Hi Leigh,

You'll want to consider Cocoa Beach. It has the most consistent surf and has a wide range of accommodations. I really enjoyed my stay at the Beach Place Guesthouses, so I feel comfortable recommending them to you. There are plenty of other great places, but none that I have personal experience with other than chain hotels.

Cocoa Beach is a great surfing town and the kids will love it. Plenty of inexpensive restaurants. And be sure to take everybody to Ron Jon Surf Shop first thing.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Stan,

You have lots of great choices. The further south you go, the warmer it will be. Marco Island will be the warmest with respect to both air and water temperatures. It has beautiful white sandy beaches and several excellent beach hotels like the Marco Marriott.

Anna Maria Island is also a great family beach getaway, but they don't have large beach resorts (which can be a good thing). The weather and water will be a bit cooler in Anna Maria than on Marco Island.

I think Marco Island will work out well for you and your family.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Roseanne,

I think your choice of the Clearwater Sheraton Sand Key is a fine one. They have a fantastic beach.

There are very few beaches in Florida where you'll want to stay in one location all the time. We really don't have "all-inclusives" here. But the Clearwater Beach area and all of the nearby islands have lots to see and do that would be fun for teenage girls. Jill Martin, the VISITFLORIDA.com Family Travel Expert gave you some great ideas in her Q&A.

For more great ideas, look no further than the Sheraton Sand Key website. They've done a great job of providing excellent ideas for things to do (you definitely don't want to miss the Clearwater Marine Aquarium).

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Carolyn,

I'm not familiar enough with individual beach accesses in your area to make a specific recommendation. If I were you, I'd call nearby counties and inquire whether they have beaches with easier access for people with physical disabilities. Generally, parks and recreation departments of cities and counties can put you in touch with the right person to answer your question.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Linda,

Yes, absolutely, you can keep shells you find on the beach. Most shells you find on the beach are "dead." The little animal inside, whether clam or snail, has long since died and all that is left to wash up on the beach is the shell, which you may keep. Many people use shells they collect to make decorations or art works, or just to display in their homes. Others make a hobby of seeing how many different kinds of shells they can collect and identify.

Most shells you find on the beach are worn and have imperfections from being tossed around in the surf, so serious collectors prefer to collect LIVE shells. Live shells are generally found in shallow water or buried in the mud or sand at low tide. There are laws that apply to collecting live shells (shells with the animal still inside). Lee County, for instance, absolutely prohibits the collection of any live shells (with a few exceptions). Other counties, like Manatee County, have strict limits on the number of live shells you can collect.

Generally, even in state parks you can collect dead shells, but not live shells. However, if you are visiting a preserve or state park, always inquire of the ranger when you enter the park.

I was recently in the Dry Tortugas National Park (near Key West), and it was illegal to take ANYTHING from the park, even sand or rocks. As I recall, Bahia Honda State Park had the same rules.

The best list of Florida shell collecting rules I've been able to find is on the website of the St. Pete Shell Club.

Hi Stacey,

On the Atlantic Coast, consider Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, or Cocoa Beach. I'd lean toward Cocoa Beach. It's a great town and easy to get around.

On the Gulf coast, consider Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach. I'd lean toward St. Pete Beach. It's larger, easier to get around and find parking, and generally has a wider selection of restaurants.

If you want some surf, go with the Atlantic. If you prefer clearer, calmer water for the young ones (that would be my choice), go with the Gulf Coast. From your description, you sound like a good candidate for the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. I recommend St. Pete Beach for your family.

Your chances of being affected by a hurricane are usually less over on the Gulf side. I've lived here on the Gulf coast for almost 49 years and I can scarcely remember ever worrying about a hurricane. You generally have nearly a week's notice, so they are not likely to sneak up on you. We had an above average season in 2004 and 2005, but for the most part things seem to be back to normal (quiet).

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Tammy,

I recommend that you drive up to Sarasota's Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Spend a couple of hours enjoying Mote, stop for lunch and some ice cream at St. Armand's Circle, then drive to Siesta Key Public Beach for the afternoon.  I think they'll enjoy their day a lot.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Debbie,

It sounds like you really need to get away. I'm sorry for your tremendous losses.

Based on what you wrote, South Beach in Miami would be a fine choice for you and your daughter. It doesn't sound like either of you would like a "wilderness" experience, or complete quiet all of the time. I think you'll find that just being out on the beach puts you pretty close to nature.

For some really great quiet time, plan (at least once) to get up before sunrise and go down to the ocean for an early morning walk. Or just sit on the beach sipping your coffee and contemplate the sunrise. You won't be completely alone (there are people on Miami beach 24/7) but it will be very quiet and relaxing. If you'd like a bit more greenery, Miami has some fantastic beach parks.

Why not check to see if there are any yoga classes near your hotel that offer a more gentle, meditative-style yoga (as opposed to hot yoga or "workout" type yoga). If you've not done yoga before, pick a beginner's class and don't worry about not being "flexible" enough. It's not an issue. You'll be amazed at how an hour of yoga in a caring environment can give you a completely different perspective on yourself.

Best wishes for a rejuvenating getaway!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Emily,

My favorite beach park with FREE PARKING in Coco Beach is Lori Wilson Park. It's a beautiful beach park and I always go there when I'm in Cocoa. Here's a link to some photos and more info about Lori Wilson Park:

http://www.beachhunter.net/cocoa-beach/lori-wilson-park.htm

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Ana,

I recommend that you drive over to Pass-A-Grille Beach, on St. Pete Beach. It would be about an hour and forty-five minute drive. Come on a weekday and parking will be much easier to find, and the beach will be much quieter.

You'll take Interstate 4 west to Interstate 275. Follow Interstate-275 through St. Petersburg and take the Pinellas Bayway Exit (54th Ave South). Go toward the beach (west). There is a 50 cent toll on the Bayway. When you get to Gulf blvd at the big pink hotel (Don Cesar), turn left and go to about 10th Avenue. Turn right on 10th Avenue and drive a block to the beach. The parking spaces are numbered and you pay for parking at paystations.

You'll have a great time!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Bill,

I think you'd be most happy in Cocoa Beach. Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Melbourne Beach would also be worthy of consideration.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

I don't have any info about the scallop season. You might try Terry Tomalin, VISIT FLORIDA's Boating and Fishing Expert. If anyone knows, it would be Terry.

http://visitflorida.com/experts/boating_and_fishing/

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Johan,

You'll find the most people on the beaches of Miami from March through August, generally speaking.  To find the crowds, head for South Beach.

As for celebrities on the beach, I'm not sure when my next trip to Miami Beach will be.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Christina,

Try the Marco Island Marriott. Here's a view of the beach via their web cams:

http://www.marcoislandmarriott.com/webcam.html

Marco is a quiet, clean, upscale place with a beautiful wide, flat sandy beach and calm, shallow, clear warm water. This time of year there aren't many people on the island. No nightlife, really, but it doesn't sound like you are looking for that.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Suzanne, for the best chance of surf, head for the Atlantic Ocean. Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach--any of those will be fine.

If you need to be closer to Gainesville, consider Panama City Beach or St. George Island. The likelihood of surf will be much less, but the water is beautiful.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Sarah,

Fort Lauderdale Beach has everything you and your fiance are looking for. Check out my article on Fort Lauderdale.

Grayton Beach in northwest Florida is also wonderful. Read about my romantic weekend in Grayton Beach.

You can't go wrong with either place. Grayton Beach would have  a much smaller selection of restaurants and attractions, but would be quieter. Fort Lauderdale has a lot more going on.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Peter,

I recommend that you drive over to Clearwater Beach's Pier 60. It's a great public beach and has full facilities and a playground for kids, plenty of restaurants, and a great pier. It's a good place for families. Beach access is free but there is a fee for parking. It will take every bit of an hour and a half to get there.

There are directions on this page on how to drive from Orlando to Clearwater Beach's Pier 60. The directions to Clearwater Beach are near the bottom of the page.

The water temperature will be about 65 degrees Fahrenheit in February ( 18 degrees Celsius ), so it will be a bit chilly for snorkeling, but if you get  a warm sunny day it won't be too bad.

Here's a thought: Pay attention to the wind speed and direction. If the wind is strong out of the west or northwest, stay on the Atlantic side. If the wind is strong out of the east or northeast, head for Clearwater Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Latonya,

It really depends on where you are coming from in Georgia. My first recommendation would be the Beaches of South Walton. Seaside, Seagrove--that area is very romantic and very relaxing. The beach is pure white quartz crystals and the water is unbelievably clear and beautiful.

For a smaller budget, Grayton Beach has a great little bed & breakfast called the Hibiscus that I really like. It's about a 10 minute walk to the beach (or you can drive). I recommend calling ahead to have a couple of rental bikes waiting for you when you arrive. It's a great area for bike riding.

If you'd rather stay on Florida's Atlantic Coast, I understand Amelia Island is beautiful. I've not been there yet so I can't personally recommend it, but I can tell you that I know at least half-a-dozen friends who have been there and they just rave about it.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Janna,

For surf and beach activities you'll want to go to either Daytona Beach or Cocoa Beach.  You'll find the activities in a more concentrated area in Daytona and you'll want to get a hotel next to or very close to the Main Street Pier. Did you see my video on Daytona Beach?

In Cocoa Beach things are spread out a bit more, but there is ample parking and the roads are good and traffic is light. Plus you've got Kennedy Space Center nearby.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jennifer,

I have 2 suggestions for you. Panama City Beach has really white sand and very clear water. If by night life you mean restaurants and bars, Panama City Beach has plenty of both.

My other suggestion is Siesta Key. It has beautiful white sand, and shallow, clear water. It isn't quite as clear as Panama City Beach water, but it is very nice. Siesta Key is withing minutes of Sarasota which has plenty of nightlife; it has not just bars and restaurants but cultural activities as well.

You will find a much more youthful crowd in Panama City Beach.

You didn't mention what time of year you are visiting, but Siesta Key would be great any time of year. Panama City Beach (PCB) would be best from April through September. The high season in northwest Florida is during the summer months. It can get pretty chilly up there in the winter out on the beach.

Oh, I just thought of a third suggestion: Clearwater Beach. While the water won't be quite as nice as Siesta Key or PCB, it is still pretty good. The sand is white, and the crowd is somewhat younger than on Siesta Key, but not as young as PCB. There is some nightlife on Clearwater Beach and some in Clearwater.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Ed,

Your question is a good one, but it is out of my area of expertise. My first reaction is to say that a newer city like Orlando that caters to large numbers of travelers with various physical challenges would probably be the best. But that is only a guess on my part. I can point you to a few resources that might help, if you have not already seen them. One of the most developed online resources on disabilities travel is http://goflorida.about.com/od/planningforspecialneeds/ss/disabled_guide.htm It covers many topics and links to many resources.

VISITFLORIDA.com has quite a few ideas and resources for disabled travelers.

I hope you find some information that will help your family find the right place.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Beth,

A good central location would be Cocoa Beach. If you stay further south, away from the pier, you'll find it fairly quiet. No matter where you go there will be students out on Spring Break, but away from the major party hot-spots they'll be well-behaved. It should be easy to find a hotel in the Cocoa Beach area. Melbourne Beach and Indialantic are also good choices, but with fewer hotels. Melbourne Beach has a lot of mom & pop style motels right on the beach.

Much further south, Delray Beach gets great reviews, but it would put you quite a drive from Daytona and Kennedy Space Center.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Graham,

Drive from Orlando to the Gulf Coast via Interstate 4. Get a hotel either on Clearwater Beach (Sand Pearl or Hilton) or come just a bit further south to St. Pete Beach and book a room at the TradeWinds Resort.

Then when you are ready to head south down the Gulf Coast on Interstate 75, consider staying on either Naples Beach (Naples Beach & Golf Club perhaps) or on Marco Island (the Marriott would be a nice choice, and you could probably get a great rate in September)  for a night before you head across the state to Miami.

You might also consider taking US 41 across the Everglades instead of I-75 (Alligator Alley). US 41 is more scenic and there are some interesting places to stop, like Clyde Butcher's Gallery.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Angela,

$300 per night? You can definitely find rates below $250 per night on Fort Myers Beach during March 2010. I just did a quick search and found rooms at the Outrigger Resort on FMB as low as $160. I stayed there 2 years ago for the Sandsculpting Championship Festival and found it to be a fine beach resort.

Now that I think about it, I doubt that you could find better beachfront deals anywhere in southwest Florida during March than on Fort Myers Beach.

The Holiday Inn FMB is also showing rates below $250 per night. Check 'em out!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Have a look at Bonita Beach, Casey Key, Manasota Key, and Venice Beach. Any of those offer quieter beaches with fewer people. They are mostly residential and offer reasonable accommodations right on the beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kevin,

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "too close to a city." I'm just going to assume that you mean that you want a quiet place without a lot of traffic and commercialization and noise.

Have a look at Casey Key, which is south of Sarasota. It's a quiet island, but isn't too far from Sarasota in case you need to re-supply with groceries or if you want to go out for meals now and then.

Casey Key only has one road. It's a curvy winding road that in some places overlooks the beach, and in other places overlooks the bay. Here's a place on Casey Key that's fairly reasonable: http://www.abeachretreat.com/index.html

Nearby Manasota Key might also offer what you are looking for.

Both islands would offer a relaxed atmosphere without being out in the middle of nowhere.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sharon,

Your description pretty much sums it up. Miami is in the tropics. It's hot and humid during much of the year. July and August are in the middle of the rainy season, so you can expect almost daily rain, but not all day long. Much of the day is sunny or partly cloudy. Whether it rains in the morning or in the afternoon depends on the weather patterns in effect.

Hurricanes and tropical storms are a possibility, but are not highly likely.

Whether or not July / August is a good time to come to Miami depends on why you are coming and what type of activities you are planning. It also depends on how flexible your schedule is. Usually you can work around the weather.

Personally, I like the heat, humidity, lush green foliage, tropical fruit, ocean breezes, and daily deluges. It's what the tropics are all about.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Darlene,

I recently stayed on Fort Lauderdale Beach and had a great time. I was also on a limited budget and found a small motel/inn that was only a block from the beach, but there are others that are much closer. I wrote an article about my visit to Fort Lauderdale with some great suggestions for things to see and do. There are a few buildings under construction along the beach, so if daytime construction noise might be an issue for you, be sure to discuss this with your hotel/motel before booking. There was construction very close to the Granada Inn where we stayed but it didn't bother us because we were only at the room at night. There were many other guests that spent most of the day around the pool and the noise didn't seem to bother them. The price was right.

The Keys are beautiful. You'll love it down there. There are hundreds of places to stay all throughout the keys. You can opt for a more traditional hotel like the Holiday Inn, or you can stay at a smaller motel. I've stayed at a place in Tavernier called the Atlantic Bay Resort that was very nice with a very attractive room rate.

Key West itself is very busy. There is a lot to see and do there. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts and inns, but they do tend to be a bit pricey for some budgets. It is nice to stay near the downtown area, because you can walk everywhere. Another option is to stay in one of the larger hotels, like the Sheraton Key West, which is right across the street from Smathers Beach. They offer some rather nice rates.

Generally, I recommend you plan your Keys trip on weekdays, rather than on weekends. Traffic will be lighter and things will be more relaxed overall.

I highly recommend taking a day trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park aboard the Yankee Freedom II. It's a great place to relax on the beach (bring your own umbrella), go snorkeling, and explore Fort Jefferson.

I really enjoyed just walking around Key West neighborhoods and taking in the Caribbean architecture and all the tropical foliage. Historical and garden attractions are favorites of everyone.

Buy a guide to Key West and study it before you go so you can pick out things that interest you before you get there.

Have a great time!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Giovanna,

The closest beaches to the Orlando, Florida area would be Daytona Beach or Cocoa Beach. Here is more information on the closest beaches to Orlando / Disney / Universal.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Deb,

The 2009 Festival will be held November 5 - 8, 2009. Visit the festival website for dates and more information: http://sandsculptingfestival.com/

Glad you enjoyed the video.

David

Hi Dave,

This is a really tough question to answer accurately. Some cities and counties have ordinances against thong swimwear and enforce when spotted by beach patrol. Others have the laws on the books but tend not to enforce unless a complaint is called in.

I can tell you that I see thongs frequently on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, but I'm not sure what their laws are. I've also seen thongs on Fort Myers Beach.

Laws concerning thong swimwear are controversial and enforcement often ebbs and flows according to the local political climate at any given time. For instance, Lido Beach in Sarasota used to be famous not only for the presence of thong swimwear, but also toplessness. The authorities cracked down on that. However, if you go there today and walk toward the quieter parts of north Lido, you will find people wearing thongs discreetly. They are technically breaking the law, in my understanding.

Your best bet is to consider areas you'd like to visit and then call the city or county that has jurisdiction and ask questions. Consider these areas:

• Siesta Key
• Fort Myers Beach
• Sanibel Island
• Naples Beach
• Marco Island

Many thong wearers simply find a remote section of beach where no one will see or bother them. This usually works out just fine, but it's best to know the laws before you put yourself in a position to be arrested.

Avoid wearing a thong in state park beaches.

David

Hi Cara,

Smathers Beach is definitely an option. And the Sheraton Key West is directly across the street from Smathers Beach.

As far as March being crowded in Key West: yes, March is a busy time of year all over central and south Florida, and Key West is no different.

Key West is a "different" kind of place. It's sort of "the end of the line" so-to-speak, as it is the southernmost place in the continental US. It attracts a diverse crowd. Most of them are here to party and "let their hair down."  The beach is the most laid-back place, generally.

I just visited Smathers beach a few weeks ago and I really liked it.  I'd get married on the beach there.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Alison,

I suggest that you consider the following Gulf beach areas:

Anna Maria Island

Palm Island Resort

Sanibel Island

Marco Island

I like Anna Maria, but perhaps I'm biased because that's the beach I grew up on.

On the Atlantic side, I really like Cocoa Beach. There are lots of places to stay, and if you stay south, away from the pier, it is quiet. I like the Beach Place Guesthouses.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Tia,

This is a great question. There are two approaches you can use. The first, which I highly recommend, is that you take advantage of the experienced professional surfing instructors in the Cocoa Beach area to teach your kids how to surf and how to handle themselves and their boards in the surf. They will actually go out into the water with your kids.

Summertime brings small surf to the Cocoa Beach area, and a professional surfing instructor will know where the best spots are for young children. Since you live near Cocoa Beach, you can work with the instructor to schedule  your childrens' surfing lessons during days when the surf is smaller.

If you choose to go the "do-it-yourself" route you could drive over to the Gulf coast, but chances are very good that the Gulf will be as flat as a lake, or it will be too rough to surf in. Good surfing conditions are infrequent and difficult to find, even for local surfers. Northwest Florida (Panama City Beach, Pensacola Beach, etc) has more consistent surf than the peninsular Gulf coast and it is smaller than Cocoa Beach, but that's a really long drive from Cocoa Beach.

Going further south, say to Ft. Lauderdale, is a way to find smaller, gentler surf, since the Bahama Islands block much of the ocean swell. But you may find it flat there as well, especially during the summer months.

You know, Tia, one of the most frustrating things for me as a beginning surfer (I was 14), other than finding a ride to the beach, was finding some way to enjoy surfing related activities when the surf was too small or too rough. We went skateboarding, but that seemed pretty boring compared to being out on the water. There is a new sport taking hold in Florida called stand-up-paddling (SUP). I highly recommend that you look into that as well. The boards are initially about 2 or 3 times the cost of a regular surfboard, but they are fun to use even when there is no surf. Stand-up-paddling is going to be huge in Florida. So your kids can practice their board-handling skills and work on their balance even when the surf is flat. The SUP boards can also be used in the bays and backwaters.

Learning to surf on a regular surfboard and a SUP board is a perfect combination. And of course you don't have to go out and buy an SUP board right away. You can rent them. It is best to take at least a couple of lessons on those too, as they have their own skill set which is different from regular surfing. Do a search on YouTube for Stand Up Paddle boarding and you can see how versatile the boards are.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Susan,

I'd love to help you out, but I am a beaches expert, not an accommodations expert, so I don't know of all the properties that could satisfy your needs. I suggest that you make a list of the coastal cities served by Southwest and contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce for that area.

Here is a good article with some additional resources:

http://visitflorida.com/articles/florida-beach-faq#adabeaches

You may also find some useful resources here:

http://visitflorida.com/disabilities_travel

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Arlene,

Anna Maria Island is the place for you. It's a great family island just north of Sarasota and has calm waters for swimming and a great selection of shells. There are plenty of beach houses and low-rise condos for rent on and near the beach. Look for a place in Holmes Beach or in the City of Anna Maria. Its not very commercial, but there are still enough restaurants to keep you well fed. You'll love it there.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kent,

You can't go wrong with either resort. The beach is pretty much the same in either location, as the Sirata and the Tradewinds are not very far apart. My inclination would be to lean toward the Tradewinds, but that's mainly, I think, because I've known several people who work or who have worked there and they all speak highly of it (even after they left). But I don't have any specific reason to steer you away from the Sirata.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Leslie,

I recommend that you look for a beach cottage on Sanibel Island. Dogs are allowed on Sanibel beaches and you should have no trouble finding a small house or cottage. Visit http://forum.bestofsanibelcaptiva.com and register (it's free) and inquire about pet-friendly accommodations.

Another option would be a beach house on Cape San Blas in Northwest Florida. It's rather more remote than Sanibel, but the beach is dog friendly.

VISITFLORIDA.com has rental listings for both Sanibel and Cape San Blas.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Mike,

The Florida gulf coast has lots of kid-friendly beach resorts. But not all have the kind of aquatic features you are loooking for. Have a look at the Naples Grand Beach Resort. I think they have what you want.

http://www.naplesgranderesort.com

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Deb,

I recommend that you find a hotel on or near North Atlantic Blvd (1A), south of East Sunrise Blvd and north of SE 17th Street. This will put you and your children right in the middle of all the action, with easy access to restaurants, shops, the beach broadwalk, and of course, the beach. You'll all have a blast. Guaranteed. Be sure to take advantage of the water taxi to visit other parts of the city, especially along the river and along Las Olas.

Did you read about my recent trip to Ft. Lauderdale and my suggested itinerary for visitors?

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Lisa,

Childhood memories can certainly play a big part in our choices and what we want for our children. I suspect your husband visited one of the beaches in northwest Florida, perhaps Pensacola, Destin, Panama City Beach, or one of the many smaller town beaches in between. They have pure white quartz crystal sand and unbelievably clear water.

You will be in Disney World, and the northwest Florida beaches will be 6 to 8 hours driving distance from there.

I recommend that you come down to Anna Maria Island. It should be a drive of less than 3 hours and you will enjoy white sand, a beautiful island, and the water is often quite clear. Regardless, it is a wonderful island for families and kids. The Manatee County Public Beach at the west end of Highway 64 (Manatee Avenue) would be an excellent choice. I recommend that you visit on a weekday so you'll have a better choice of  parking and less crowds overall.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Megan,

Your vacation has St. Pete Beach written all over it! I recommend that you have a look at the TradeWinds Resort's Sandpiper Hotel and Suites on St. Pete Beach. Here's article about the TradeWinds, if you want more information. The beach isn't too crowded and it is very wide with white sand. You can walk to some restaurants, and either drive or take the Suncoast Beach trolley to more restaurants and plenty of shopping.

John's Pass Village and Boardwalk is a 15-minute drive from St. Pete Beach and offers lots of shopping and restaurants as well as various boat tours and fishing charters. They have a great dolphin watch tour that I recommend. There are plenty of good restaurants on St. Pete Beach and the nearby islands.

As for nature, Fort DeSoto Park has plenty, as well as two fishing piers that have very good fishing. You can also take a boat trip to Egmont Key State Park (20-minute boat ride from Fort DeSoto Park) and spend part of the day exploring, or to nearby Shell Key. You could also take a drive north for an hour and visit Honeymoon Island State Park and also take the ferry to Caladesi Island State Park for part of the day.

Other places to stay would be the Sirata or the Howard Johnson, and down on Pass-A-Grille beach there are some smaller properties across the street from the beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kim,

By "teen-friendly" I assume you mean a hotel with activities for teens. Have a look at the Tradewinds Island Grand on St. Pete Beach. They have some summer activities that might appeal to your teens. St. Pete Beach in general is a fun place for teens. They'd probably like to try the new sport of Stand-up-paddleboarding (SUP). Give the Surf Shack a call and they can hook you up with some lessons.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Angie,

Amelia Island, near Jacksonville, also offers horseback riding on the beach.

The horseback riding in Bradenton is on Palma Sola Causeway, which is not actually on the Gulf Beach. It is several miles away on the narrow beach on Palma Sola Bay, which parallels Manatee Avenue (Highway 64).

The horseback riding near Mexico Beach, I believe, is on Cape San Blas, which does offer a lot of beachfront rental homes.

I'm not familiar with horseback riding in general. I suggest you contact a few of the businesses that offer horseback riding on Cape San Blas and perhaps on Amelia Island and I'm sure they can offer some great ideas.

Also, I believe VISIT FLORIDA's adventure expert, Lauren Tjaden, may have some good suggestions for you, so visit her Q&A page and send her your question.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Great question, Kasey! Before I jump into the numbers I'd like to point something out. Counting beaches is tricky, because you have to define what you mean by "beach." Here's what I mean: Anna Maria Island has seven miles of continuous beaches, from end to end. You can walk the entire length of the island. However, there are several named public beach accesses and dozens of unnamed trails to the beach.

Let's define "beach" as a named public access point. Most will have parking and restrooms. Let's also include National, State, County, and City park beaches.

The most complete guide to all the beaches in Florida is "Florida Beaches: The Best Places to Swim, Play, Eat, and Stay" by Parke Puterbaugh & Alan Bisbort. In this book the authors profile 400 beaches in 35 coastal counties.

How many miles of beaches does Florida have? Well, it depends on how you measure, and on what resource you refer to. I've seen all kinds of different numbers. Puterbaugh & Bisbort offer the following information:

Miles of coastline: 1,800

Miles of sand beaches: 1,100

I hope that answer is helpful to you, Kasey.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Brian,

You'll find clear water for snorkeling at both parks, however, St. Andrews has a rock jetty which makes for much more interesting snorkeling. At St. Andrews you can also take the boat across the pass to Shell Island for additional jetty snorkeling where there will be fewer people.

St. Joseph is almost out in the middle of nowhere, so if you need groceries (other than the few items at the camp store) you'll need to drive all the way to Port St. Joe. But at St. Andrews, you are very close to stores and restaurants.

If you are looking for a more "away from it all" experience, St. Josephs delivers. But if snorkeling is your focus, I'd recommend St. Andrews.

Hey let me know how it turns out! And send some photos.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jill,

I don't have any good info on the best snorkeling spots in the Navarre area. They do have really beautiful water there, I know that for sure. My suggestion is that you contact some of the local dive shops and ask about snorkeling locations. They can give you a wealth of great info that only an experienced local diver can give.

Hi Andrea,

I answer this question almost every week, so if you'll just have a look at my beaches FAQ page you'll find my previous responses in date order. On the following recent dates I provided information on the closest beaches to Disney / Orlando:

• May 3, 2009
• April 29, 2009
• April 23, 2009
• April 6, 2009
• March 17, 2009
• March 2, 2009

Reading the answers to the questions on those dates will tell you all you need to know to find the right beach for the kids to play on, near Disney / Orlando. You'll probably find lots of other good information about beaches there too.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Ingrid,

Here are some of the top near-beach snorkeling spots that generally have the clearest water and the most interesting things to see underwater:

St. Andrews State Park Beach (rock jetty). Near Panama City Beach.

Bahia Honda State Park beaches, in the Florida Keys.

Bathtub Reef (south end of Hutchinson Island in Stuart, FL) Call before you go to make sure the park is open. It was closed for a while due to storm erosion / damage, but should have reopened by now.

Coral Cove Park, Jupiter, FL

Red Reef Park, Boca Raton

All of the above spots can be accessed from the beach, without a boat, and without swimming far.

More reading / info on snorkeling spots in south Florida.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Theresa,

In the immediate Destin area, your largest variety of choices will be either a resort condominium or possibly you can find a large beach house. How about renting a big beach house that will fit everyone?

A bit further to the east from Destin are the charming communities of Blue Mountain Beach, Seagrove, Grayton Beach, Seaside, and Watercolor. These communities have a great selection of beach houses.

No matter where you stay, you'll find the beaches in this part of the state to be unmatched in terms of sand and water quality.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Laura,

Consider Anna Maria Island. There are plenty of rental homes on the beach, and you'll find it a very relaxing island with beautiful beaches and water. Look for a rental in northern Holmes Beach or in the City of Anna Maria, those are the quieter parts of the island. North Anna Maria is the quietest. You could fly into Tampa, rent a car, and be at your destination in about an hour.

If you are looking for something even quieter, and a bit different, consider staying at the Palm Island Resort, near Englewood. You could fly into Fort Myers and drive to the Englewood area. You would take the car ferry to Palm Island (a two-minute ferry crossing) then park your car at the resort. Then you would be issued a golf cart for transportation in the resort, which is quite large. There is one restaurant in the resort (it is very good), but you might want to stop at the grocery for some food and supplies. It is not difficult to drive back off the island if you want to try some different area restaurants. Palm Island Resort is a great place to relax and have some quiet time. Very romantic, unless you need a lot of nearby conveniences. If that is the case, go with Anna Maria Island.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Lynn,

Clearwater Public Beach at Pier 60 and Sand Key Park are the two best public beaches in Clearwater. For information and directions you can visit this page on driving from Orlando to Clearwater Beaches.

Consider visiting the beaches during the week rather than on a weekend. You'll find it easier to find parking and there will be fewer people on the beaches (but still plenty of folks).

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Tonya,

This is the first time anyone has ever asked me for a beach that is a long distance away. Most people want a short drive.

If you want to take a long drive to some really nice beaches, I suggest Panama City Beach, Destin, or Pensacola Beach in northwest Florida.

In south Florida, consider Ft. Lauderdale Beach. On the lower west coast, Sanibel Island and Marco Island have great beaches.

If you really meant to write that you want a beach WITHOUT a real long drive, I suggest Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, or Clearwater Beach. Here is more information on beaches close to Orlando.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Bennett,

The Beachcomber Resort at 1200 South Ocean Blvd in Pompano Beach is, in my opinion, a very safe area to walk in. It is an upscale area with lots of beachfront condominiums. I'm assuming you are referring to walking on the beach. I would definitely consider that to be very safe. As for walking on the street, other than the usual cautions about traffic, I would consider the areas near the Beachcomber to be safe as well. But I think you'll find that you'll need a car to get to nearby restaurants and attractions.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Ali,

Sure I can give you a great suggestion. My favorite beach for sunset watching in the area is Blind Pass Beach. It is located at 6725 Manasota Key Road, Manasota Key, FL (link to Google map). Parking is free and the beach is open from around 6 a.m. till 11 p.m. The parking area is a shell / dirt lot across the street from the beach. It does have restroom facilities. I love this beach.

Not far away is Englewood Public Beach at Chadwick Park at C.R.776 (Beach Road) and Manasota Key Road in Englewood Parking is $1. It has picnic tables, showers, and restrooms, and a paved parking lot. A boardwalk runs the length of the beach. But Blind Pass Beach is much prettier.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Bob,

For serious shellers, Sanibel is the place to be. It has more shells as well as a greater variety of shells than any other beach in the state.

However, Pinellas County (Tampa Bay area) has some good shelling beaches as well. Honeymoon Island State Park, Caladesi Island State Park, and Clearwater Beach each have a fairly good selection of shells.

So I'd say it depends on how serious you are about your shells. If you go to Sanibel, be sure to stop by the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.

Hi Sue,

For surfing, I recommend Cocoa Beach. Take the kids to Ron Jon Surf Shop too. They'll have a great time looking around at all the surfboard equipment. Many of the surf shops in the area rent surfboards, including Ron Jon's. You might also consider signing the kids up for an hour or two of surfing lessons if they do not already know how. It is well worth the money.

As for snorkeling, I recommend that you drive south from Cocoa Beach on A1A toward Sebastian Inlet State Park. This park has a protected lagoon that has pretty good snorkeling.

The very best snorkeling is in the Keys. Taking a snorkeling tour out 3 to 9 miles in the Atlantic for some snorkeling on the shallow coral reefs would be an unforgettable experience. You can snorkel right off the Keys as well, but you'll mostly be looking at sand and sea grass (nothing wrong with that, but its not as exciting as coral reefs). Don't expect great beaches in the Keys.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Dora,

I recommend Cocoa Beach. Specifically, I like Lori Wilson Park. Here is some info about various beach parks in Cocoa Beach.

Here are some other suggestions about beaches near Orlando.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Carra,

For shells you'll need to come down to the Tampa Bay Area. You'll find good shelling on Honeymoon Island State Park, Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater Beach and any of the Pinellas County Beaches, as well as all the beaches to the south.

I have not found northwest Florida to have a great selection of shells, although St. George Island does have a few. Either Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach would be a great place to find a hotel. From there you could easily visit all the beaches in the area. Indian Rocks beach would be a great place to find a beach house or condo.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Doyle,

I know exactly what you are looking for. But I'm afraid I'm going to come up short as far as being able to recommend a specific property.  Here are some facts about the Keys:

• The Keys do not have great beaches like the rest of Florida. Most are VERY narrow, the water is very shallow, and there is a lot of seaweed on the beach. Some beaches are rocky. The Keys is all about the water. It is so beautiful it is truly hard to believe. There is no way to describe it. It glows.
• The Keys in general are geared towards fishing and boating. Key West is geared toward partying and sightseeing.
• Some hotels have a private beach where sand is imported to make a manmade beach. Often, this sand is more like "kitty litter" than sand, to put it bluntly. Most hotels also have a boat ramp or marina and cater heavily to fishermen and families. Start out with a fishing boat, add a couple of fishermen and their wives and friends, add a cooler of beer, and you've got a real party on your hands. Not the best situation for a quiet romantic weekend.

What I recommend is that you find a house on the water for rent. That way you'll have the whole place to yourselves. The best beaches in the Keys are in Bahia Honda State Park. If you go there during the week you'll easily find a quiet area to relax and snorkel. If you can find a house to rent within a half-hour or so of Bahia Honda Key, you'll be all set.

Snorkeling you do off the beach is not as exciting as snorkeling the reefs, which are 3 to 9 miles offshore. I highly recommend that you schedule at least one day to take a snorkeling tour out to one of the reefs. Looe Key reef is one of the most highly recommended. Be sure to specify that you want a tour that caters specifically to snorkelers, not to SCUBA divers. You want a shallow reef. Many of the offshore reefs are in just a few feet of water. It will be an experience you will never forget.

I also highly recommend that you schedule a day to take the Yankee Freedom high speed catamaran ferry out of Key West to the Dry Tortugas National Park.  You can snorkel around Fort Jefferson in shallow water. What an incredible trip that is. I just returned from there and can't wait to go back.

I hope this info is helpful to you. I hope one day to find the perfect place like you are looking for in the Keys. Until then, I'll still be loving every minute I spend down there.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kamran,

Anywhere in Panama City Beach is great. All the beaches in the area are beautiful and will not disappoint. VISITFLORIDA.com has many good listings for beach front accommodations in Panama City Beach whether it be condominiums or hotels. Have a look at them and pick one in your price range. If you need to compare specific properties, I recommend that you look them up on TripAdvisor.com. That's what I do when I'm shopping for a hotel.

Remember that Panama City is not Panama City Beach. They are two separate cities. Be sure to look at Panama City Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Frank,

You are right, there are lots of beach accesses in this part of the state, and the beaches are really nice. There are long stretches of coastline, especially on South Hutchinson Island, where there is little development. I took a  road trip along part of this stretch of coastline last summer and was overwhelmed with the number of beach accesses.

Generally, state park and county park beaches have the best facilities. These communities are rather well-to-do and they spare no expense when it comes to landscaping and maintaining their beach parks.

My preference is for South Hutchinson beach accesses, since I like quieter beaches, but I enjoy them all. My recommendation is to find suitable accommodations anywhere in the area, then do some exploring. Once you are out walking on the beach, it is, for the most part, all the same. Do you want to walk in front of developments and condos? Or do you prefer more natural beaches? Those are the main questions to ask.  They are all excellent beaches.

I haven't spent enough time in the area to make a really detailed comparison between the various beach accesses, but I visited many of them and didn't find a single one I didn't like.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Cecilia,

The better beach, at St. George Island, is closer to an hour and a half to two hours away. That is the only one I can recommend personally out of the three you mentioned. This area is at the very eastern edge of northwest Florida sandy beaches. A bit further west is nothing but mud flats until you get down to the Tampa Bay area beaches. St. George Island State Park.    Directions.

I don't think Shell Point is what you are looking for. It's more of a muddy tidal flat beach.

Alligator Point is mostly a private beach. There may be a few public access points along County Road 370, but as far as I know, there is no designated public beach with parking / restroom facilities.

Just a bit northwest of Alligator Point is Bald Point State Park, which has beaches, but not quite as good as the St. George Island beaches. It just depends on what you are looking for. Directions.

When you are on County Road 370, instead of turning left to go to Bald Point State Park, if you turn right onto Alligator Point road you can look for public accesses on Alligator Point. There may be street parking next to a footpath. That's about all you'll find, to the best of my knowledge.

Hi Norman,

There are several good choices. On the Atlantic Coast, the beaches are about an hour's drive from the Disney area. Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach would be the top choices.

On the Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach would be the closest--about 90 minutes to 2 hours driving--depending on traffic.

Suggestion: visit the beach during the week, rather than on a weekend, and you'll find traffic and parking to be less congested.

Clearwater Beach will have white sand and will most likely have calmer water and gentle swimming conditions. It will also have a nicer selection of shells.

Daytona and Cocoa Beach are closer. Cocoa Beach provides more public beach accesses with off-beach parking and restrooms. Daytona is set up to drive your car out onto the beach and park right on the sand. As long as beach and tide conditions cooperate, this works very well, but not all areas have restrooms.

Here is more information on choosing a beach near Orlando and Disney.

Hi Bridget,

Have a look at Panama City Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach. In August, you'll find more activity and people at those beaches than any other, and they both offer beautiful beaches and water. I'd lean slightly toward Fort Lauderdale, as the breezes off the Atlantic will help keep the heat down, and the surrounding areas also offer lots to do and see.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Norm,

You can "detect" on any of the beaches and find modern-day coins and jewelry in the Naples area. But you won't have the same chance of finding Spanish gold that you would in the Vero Beach area.

Vero Beach is called the Treasure Coast for a reason. The sinking of the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet left tons of gold scattered for miles along the coast. Much of it remains unrecovered to this day.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Seth,

The beaches with the best waves generally are to be found on the Atlantic coast between Jacksonville and somewhere in the Vero Beach area. Top spots are:

• Ponce Inlet (both sides, Ponce and New Smyrna)
• New Smyrna Beach
• Cocoa Beach
• Melbourne Beach
• Sebastian Inlet (probably the most famous surf break in Florida)

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jennifer,

I recommend that you drive over to Cocoa Beach. There are plenty of reasonable hotels to choose from and plenty of family activities. Here is some info on beaches close to Orlando and Disney that will be helpful to you.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Mary,

The first thing that comes to mind is the Beachcomber Resort, which has a beach bar called Jimmy B's with live music. I've walked by there on the beach quite a few times at night and their bands are quite good. http://www.beachcomberflorida.com/jimmy-bs-beach-bar.asp. But it's pretty laid-back.

There are a number of beach bars on St. Pete beach that have live music on various nights of the week. If you stay at any of the centrally located hotels / resorts you'll be within walking distance of most of them. The Tradewinds, the Sirata, the Howard Johnson, and the Beachcomber are all in the same area and are all popular places.

More serious nightlife can be found 40 minutes further north, at Shephards Resort on Clearwater Beach:
http://www.shephards.com/ This would be a more club style atmosphere and may be more of what you are looking for. It's very popular with the younger crowd. Overall, Clearwater Beach caters to a younger crowd, and it's pretty close to St. Pete.

In-between those to places are various small beach bars--probably not what you'd consider "night life."

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi JP,

On the Gulf side I suggest you look at Longboat Key, or Anna Maria Island (specifically Holmes Beach or the City of Anna Maria).

Longboat Key would generally be quieter, but has an aire of exclusivity. Anna Maria is more "regular folks" and laid back.

Another idea would be southern Siesta Key in the Turtle Beach area. The beach is very quiet there.

Any of these islands would be 30 - 45 minutes from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

On the Atlantic side, one of my favorite "getaway" spots is the Beach Place Guesthouses in Cocoa Beach. You could fly into the Orlando Int'l Airport, or the Melbourn Int'l Airport.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jennifer,

Sanibel is a great place and "amazing" is certainly an appropriate description. There is no place like it. Here are a couple of suggestions:

Anna Maria Island - smaller than Sanibel, and without the wildlife preserves, this island near Bradenton / Sarasota is a family oriented island without high-rise condos or large hotels. The beach is soft and white and there is a nice selection of shells. The water is usually quite clear. There is a good selection of restaurants on the island, three fishing piers, a small history museum, and a couple of very small shopping areas. It's great for relaxing. If you need a bit more entertainment or access to cultural attractions, Sarasota is just 45 minutes away.

Palm Island - If you really want to get away from it all, Palm Island Resort is a great way to go. It has no bridges to the mainland, so you'd have to bring your car over on the ferry (a short hop). The resort provides golf carts to get around in the resort, and bike rentals as well. There is only one (very good) restaurant on the island, so unless you like eating out every meal, you'll want to bring some food and supplies. Stop at a local grocery store before you board the ferry. The resort offers beach front rentals that are very, very nice. You'll have lots of room here--no crowds on the beach. It's very quiet.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Erick,

Florida Surf Lessons has instructors in Miami that can help you out. Miami doesn't always have surf that's big enough to ride; if that's the case when you are there, consider learning to use a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). This is the hottest new trend for surfing-related sports in Florida and is GREAT exercise. Skills you learn are easily transferable to surfing.

The EZ Ride Surf School also provides surfing lessons in Miami.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Bill,

Englewood Beach (Charlotte County) is a quiet and very relaxed area. You won't find a lot of high-rises on the beach. Nature is the strongest attraction here, in my opinion. Grande Tours Kayaking is nearby in Placida and offers an outstanding kayaking experience. Sport fishing and boating is big, especially in the bay waters. Stump Pass State Park offers quiet beaches that are popular with nesting turtles.

The beaches are actually located on Manasota Key, which is separated from the mainland by Lemon Bay. Stump Pass Beach State Park is at the southern end of Manasota Key. Englwood's Public Beach is located near the Beach Road causeway, and my favorite, Blind Pass Beach is about 3 miles further north.

Englewood is a short drive from Sarasota's attractions, and is also close to downtown Punta Gorda, which is a great place to spend the day. Also, Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island) is nearby and is a unique place to explore.

The area has wonderful seafood restaurants and quiet beaches. I always enjoy being down in that area. I find it a welcome change from the more developed areas.

David McRee

Hi Ron,

The Florida Keys would offer everything but the beach, so my suggestion is that you consider Palm Beach, which has excellent SCUBA charters, fishing charters, and some of the finest hotels in Florida on the finest beaches. Have a look at the Breakers resort. They have some summer deals.

I frequently have requests for "all-inclusive" type resorts, but have yet to find any in Florida that truly fit that category. Some resorts offer extras at no charge during certain promotional offers.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Deb,

I think you'll find what you are looking for in the Florida Keys, which have coral reefs for snorkeling, swim with the dolphins opportunities, and several good beaches, especially Bahia Honda State Park.

The Keys also have skydiving opportunities (just Google "skydive Key West" and you'll have several choices. Same for Parasailing.

For airboat tours, you'll need to visit the Everglades. These tours come highly recommended:

Gator Park (www.gatorpark.com) (note: this website has sound, so adjust speakers accordingly)

Coopertown Airboat Tours (www.coopertownairboats.com)

Consider combining several activities in one tour. Here are some great suggestions from VISIT FLORIDA's Adventure Expert, Lauren Tjaden.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

R. A. ,

I can appreciate your preference for a natural beach. Most beaches in Florida have been restored at some point. Not all restored beaches end up with broken shell refuse. It just depends on where the new sand is "borrowed" from. In my recent trips to northwest Florida I found the sand on all beaches to be absolutely pure white quartz crystals, and sugar-soft. Consider Beaches of South Walton, Destin, Panama City Beach, Pensacola Beach, and especially the Fort Pickens beaches. You won't be disappointed.

Alternatively, Canaveral National Seashore has pristine beaches, although they are not white, if that matters.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Rosemarie,

Most beach facilities that have picnic tables also provide barbeque grills. County and City beach parks and State parks usually do as well.  Note that these grills are generally  "family size" grills, not huge barbeque pits suitable for large groups.

Here is a great list of Miami's beach parks and what they offer:
http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/visitors/beachesList.asp

Crandon Park is an especially nice beach park.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Andrea,

The best and closest public beaches to Spring Hill are found at Honeymoon Island State Park, Caladesi Island State Park, and Clearwater Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Shirley,

Some of the best beach facilities on Sanibel are at Lighthouse Beach Park and at Algiers Park, which is also known as Gulfside City Park. Both places have parking spaces very close to the beach boardwalks. All of the beaches on Sanibel are quite wide, but they are also very flat.

You can get to Algiers Beach by following Periwinkle Way to Casa Ybel Road, which will take you to Algiers Lane. Follow Algiers Lane all the way to the beach.

If you like shells, you'll also like the Bailey Matthews Shell Museum. You do have to climb steps to get into the Museum, so you might want to call in advance to see if there is an elevator or a ramp if that would be helpful to you.

You can also enjoy the causeway beaches, which do not require as much walking to get to the water's edge.

Have a great trip! You'll love Sanibel.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kim,

Wow, there are so many great dive spots in Florida. Limestone rock reefs, coral reefs, shipwrecks, artificial reefs--most very close to the coast.

But I'm not a SCUBA expert, so the best thing for you to do is to call some diving charters and ask questions and tell them what you are looking for.

Generally, the top dive areas in Florida are along the southeast Coast of Florida from the Palm Beaches southward, and in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. The Keys have living coral reefs, and the southeast coast of the state has a series of limestone ledges that parallel the coast and make great diving. All areas have shipwrecks. Here are some resources for you to investigate:

http://www.scuba-adventures.com/index.php (Palm Beach)

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/ (Palm Beach)

http://www.thediversity.com/  (Boca Raton)

http://www.amoray.com/ (the Keys)

There is diving in other areas of the state, but the areas I've mentioned above are considered the top spots overall.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Vitaliya,

I'm not a SCUBA diving expert, but I'll share with you some general information and give you some leads. The top diving in Florida is in the Keys and along the southeast Florida coast (from Palm Beach south). There are dozens of good dive boats that serve south Florida and the Keys. Most do not seem to offer liveaboard charters that stay at sea for more than one day, since the reefs are so close to shore.

I did find one down in the Keys called Sea-Clusive that offers multiple days at sea down in the Dry Tortugas (I'll bet that's a wonderful trip). http://www.seaclusive.com/livedryt.htm

Here are a few day charters:

http://www.scuba-adventures.com/index.php (Palm Beach)

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/ (Palm Beach)

http://www.thediversity.com/  (Boca Raton)

http://www.amoray.com/ (the Keys)

Call any of the above charters and ask a lot of questions. They'll be happy to help you find what you are looking for.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Chuck, the best wave action in Florida is generally found on the Atlantic coast north of  the Palm Beach area. To combine surfing with good vacation accommodations and attractions, I recommend Cocoa Beach, which will have everything you need, plus fairly consistent surf. You'd also be within a 45 minute drive of Sebastian Inlet, which as you may know, is considered the top surfing spot in the state. It's also a powerful break, so I wouldn't recommend it as a place for unsupervised beginners.

Other possible spots:

• Flagler Beach
• Daytona Beach & Ponce Inlet
• New Smyrna Beach
• Melbourne Beach

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Jay,

The southeast coast of Florida has a series of limeston rock ledges that parallel the coast. In some places they are close enough to shore for swimmers (snorkelers) to reach them. Here are a few spots like that:

Coral Cove Park, Jupiter

Bathtub Reef Park, Stuart

Red Reef Park, Boca Raton

Here is a link to more snorkeling ideas.

Be sure to use a dive flag.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Milicent,

Having direct interaction with dolphins in captivity is on the wish list of many, many people. There are relatively few captive dolphins, so naturally when demand far exceeds supply, the price goes up. Most dolphin encounters are at least a couple of hundred bucks. Some might find that quite reasonable to have a supervised educational interaction with a live dolphin.

The Miami Seaquarium offers a dolphin interaction program.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Amanda,

I recommend that you look for a beach house or condo to rent in any of these areas:

• Daytona Beach Shores (south of Daytona Beach)
• Ponce (south of Daytona Beach Shores)
• New Smyrna Beach
• Canaveral
• Cocoa Beach

Any of those towns would be within an hour's drive of Disney. If you are looking for a hotel on the ocean, either Daytona Beach or Cocoa Beach would be your best bet. I tend to like Cocoa Beach because the beach has more dunes and vegetation, as opposed to a high sea wall. But either would be just fine.

September is quite warm, and we tend to have heavy thunderstorms in the afternoons, so I suggest that you schedule Disney activities early. Be at the park when it opens when the temperature is cooler so you can enjoy several hours of the park before it gets too hot. Coming back at night is also an option, but before you finalize your plans, be sure to check to see what Disney World's hours are during the time you will be visiting. I believe they vary considerably during the year.

There will be fewer people at Disney during September since that is not the peak season, so that will be in your favor.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Carolyn,

I love both Cocoa Beach and the Tampa Bay Area beaches, but based on your preference for "pretty sand and clear water," I'd say you'll be happier with the Clearwater / St. Pete beaches.

The Gulf is much calmer than the Atlantic Ocean and the water is usually clearer in the Clearwater / St. Pete area than in the Cocoa Beach area. The sand is white on the Gulf and has nice shells. The sand on Cocoa Beach is a light brown and has fewer nice shells.

If you were looking for surf to play in, I'd suggest Cocoa Beach, otherwise I'd go with the Gulf side. I'd also suggest making the trip to the beach on a week day, rather than the weekend when beach parking can be hard to find.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jake,

I'm not aware of any statistics that might exist on how many people come to Florida for the surfing each year. I've checked around with some sources and I've come up empty-handed. Sounds like an opportunity for an enterprising person...

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Linda,

I highly recommend that you consider Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast. Anna Maria has several very reasonable beach front "resorts" that are quite popular. Here are some of the ones I know about:

White Sands Beach Front Resort

Cedar Cove Resort

Harrington House B&B

Anna Maria Motel - this one's in a very quiet neighborhood in northern Anna Maria, but not right on the beach.

You'll find Anna Maria Island to be a relaxing, low-key island where you can blend in and not feel like a tourist. There are 3 cities on the island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria. The City of Anna Maria is the quietest, although much of Holmes Beach is as well.

I know you'll have a rejuvenating experience here, its the island I've always gone to when I needed to escape and think. There are two main public beach accesses that get crowded, but most of the beaches, especially near the north end, are fairly quiet, especially on weekdays.

Anna Maria is one of the safest cities to be in, based on my experience. You can definitely feel safe there when staying alone. However, the best advice is not to be out walking on the beach away from your hotel alone after dark, just to be sure. Lots of women do it, but its not a good idea.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

John,

I highly recommend the Beach Place Guesthouses in Cocoa Beach. It's located on the southern end of Cocoa Beach, away from the energy of the pier. It is one of the most romantic and relaxing places I've ever stayed.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Theresa,

Your best bet is to drive from Orlando to Clearwater Beach and enjoy the beach for a day. It will be the most convenient (least driving). Leave early and arrive on Clearwater Beach, either at Pier 60 or Sand Key Park, before 10:30am for the best selection of parking. A weekday visit would be easiest from a parking / congestion standpoint. After you've gotten enough beach, then head for Tallahassee.

There really are no sandy beaches north of the Tampa Bay Area between Dunedin and St. George Island in northwest Florida. That is the area of Florida known as the "Big Bend," which has a coastline characterized by shallow waters, marshes, and muddy bottom, rather than the sandy barrier island beaches the rest of the state has. 

Here is some additional info I've compiled about a Gulf beach close to Orlando.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Dawn,

The best beaches for finding sharks teeth in Florida are in Venice, south of Sarasota on the Gulf Coast. Venice Municipal Beach, Brohard Park (by the Venice Fishing Pier), and my personal favorite: Caspersen Beach Park.

There are great historical sites all over Florida. Over in the Cocoa Beach area on the Atlantic coast, Kennedy Space Center is a great place to visit.

Over on the Gulf Coast, in Tampa, check these out:

Florida Aquarium

Museum of Science and Industry

The Henry B. Plant Museum

The brand new Tampa Bay History Center

Near Tampa, in St. Petersburg, is Egmont Key, which has the remnants of Fort Dade. You'll need to take the Egmont Key Ferry to get there. Also, nearby is Fort Desoto County Park, which has a fort that is in much better shape than the one on Egmont Key.

That ought to get you started.

Have fun!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Randi,

Try Mr. Surfs: http://www.mrsurfs.com/mrsequiprent.htm

Prices are on their website.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Dawne,

Greg Agerskov at the Surf Shack in St. Pete Beach I believe offers surfing lessons. And you may be in luck because I think the surf is still up today. If the surf is not up, then I recommend that your teens learn how to use a stand-up paddle board. They'll love it. It's the rage now. You can also rent them and take lessons. Surf Shack will rent them, and I think the beach concession on Pass-A-Grille beach also rents them by the hour.

http://www.surfshacksurfshop.com

Rent some kayaks and go kayaking. Fort Desoto Park has a kayak rental outpost and launch.

Between those two things, they ought to stay busy. Fort Desoto park also has great fishing piers, if your kids like fishing. The park also rents all kinds of fun bicycles too.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Claudia,

You'd have to drive all the way to at least Fort Myers to find a significant number of coconut palms.  Other than the palms, all the beaches you mentioned will have calm water and white sand.

Here are some thoughts:

Caladesi Island - this is a great trip and a great beach.

Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 - nice beach, good water, very crowded, heavy traffic, Clearwater Beach is the closest drive from Orlando.

Sand Key Park - Can get crowded on weekends, very white beach, sometimes has very nice water. Big ugly condos visible nearby (but not on the park's beach).

Pass-A-Grille - nice sand, good water, calm, can get crowded on the weekend, but not every spot on the beach is crowded. I like this beach.

Fort Desoto Park - North Beach is a very nice beach with calm, clear water and beautiful white sand. Can get crowded on weekends. In fact, arrive before 10 am on weekends or you'll be in a traffic jam. Not all the cars are going to the beach, some are taking their boats to the boat ramp in the park. Park has bike rentals and kayak rentals, fishing piers, a fort, hiking trails. Go during the week and you'll have many places all to yourself (practically).

Anna Maria Island - another hour's drive but worth it. Public Beaches can get crowded but you don't have to walk far to get out of the crowd. Sometimes you can find street parking on quieter sections of the beach. Anna Maria has white sand, beautiful water, no high  rise condos. Again, come during the week, not on a weekend, if possible. Plan to arrive by 10 am for the best choices in parking.

If you can make more than one trip, I'd suggest: Caladesi Island, Fort Desoto, and Anna Maria as being the top choices. You can't go wrong with any of them.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Marc,

My understanding is that the beaches in the Cape San Blas area are dog friendly (but probably not the beaches in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park). Here are some links:

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/us/cities/usonlinecityFLCape_San_Blas.shtml

http://www.thecapeescape.com/

http://www.capesanblaspetfriendly.com/

I think you'll find all the links helpful.

Have a great time!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Polly, the best snorkeling in Florida is in the Keys. There you'll find clear, shallow, calm water and lots of things to see underwater. There are also plenty of snorkeling trips that are quite inexpensive. Many include a lesson and equipment. That's my top recommendation.

Other beaches where snorkeling is better than average are:

St. Andrews State Park Jetty

Point-of-Rocks near Crescent Beach on Siesta Key (Sarasota)

Hollywood Beach Pier

Peanut Island

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Nelson,

Each hotel seems to have its own policy regarding minimum age requirements. They range from "no minimum age" to around 25. Most require that you be 21. The best idea is to pick an area you want to visit, then call some hotels in the area and ask.

As far as fun things to do, it depends what you are interested in. When I was 18, surfing and just hanging out on the beach made me happy. Piers are fun, marine aquariums are fun too, like Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, or the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

In the Keys, snorkeling the reefs is huge. Snorkeling is also good along the lower southeast coast.

Try looking around on the VISITFLORIDA.com site and read some of the articles. Read some of the expert blogs and articles. You'll get some great ideas for things to do in Florida.

Hi Rebecca,

The relative scarcity of shark's teeth on the Venice area beaches relates to the beach renourishment projects that have been undertaken over the years, beginning, I believe, in 1996. Erosion is what exposes the shark's teeth, but erosion is seen as a problem. New sand is brought in, which covers up the shark's teeth and other fossils.

I'm not sure what storm you are referring to or when you were last in the Venice area, but I don't think the storm was the problem.

Shark's teeth aficionados say that is is much harder to find sharks teeth on the Venice area beaches now than it was before renourishments began.

Nevertheless, there are still shark's teeth there to be found. You just have to work a little harder to find them.

Hi Charlotte,

Generally, you can expect warm, mild, dry weather with high temperatures ranging from low 70's in north Florida to upper 80's in south Florida. November is a wonderful month to enjoy Florida without excessive heat or rain.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Karen,

Without a doubt, the Florida Keys offers the finest diving and snorkeling in Florida waters, from shallow reefs to deep water dives. To find out more about the many snorkeling and SCUBA opportunities in the Keys, visit the fla-keys.com website where you'll find great suggestions and contact information.

By the way, have you heard of SNUBA?

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jennifer,

Based on my personal experience, the gulf waters at the beaches of South Walton are generally much nicer (clearer and prettier) than in the St. Pete / Clearwater area. I really love clear water, so it always makes an impression on me. I was completely mesmerized by colors and clarity of the water at Panama City Beach, Grayton Beach, and Seaside. The sand is really nice in both places, although I give northwest Florida the edge on purity, and St. Pete Clearwater gets the edge on having a much better selection of shells.

If you want to stay in northwest Florida and be closer to attractions, consider Panama City Beach. Although it has more tall condos and hotels than most of St. Pete/Clearwater, it is still on that beautiful clear water. Pensacola Beach is also a consideration, but I've not yet been there (hoping to go this summer), so I can't make a personal recommendation.

You will have a wider selection of attractions in the St. Pete / Clearwater area, including many cultural attractions, that you won't find in PCB or South Walton.

There is nothing wrong with the water in the St. Pete / Clearwater area, it just isn't as clear as in northwest Florida. However, it does tend to be a bit calmer and the bottom slopes more gently for wading and swimming. There are also fewer jellyfish in the St. Pete / Clearwater area.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Gail,

The short answer is, yes. After Easter week is when the traffic and crowds start to thin out a bit. By June and July things get pretty slow, especially on weekdays.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Julie,

Secluded beaches tend not to have the other things you've expressed an interest in.

Clearwater beach has much of what you are looking for: parasailing, shopping, so-so snorkeling conditions, dolphin spotting cruises, and beautiful beaches. If you want to find some seclusion, take a short drive up to Dunedin and catch the ferry to Caladesi Island for a day on a secluded beach. It's a wonderful trip. You'll enjoy it most if you get a hotel right on the beach. The Sandpearl and the Hilton are two of the best.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Don,

It sounds like you live in Florida and are planning a day trip to a gulf beach. The main issue for you I think will be getting your parents out onto the sand and down toward the water's edge. You'll need a special type of beach wheelchair with balloon tires that can roll across the soft beach sand. Some public beaches have a few beach wheelchairs available at no charge. Usually the lifeguards are in charge of the wheelchairs.

 You can call any of the public beaches to confirm whether they have beach wheelchairs. Just contact either the city or county parks and recreation department of the city you are visiting and they'll put you in touch with someone that can help.

I  suggest that you consider Pass-A-Grille Beach in the St. Petersburg area. I know that they have a beach wheelchair, and the beach flat and is not too wide, so you wouldn't have far to go. Plus, the parking area is very close to the beach. It has a concession with restrooms, and several restaurants within a few hundred feet of the beach. The more I think about it, the more I think Pass-A-Grille would be an excellent choice. The beach is great. Come during the week, or arrive by 10 a.m. for the best choice of parking. I think if you call the Paradise Grille at 727-367-1495, they can give you information about the wheelchair(s). I'm not sure whether they have more than one or not.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Angie,

All the beaches in the Keys are great for kids for the most part. Most all of the beaches feature very calm and very shallow water. To be safe, avoid swimming near the bridges and deep water channels. Sometimes it can be hard to find water off the Keys beaches that is actually deep enough to swim in!

The Keys do not generally have wide sandy beaches like the rest of Florida. Beaches tend to be narrow, with a thin layer of sand over limestone rock.  One of the best beaches in the Keys is very close to Big Pine Key, on Bahia Honda Key. Bahia Honda State Park beaches are excellent, and it is a very scenic park.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Monica,

The way I see it you have 4 basic choices:

Daytona Beach - you can drive on the beach in most areas. The main action takes place around the Main Street Pier. There is a lot of activity around the pier--plenty of places to eat, shop, be entertained--and lots of activities on the beach (bike and beach gear rentals, banana boat rides, para-sailing, surfing lessons, etc.) Fairly good selection of beach hotels.

New Smyrna Beach- I like New Smyrna, but I found that the selection of hotels was lacking. We got a nice room at the Holiday Inn. You can also drive on parts of New Smyrna. The beach is firm and fairly flat--great for walking, bike riding, driving, etc.

Cocoa Beach - all things considered, Cocoa Beach is my favorite beach town. Great selection of reasonably-priced beach hotels, a pier with at least 4 restaurants, Ron Jons surf shop, great restaurants, and an attractive beach with many of the dunes left intact. Great public beach accesses and a very laid-back beachy feel. Be sure to eat at Slow and Low BBQ if you like BBQ.

Clearwater Beach - a 2 hr drive to the gulf coast will bring you to this beautiful white, and very busy beach. There are several good beach hotels, including the Hilton and the Sand Pearl. Plenty of restaurants, some shopping, a trolley to the nearby islands, Pier 60 entertainment, and a fantastic beach with shells, white sand, and generally calm, shallow water. If you really like the idea of the gulf coast but can't find just the right hotel in Clearwater Beach, take a look at St. Pete Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi VT,

Cocoa Beach has the largest selection of reasonably-priced hotels and is the most relaxed and family oriented. New Smyrna is nice but the selection of hotels is not as good as Cocoa Beach. I highly recommend Cocoa Beach for families.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Gina,

Most beaches in Florida do not allow dogs out on the sand. Sarasota beaches do not allow dogs. However, just south of Sarasota, in Venice, there is a great doggy beach park just south of the Venice Fishing Pier at Brohard Park. It's called Paw Park.

There is also a wonderful dog beach called Paw Plaground at Fort Desoto County Park in St. Petersburg, and another up in Dunedin at Honeymoon Island State Park.

Nice video of the doggy beach at Honeymoon Island.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Beverley,

All the beaches in the area have gently sloping sandy bottoms. I'm not aware of any reefs that would make outstanding snorkeling. Sand Spur Beach on Boca Grande (near Banyan Street) has some rocky rubble in the shallow water near the seawall that might be fun, and there are remains of an old pier down near lighthouse park (be careful of the water currents). Otherwise, any of the beaches will offer snorkeling experiences that are relaxing and enjoyable, but unspectacular.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jen,

I'm not sure what you mean by "full of parties." St. Pete beach is NOTHING like Daytona, Key West, or Panama City Beach during Spring Break.

If you stay at a hotel that has a beach bar and live music at night, then yes, you'll have something of a noisy party-like atmosphere. Otherwise you'll be fine. Weekends will be more crowded than weekdays.

I recommend that you consider staying down at the south end of the island in a little beach community called Pass-A-Grille. There are a number if quiet accommodations down that way: Island's End and Sabal Palms are two that come to mind.

Treasure Island is somewhat like St. Pete Beach, but I think you'll be much happier down at Pass-A-Grille.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kassy,

Yes, I would most definitely recommend Sanibel Island for a spring break vacation with kids, especially if they like nature. Sanibel is great for shelling, riding bikes, kayaking, taking day trips to surrounding islands, exploring, and fishing. There is no miniature golf or similar types of attractions on Sanibel. One third of the island of Sanibel is a nature preserve, and the whole island is green and has a sidewalk for walking or bike riding pretty much the length of the island. There are no high-rises on Sanibel.

St. Pete Beach has plenty of high-rise hotels and condos and fewer (if any) trees. It has more restaurants, more places to shop, and yes, you can find miniature golf not far away. A trolley runs up and down the islands, so you don't have to take your car everywhere, and depending on where your hotel is, you can probably walk to several restaurants, ice cream shops, and stores (like beach shops). There are nature attractions on St. Pete Beach: Fort Desoto Park, Shell Key, and Egmont Key are all places to go to get away from the crowd and the hotels (if you feel the need).

On Sanibel you'll need to drive where you need to go.

St. Pete Beach is within a 15 minute drive of all the cultural attractions of downtown St. Petersburg. Sanibel is 30 to 40 minutes from the attractions of Fort Myers. Sanibel is a larger island.

When you are on St. Pete Beach you'll be looking at hotels up and down the beach in both directions. On Sanibel you'll mostly be looking at trees and a few beach houses and low hotels or condos that are well hidden behind the greenery.

At night, St. Pete Beach is a fairly busy place and the beach is well lighted from all the hotels. Sanibel is very quiet at night, and the beach is dark.

I hope this is helpful.

Sanibel is a unique place. After my first visit, I left with a new vision of what island living could be like.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Paige,

For a quiet, family spring break I recommend that you consider Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key. VISITFLORIDA.com has plenty of listings of great accommodations for both islands. Longboat Key would be quieter, but is more upscale and exclusive (few public beach accesses). Anna Maria is more of a family island. You'll enjoy either island.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jen,

Anywhere on the Gulf coast will have white sand, dolphin sightings from shore (I just saw some today in St. Petersburg), and shells on the beach.

Panama City Beach (PCB) has beautiful water and is closer to you than many other Florida beaches, but it really can be a bit wild during Spring Break. PCB is trying to draw more families to the area and wants to make their city and beaches more of a family Spring Break destination, but this is going to take time. You can read about it here: http://pcbdaily.com/?p=3677&cpage=1

Unless you really have your heart set on PCB, I recommend that you look at Pensacola Beach if you want to stay in northwest Florida.

I highly recommend that you consider coming down to St. Pete Beach for Spring Break. Check out my recent blog post for all the reasons I think St. Pete Beach is great.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Chris,

It's a tough call, but I'd tend to head for the Atlantic side. Why? August is quite hot and humid along the entire Florida coast. Any relief, even a few degrees, makes a big difference. The main relief comes in the form of sea breezes that usually begin a little before noon each day. The breeze flowing across the water onto the land creates a cooling effect.

In August, the Gulf water temperature is in the low 90's. The Atlantic Ocean water temperatures in August are more likely to be in the low to mid 80's--even cooler sometimes, depending on water currents. So the sea breezes flowing off the Atlantic feel cooler than the sea breezes flowing off the Gulf of Mexico.

Bottom line: the Atlantic coast will feel a bit cooler than the Gulf coast in August. It is a noticeable difference.

Having said that, there are other considerations. If you have young children or generally prefer calm, clear waters, I'd go with the Gulf coast. The Atlantic Ocean is more likely to have surf.

If having plenty of shells on the beach and if having a white sand beach is really important to you, I'd stick with the Gulf beaches. The Atlantic coast tends to have fewer shells, and the sand is more likely to be a golden brown color (nothing wrong with that).

I really like the Gulf coast beaches, but I must admit that I enjoy the cooler breezes on the Atlantic coast during the hot summer months.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Lori,

Florida really does not have "all-inclusive" type resorts, at least none that I can find. However, the Key Largo Grande Resort http://www.keylargoresort.com/resort_activities/water_sports.cfm is a place you should definitely check out. Now, the resort is not on a conventional beach, like Daytona or Panama City Beach, with wide white beaches and rolling surf, BUT, it does have a narrow white beach on calm shallow waters and is located in an area where water activities are the main focus. It has clear waters and coral reefs for snorkeling, calm waters for kayaking and riding waverunners, and great fishing.

Best of all, these activities are available right at the resort. Caribbean Watersports http://www.caribbeanwatersports.com/ is located right on the resort property and runs the water activities program. Water activities cost extra.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Charmaine,

There are so many great family beaches in Florida. Here are some of my favorites that I highly recommend:

On the Gulf Coast:

• St. Pete Beach
• Anna Maria Island
• Sanibel Island
• Naples
• Marco Island

On the Atlantic:

• Amelia Island
• St. Augustine
• Cocoa Beach
• Delray Beach
• Fort Lauderdale Beach

All of the above beaches have a great selection of hotels. Use VISITFLORIDA.com to pick the hotel or resort that fits your needs and budget.

Hi Andrew,

Cocoa Beach has what you are looking for. You'll want to hang out around the Cocoa Beach Pier on Meade Avenue. There are 4 restaurants on the pier and several bars. You can sit on the pier with a brew and watch the people go by and enjoy the breeze off the Atlantic Ocean. And best of all, it's only an hour's drive from Orlando.

Daytona Beach is also a busy place. Plenty of places around the Daytona Beach Pier to grab a brew by the beach. Daytona is also about an hour from Orlando, and offers lots of things to do on the beach.

Both Cocoa and Daytona are on the Atlantic Coast.

On the gulf side, Clearwater Beach would have what you are looking for.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Crystal,

Here are a couple of options:

Rent a beach house on Anna Maria Island. There are few hotels on the northern part of the island (which is where I'd recommend you stay) but there are plenty of beach houses and a condo here and there. There are a few smaller resorts--not luxury--but perfectly adequate: Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages, White Sands Beach Front Resort ; or if you prefer a bed & breakfast, everyone raves about Harrington House.

Find a resort that suits your budget on Sanibel Island or Captiva Island. September is one of the slowest months of the year, so you'll find some great deals. On Sanibel, the Song of the Sea caters to couples.

Both of the above beaches are on the gulf coast. If you'd prefer an Atlantic Ocean Beach, one of my favorite (and very romantic) places to stay is at the Beach Place Guesthouses in Cocoa Beach. You can read about my stay there and see a slide show I put together of the Beach Place Guesthouses.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Amanda,

I recommend Cocoa Beach. There will be plenty to do there for teenagers, but you won't have to deal with the crazy throngs of spring breakers. With 4 teenagers, you don't want it to be too quiet! Of course, you'll find plenty of local students enjoying their spring break at the beach, and families who, like you, have chosen Cocoa Beach as a great place to bring the family for spring break. The busiest area is in the vicinity of the Cocoa Beach Pier on Meade Avenue. The beach is much quieter a few blocks north in the Cape Canaveral area, and is also quieter a half-mile or so south of the pier.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Forrest,

The best way to approach this, in my opinion, is to pick several areas that you'd consider staying. Then contact some of the hotels / resorts in that area and inquire. I think it would be easier to find a beach house where the owners would not mind you keeping catamaran on their beach, rather than a hotel. Hotels and resorts have so many rules.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Erin,

Yes, the gulf beaches have more shells than the Atlantic beaches. I recommend that you come over to the Dunedin area and look for shells on Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island. I particularly favor the long sand spit beach at the far reaches of Honeymoon Island State Park for shelling. It is not a good area to swim, because of water currents, but there is usually a nice selection of shells. The kids can swim at the main beach, or you can take the ferry to Caladesi Island for swimming (that's a great trip!) If you want to stay over, there are hotels in Dunedin, but not on the beach. To stay on the beach you'll need to come south a bit to Clearwater Beach (not far).

Sanibel Island (near Fort Myers) is without question the one of the top shelling beaches in the world, so if you can drive down that way, I highly recommend it. November would be a great time to find some good deals on accommodations on Sanibel. Sanibel beaches are very kid-friendly.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jane,

On the Atlantic coast, about an hour's drive from the Orlando area I recommend Cocoa Beach. You'll have a wide selection of beach hotels and plenty of restaurants. Spend the day at Kennedy Space Center nearby, and take the kids to Ron Jons Surf Shop near the pier.

Another option, about a 2 hour drive from Inverness, is St. Pete Beach. Good selection of beach hotels, plenty of restaurants. St. Pete Beach would be more "swimmable" for kids since the water will be calmer and clearer.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Lynne,

I share your concern about the cleanliness of public beach changing room facilities. Many of them not up to my standards either. Even the ones that have fairly good maintenance practices can't keep up with the heavy use they get on weekends and holidays. I always avoid them whenever possible.

Dunedin has beaches in the state parks. Specifically, Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park. These are excellent parks and I highly recommend them. I have been in the changing rooms of both beaches and I found them quite clean. I definitely would have felt comfortable using them.

State park beach facilities are generally the cleanest and best maintained. It has also been my experience that Fort Desoto County Park in St. Petersburg has well maintained changing facilities.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Matt,

I'm sorry to have to tell you that Naples area beaches to not have lifeguards. Just to be sure, I checked with Collier County Government, the City of Naples, and Wiggins State Park. None employ lifeguards on their beaches.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Brenda,

If  you are coming to Florida between May and early October, I recommend that you consider northwest Florida. The water is clear and beautiful and the sand is the whitest and purest anywhere. Pensacola Beach would be one of the most relaxed and reasonably priced areas. If you have a more generous budget, have a look at Seaside. It is also very relaxing, upscale, and will have everything you need. If you want a more lively, commercialized experience, either Destin or Panama City Beach would be the ticket.

If you are coming during the cooler months, I recommend that you consider Siesta Key, near Sarasota. It has white sand, clear water (most of the time), and a great beach scene. It has a decent selection of restaurants and is close to the cultural attractions of Sarasota.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Mary,

Palm Beach is much different than South Beach. Palm Beach is all about golf, tennis, and very upscale shopping. There are only two public beaches that I'm aware of:

Midtown Beach - 400 - South Ocean Blvd

Phipps Ocean Park - 2145 - South Ocean Blvd

The only bar/restaurants right on the beach that I know of would be at The Breakers.

About half-an-hour further south, in Delray Beach, you might find what you are looking for. There are many public beach access points along Delray Public Beach, with plenty of places right across the street to get something to eat and drink.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Julie, I'm really partial to Anna Maria Island. Rent a great big beach house in the city of Anna Maria, or in northern Holmes Beach. It's laid back and clean, it's family-oriented, the sand is white, and the water is the cleanest and clearest anywhere on the peninsular gulf coast.  From Orlando to Anna Maria will be a 2.5 or 3 hour drive. You'll have an adequate selection of restaurants.

If you are just driving over for the day and want something a bit closer than Anna Maria, I suggest going to either Clearwater Beach at Pier 60, or Pass-A-Grille Beach at the south end of St. Pete Beach. That drive will be closer to 2 hours or less.

If you still want to come down to Anna Maria, just for the day, I'd recommend doing it on a weekday when traffic is lighter. Manatee Public Beach will be your best bet (at the west end of Highway 64, aka Manatee Avenue). It's a great beach.

Making the drive over and finding beach parking on a weekday will be easier than on a weekend, no matter which beach you choose.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Have a look at Fernandina Beach. It is often overlooked, but well worth consideration. Another great place, and one of my favorites, is St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach.

If you don't mind driving a bit further, St. George Island (northwest Florida near Appalachicola) is a wonderful place for family beach getaways. I love it.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Mel,

This is a tough question to answer because what is cold to me might be toasty warm for your family if you are used to swimming in northern climates.

Generally we'll start to see more people going in the water in April. For most Floridians (people who have lived here almost all their lives), early June is the ticket.

On the Atlantic Coast the water temperature can vary quite a bit from week to week, even in the heat of summer.

I would say that if you are coming from the northern states, early May will most likely be warm enough. Expect mid 70's, generally.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Vinny,

The short answer is no. You can drive on the beach in many areas of Daytona and New Smyrna but fires are not permitted, nor is overnight camping. During certain months of the year you can camp directly on the beach at Canaveral National Seashore and build a fire, but you can't drive on the beach. In fact it's a good hike to the campsite from what I'm told.

I have a list of campgrounds on or near the beach, and I have an article here on VISIT FLORIDA about beach camping that might be helpful. Have a look at Gamble Rogers Memorial Park. Also be aware that winter / spring is the dry season in Florida and many areas prohibit ANY type of campfire or open fire during those times.

It's not like the old days anymore.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Lori,

The best way to find a beach house in your price range is to work with a local realtor that specializes in beach rentals. The prices and availability changes so much that there's no way I can keep up with it. Beach rentals do tend to be pricey don't they?

The best way to keep the price down is to plan your Anna Maria beach vacation during the slower summer and fall months when prices are at their lowest, and to consider staying a block from the beach, rather than right on the beach. There are lots of great rental homes and condos on Anna Maria that are just a 2 minute walk from the best beaches.

Here are a couple of rental agents that can help you:

http://annamariaparadise.com/

http://www.gulfbayrealty.com/

http://www.satorealestate.com/

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Alice,

The closest and best beach to Rotunda for a BBQ would be Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park. They have covered picnic pavilions (first come first serve, unless you pay to reserve in advance). Information you'll need can be found via the link above.

While you are in Rotonda, be sure to visit Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island). Great Island to explore. Also consider taking the ferry over to Don Pedro Island State Park to enjoy that beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi David,

The Beach Expert, aka BeachHunter, has a reputation for telling it like it is, and that's what I'm going to do for you.

The beaches within 2 hours driving of Orlando will not have crystal clear water or palm trees.

To find the palm trees on the Atlantic beaches and clear, relatively warm water in March, you'll need to boogie on down I-95 for Hollywood Beach / Fort Lauderdale. But then you'll have to put up with a few tall buildings on the beach and a fair amount of people. Delray Beach would be a less populated alternative without the tall buildings.

You could also come over to the gulf coast. The gulf would have calmer waters than the Atlantic beaches nearest Orlando. Still, not much in the way of palm trees till you get down to Fort Myers, but consider Anna Maria Island, or St. Pete Beach. Anna Maria would have clearer water and more trees, but St. Pete Beach would have more hotel rooms to choose from.

I'd try for Anna Maria Island.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Gail,

I recommend Canaveral National Seashore. You can get to it via New Smyrna Beach, where the access is at Apollo Beach (North District), or you can get to it through Titusville, where the access is known as Playalinda (South District). It is the quietest beach in the area, and remote.

If you need a relatively quiet beach that is closer to amenities, consider visiting Lori Wilson Park, one of my favorites, in Cocoa Beach. All of the above beaches are within an hour or so of Orlando.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Ninfa,

I recommend that you consider staying on Anna Maria Island. There are three cities on the island: Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria. There are no large hotels or high-rises on Anna Maria, except for one 7-story condo about mid-island. You'll find it to be a relaxed, green, family oriented island with beautiful white sand beaches, clear water, and plenty of trees and tropical vegetation. The northern end of the island, in the city of Anna Maria is the quietest.

It's hard to top Sanibel / Captiva, but I think you'll love it.

http://www.annamariavacationrentals.com/index.html

http://www.gulfbayrealty.com/

http://annamariaparadise.com/

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Donna,

Any and all of the beaches are great, but here are a few of my preferred beaches and things to see, from north to south:

Ponce Inlet beach and Lighthouse Park (be sure to take the kids up the lighthouse). Nearby is the Marine Science Center on Lighthouse Drive. You'll want to see that too.

Cocoa Beach Pier on Meade Avenue. There's a lot going on here, but it's nice to stop and check it out. Be sure to take the kids to Ron Jons Surf shop. It's just a few blocks south of the Pier. You can't miss it. I think its open 24 hours. It's a fun place to shop and pick up some beach gear, shirts for the kids, a boogie board, stuff like that.

Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach - A very nice (and free) beach park with nature trails (shady), boardwalks, and lots of greenery.

Barrier Island Center in Melbourne Beach. Excellent place to stop and learn about Florida coastal nature, watch a short film, and see fish and a great shell and sea-bean collection. They have some cool stuff to buy too (of course).

Sebastian Inlet State Park

McLarty Treasure Museum (at the south end of Sebastian Inlet State Park

South Beach Park in Vero Beach - don't go out of your way to see it, but if you're in the area and want to stop at a great beach, this is one of them. (East Causeway / 17th St Bridge & A1A)

Hutchinson Island is a pretty good scenic drive. I haven't been there in a long time.

Blowing Rocks Preserve in Martin County.

Coral Cove Park in Tequesta - great for snorkeling. A1A and  State Road 707.

Flagler Museum

That ought to keep you busy!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jennifer,

I'm focusing on your second sentence..."clear water, white sand, things to do, nightlife."

I can tell you right away that several places come to mind. Panama City Beach, and St. Pete Beach.

The water will be much prettier on Panama City Beach than on St. Pete Beach. Much clearer. The sand, in my opinion, is also nicer on Panama City Beach, but not by a wide margin. St. Pete Beach is very nice, and it has shells.

As far as having things to do, shopping, and nightlife, I think St. Pete Beach is going to have a slight  edge over Panama City Beach.

The other thing to consider is the time of year you are going. You'll want to stay away from Panama City Beach during the spring break months. St. Pete Beach is a great place to be during spring break.

As far as prices and budgets are concerned, it also depends on what time of year you are coming down. Summer months will be less expensive in the St. Pete area, and you'll find lots of moderately-price hotels and restaurants.

I hope this is helpful to you.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Leighan,

That's really nice of you to plan a getaway with his love of surfing in mind. He's a lucky guy!

The most famous surfing break on the Atlantic Coast of Florida is at Sebastian Inlet, but there aren't really any hotels close by. A condo rental for a week would be the main accommodation available.

Further north, on either side of Ponce Inlet are the other two top breaks: Lighthouse Park, in Ponce, and on the south side of the inlet, Smyrna Dunes Park. There are a few hotels on New Smyrna Beach.

Having made those observations, I'd like to steer you towards Cocoa Beach. It's a really relaxed surfing town and March should have plenty of waves. I stayed in Cocoa in October at a place called the Beach Place Guesthouses. That would be PERFECT for a relaxing, romantic getaway. Your husband could get up at sunrise and just walk right out onto the beach and go surfing. Try to get one of the rooms right on the beach side. They have a great deck with hammocks that is so fantastic. (I don't get paid anything to recommend this place, but I did get two free nights there because of a friend connection). My fiance and I both loved it! For more info, read my blog post about the Beach Place Guesthouses.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Edward,

In that area you can expect ocean water temperatures in the low 70's Fahrenheit in mid-April. Cool, but not unbearably so.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Nicole,

The west coast of Florida is one of the safest areas of the state when it comes to hurricanes. They rarely affect us. So I suggest planning a honeymoon on the Gulf coast.

When it comes to romance, Sanibel Island is the first island that pops into my mind. While most resorts cater to both families and couples, check out the Song of the Sea, which caters to couples seeking a romantic getaway. I think you'll like it.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Chad,

Yes, there are sea shells and sand dollars on the St. Pete / Clearwater Beaches.

Some of the more popular and moderately-priced hotels are the Tradewinds and the Sirata on St. Pete Beach.

You'll always find seashells, but sand dollars are less predictable. Sometimes there are a lot, and other times there are few.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Scott,

I've never been disappointed with any of the beaches I've been to in northwest Florida. The Panama City beaches are especially beautiful and there are certainly plenty of beach condos to choose from.

Have you considered going a bit further west to Seaside? That's a really beautiful area. I'd recommend you check it out. Seaside is smaller in scale, doesn't have the high-rises, and there are generally fewer restaurants than you'll find in Panama City Beach. It's also rather upscale, so if you're on a tighter budget, you'll find less expensive options in PCB.

You'll find that the sand in northwest Florida compares favorably with Siesta Key, and the water is even more beautiful.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Susan,

Here are a few beach bars I know of along the Pinellas County beaches, from north to south:

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, Clearwater Beach http://www.frenchysonline.com/rock_index.html

Palm Pavilion Grill & Bar, Clearwater Beach http://www.palmpavilion.com/beachside-grill.html 

Both of the above are just a few blocks north of Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach.

Bazzies Beach Bar at the Bilmar Resort on Treasure Island

Caddy's On The Beach, Treasure Island / Sunset Beach http://www.caddysotb.com/ 

Paradise Grille, locations at both Upham Beach and Pass-A-Grille Beach on St. Pete Beach. These are beach concessions, right on the beach. I like the one at Pass-A-Grille since it is very close to the water. Go at sunset and they have the bell ringing ceremony on most nights. You can see that in my video on sunrise/sunsets at the beach. I'm not sure if they serve alcohol. Last I heard they were trying to get approval to do so but I'm not sure how that turned out.

Ricky T's Beach Bar, St. Pete Beach http://rickytsbeachbar.com/

Jimmy B's, at the Beachcomber Resort on St. Pete Beach http://www.beachcomberflorida.com/entertainment.asp

The Undertow Beach Bar, St. Pete Beach http://www.undertowbeachbar.com/ 

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Alison,

How about Grayton Beach? It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Tallahassee. We stayed at a really neat bed & breakfast called the Hibiscus Coffee and Guest House in Grayton Beach. It's about 2 blocks from the beach. We enjoyed renting bikes and riding along the scenic road through Seaside, and relaxing on the brilliant white sand beaches. The water is so beautiful. Did you read my article about our romantic weekend in Grayton Beach?

Another place even closer to Tallahassee is St. George Island. It's near Appalachicola. I've never stayed there, but I have visited. There are a lot of beach homes there and it is a fairly quiet island. It would be well worth considering.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jo Anne,

I highly recommend St Augustine. Take the kids to see a real coastal fort, Castillo de San Marcos, climb the lighthouse, and by all means, take them to the Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. Everything is located conveniently close together. There is also a pier at St. Augustine Beach.

You can't go wrong with St. Augustine. I love it and can't wait to go back. I didn't have time to climb the lighthouse last time I was there, and I love lighthouses. You can see so far from the top.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Brandi,

The first place that pops into my mind is St. Pete Beach. The end of April will be a great time to visit St. Pete Beach, there are plenty of hotels/resorts to choose from, and there is a Trolley that runs up and down the islands so you really don't need a car. In fact, if you choose one of the main hotels like the Tradewinds or Sirata, you'll be within walking distance of restaurants and some shopping.

If you want something a bit quieter, have a look at the south end of St. Pete Beach in a small beach community called Pass-A-Grille Beach. I really like this area. The Trolley stops here as well. Check out some of my photos of Pass-A-Grille Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Joanna,

In April you'll want to stay a bit further south. At the busier end of the spectrum there is Ft. Lauderdale Beach. This is a beautiful area with lots to see and do for families. You can see much of the city without using your car by taking the water taxi's. It is a city with a lot of activity, including a busy beach front, and it is not inexpensive.

On the gulf coast, St. Pete Beach would be ideal. Expect temperatures generally in the upper 70's to low 80's during the day. Water temperatures will still be just a bit on the cool side, probably around 75 degrees. That's not cold, especially for kids. There's plenty to do in the area and a trolley runs up and down the islands, so you can do quite a lot without needing a car, although having access to a car is best.

Further south on the gulf coast is Siesta Key, which would also be an excellent choice. It has beautiful white beaches and clear water, and is close to all the cultural attractions of Sarasota.

The furthest south, and the warmest, beaches on the gulf coast are Marco Island. These are beautiful beaches, but offer limited activities and attractions for children. It is close to the Naples area so things to see and do are not that far away, but not as convenient as St. Pete Beach or Siesta Key.

April is a beautiful time of year.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sharon,

I recommend that you consider staying on Palm Island, near the Englewood area on the gulf coast. There are bridges to the island, so you have to take a small ferry across a narrow, calm backwater to reach the island. There are a few roads on the island, but very few cars, because the only place to go is from your house to the ferry. The island is sparsely populated and the beaches have few people. You won't find a more relaxing island. Bicycle, golf cart, and sandaled feet are the main forms of transportation on the island.  The beaches aren't pure white, but they are light colored except for a few patches of dark colored fossilized mineral sand near water's edge.

Visit Florida has some articles about Palm Island. The most well-known accommodations on the island is the Palm Island Resort on the north end of the island. There are other smaller resorts and beach houses that would provide an even quieter, more secluded experience.

Another option would be Sanibel Island or Captiva Island. These islands are busier, but it isn't difficult to find a quiet secluded beach. There would be more to do here, a selection of restaurants, shops, art, etc. Sanibel and Captiva do have white sand beaches.

I hope this is helpful to you.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jennifer,

I recommend that you consider finding a beach house on Anna Maria Island (near Bradenton). You'll love it!

Alternatively, a resort or condo rental on Siesta Key would also be great. Siesta Key would offer more restaurants, shopping, and attractions than Anna Maria (because it is very close to Sarasota), but is a busier place overall.

You can't go wrong with either place. You'll find more shells on Anna Maria, but you'll see dolphins on either island.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Dennis,

With only 2 days available you'll be somewhat limited by where you can find a hotel room. This area of the coast does not have a wide selection of hotels, although there are some smaller coastal motels on the beach here and there.

I don't have any direct experience with Jensen Beach, but between Indiatlantic and Melbourne Beach, I tend to like Melbourne Beach. A short drive south of Melbourne Beach, Sebastian Inlet State Park offers some snorkeling in the inlet and in the shallow water lagoon. It also has trails to hike on and a fantastic jetty for fishing. I also recommend the McLarty Treasure Museum, which is at the southern end of the park, across the bridge. The Barrier Island Center is just north of Sebastian Inlet, and is a great place to take the kids to learn about Florida nature.

This is a beautiful and quiet area of Florida. You'll enjoy it here.

Hi Jason,

For the warmest water in April you'll need to stay as far south as you can. Any beach area offers snorkeling, but most beaches have sandy bottoms. The southeast coast of Florida generally offers more opportunities for finding rock reefs near shore that provide more interesting snorkeling than does Florida's generally sandy sea floor. RV camping can be found near most beach areas, though not right on the beach.

I recommend that you consider Sebastian Inlet State Park, between Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach. This area offers rocky ledges close to the beach along with often clear waters. There is snorkeling along the Sebastian Inlet jetty and there is also a protected lagoon in the park for snorkeling on days when the Atlantic is too rough. Sebastian Inlet State Park offers RV camping too. I've driven through the campground and it is very nice. Right on the water (but not on the Atlantic). The Atlantic is just a short distance away.

 I really love this area. It's not overdeveloped and the beach and scenery are gorgeous.

You can order a free camping guide here on VISITFLORIDA.com that lists all of the campgrounds and RV parks in Florida.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Alex,

One can usually see dolphins from time to time in the Atlantic Ocean, but to really see wild dolphins up close you'll need to take a dolphin watch tour. You can find them in Daytona or Cocoa Beach. Either place is about an hour's drive from the Orlando area. A tour boat generally  carries 10 to 30 people and cruises the inland waterway (where it is calm) looking for dolphins, manatees and other wildlife. Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.cocoabeachtours.us/tours/tourDetail.cfm?tour_id=9261

http://www.finexpeditions.com/Dolphin.htm  (warning, this web page has loud sound effects instantly).

http://boksanctuary.reserveorlando.com/details.asp?t=A&id=187

http://www.daytonabeachtours.net/tours/

http://www.turtlemoundtours.com/index.html

Hi Sheila,

For maximum warmth in early April you'll want to go south. On the gulf coast, I suggest either Marco Island or Naples.  It might be easier to find a moderately-priced beach hotel on Marco Island, but there would me more to do (other than the beach) in the Naples area. However, it is not a long drive from Marco Island to Naples.

On the Atlantic coast, Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach would be the warmest choices.

VISITFLORIDA.com has plenty of hotel / condominium rental listings for Marco Island, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Andrea,

I think you'll want to look closely at Destin, in Northwest Florida. The water is beautiful and clear, there are plenty of fishing boat charters, and the sand is the whitest and purest anywhere in Florida. May is a great time of year to be in Florida.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Allison,

I'd recommend taking them to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. I believe they have some Saturday activities especially for kids. They'll love it! Also, come down to Indian Shores and spend some time at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. The kids will get to see Florida sea birds up close.

I also highly recommend that you take them on a dolphin / manatee watch cruise. There's nothing more exciting than to see dolphins playing around the boat.

You had asked this same question of Paula Lewis, the Shopping and Entertainment Expert, back on February 2nd. She forwarded your question to both me and Jill Martin, the Family Travel Expert. Jill and I both responded privately to your email address with suggestions on February 3rd.  I'm sorry that you did not receive those responses.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sumit,

Check out my Frequently Asked Questions article for some great suggestions on beaches near Orlando.

I also have more information on my BeachHunter website about the closest beaches to Orlando, including maps and directions.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Pamela,

The beaches in the St. Petersburg area have sand bottoms, so there aren't any spectacular reefs or anything like that. The most interesting place to snorkel is probably the ruins of the Fort at Egmont Key. You can take a snorkeling trip out to to the ruins on various tour boats or charters like http://www.tropical-island-getaway.com/.

Water clarity varies from day to day. Don't expect clear water on a daily basis. Visibility is usually rather limited, although periods of calm, dry  weather can bring some fairly clear waters.

You can snorkel on any of the area beaches and find shells, sand dollars, crabs, small fish, and the like. Consider a trip to Caladesi Island to snorkel off its beaches.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Steve and Joan,

September is generally the last month of Florida's rainy season. By the last two weeks of September the rains are usually (but not always) starting to diminish in frequency.

You should generally expect plenty of time to enjoy the beaches and swimming. Wind will not be a factor unless we have a tropical storm system nearby. You will find the humidity to be higher than when you visited in April/May, and the foliage will be more lush and green. Nighttime temperatures will also be much warmer, as will the water temperatures.

Come and enjoy!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Tom,

The west coast of Florida has some great beaches, but don't count on much in the way of surf. The gulf is pretty calm most of the time, especially in June.

Sanibel Island would be an excellent choice for you. It's a quiet island with lots of greenery. In fact, one third of the island is a widlife preserve: Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

I recommend taking a guided kayak trip through the preserve. You'll see lots of wildlife. I also highly recommend taking one of the day trips to some of the nearby islands like Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, and Cayo Costa. You'll fall in love with Sanibel I'm sure.

There is a nice selection of restaurants, but don't expect much in the way of nightlife/entertainment.

You'll find an excellent selection of hotels, resorts, and condo rentals. Go to http://www.forum.bestofsanibelcaptiva.com and do some exploring. Register on the forum and ask questions. It's a great resource!

And congratulations on getting the kids out of the nest!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Pat,

It looks like maybe your question was submitted before you finished typing it. I can't quite tell what your question is. Can you re-submit?

Hi Missy,

Water Top Events hold the Bimini Road Rally each year. You can find out more about it here: http://watertopevents.com/brr.htm .  You can see a short video about it here: http://watercraftworld.magnify.net/video/Bimini-Road-Rally

Other private groups organize informal trips from Miami to Bimini now and then, and as far as I know there are no tour groups that make regular runs to Bimini.

You could probably organize your own trip by contacting some of the personal water craft companies in the Miami area. I think it can be pretty rough crossing the gulf stream.

How about Key Largo to Key West on jet skis?

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Joyce,

Bonita Beach often has a fairly good selection of shells, but the best place is Sanibel Island. The amount and type of shells on any beach varies greatly from day to day, so try several different beaches. You never know what you'll find.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Diane,

You'll need to drive out to Anna Maria Island. Depending on which is more convenient to your location, take one of the following routes:

1. Drive west on Cortez Road all the way to the beach. Turn left (south) on Gulf drive and go a few hundred yards past the little roundabout. You'll see beach parking on the right at Cortez Beach. You can park at Cortez Beach, near the concrete piers and pick up shells there, or continue south to Coquina Public Beach. You'll find plenty of shells on the beaches here.
2. Drive west on Manatee Avenue (Highway 64), all the way to the end, where it arrives at Manatee County Public Beach. This is a great beach for shells. You can walk as far as you want either north or south in search of shells. I usually walk north.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Patti,

It sounds like you are looking for a specific hotel/resort recommendation. I've never stayed on Amelia Island, or even on Jax Beach, so I can't make any personal recommendations, or even be of much help with respect to that area. I can tell you that I have several friends who have vacationed on Amelia Island  and they rave about it, so I don't think you can go wrong with that choice.

If you are looking for a large resort with an awesome pool, the premier resort on Amelia Island is the Amelia Inn & Beach Club. I wouldn't mind spending a week there.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sukawat,

Last time you asked me to recommend an Atlantic Beach, I suggested Ft. Lauderdale Beach. There you'll find a beautiful beach and fantastic water. However, it sounds like you are looking for a beach with fewer people.

On the Atlantic Ocean, there is usually surf, rather than a "calm sea." Further south, around the Fort Lauderdale / Miami area, the sea is usually much calmer because the Bahama Islands block the ocean swells much of the time. A less busy area would be Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, which is between Ft. Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. You should find plenty of accommodations there.

Another option would be Delray Beach.

You might also consider a resort in the Florida Keys. Many of the larger resorts have their own private beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Melissa,

For the best shells you'll want to come over to the Gulf Coast and visit Honeymoon Island State Park near the city of Dunedin. Caladesi Island Beaches also have a great selection of shells. Both of those beaches are great family beaches.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jay,

I've found that the hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.com are extremely helpful. I use TripAdvisor on every occasion that I have to book a hotel/motel/resort. Just type the name of the hotel and the city name into the search box.

I just did a search on "Bilmar Treasure Island" and got several pages of reviews from visitors who had stayed at the Bilmar. I happen to know that the Bilmar is an older property, and that it is very popular. It has been at least a decade since I was last inside that property. It has mixed reviews, but you get the overall feel for it from reading them. (I'm not recommending the Bilmar for you).

There is some correlation between price, the age of the property, and cleanliness.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jan,

Hey, when you find a place like that let me know! I'll be right over.

I think you need to look in the Florida Keys. Honestly, the idea of a shack on the beach is great, but those pretty much got bull-dozed decades ago and have been replaced with upscale accommodations. If there are any left, they'll be down in the Keys.

How about something like Coco Plum, or Conch Key?

Here's a great article on Budget Travel with some great suggestions to get you started.

While you are down there you can always scout around for the perfect place for your next trip!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Steve,

Sorry, I don't have a list of realtors offering beach rentals, but here are two for starters.

http://realtyquestvacation.com/

Luxury rentals: http://www.lancelotscastles.com/Available-Rentals.php

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kim,

Destin is very much a family-oriented beach. You should have no qualms about taking your daughter there. Destin has a heavily developed shoreline with lots of tall condominiums and a few hotels.

Have you looked at the nearby communities of Blue Mountain Beach, Seaside, Watercolor, and Seagrove? They are very quiet and rather upscale communities. Food is a bit more expensive there if you are eating out, and the selection is not as wide as in Destin, but it is totally family oriented.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sukawat,

I recommend Fort Lauderdale Beach. The sand and water are beautiful, hotels and restaurants are plentiful, and you'll never run out of things to do.

Hi Debbie,

Jellyfish come and go with the water and wind currents. It is impossible to predict when and where they will appear. If you are concerned, consider purchasing some protection for you and your family. I have created a short video review of  several jellyfish sting products worth buying. Also, wearing a rash guard will not only help protect against jellyfish stings, it will also protect against sunburn. A rash guard is just a close-fitting spandex-type shirt made especially for divers, surfers, kite-boarders--anyone who spends a lot of time in the water.

I've not yet been to Perdido Key--but it is on my short list for the near future--so I can't make any personal recommendations. Here is a list of restaurants in the Perdido Key area, and here's another.  Several of them are favorably mentioned by trusted travel writers Puterbaugh and Bisbort: Triggers, The Reef (casual), The Shrimp Basket (all-you-can-eat very casual), and the upscale Orlean's Restaurant.

As for a fishing charter, I don't have any wisdom to offer there.

Hi Linda,

The answer is "yes, but..."

Most shells you find on the beach are no longer living. The little snail or clam inside died long ago and all that remains is its shell, which washes up on the beach. It is perfectly legal to pick up shells from the beach and  take them home.

Live shells are a different matter in some places. Certain beaches, including Florida State Park beaches do not allow the collecting of live shells. A live shell would include live sand dollars. Rules vary from beach to beach, so the best course of action is to call the Parks and Recreation Department of the city you are planning to visit and inquire.

The Gulf coast beaches have by far the most shells and the greatest variety. Check out my article on Beachcombing for more info. The best time to look for shells is when you are at the beach.

The winter months, especially during a low tide after a storm front has passed, often yield some of the best shells.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Chris,

The advantage to staying in the heart of Daytona Beach is that's where most of the hotels are found. Unfortunately, that is also where the biggest spring break crowds are, as you know.

You could go a bit further south toward Daytona Beach Shores, but the selection of beach hotels gets pretty thin as you go south. Lots of rental condominiums are available, if that is an option.

Another idea is to head up to Flagler Beach. It's a quiet beach town. No big beach resorts there, but there are some smaller hotels. As I recall from my last trip through Flagler, the road runs right along the beach, so the hotels are all across the street from the beach. I like Flagler. It says "Old Florida." Not a lot to do here except enjoy the beach and go fishing. Beautiful coastline.

St. Augustine Beach is another option. There are quite a few hotels on St. Augustine Beach. I love that area. There's plenty to do, but it isn't overcrowded. Great food (and reasonable). OK, I've talked myself into suggesting St. Augustine Beach for your spring break getaway.

I don't have any personal experience with the beach hotels in either Flagler or St. Augustine, so I can't make a personal recommendation. But VISITFLORIDA.com has quite a few listings (see link above).

You'll have a great time. Let me know how you like the area.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Monique,

VISITFLORIDA.com lists 31 different accommodations on Miami's South Beach. Have a look at them and contact the hotel, resort, or condominium that appeals to you. You can view the list of South Beach accommodations here.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Angie,

To start with, you'll want to head south for the warmest temperatures in January.

Most of the eligible singles in Florida that are in your age group will be found in the larger population centers like Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach. I suggest that you look at participating in beach and outdoor activities in those areas that are likely to attract singles in your age group rather than limiting yourself to the singles staying at a particular resort.

And it's good to come in out of the sun to meet people too. Arts and cultural events always attract a nice bunch of folks. Rayme Samuels, the VISITFLORIDA Arts & Culture expert might have some suggestions for you in that regard.

Paula Lewis, the VISITFLORIDA shopping and entertainment expert might also have a suggestion or two for you.

Hi Christina,

The short answer to the question of whether fires are allowed on the beach is...no. However, beach fire regulations vary from city to city. Sometimes fires may be allowed in certain locations during certain times of the year. A quick call to the city parks and recreation department of the city you are planning to visit will help you find a more definitive answer to your question. You may be required to obtain a permit.

If you are staying at a hotel or resort, call the resort to see what their rules are.

Many beach parks have elevated grills in the picnic area where fires are permitted. Long Key State Park in the Keys has fire grills at their beach campsites.

Regarding the temperatures you can expect in the Keys during February: lows in the 60's, highs in the 70's, with water temperatures around 70.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Liane,

Destin accommodations are weighted heavily toward week-long beach house and condominium rentals. Hotel rooms on the beach are limited, compared to many other vacation towns.

Check out the Sea Oats Motel at 3420 US 98 East.

Also look at the Holiday Inn Destin at 1020 US 98 East.

Not directly on the beach, but right across the street from Henderson Beach State Park is the Comfort Inn Destin at 19001 US 98.

I hope this is helpful to you,

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hello Sukawat,

Some of the most beautiful sand and water is found in northwestern Florida. Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City Beach are a few of the more popular northwest Florida beaches. These would be good choices to visit from May through September.

Further south, other excellent choices during any time of year would be Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key, Naples, and Marco Island. Naples and Marco Island would be the warmest beaches during the cooler months of January, February, and March.

Any of these beaches would have beautiful sand and nice calm, shallow, and usually clear gulf waters.

In my experience, the water in northwest Florida is the clearest, most often.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Mark,

Driving along the gulf coast is a GREAT way to explore the state. You'll love it! Pensacola is a great place to start. Here are a few places you'll want to consider seeing (with an emphasis on the coast and beaches):

• South Walton County Beaches (Seaside, Blue Mountain Beach, Seagrove)
• Appalachicola and St. George Island
• Cedar Key
• Homossassa Springs
• Siesta Key Beaches (Sarasota)
• Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island) This is a small but beautiful island to drive around on. Stop and visit the lighthouse and lighthouse museum.
• Sanibel Island / Captiva Island beaches

As for palm-lined beaches, quite a few beaches beginning with the Fort Myers (Estero Island) beaches have coconut palms. So, Ft. Myers Beach and Naples Beach would fit into that category. Not all of the hotels and resorts have nice coconut palms, but many do, especially in the Naples area. Naples beaches are really nice and have the most tropical-looking beaches on the gulf coast, in my humble opinion (especially near the pier). Check out some of my photos of Naples beaches.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Chris,

I'll give you a few suggestions. First, closer to Daytona Beach is Daytona Shores and Ponce Inlet. There is a beautiful beach in Ponce as well as a lighthouse and a marine science center. Great fishing jetty. Not a lot of hotels down that way though. It's just south of Daytona Beach Shores. This area would be less rowdy than Daytona Beach proper.

Another idea is go go down to New Smyrna Beach. If you can find a hotel there it would also be quieter than Daytona. This area leans more toward condominiums and less toward hotels.

Still further south is Cocoa Beach, one of my favorites. You'll still find some spring breakers there, but they'll mostly be around the pier. A little further south it is quieter, and in any case, Cocoa Beach is nothing like Daytona. Great selection of hotels.

On the gulf coast, which I highly recommend, you'll likely find calmer water and a more laid-back crowd. Consider Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach. Lots of great moderately-price hotels on St. Pete Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Rebecka,

I recommend that you drive over to the Atlantic Coast and visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore at Playalinda Beach near Titusville. This is a beautiful wild area and a very quiet beach, especially during the week.

You should also consider taking a wildlife tour to get an up close look at dolphins, manatees, and other Florida wildlife with an expert guide.

I also suggest that you visit some of central Florida's beautiful crystal clear springs. Alexander Spring is one of the least developed. Juniper Spring is somewhat more developed, and Silver Springs is the most developed (and most expensive) and has a glass bottom boat ride and wildlife attractions.

Here is an amateur video of Juniper Spring posted on YouTube.

David McRee
Beaches Expert

If you want to come over to the Gulf Coast, I highly recommend that you come over to the Dunedin area and take the ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park to Caladesi Island State Park. It makes a great day trip.

On the gulf coast, if you have time, visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (it's a working marine mammal rescue hospital) and the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary.

Hi Wayne,

Yes, on the northern end of the island, in the City of Anna Maria there are beaches on both the bay and gulf sides of the island. The bay beach is called Bayfront Park and is located between the Anna Maria City Pier and the Rod & Reel Pier. It has picnic tables, restrooms, and some playground equipment for children. The beach is narrow, but the water is calm and shallow. My dad used to take us kids to this beach when the gulf was to0 rough to swim in. We loved it! Both piers sell food and there are restaurants nearby.

The gulf side has continuous beach the entire length of the island. It is a beautiful beach. If you are not staying right on the beach, you can walk to it easily from most anywhere in northern Anna Maria. There are several pedestrian accesses, but no restroom facilities on the northern beaches, at least there weren't  the last time I was there, which was just a few months ago.

You'll love Anna Maria.

David McRee
Beaches Expert

Hi Michele,

Florida has quite a few calm shallow beaches on the Gulf coast and in the Keys. Water clarity changes daily and is affected by the air temperatures, rainfall, wind, the amount of sunlight, and water currents.

I've found that the following beaches are most likely to meet the standards you are looking for:

Most Northwest Florida beaches during the summer (Pensacola, Destin, Grayton Beach, Seaside, Panama City Beach).

Anna Maria Island

Longboat Key

Naples

Marco Island

The Florida Keys (very shallow).

Be sure to read my Florida beaches FAQ page.

Hi Julie,

Check with Gray Line Orlando / Gator Tours. They have a new tour beginning in May that goes to Key West and Miami.

Orlando-Tours offers a 2 day trip from Orlando to the Keys and Miami that will accommodate a wheelchair, but you have to be able to get on and off the bus without assistance since the driver is not allowed to help. I'm not sure if they go all the way to Key West.

You can call the Seminole County Tourist Development Council. Their website claims that they have travel planners that will help you connect with businesses that want your business. Their phone number and a contact form is on their website.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Cindy,

Have a look at the Sunset Inn. It's located a distance from "the strip" and is right on the beach. The reviews of the Sunset Inn on TripAdvisor are very good. It would be a fairly inexpensive choice.

I don't know if you have your heart set on Panama City Beach, or if you would consider other options as well. There are quieter places in Northwest Florida, although not all have hotels. Many have rental beach homes or private rental condos. St. George Island is a fairly quiet place to consider. It doesn't really offer resorts, but has a lot of rental beach homes.

The El Governor Hotel on Mexico Beach would also be a quiet choice. The El Governor has very good reviews on TripAdvisor. Mexico Beach is a small beach town.

Keep in mind that during the spring and summer season, you can find a reasonable selection of restaurants in most beach towns. During the fall and winter, many restaurants and shops close, so a larger beach town (like Destin or Panama City Beach) might be a better choice during the "off" season.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sara,

Yes, there are shower facilities at South Beach's Lummus Park Access. Keep in mind that they are heavily used public facilities. For confirmation of the status of public facilities before going, call Miami Beach Parks and Recreation at 305-673-7730.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Martha,

I believe that local city regulations govern the storage of equipment and boats on the beach, and each city has its own regulations. Also, each condo association probably has its own policy as to whether boats can be stored on "their" beach. I would suggest that you consider the following islands:

Anna Maria Island. There are a few condos on the beach on this very relaxing island. You might check with some of them. I used to see catamarans on the upper beach of Anna Maria, but haven't seen any in a while.

Siesta Key. I've seen catamarans on the upper beach on Northern Siesta Key.

Palm Island (Little Gasparilla Island). Check with the Palm Island Resort and see what they offer and what they can tell you about sailboats on the beach.

Sanibel Island / Captiva Island. You can check with the City of Sanibel, or visit the www.bestofsanibelcaptiva.com website and visit their forum. You can join the forum and ask questions about where to stay, etc. It's a great resource to find answers to the kind of questions you have. The forum is the best source of info for Sanibel/Captiva.

Marco Island. This is the furthest south on the Gulf coast and would be quite warm. The water is very shallow off the beach. You'd have to check with the city of Marco I think, and also with the condo where you are staying.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

I don't know of any hostels in those cities. Most hostels seem  to be in larger cities that attract a lot of travelers who are looking for that type of accommodation. You may have to go a bit further south to Fort Lauderdale or Miami to locate a hostel.

Fort Lauderdale hostels

Miami Hostels

I stayed in a fun hostel in St. Augustine not long ago, but that is a good bit further north than the cities you mentioned.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Veronica,

Almost every beach in Florida is a family beach. Going topless for women is not permitted except at a very few beaches.

Cocoa beach is a very good family beach and family town. Here are a few more excellent choices for a family beach vacation:

• Santa Rosa Beach
• Seaside
• St George Island
• St. Pete Beach
• Anna Maria Island
• Siesta Key
• Sanibel Island
• Delray Beach
• St. Augustine Beach

To combine snorkeling with a family beach vacation, Siesta Key is a great location. There is a spot called Point-of-Rocks near Crescent Beach on Siesta Key that has good shallow water snorkeling when the water is clear. It is safe, but the water is not always super clear.

Another great place for snorkeling is near Panama City Beach. Specifically, St. Andrews State Park has a great jetty and very clear water for snorkeling. Panama City Beach is good for a family vacation as long as you avoid the spring break season. Summer is good.

You can search on any of the places I mentioned above right here on VISITFLORIDA.com.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

If you want a Carribean experience, you will have to go to the Carribean. Near-shore waters in Florida are generally various shades of green, not blue.

Hi Heather,

I would recommend that you consider St. Pete Beach. You'll find a nice selection of moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, and there's plenty to do in the area. At the south end of St. Pete Beach is Pass-A-Grille beach, which is also very nice, but gets a bit more crowded on the weekends.

There will be a few local students enjoying spring break on St. Pete Beach, but nothing like what you'd find at Panama City Beach or Daytona. Most of the spring breakers in the Tampa area seem to head for Clearwater Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Heather,

Either Daytona Beach or Cocoa Beach would work for you. I'd go for Cocoa Beach. It's more relaxed, the beach has more dunes and vegetation, and it's a LOT easier to find beach access and parking. Of course, if you are staying in a hotel, beach acces isn't a problem, but your boyfriend might want to drive around and try different spots. Another plus for Cocoa Beach is that you are only a 45 minute drive from Sebastian Inlet, which is the most famous surf break in Florida (and a beautiful State Park too).

As for Daytona, on the plus side, you can drive a car right onto the beach on many parts of Daytona, which can be fun; Ponce Inlet is only a half hour drive south, and Ponce is one of the best surf spots in Florida.

You can't go wrong with either place, but for a surf trip and relaxed atmosphere, I'd lean toward Cocoa Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Ingvild,

What to pack does depend on your location in Florida.  In the Ft. Lauderdale / Miami area you would expect temperatures during the day to be between 70 and 80 degrees F (21 to 27 F), and night temperatures in the 60's. Cool fronts may cause colder temperatures for a few days. You can see January temperature averages for Miami here: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USFL0316?month=1

Central Florida, around Orlando is a bit cooler.

Northern Florida is the coolest part of the state during January.

Plan to dress in layers, so as the day warms up you can take off any heavier coats.

If you are going to be in southern Florida, bring plenty of clothes for warmer weather. It can be hot in south Florida, even in winter. The Miami / Fort Lauderdale has some excellent beach weather in January.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Giancarlo,

You'll most likely find the weather in Miami quite pleasant during the first two weeks of January. Expect daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). It is a wonderful time to go to the beach.

January is also a great time to visit Florida's aquatic parks, especially the ones that emphasize viewing and learning about sea life. January might be a bit cool for parks that offer swimming activities.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jessica,

I'll make some suggestions for you. Personally, I find all beaches to be relaxing, and the water colors change daily--sometimes even hourly.

Atlantic Coast

• Fort Lauderdale Beach
• Delray Beach
• Cocoa Beach
• New Smyrna Beach

Gulf Coast peninsula

• Anna Maria Island
• Siesta Key
• Boca Grande
• Sanibel Island

Northwest Florida (panhandle, best during late spring, summer, early fall)

• St. George Island
• Panama City Beach (avoid during spring break if you want to relax)
• Fort Walton/ Seaside
• Destin
• Pensacola Beach

The Northwest Florida beaches have the clearest water and whitest sand. The Fort Lauderdale beaches are great during the cold months (they tend to be warmer). You can do a search right here on VISITFLORIDA.com for the beaches I suggested. They all will have either hotels or condominiums/beachhouses for rent.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Roger,

Different colleges have spring breaks at different times, but generally, mid-February through the first week or so in April is spring break season. The majority of colleges seem to have their spring breaks in March. Here is a college spring break calendar.

I belive the high schools are generally on spring break around Easter week.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Steve, I'm not aware of any restrictions on kite flying on St. Pete Beach. I see people flying kites all the time out on the beach. Of course the usual etiquette applies--not flying kites where it would put others in danger, etc--which I'm sure you are already well versed in.

If you want to find out for sure if there are any problems with flying your kite(s) on the beach, give the City of St. Pete Beach a call: http://www.stpetebeach.org/sub/contact.html

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Liz,

January is, of course, one of the coolest months in Florida.  But lots of people have January vacations on Sanibel and think it is warm---compared to where they are from. The water temperature will be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (much too cold for me to swim, but I've seen vacationers swimming in it).

Daytime highs on Sanibel during January could range anywhere from 65 degrees to 78 degrees.

If you are looking for the warmest possible January getaway in Florida, you might consider the Fort Lauderdale or Miami area, or even the Florida Keys, though I must admit that I do dearly love Sanibel for a relaxing getaway.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Olga,

I highly recommend Anna Maria Island, on the Gulf Coast, in the Bradenton / Sarasota area. It is a quiet, residential island, with no high-rise condominiums or large resort hotels. Find a cottage or home to rent in either the city of Anna Maria, or Holmes Beach. This would be a good location winter or summer.

Amelia Island would offer peace and quiet and would be appropriate for a summer vacation.

Sanibel Island would also be a great choice, any time of year.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Rick,

If you have the time, I'd recommend spending as much time driving on Highway 1A as possible. That will take you on a tour of the Atlantic coast beach towns. There are times you'll have to leave the coast and drive on Highway 1, but it's worth it. What a great drive!

Since you're starting out in Miami, I'd make my first stop at South Beach and the Art Deco district. I'm sure your daughter will want to see that area. Go for a walk along Ocean Drive or Lincoln Road. For something a little offbeat, check out the Wolfsonian at Florida International University.

Hollywood Beach,  has the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a cement sidewalk 30 feet wide and 3 miles long. A great way to see the beach and all the different people who come here.

For a nature experience, visit John U. Lloyd Beach State Park.

Next stop, Fort Lauderdale Beach. Find a parking spot and take a walk under the palms along the beach promenade.

Delray Beach is a great beach town. Enjoy the vibe, relax on the beach, and for something completely different, visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 3 miles outside of town.

If your daughter is into shopping, she might like to go window shopping along Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

In the Riviera Beach / Singer Island area, take the boat ride to Peanut Island and explore. Visit John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

Climb the lighthouse at Jupiter Inlet.

Visit the McLarty Treasure Museum and Sebastian Inlet State Park (the most famous surfing spot in Florida).

Don't miss Cocoa Beach. Plan to spend an hour or so wandering around in Ron Jon's Surf Shop and walk out on the Cocoa Beach Pier. Have lunch on the pier.

Spend the day at Kennedy Space Center.

In case you didn't make it to the Jupiter Lighthouse, or if you really liked it and want to do another, the Ponce Inlet Light Station is awesome. It's 175 feet high and you can see for 20 miles. Great view of Daytona Beach. While there, leave some time to tour the Marine Science Center, and don't forget to walk out onto the Ponce Inlet Jetty.

Have a great trip!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Moni,

My first suggestion is that you consider Sanibel Island. It is one of the most beautiful islands in Florida, and it is far enough south to be much warmer than Destin. However, it is probably a 3 hour drive to Orlando.

If you really need to be closer to Orlando, you might consider Cocoa Beach. There will be more "attractions" in and around Cocoa Beach  than on Sanibel Island, but it won't be as beautiful.  Cocoa Beach will have a larger selection of restaurants. Even a few vegetarian restaurants. Kennedy Space Center is nearby and I highly recommend visiting it. The further south you go on Cocoa Beach, the quieter the beach is. It is busiest near the pier at Meade Avenue.

Sanibel is not far from Fort Myers, so you could easily drive into Fort Myers now and then for dinner, or during the day to see various attractions. But you'll probably want to spend most of your time on Sanibel. Sanibel has a bike trail (sidewalk), a wonderful shell museum, and beautiful beaches and resorts. I  also highly recommend that you visit the Edison-Ford Winter Estate in Fort Myers.

To find vegetarian restaurants, I use the Happy Cow website: http://www.happycow.net/search.html

Just type the city name into the search box. Don't rely completely on the results though. Always call the restaurant before you go and verify that they are still in business at that location and confirm their menu choices. I learned that the hard way.

One strategy you might consider is to spend most of your trip on Sanibel, then leave a few days early to stop in Orlando for 2 or 3 days. That will give you enough time to visit Sea World before continuing your drive home.

I hope this is helpful.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Stephanie,

In February, in central Florida (St. Petersburg / Orlando) you can expect daytime highs in the upper 60's to low 70's, and nighttime lows generally ranging from the upper 40's to uppper 50's.

In the Sunny Isle's area (Miami) you can expect daytime highs between 75 and 85 degrees, and nighttime lows from 60 to 70 degrees.

As far as the best beach hotels with the best amenities, in the St. Petersburg area, the Don Cesar on St. Pete Beach would be the best.

As you know, Orlando has no beaches, but Daytona Beach is nearby. The Daytona Beach Hilton is an excellent hotel and is right in the middle of the action.

In the Sunny Isles area of Miami, have a look at the Eden Roc or the Fontainebleau.

Florida Beaches Expert
David McRee

David, you can step out of the Sable Palms, throw a rock, and hit the Gulf of Mexico, or walk a few hundred feet down a quiet street and cast your fishing line into the bay, or take the Shell Key Shuttle over to Shell Key for a very quiet day on a nearly empty beach. Everything in Pass-A-Grille is within walking distance.

No place is perfect. Enjoy.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

David,

The Keystone is a very popular place, and appears to be very well-kept. The main thing I would point out to you about it is that it is right next door to the popular Hurricane Restaurant, and is bordered on its south side by Historic 8th Avenue, which also has a number of bars and restaurants. So the Keystone is right in the heart of the busiest part of Pass-A-Grille. It wouldn't be the quietest location.

All that might be perfectly wonderful for you, and you might prefer to be right in the action. Obviously plenty of folks love it because it always seems to have plenty of guests.

I generally prefer quieter locations, so it is something I always pay attention to.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sudha,

I have a great suggestion for you! We recently spent a long weekend at the Beach Place Guesthouses on Cocoa Beach, which is less than an hour from Disney and Universal.

It is a very quiet place right on the ocean. We watched the sunrise every morning and the moonrise over the Atlantic every night.

I wrote a blog entry about how much we enjoyed the Beach Place Guesthouses. I also published a nice slide show of our little Cocoa Beach getaway.

Sometimes in the off season they may host small weddings, so if you decide to stay there you can just ask to be sure it will be quiet when you are there. They try to maintain a quiet and relaxing atmoshphere.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi David,

I'm happy to be able to help.

I know of three places that are particularly well spoken of in Pass-A-Grille:

Island's End Resort (at the very southern tip, overlooking the pass and Shell Key.

Sabal Palms Inn

Inn on the Beach

All are within 75 to 200 feet of the beach.

Pass-A-Grille does not have large hotels. I have not stayed in any of the places I mentioned, but I walk past them all the time. TripAdvisor reviews are very good (which as you know is unusual for anyplace).

Personally, I think I'd try for the Island's End.

From Pass-A-Grille you can take the island trolley to anywhere on the islands to shop, eat, or sightsee. Be sure to stop in and visit the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi David,

St. Pete Beach has several miles of beaches. There are 3 main public beach access points:

• Upham Beach
• St. Pete Municipal Beach
• Pass-A-Grille Beach (recommended)

In between are hotels, condominiums and motels. I would not characterize St. Pete Beaches as crowded, in general, but there are definitely more people on the beaches in front of the larger hotels, like the Trade Winds and the Sirata, especially if the weather is unseasonally warm (which is not all that unusual in December).

There are generally fairly large stretches of beach with only a few people here and there, even on really warm sunny days. You can always get away from the crowd if there is one, and if you don't mind walking 10 minutes up the beach. Also, you can drive over to Fort Desoto Park and find a really quiet place on the beach.

I have a lot of great photos of St. Pete Beaches on my BeachHunter website.

Take a look at the photos of St. Pete Beach at www.best-of-st-pete-beach.com.

Have a great trip!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Vinod,

You can expect high temperatures in the low 70's Fahrenheit and around 50 for the nightime low. (10 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees C.)

http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/DisplayNORMS.asp?AirportCode=KMCO&StateCode=FL&SafeCityName=Orlando&Units=none&IATA=MCO&normals=on

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Laura,

Key West does have some nice beaches, but it is not a large island, so the choices are limited. Probably the closest beach would be those at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Site. 

A better beach for swimming would be Higgs beach, which is at the western end of Atlantic Blvd. It has full facilities.

Further away is the famous Smathers Beach, which is the largest, located along South Roosevelt Blvd near the airport.

I think you can take the Old Town Trolley from Mallory Square to Higgs Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Martin,

Yes, I remember driving along the coast in Trinidad (West Indies) and there were miles and miles of nothing but coconut palms. It was really beautiful.

You won't quite find that in Florida, but there are more coconut palms and other tropical vegetation in the Miami area and the Florida Keys than anywhere else in the state.

It might be a little further than you want to drive, but Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys has lots of coconut palms and white sand beaches, although the beaches are not as wide as those in Miami. The water is clear, but very shallow. Great for kids.

Closer to Miami is Lummus Park, which is right in the middle of South Beach. This is a very busy, cosmopolitan area, but the beach is very wide and white and there are lots of coconut palms. It is on Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Streets. You have to pay to park. It does have lifeguards, restrooms, and food/drink. Lots of flesh on display here.

Crandon Park at the north end of Key Biscayne is a very nice beach park with tons of coconut palms and a white sand beach. 4000 Crandon Blvd. Water is very kid-friendly.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Steve,

Three of my favorites, from the most well-known category are (in no particular order):

Sea World

Kennedy Space Center

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (for the boat ride to the reef)

Don't overlook some of the smaller, but equally enjoyable and worthwhile attractions, like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory, Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel, the McLarty Treasure Museum, and the many historical and nature-related attractions all over the state. You can easily visit 2 or 3 of the smaller attractions in one day and have just as rich an experience as you would by spending an entire day at one of the larger attractions.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Ken,