A must: walking out to a sandbar beyond the shore (dont worry, the waters are typically shallow and calm). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, John Pennekamp State Park features nearly 200 nautical square miles of coral reefs and marine life, regularly including great barracudas, parrotfish and more. Just like the start of this list, its only fitting that it ends with a white sand beach from Florida as well. In this beach, silica composes the majority of the sands, giving it a bright white color that glows in the sunlight. Everglades National Park is a wonderland of marshland, sawgrass and mangroves. This part of Florida's Gulf Coast is fringed by bays and inlets, low-energy expansive shallow salt marshes, creeks, mangrove swamps and barrier islands with miles of the whitest sand beaches found anywhere. Beyond the animals and along its white sand shores, Higgs Beach also has six picnic tiki huts and a historic military lookout West Martello Tower with Insta-worthy gardens adjacent to it. Framed in forests of mangrove trees, the shell mounds and ridges of Mound Key rise more than 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay. If you're searching for next-level people-watching, look no further. Clearwater Beach is home of pristine white sand beaches, clear gulf waters, warm sunshine, and plenty of hospitality. This 1 miles stretch of white gulf sand is known for its And while the name suggests it is a Beach town, this small town is primarily a fishing and boating community. The island encompasses Perdido Key State Park, Big Lagoon State Park and Johnson Beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore, all heaped with gloriously soft sand. Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking and bicycling are all popular activities that make Honeymoon Island State Park an ideal getaway. It can be a little rocky, so some water shoes may help here. 01 of 06. The vibe is laid back, and flip-flops are the only footwear youll need. But all of this activity contributes to the islands beautiful, unique landscape. The Nature Coast of Florida is rightly named as a nature lovers paradise with a plethora wildlife,state parks and old Florida small town charm. When looking skyward, eagles, osprey and great horned owls can be seen, while ground animals include gopher tortoises, raccoons and armadillos. But with all that shoreline, finding the state's best beaches requires some research. The following are the most spectacular white sand beaches every beachgoer will fall in love with in Florida. The waters here are again beautiful and transparent, with soft waves supplying ideal requirements for swimming. Siesta Key boasts some of the softest, whitest sand on the planet. Best White Sand Beaches in Florida Florida is a beach lovers paradise, home to a cluster of idyllic, white-sand seasides. Smathers Beach. Perdido Key. First-time Florida Keys: island hopping along the Overseas HighwayOn Election Day, Key West voted to ban large cruise shipsHooking a good meal in the Florida Keys. Clearwater Beachis renowned for its immaculate white sands and beautifully turquoise waters, and is one of the biggest attractions on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It boasts thepicturesqueGulf of Mexicoand profound fishing expeditions. Being one of the best white sand beaches in the US, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Oregon. Adjacent to the park is the Key West Wildlife Center, where local birds, sea turtles and other creatures are rehabilitated. Just south of Horseshoe Beach is another small beachfront area, Shired Island Beach. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Hole up at one of the beach's chill waterfront bars or watch surfers from the fishing pier. On Siesta Key, the dunes are so delicate that you might mistakenly believe thatyou are putting your feet in icing. Estero FL 33928, 300 Anastasia Park Road Swim, snorkel or kayakin the fresh cool spring waters and spot a manatee or two. To explore these beachfront areas, bring your boat or kayak. The pioneers called it Hog Island, but it became Honeymoon Isle in 1939 when a New York developer built 50 palm - thatched bungalows for honeymooners. Fort De Soto is located in the southwest corner of Mullet Key, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. Cedar Key Airport Beach is a beachfront along Airport Road that offers white sand and quiet gentle waters. Situated in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico, that honor goes to Dry Tortugas National Park. Fifteen public, sugar-white sand beaches beaches spanning 18 miles in the Pensacola area are all yours to stroll, swim, sun, and savor. Bearing in mind a wet season, possible hurricanes and a stretch of super-humid weather, here's when to visit Everglades National Park. The Best White Sand Beaches of FloridaPanama City. One of the nicest beaches ever. Lido Key Beach. This place is very close to its sistering beach in Sarasota. Siesta Key. A gorgeous beach found on the outskirts of Sarasota Beach, this lovely coast is also filled with sand as white as snow.Anna Maria Island. It is one of those beaches found on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Clearwater Beach. Certain appeals may be temporarily closed or need reservations. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems can be enjoyed within the 1,600 acres of beaches, tidal marshes and nature trails that make up beautiful Anastasia State Park. The sands at Perdido Key are fluffy and welcoming, and there are different dunes to investigate too. Sombrero Beach's soft white sands border the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, making the area ideal for snorkeling. Here are 14 of the best beaches in Florida. Additionally, Coronado Beach doesntonly provide breathtaking natural beauty, but also a variety of amenities, making it one of the best white sand beaches in the US. White sand beaches are magnificent beaches that are usually comprised of quartz and minerals and usually form in special locations. The stretch of sandy beach is strewn with twisted logs that, over the course of time, have been worn down by the sun and the waves. If you need to get out of the sun, hop in the car and drive north to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. To help, we've curated some of our favorite Florida hot spots, from sprawling family-friendly stretches to tiny islands with intimate beach nooks, so you can make digging your toes into sugar-white sand a reality. Here are the Best White Sand Beaches in Florida you must not miss. A family-friendly area with limitless opportunities for beachgoers. Caladesi Island Ferry provides access to the island. Perhaps the best beachin Puerto Rico, hassoft white sands thatextend across thebay, which features deep turquoise waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling. Howard Park's location provides access to the Gulf of Mexico by a 1-mile long causeway. It would be an hour or so from the airpot.. Cape San Blas State Park is abour 45 minutes from Mexico Beach which may have your snorkeling. This list of 14 of the best white sand beaches in Florida for families provides many beaches that can fit your familys needs during your next trip. Some content on this site is saved in an alternative format. Visitors to this coast will also have a great opportunity to staining some nature, with dolphins often living sprinkled release in the water. It is regarded as one of the best beaches in the state ofFloridaand is well-known for its dazzling white, silky smooth sands, among other things. To find out more about Central West Florida click the following Link: Apollo Beach is named for the mythical Greek God who brought light and warmth to the world each day. Whether its protecting sea turtle nestsor teaching kids about environmental protection, he knows he is helping preserve this park for future generations. We are bordered by North Redington Beach to the north, Madeira Beach to the south, the Intracoastal Waterway on the east, and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. Best beach for kayaking and paddle boarding. Thanks to Florida's hundreds of miles of coastline, beaches with soft sand and crystal clear water are just a short flight (or even drive) away. Crystal River is a haven for water, nature and wildlife lovers and while the beach is man-made, it is a gorgeous beachfront to relax and enjoy Florida living. The beachs topography of virgin sugary white sand and turquoise sea is a wonderful oasis for personality lovers looking to unwind. The seasides on Anna Maria Island puff soft white sand and transparent turquoise waters that will draw you in for a daytime of washing up Floridas eternal sunshine. Sign up forour monthly enewsletterto stay up to date on what's happening in Florida, upcoming events and special deals. The park also offers fishing, pavilion and picnic areas. If that's the case, head to Deerfield Beach, a notoriously clean, family-friendly beach that used to beckon herds of local deer to its shores. Required fields are marked *. Tucked in the northwest corner of Florida, this sliver of paradise is so narrow you can often see the Gulf of Mexico and the bay at the same time. Be surprised by the diversity of Florida, which is so much more than beaches and theme parks. Bring the whole family to Fort Walton Beach, as its an energetic beach townlet that is a maximum of appeals, gardens, galleries, and aquariums. You can absorb the sunlight as you explore your toes in the sand, help the children make a sandcastle, and relish a day of water activities. Daytona beach has a wide sugary white sand beach that you can drive onto. Copyright 2023 USA by Numbers | All Rights Reserved, 13 Best White Sand Beaches in the US [List of 2023], 12 Best Beaches in Alabama You Must Visit [Update 2023], Top 16 Famous Landmarks in Hawaii [Update 2023], 17 Best Places to Visit in Hawaii [Update 2023]. Hunter Springs Park sits on Hunter Spring Run with one of the 70 natural springs that feed the Crystal River and Kings Bay. But in reality its due to the fact that thesands arealmost entirely composed of silicathat has been finely crushed. There are two beloved kayak paths here, with the most popular being a 1.5-mile loop around Little Crawl Key that takes you through a mangrove tunnel, deep water lagoon and sandbars. Tigertail Beach Park entices vacationers to take long hikes, search for seashells, or rent kayaks. Horseshoe Point is the spot at the end of County Road 351, aka Main Street, where you can find the only natural beachfront in the area. Appreciate the overload of water activities, lounge beneath an umbrella, and drink up the warm Florida sunlight. One of Floridas best-loved state Note that the road ends with a round-about where you can park on the side, get out and walk across the jetty to the preserved land marsh, and walk across the beachfront area. And if you enjoy boating or fishing, this beach has a boat ramp and a pier. These beaches are laden with pure white sand, great fishing, and mom-and-pop stores and restaurants. Map: Monroe is a mixture of two extremes from the virtually uninhabited mainland Everglades, to the bustling Florida Keys with popular Key West. Enjoy the vibrant environment to the fullest, while relaxing in the warm sunshine, looking for lovely shells or engaging in other outdoor activities like paragliding, surfing or river cruises, while also looking out for dolphins. As part of Florida's Treasure Coast, the area draws treasure hunters who come and try their luck at finding the riches lost when early 18th-century Spanish ships sunk in a hurricane. The warm Gulf Stream, one of the strongest ocean currents in the world, originates in the Florida Straits (where many centuries-old ships are sunk) and flows to the Atlantic separating the Everglades, the Keys and Cuba. Swimming and snorkeling are extremely famous here too. This beach offers a quieter off-the-beaten path shoreline with a swimming area, picnic areas and amenities. Stake out your spot in the Back on land, check out the parks visitor center, which has a 30,000-gallon aquarium. And to support a strong local community. Especially if you can find a stretch of silky sand that youll have to yourself. Visitors can explore the maritime hammocks, ancient sand dunes and historic coquina quarry before taking a dip in the Atlantic along pristine, white-sand beaches. All images on this page copyright FloridaSmart.com. Seashell collectors have long known about this stunning island southwest of Fort Myers. On Siesta Key a short drive from downtown Sarasota you'll find yourself looking out over the glittering Gulf of Mexico with a cocktail in hand. 9 Clearwater Beach Clearwater Beach is an outstanding and prominent beach in Florida. For Local Businesses including Food & Drinks, Services, Health & Medical, Education, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment and more, click here. Map: Collier's miles of sparkling white sand beaches stretch from undeveloped Barefoot Beach Preserve barrier island to busy Marco Island near Big Cypress National Preserve. The phrase pristine perfection has been used to describe it. Cedar Key is a small city in Levy County that includes a cluster of islands. One of the primary reasons behindCannon Beachs placement among the most beautiful beaches in the worldby National Geographic Magazinewas its kilometers of fine-sand beachand spectacular coastline, which featured tides breaking against towering boulders. Heading further south in Levy County is another local and secluded beach, Bird Creek Beach, which offers a small natural white sandy beachfront and a boat ramp. The center is open to the public for tours six days a week (except Wednesdays). The South Beach Pavilion provides bicycles to rent by the hour or day and kayaks are available at Caf Honeymoon. 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