June and July bring thousands of sea turtles to the beaches of Florida, and Brevard County is the top nesting spot in the world for loggerhead turtles. That's right -- Brevard County beaches are perhaps the most important nesting site in the world for loggerhead sea turtles. Nearby Atlantic Ocean beaches of Volusia County and Indian River County are also important nesting areas.... more

Lately I've been writing quite a few blog posts about beaches in the Florida Keys. This is because I recently took a road trip through the Keys and visited all the major beaches. I also spent two nights in Key West since I was taking a ... more

Key West is an amazing place. There is so much to see in such a small area, and yet it manages to maintain a very relaxed vibe.... more

Not long ago I had a great time with the VISIT FLORIDA video crew filming a short video that began on the Atlantic coast watching the sunrise, and ended on the Gulf coast watching a beautiful sunset.

We chose Cocoa Beach for our sunrise and ... more

Four Florida beaches have earned spots in the top ten in the TripWatch newsletter from TripAdvisor (the world's biggest and most popular travel community).... more

Tucked away on the gulf coast just south of Sarasota, Englewood is often overlooked as a getaway destination. That's probably why its beaches are so quiet and relaxing.... more

Part of the Florida beach experience is enjoying our beautiful seabirds and shorebirds. From elegant white egrets to raucous gulls and graceful terns, Florida beaches are blessed with a tremendous variety of birds.

We'd like to keep our birds happy and healthy.... more

Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach is, in my opinion, the second best beach in Key West, after ... more

I discovered Pine Island, Cabbage Key, Cayo Costa and the Tropic Star quite by accident in the summer of 1993. That wonderful summer trip out to Cayo Costa made such a lasting impression on me that I've been back again and again. These islands are located near the mouth of ... more

Most of the Florida peninsula experiences their busy season during the winter and spring season. But summer is the high season in Northwest Florida (spring and fall have their merits as well).

Northwest Florida encompasses that area of the state which has for many years been known locally and affectionately as "the panhandle.... more

The ferry ride hardly seems necessary. The crossing to Palm Island is barely a hundred feet. I could probably just wade across.... more

Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, has chosen Siesta Beach, on Siesta Key near Sarasota, as the number 2 beach in the nation for 2009, moving up from its number 3 position in 2008.... more

In addition to serving as the unofficial kick-off of summer, Memorial Day Weekend also brings Dr. Beach's announcement of his picks for the top 10 beaches in the nation.

For 2009, two Florida beaches are in coastal geologist Stephen Leatherman's list.... more

Florida is a big state and I can't always keep up with everything. That's where friends come in. My friend Marge Bell, who writes the ... more

What a great opportunity to stay at some of southwest Florida's top beach resorts!

SunStream Resorts is offering a deal right now worthy of a double-take at several of their top beach resorts in Fort Myers Beach and ... more

With nearly 50 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches, Palm Beach County has a lot to offer visitors. Coastal cities like Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Juno Beach, Delray Beach, and Singer Island boast a variety of choices for a beach getaway.

To sweeten the deal, as part of its 1909 - 2009 Centennial Celebration, Palm Beach County has created a "... more

Smathers Beach is the longest and most easily accessible beach in Key West, and is directly across the street from the Sheraton Suites.... more

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the days I spent at the beach with family and friends. The excitement of driving out to the beach was almost too much to bear. Would the water be calm and clear for snorkeling? Or would I be body surfing and playing in the waves?

The sensory cues from childhood days at the beach still remain strong decades later: the smell of salt air, suntan lotion and hot dogs cooking on the grill; the sounds of laughing gulls and children playing; the gentle surge of the waves, and the taste of salt water, fresh watermelon, and if I was lucky, a banana popsicle from the beach concession.... more

You simply must visit Bahia Honda State Park.... more

Sombrero Beach is definitely one of the top beaches in the Florida Keys. This crescent-shaped white-sand beach is located near the end of Sombrero Beach Road (mile marker 50) in Marathon, and is several miles off the highway, so traffic noise is not a factor on this quiet beach.... more

The Florida Keys have beaches. Quite a few beaches, in fact. But they are not the same wide beaches with soft sand that the rest of the state enjoys.... more

Florida's southwest Gulf coast offers some incredible opportunities to enjoy nature and wildlife. One of the best is Babcock Wilderness Adventures, located an easy 20-minute drive east of Punta Gorda.... more

Recently, at a meeting of the Suncoast Conchologists, I had the pleasure of seeing a presentation on southwest Florida shells given by ... more

Learn about Brevard County's unique nature communities and see Florida as the early explorers saw it at Melbourne Beach's Barrier Island Center and Sanctuary.  This shining new educational facility is located on Highway A1A, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the exhibits, watch a movie, go for a hike on the boardwalk or a trail and get a great view of the Atlantic Ocean.... more

Some of my best memories are from the days I spent at camp during summer break, learning to canoe and develop confidence around water. Now I prefer kayaks to canoes, but the skills I learned at boy scout camp with canoes transferred easily to kayaks. These skills have provided me with much enjoyment all my life.... more

Conchologists of America Convention 2009

Conchologists of America (COA) is a society for shell enthusiasts from all over the world.... more

St. Pete Beach is a top spot for beach getaways for many reasons.... more

Most of us think of NASA or beaches when we hear the words "Space Coast" or Brevard County. In fact, one of the reasons Cape Canaveral was chosen for rocket testing many decades ago was because of its distance from major population centers.

Today there are still huge undeveloped areas in Brevard County that have become nature preserves and are teeming with wildlife of all kinds.... more

You know what skimboarding is, right? It's when you take a thin, nearly flat board, get a running head start, throw the board down on the thin film of water left over on the beach after a wave breaks, then ride it as far as you can, hopefully up onto the face of another breaking wave.

Skimboarding has come a long way in the past few decades. In my day, a skimboard was made out of a piece of 3/4 inch marine plywood covered with varnish.... more

Need an excuse to head over to Siesta Key? Attending the Annual Siesta Key Sand Sculpture Contest is a great reason to come to pure white beaches of Siesta.

This Sarasota beach has long been one of my favorites.... more

One of the things I recall about my childhood, growing up in Florida, is that nearly all of our family vacations were at destinations in Florida -- Naples Beach, Holmes Beach, the Keys, Disney, camping in state parks -- and we loved it!

Florida is a big state, and there are lots of options for Florida residents to consider. If you live away from the coast, any beach destination will be a nice change of scenery.... more

As the Beaches Expert for VISIT FLORIDA, I frequently get questions from folks looking for a great place to take the whole family for a relaxing, safe and fun Spring Break. I often recommend ... more

If you're looking for something a little different for a Spring Break getaway, the Florida Keys fits the bill and offers warm air, warm water and all the trimmings of the tropics: coral reefs, coconut palms, clear water and gorgeous sunsets.... more

The Sirata Beach Resort and Conference Center is a family-owned, landmark destination resort right in the heart of St.... more

Some folks make such a production out of a day at the beach that it can seem more like work than play. Smart planning is the key! Check out this article by Paul Eisenberg at Fox News about excellent tips for keeping your family's day at the beach uncomplicated, fun and safe.

Eisenberg draws on the experience of a number of "experts" on beach and family travel, including:

• Me, David McRee, ... more

Did you know that the Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) holds 150 surfing competitions each year in which 450 surfers show off their surfing skills for a chance to be invited to the Eastern Surfing Championship?

Surfers progress from District level competitions to Regional competitions on their way to the Championship.

March 28-30 from 8 a.m.... more

Which Florida city has fun, action, places to go and things to see and do; great restaurants and fantastic beaches; and is a great Spring Break destination for families?

St. Augustine, of course! Not only is St.... more

Florida's Clean Beaches

Much of the Florida coastline, from northwest Florida to the Keys, and up the Atlantic coast, consists of sandy beaches. Our beautiful beaches not only attract millions of visitors from all over the world each year, they are also a popular playground for Florida residents. Florida beaches are among the cleanest and safest beaches anywhere in the world.... more

St. Pete Beach is a great Spring Break destination for the whole family.... more

For decades - perhaps half a century - the low concrete pier at the Manatee County Public Beach was a focal point of activity on Anna Maria Island. After being patched and repaired many times, it was closed in February 2009.... more

When one thinks of Fort Lauderdale Beach, images of tall beachfront luxury hotels, expensive cars and  affluent leisure-class cafe diners come to mind.... more

You probably knew that Florida's official state flower is the orange blossom, the state tree is the sabal palm and the state bird is the mockingbird, but do you know what the official Florida shell is?

It's the horse conch (Triplofusus giganteus). A conch is a mollusk - an animal that makes its own shell. This large predatory mollusk glides along the bottom of the gulf and bay waters looking for other shells to eat.... more

I'm always looking for unique places to stay, which is why I was so happy to find the Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse bed and breakfast in ... more

Florida State Parks often have special events or activities that offer fun and educational opportunities for the whole family. Sebastian Inlet State Park is one of the most beautiful and active beach parks on Florida's Atlantic Coast, and it offers a variety of events and activities to the public. 

Fishing from the long jetty is one of the more popular activities in the park.... more

The morning breezes off the Atlantic picked up while we were eating breakfast at The Deck Restaurant overlooking A1A and the Atlantic Ocean. Runners getting ready for the Sunday A1A Marathon were out in force, taking advantage of the cool ocean breeze to get ready for the next day's event, so the beach promenade was even busier than usual.

We headed for ... more

Today was our second day in the Fort Lauderdale Beach area - our first full day. We started our day with a walk on the beach, which is really beautiful in the morning light. People are out early for a stroll, a jog or a bike ride along the paved beach promenade that creates a much-enjoyed space between A1A and the coconut palm-lined beach.... more

The beach expert is in Fort Lauderdale Beach for a couple of days. It's been a long time since I was last in the Fort Lauderdale area.... more

• Scientific and artistic competitions (amateur and professional)
• Rare Shells
• Shell jewelry and arts and crafts
• Workshops and demonstrations
• Food vendors
• Authors' table and book signing

What: Sanibel Shell Fair and Show.... more

Florida beaches are fun and safe places to take your family. According to statistics made available by the ... more

You can see birds on Pelican Island today that you couldn't see back when it was first established by President Theodore Roosevelt as our Nation's first national wildlife refuge in 1903. The U.S.... more

As VISIT FLORIDA's Beaches expert, I frequently get asked about where one can camp directly on the beach. Despite the fact that Florida has more than 1,200 miles of beaches, camping directly on the beach is not always permitted, but there are a few beaches, like those on Shell Key, where you can pitch your tent directly on the beach. Shell Key is one of the top spots in Florida to pitch your tent directly on the gulf beach.... more

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If you've ever been to Florida, especially to the beach, you've seen our white egrets. They are incredibly graceful on the ground and in flight.

There are a number of all-white wading birds on the beach, but the two most common are the American Egret and the Snowy Egret.... more

During cold snaps it's usually too cool for most folks to lay out sunning on the beaches, but the strong weather systems do bring benefits for beachcombers and "shellers."

After several days of strong northwest winds, fresh shells are starting to appear along the peninsular Gulf coast beaches. The rest of this week should bring excellent shelling to the central and southwest Florida Gulf coast beaches.... more

I've always lived in southwest Florida, so I've come to appreciate its often subtle beauty. But where should one go and what should one see to really get the feel for this unique area of the state?

To best answer that question, I'll point you to an excellent article by Sandra Friend, which you'll find right here on VISITFLORIDA.com.... more

If you're looking for a romantic place on a quiet, windswept beach, far from the crowds of Daytona, I've got a suggestion for you: Think Valentine's Day weekend. Think romantic getaway. Think ... more

Last summer I took an Atlantic beach road trip with my buddy Alex. We discovered some unique places. One of them was the brand new ... more

If you haven't been to Clearwater Beach recently, now is the time to consider coming by to check out the new face of their beachfront. Completely re-designed and renovated, it is now even more attractive and pedestrian-friendly, and the selection of ... more

In October my fiance and I enjoyed a romantic beach getaway in Northwest Florida. We picked a cute Bed & Breakfast called the Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse in ... more

New Smyrna Beach is often overshadowed by the publicity focused on ... more

Most of us prefer warm weather when we go to the beach. I receive quite a few questions from folks planning a Florida beach vacation between December and March. They want to know what temperatures to expect.... more

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Sanibel is one of the most relaxing and romantic islands in Florida.... more

I visited a lot of great beaches in 2008 and wrote some informative articles about life at the beach. Here's a summary of the aritcles I wrote in 2008 that you can find here on VISITFLORIDA.com:

... more

In 2008, as "Beaches Expert," for VISITFLORIDA, I found myself taking a closer look at some of the places and activities that attract beach and nature lovers to Florida.

Since December lends itself to looking back on the year to reflect on what one has accomplished, I thought I'd take a few minutes to do just that. Let's start with the beach expert videos I've helped produce.... more

One of the most important things in my back pack when I visit a coastal city I've never been to is a good beach locator guide.

I have thoroughly covered the beaches on the lower southwest coast of Florida between Dunedin and Marco Island (meaning I've been to EVERY beach), and have even written my own ... more

Pine Island is one of my favorite places in Florida. Although it is still a quiet place, development is slowly encroaching on the slow-paced way of life that has endured here longer than in most of Florida. Many hundreds of years ago, the pace of life on Pine Island was set by the Calusa Indians, who fished, hunted, gardened, dug intricate canals and built homes on top of huge shell mounds.... more

The beach can be a difficult place to snap good quality photos. White beaches are especially troublesome. The high contrast between the white sand and darker subjects often results in part of the image appearing too dark (underexposed), and part of the image appearing too bright (overexposed).... more

What: 12th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival.... more

There are a few items you simply cannot go to the beach without. They are essential for your comfort and health. The longer you plan to stay at the beach, the more things you will likely need.... more

Find Hot Florida Deals, Hotel Discounts, Attraction Coupons and More

Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Florida.... more

Getting from the beach parking lot to the water's edge generally requires two strong legs and good balance. The sand is usually soft and deep, and some of the beaches are very wide, which makes for a long walk.

Anyone who is unable to walk through the sand to the beach needs special assistance to help them get down to the water.... more

The summer heat has abated. Cooler breezes are here. Bugs are fewer.... more

A few weeks ago I blogged about the 13^th Annual Sea-Bean Symposium, to be held at the Cocoa Beach Public Library in October.... more

The ... more

I haven't seen a sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico in the same day since I was a teenager. We thought it would be a fun "expert" video to shoot.

In a couple of weeks you'll get to see the video, but I thought I'd give you a sneek peek at what what we did.... more

Highway 98 runs along the Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida and is one of the most scenic drives in the State of Florida.

In South Walton County, C.R.... more

Southwest Florida beaches are internationally recognized for the opportunities they offer visitors to enjoy nature, and to relax on family friendly beaches. Here are a few of the top beach locations in Southwest Florida ranked highly by respected travel information sources:

Sanibel Island

• Named one of the Top Shelling Beaches, Travel & Leisure magazine, July 2008
• Ranks among the "world's best islands," National Geographic Traveler magazine, 2007 Places Rated

Lover's Key

• Listed by CoastalLiving.com among its Top 10 Romantic Retreats.... more

What: Thirteenth Annual International Sea-Bean Symposium and Beachcombers' Festival.... more

I say, if you love surfing, this is a film you definitely don't want to miss!

Yes, it is a documentary.

No, there are no car chases.... more

You won't find a more dedicated bunch of surfers anywhere than right here on the Gulf coast of Florida. We take what we can get when it comes to waves, and this week we are getting a lot of sloppy chop from tropical storm Fay.

I drove out to Sunset Beach on Treasure Island on Thursday afternoon.... more

One of the biggest problems with bringing clothes, towels, camera bags, etc.... more

I took a sunset walk on St. Pete Beach yesterday.... more

I visited CMA today to enjoy the improved facilities.... more

If you've been to Clearwater Beach lately, you've noticed some major changes taking place along the beachfront between Pier 60 and the south jetty on Clearwater Pass. All the construction may make parking a little difficult, but the end is in sight and it is all for a reason.

... more

The story goes that if you look very carefully when the sun is setting over the sea, sometimes there is a flash of green light just as the sun disappears. For most, the green flash is half real, half legend.... more

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Just from watching television, almost anyone would come away with the impression that Christmas Day is spent by everyone in front of a lighted tree, a pile of gifts, an assortment of relations, and a fourteen pound turkey. For most of my life that's pretty much the way it was.

Sure, when I was a teenager, if the surf was up I'd make an early run out to the beach to catch a few waves on Christmas morning, but I'd always be back in front of that Christmas turkey by lunch time.... more

One of the most beautiful features of Florida beaches is the sand dunes. The sand dunes on each beach are different—some are large, others are small; some are covered with sea oats, while some of the larger dunes are inhabited by larger vegetation like sea grape or small oak trees.

Dunes are formed by the wind and plants on the beach.... more

Many of us, when we think of the beach, think of the weekend. After all, that's when those of us who live in Florida usually have the time to go to the beach. We drive to the beach and have to contend with heavy weekend beach traffic and crowds at the public beach.... more