in the sun on Florida beaches is the year round perfect way to enjoy your vacation. Mickey Mouse and the numerous other theme parks can have a serious impact on the wallet, not to mention the stress of the noisy crowds and long lines. Florida beach access, on the other hand is usually free. You will have to pay for parking in most cases but sometimes even that is free. Once your feet are in the sand you will find activities such as swimming and fishing to be very affordable.

Whether you are traveling to the northern areas of the state such as Jacksonville or Pensacola, to the warmer south to Bradenton, Tampa, or even Miami, Florida is home to some of the most incredible beaches and shores that you could ever imagine! And, there is a Florida beach for any occasion.

If you're honeymooning in the area then you'll want one of Florida’s more secluded romantic beaches. If this is a family vacation most of Florida’s beaches are family friendly. You will find that most Florida beaches are perfect for snorkeling and diving with many ocean-side state parks that available for camping and many are pet friendly.

The beaches of Miami, Clearwater and Cocoa Beach have been rated as some of the top spots by millions of vacationaing Florida consumers. These beaches all offer an exciting opportunity to see and enjoy three different major focal points of Florida: Cocoa Beach on the eastern shores, Miami Beach in the south, and Clearwater Beach facing the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s not forget, too, Panama City Beach in the northern panhandle for the “Spring Breakers” hot spot.

Family Friendly Beaches

With so many family friendly Florida beach options your most difficult task is to narrow your search down to only one or two. Check out Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation area with white sands, calm waters and home to historic Cape Florida Lighthouse built in 1825. Located just 18 miles from Miami International Airport on Key Biscayne the lighthouse tours are free.

Another of the many truly family friendly Florida beaches and considered by many as one of the best is the Manatee County Beach. Very family oriented this beach is on sequestered Anna Maria Island. With its beautiful clear waters and the many activities on and off Manatee County Beach, this is the perfect place to take your family to relax for the day!

Romantic Beach Settings

Blind Pass Beach, Honeymoon Island Beach and Lovers Key State Park are three Florida beaches that are perfect for planning your honeymoon or romantic getaway. Sit down and read on for a sampling of just a few of the many romantic beaches offered by the Sunshine State then set up a surprise trip for you and that very special other person in your life.

Blind Pass Beach located on beautiful Manasota Key, a barrier island, is never too crowded because visitors have three other options of public beaches on Manasota Key. Manasota Beach, Englewood Beach and Stump Pass Beach are closer to the access bridges allowing visitors to spread out creating fewer crowds. Blind Pass Beach is actually a semi-secluded beach at the northern end of the island, which makes it perfect for couples who want to spend a special time together without a lot of tourists.

Honeymoon Island State Park located near Dunedin is another very popular Florida beach on the Gulf of Mexico. With approximately four miles of shoreline, visitors are able to enjoy swimming, great shelling, bird watching or just walking the beach to enjoy nature’s beauty. Formerly known as Hog Island, a developer in the early 1940’s built 50 honeymoon huts and marketed the island as Honeymoon Island. After World War II the island paradise lost its popularity and the thatched huts eventually were torn down. Island ownership became a state park but the name stuck. The island is truly a natural work of beauty.

Lovers Key State Park located on Estero Blvd. near Fort Myers Beach. One of four barrier islands that make up the state park it is a haven for wildlife and the waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits and bald eagles. Accessible by boardwalk or tram visitors to this 2 ½ mile long beach enjoy shelling, picnicking, swimming and sunbathing.

Blind Pass Beach, Honeymoon Island and Lovers Key all offer an open atmosphere that is perfect for sunbathing or walking on the sandy shores of an incredible Florida beach.

Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on Florida’s west coast and is easily accessible to both Tampa and Saint Petersburg International Airports. This Florida Beach area is great for families or couples seeking a small town experience with water on both sides. The sandy beaches are on the west side of Gulf Blvd. and provide a fun atmosphere to soak up the sun, catch some waves, or enjoy one of the many water equipment rentals available in the area.

Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway is on the eastern side of town with a multitude of great seafood restaurants available by car or boat. The area is perfect for any occasion.

Cocoa Beach located on Florida’s Atlantic coast often refered to as the “Space Coast” is in view of Cape Canaveral’s launch pads. Located on a barrier island on Florida’s east coast between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River lagoon, just six miles long, and mostly less than a mile wide it is an incredible family friendly Florida beach. Check the NASA site to try and time your visit for a rocket or shuttle launch viewing.

Cocoa Beach offers a fantastic array of animal species in their natural habitat or you may just prefer a quiet kayak trip along the Banana River shoreline. Swim in the Atlantic Ocean or just enjoy a day at the beach with the family where you likely will see dolphins at play. Golfers migh choose to pay a round of golf at the 27-holes gold course. This beach is known as the surfing capital of the East Coast and even has a surfing museum there.

There are plenty of Florida beaches to choose from when visiting the Sunshine State. A good suggestion would be to block out a couple of days in your schedule just for visiting the different beaches alone. Whatever type of atmosphere you’re trying to find, there is a beach for every occasion!




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