SallySally

Any suggestions for fantastic Floridian beaches wld help us plan our vacation?

thank you

mclaurie

Well, Sally, it depends on how you define "best." The east coast is ocean with waves which many prefer. The west coast is the Gulf which is warmer, bluer and calmer. The sand is also different. Some are more kid friendly than others. So what's YOUR definition of best?

You can also do a text search here on Florida beaches to get some ideas. Time of year also matters. The warmer months can bring jelly fish & other things on shore.

alliegator

I think the Gulf Coast beaches are the best. The water is clearer & calmer and the sand is much nicer. Also you don't have people driving on the beach like you do on many of the west coast beaches.

St. Pete beach is nice, as well as Marco Island & Naples. It just depends on the speed of the surroundings you are looking for.

Postal

The Gulf Coast IS the west coast of Florida. Some of the beaches on the east coast, such as Daytona Beach, allow driving on the beach. The previous poster said it best - if you want to play in waves, it's the east coast; if you want finer sand and no waves, it's the west coast. I like Cocoa Beach on the east coast and Clearwater Beach on thr west coast.

Paul

East Coast: Singer Island
West Coast: Port St. Joe

CF

The Emerald Coast...from Panama City to Pensacola. Most notably Destin, Navarre, and so on.

EJC

On east coast;South Beach. On gulf coast;anywhere. Haven't been to Destin,but I heard nothing but good things. Some people say the sand is better and whiter than the best beaches in the caribbean.

Stephanie

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL

red63corvette

As a previous resident of the Treasure Island area I have to vote for the Gulf Coast beaches. Whenever I go back to visit I always spend time in the John's Passe area. You have plenty of options no matter what your age or travel party makeup.

Last spring I took my kids snorkling down in the Keys. The beaches - wait there are none! lol. But the view is utterly fantastic. To find sand you'll have to go man made. Pennekamps is ok if you have time and don't mind the crushing crowd. Bahia Honda was the best spot for us.

~ Sheryl

etc0414

In Sarasota go to Siesta Key. The beach is gorgeous and has this white sand that does not get hot. It's amazing. Take old exit 37 from I-75; go west to the end. Siesta Key. Park and enjoy.

jbrowne

Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach

CF

EJC...the beaches in Destin are lovely and on certain days you can close your eyes and imagine you are in the islands. Almost, but not quite....

joan

Hey RedCorvette! I'm a current resident of Treasure Island -- and I couldn't agree with you more! Last Sat at dusk I took a stroll on the beach...there was the gorgeous sunset (it's actually called Sunset Beach), a couple was getting married, there were kids swimming, people kayaking, I spotted a dolphin, and a drum circle was forming. What's a drum circle you ask? Well it's an impromptu gathering where people bring all sorts of percussion instruments, from a 5 gallon bucket to the finest skin drum, and they just jam! How cool is that?! TI seems to be turning into the place for the modern hippie. Anyway, you couldn't find a better beach - lots of character here, no doubt about it.

P.S. to Leone: Hurry willya?

lmsa_mc

We really like Fort Desoto Beach on the Gulf side, south of St. Pete Beach.

OliveOyl

Imsa_mc, sssh sssh sssh! Last weekend when we were there there were two tour buses. 60% of the cars have out of state plates. I'm not talkin' about it any more. gt; Dr. Beach's list can do only one thing...ruin a good thing!