The Nature Coast does not have the same beachfronts that you can find in the panhandle or the Clearwater and St. Pete beaches to the south. The region of Maui is home toone of themost beautiful white sand beaches in America. Smathers Beach. Spend the day walking the beach and looking for shells or rent a kayak and venture out into the blue, tranquil waters. Whether its protecting sea turtle nestsor teaching kids about environmental protection, he knows he is helping preserve this park for future generations. You can splurge on plane tickets to Bermuda or Cancn, but the reality is that you can find some of the world's most beautiful beaches right here in the U.S. It boasts an average Getting there will require a two-plus hour ferry ride via the Yankee Freedom III, a private boat charter or seaplane ride, all of which should be booked well in advance. If you love tracking for seashells, this is an ideal beach for you! Floridas cuisine is a blend of Southern recipes, Latin American influences and old-school Floridian techniques here's your guide to the best of it. The vibe is laid back, and flip-flops are the only footwear youll need. Of course, theres always plenty of space for just soaking up the sun on the beach! 3800 Corkscrew Road Even though the sand is not inherently occurring and is imported, that wont prevent you from enjoying the gorgeous surroundings and iconic white Florida sand! 13 Best White Sand Beaches in the US [List of 2023] Most beachfront in key west are constructed of coral or small stones and gravel, which separates Smathers Beach! Honeymoon Island State Park attracts visitors from all over with its world-class beaches. Marco Island. Daytona beach has a wide sugary white sand beach that you can drive onto. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. However, with stunning coastal states like Florida, Hawaii and California, there really isnt a shortage of white sand beaches in the US. Perdido Key. A fourth-generation Floridian, Todd is proud to work at Honeymoon Island State Park. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Clearwater Beach is another well-known White Sand Beaches in Florida, puffing some heavy bombast rights. From quick boardwalk strolls over gator-clad waters to lengthy shoreline treks, these are the best hikes in Everglades National Park. Leisure is king here, and you will be hard-pressed to discover anything more pleasant than swimming in its emerald sea, biking the picturesque trails, or sunbathing on the virgin white seasides. Florida and Hawaii are definitely the standout states for enjoying beautiful white sand beaches, featuring the most well-known ones. Nestled on the southwest tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor Park hosts a monthly Civil War reenactment (the fort remained in Union hands throughout the conflict). It boasts thepicturesqueGulf of Mexicoand profound fishing expeditions. Sitemap, 13 of the Best Florida Keys Resorts for Families, 13 of the Best Family Campgrounds in Florida, Where To See Alligators in Florida: 13 Gator Watching Spots, Palm Springs Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting With Kids, Seattle Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Las Vegas Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Florida Keys Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Myrtle Beach Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, The Bahamas Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids. 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. For a day of gathering seashells, lead to Coquina Beach at the islands southern border. Then, snag a shady picnic table and dive in. Map All regular facilities are current at this coast: parking, showers, etc. Go for the glass-bottom boat which departs three times daily, every single day of the year. 20 Florida Beaches That Could Pass For the Caribbean - Southern Nicknamed the Worlds Luckiest Fishing Village, Destin is a hugely famous area for sport fishing but is even excellent for residents who simply like to lie around and let the soft, silky sands surround them as they sunbathe and de-stress. Here are the best experiences in the Sunshine State. Everglades National Park is a wonderland of marshland, sawgrass and mangroves. Map: Monroe is a mixture of two extremes from the virtually uninhabited mainland Everglades, to the bustling Florida Keys with popular Key West. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Sandy Neck Beach Sandwich, Massachusetts, 10 Best Lake Resorts in Iowa [Ranked in 2023], Top 17 Drunkest Cities in America [Report 2023], 12 Major Cemeteries in Iowa [Update 2023], 10 Best Ziplines in Iowa You Must Enjoy [Update 2023], Top 17 Most Boring Cities in America [Report 2023]. Key West may have west in its name, but its actually not the most western attraction in the Keys. The park has a boat ramp and picnic areas for enjoying the water view, but no beachfront. 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. When you need a break from the sun, browse the shops on Atlantic Avenue or take in the murals and public art in the Pineapple Grove Arts District. 2 Florida Beaches with Incredibly White Sand Its pure quartz sand is easy on the eyes as well as the feet, and its crystal clear waters are ideal for swimming. The park is also the ferry terminal for access to another unspoiled state park, Caladesi Island. Check out thesehighest ziplines in the US. 10. Beyond its historical allure, the park is a stellar spot for a swim, with shallow and often serene waters. Miramar Beach. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, White sand beaches, stunning sunsets and a bird-watcher's paradise. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West, Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, 28 Best Beaches on the East Coast From Maine to Florida, The Best Texas Beaches for Every Kind of Traveler, 29 Best Tropical Vacations Around the World, The 15 Best Beaches in Africa for Snorkeling, Surfing, and Remote Relaxation, The 15 Best Beach Destinations to Visit in January, 7 Gorgeous Gulf Coast Beaches From Texas to Florida, 25 Best Things to Do in Miami, From Art Museums to Food Halls, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center. So these are the best white sand beaches in the US. Swim, snorkel or kayakin the fresh cool spring waters and spot a manatee or two. If Fido has tagged along for your Key West adventure (or if you want to watch puppies play on the beach), Higgs Beach has one of the best dog parks around. To share the positive things that make the area unique. 50 E Beach Rd Tavernier, FL 33070 (305) 852-7161 Nestled in Tavernier, this man-made hideaway entices visitors with imported white sand and sparkling aquamarine water. It is a fun find along the Nature Coast with a pretty beachfront and a cool history. While the towns along this region are fishing and boating communities, some bring in soft white sand to create more beautiful shorelines in public parks. 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. A prized stop on the Florida Birding Trail, Bahia Honda State Park is loaded with wildlife and vantage points for taking it all in. Click here for our Complete Real Estate and Accommodation Guide to the Nature Coast, Florida. There are facilities, however, cell service might be limited. There are over 20 miles of beaches to enjoy with activities from volleyball, jet skiing, surfing , parasailing, and bicycles you can enjoy while spending the day at the There are many islands off the coast that have some sandy beachfronts in the Nature Coast. 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. 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. This area is not known for white sandy beachfronts and finding a beach in the area is quite the quest. This extended, slim key has a bunch of sand to appreciate, so theres consistently a ton of room for everyone, even on the most occupied of days. Your email address will not be published. Be surprised by the diversity of Florida, which is so much more than beaches and theme parks. 9 White Sand Beaches That Florida Is Well Known For - TheTravel It has always been given awards for the grade of the beach, the lovely town location with family-friendly interests, and its spectacular sunset viewpoints. It is a small sandy area fronting the Gulf that has a small stretch of natural sandy shoreline. 1. 9 Clearwater Beach Clearwater Beach is an outstanding and prominent beach in Florida. Pensacola Beach, Florida (View on Map) In comparison to many of the top beaches in the country, The area features 2 beachfronts with swimming areas, picnic tables, sand volleyball court, a playground, concession standand amenities. However, the communities in this region have some beaches to explore and offer a weekend getaway for locals. Howard Park's location provides access to the Gulf of Mexico by a 1-mile long causeway. In comparison to many of the top beaches in the country, Pensacola Beach isbreathtaking and featuresdazzling white sands. VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Siesta Beach is the ideal illustration of a white-sand Florida seaside. Madeira Beach is located on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast and is blessed with miles of gorgeous white sand beaches that boast that "Old Florida" feel yet Madeira Beach is part of the Tampa Bay region, one of the nations fastest growing metro areas. Though its not a Gulf front beach, this man-made lakefront beach features a beachfront with calm swimming and cool fresh spring water with white sand shorelines and is a pleasant surprise along the Nature Coast. If youre peeking for an excellent spot to go swimming in the Sarasota area, check out Siesta Key! Poipu Beach, Kauai, HawaiiOcean City, MarylandCoronado Beach, San Diego, CaliforniaPope Beach, Lake Tahoe, NevadaClearwater Beach, Clearwater, FloridaHarris Beach, OregonGlass Beach, Port Townsend, WashingtonOak Street Beach, Chicago, IllinoisCarlsmith Beach, Hilo, HawaiiWrightsville Beach, North CarolinaMore items And if you enjoy boating or fishing, this beach has a boat ramp and a pier. But in reality its due to the fact that thesands arealmost entirely composed of silicathat has been finely crushed. Ocala FL 34470, Contact the Statewide Information Line: 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. Turquoise water and white sand - where Beaches There is something for everyone in the family including volleyball courts, an aqua park, paddlesport rentals, a wakeboard cable and concessions. You can walk along the bouncy Pensacola Beach Pier, snorkel, examine aquatic marine life, indulge in refreshed seafood, or wait for sunset and enter the monthly stargazing groups. Smathers Beach is just that. The beachfront offers a natural beach area with a man-made white sandy beach area for enjoying the soft sand. But all of this activity contributes to the islands beautiful, unique landscape. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This 1 miles stretch of white gulf sand is known for its Some content on this site is saved in an alternative format. Spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling before taking a break to check out the park's pre-Civil War fortress. The kids choose to be fascinated by the players and road entertainers at Sunsets at Pier 60. The lay of the land at Honeymoon Island State park has been shaped formed and influenced by a variety of natural and man-made occurrences. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Take a day trip to nearby Topsail Hill Preserve Lifeguards are consistently on task too, and Siesta Beach is rated as one of Floridas most secure beaches, so its a lovely area for families with kids to go. You want Florida, you want it all, and you only want to unpack once. ALSO READ Best Natural Springs Near Tampa You Must Visit. From baseball to bluegrass, road trips to wildlife, there are endless fantastic experiences to have across the US. So finding one isnt particularly easy. It has always been given awards for the grade of the beach, the lovely town location with family-friendly interests, and its spectacular sunset viewpoints. 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. The Town of Redington Beach, Florida, is located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. WebLocated on Floridas Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is an idyllic Gulf Coast destination with 24 miles of picturesque shoreline. The beach in Hudson is small and usually frequented by locals, but recently more vacation goers have discovered that it is a nice place to be. All images on this page copyright FloridaSmart.com. In fact, these states are home to the best white sand beaches in the world, not just America. It was also declared the Number Two Beach in America and the Number 16 Beach in the World in 2013 by TripAdvisor. Grayton Beach is a location with Hemingway-style wooden places, known for its brightly stained art showrooms and retro homes situated on side lanes paved with crushed oyster shells. All rights reserved. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In this beach, silica composes the majority of the sands, giving it a bright white color that glows in the sunlight. The entire island is now Fort De Soto Park, a Pinellas county park which offers fine beaches, fishing, nature trails, camping, boating, and much more. Best beaches in the Florida Keys Required fields are marked *. These beaches are laden with pure white sand, great fishing, and mom-and-pop stores and restaurants. 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. The following are the most spectacular white sand beaches every beachgoer will fall in love with in Florida. Adjacent to the park is the Key West Wildlife Center, where local birds, sea turtles and other creatures are rehabilitated. Sand Key beach located on the barrier island is known as a secret beach! For Local Businesses including Food & Drinks, Services, Health & Medical, Education, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment and more, click here. To experience such a subtropical climate and year-round warmth, one may not think it is accessible in the contiguous United States. 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. Every beach is distinct, with its levels and segments, but some of the gorgeous beaches are the ones with paradisiacal white sands and crystal transparent waters. First-time Florida Keys: island hopping along the Overseas Highway, On Election Day, Key West voted to ban large cruise ships, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Click here to view our Google Map with pinpoints of each of these Nature Coast Beaches. The Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches In Florida The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Floridas natural resources and enhance its ecosystems. If you need to get out of the sun, hop in the car and drive north to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. Best beach for a totally isolated retreat. Fort De Soto is located in the southwest corner of Mullet Key, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. Santa Rosa Beach draws beachgoers worldwide, understood for its lovely small-town surroundings. St. Augustine FL 32080, 8282 S.E. If you can't sit still, you'll find nature trails and snorkel rentals on site. The beach also serves as the perfect spot With the white-sand beach to the east and lush sand dunes to the west, you can use Surfsides paved paths for an oceanfront stroll, run or bike ride. Blind Pass Beach is the perfect piece of form for a seaside: there are showers, facilities to rent instruments, and a tremendous large parking lot nevertheless, thats where it finishes! Sombrero Beach's soft white sands border the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, making the area ideal for snorkeling. WebMap: Click Here: Madeira Beach: Madeira Beach is located on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast and is blessed with miles of gorgeous white sand beaches that boast that "Old Florida" feel yet Madeira Beach is part of the Tampa Bay region, one of the nations fastest growing metro areas. With its truly clear waters and white-sand shores, visitors come from Tampa (and all of Florida) to enjoy the calm Gulf waters or partake in one of the area's many activities, from parasailing to fishing. Here are some of the best things to do. The park also offers fishing, pavilion and picnic areas.