Never been to Florida - Gulf or ocean side?
 

Hello Florida experts! Bluejeans here with some questions. We are trying to plan a vacation for late July somewhere in Florida. Problem is we don't know exactly where to go. Background: Family of 4 including two boys in early 20's. Looking for nice beach location without hordes of people. We don't know the difference between the Gulf side and the ocean side. Is one better than the other? We love to snorkel, swim, hike and lay around. We might spend a day or two near Orlando, but a Disney type vacation is not really what we're looking for. Leaning toward Clearwater/St. Petersburg. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Take a look at Venice FL, but for snorkeling you'll definitely prefer the keys.

I am partial to the Coast side as I prefer my Ocean w/'waves'. Many will tout the gulf side as well. I'm not keen on it. From Orlando my preference would be Amelia Island or St. Augustine. Much to do, great dining & a multitude of places to stay. Both have Forts & there are some plantations scattered about as well. Check out www.ameliaisland.org, www.ameliaisland.com & www.staugustime.com. There are many posts on here about both places. BTW, I don't know about hordes but you're going to have plenty of people. Amelia is nice as there is limited public access so if you rent a place on the beach the people will be fewer & farther between, than say a Destin.

If you don't want hordes of people, then stay away from Clearwater. The beaches and water are lovely, but there are tons of locals along with the tourists - noisy high school kids hanging out, music blaring,etc.

St. Pete is a little better; especially the area around the Don Caesar and to the south. Pass-a-Grille, which is the southernmost point of St. Pete beach, is very quiet. Few hotels - a few converted beach houses and a couple of quaint low-rise properties.

The north western / Panhandle beaches - South Walton in particular, are *much* nicer. Not exactly close to Orlando, though.

Thank you for your quick replies. I am checking out these destinations right now.

Sarasota - Longboat Key, Lido Key or the best, :-D Siesta Key....(I live here)

Gorgeous, warm waters...

Perhaps not the most interesting snorkeling but still better than the Atlantic side.

Culture, arts, nightlife, ok restaurants yet not as crazy as the SE Florida, (Miami, Ft.Lauderdale).

1 hour drive to Tampa, 2 hours to Orlando.

www.siestakeychamber.com

Bluejeans,

Late July much of Florida will be beastly hot.

The weather is milder in the Keys that time of year than in south Florida.

Snorkel - the Keys

Swim - If waves are your thing, definately the Atlantic side.

Hike - hmm. I would not hike in Florida in July. Take bug spray.

Keep in mind there are very few beaches in the Keys. Its mostly coral.

The Gulf side does not have much snorkeling, but the beaches are beautiful.

Greetings. I have been busy investigating all the suggested areas. Since I am not familiar with Florida at all, I'm looking at all the possibilities. Siesta Key looks enticing and the lodging seems reasonable. I've put in a few inquiries. We are trying to do 9 or 10 nights with arrival and departure midweek, and it seems like a lot of places will only do Sat. to Sat. Also have a few inquiries in Venice. Maybe something will come up. Thanks again for sharing. I'd be lost without your help.

You are correct, most places will typically rent Sat. - Sat. If you have to do Orlando, I'd suggest flying in there on Wed. Then head to the coast for the following week.

To me, the Gulf side beaches are calmer and prettier, while the ocean side beaches are rougher. The Gulf beaches are snow white and crunch like snow and the water is crystal clear, down to 90 feet or so at times. The Atlantic has nowhere near the visibility and the sand is a bit more yellow.

For snorkeling, that would favor the Gulf side, as the waves on the Atlantic side tend to churn stuff up. For body boarding/surfing/etc... the Atlantic side is favored.

The best beaches in Florida are on the Panhandle around Destin/Ft. Walton to Seagrove Beach and Seaside, FL. There is pretty good snorkeling off the jetties near the state park off the east end of Panama City Beach - lots of fish to be seen. There are crowded stretches, but there are also stretches relatively uncrowded for miles and miles.

I like the Gulf side better. The sand is white and powdery, while the coast side has golden, rougher, grainy sand.

If you like shelling, go across the causeway to Sanibel pretty early, although there is a toll to drive there.

Naples is beautiful but expensive.

http://www.nps.gov/cana/

If you want a natural beach with few people visit the south unit of the Seashore (access in Titusville), while in the Orlando area. It would make an easy day trip. If you are wanting a nude beach go to parking area #13 and walk north.:-O

I am guessing those two boys in their early 20s would just lOVE to go to a nude beach with their parents! And their parents would enjoy it even more! LOL!!!

Another vote for the Gulf Coast.

I love the area from Clearwater south to Naples. Beautiful beaches, calm & warm water, Perfect!

Sunshinesue-- We took our daughter and grandson(24) to the nude beach. They thought it was a hoot!.. After being there they know why most people should wear clothing. Some things and people just ain't that pretty! :D

Red Rock,
LOL! Couldn't agree more.

Red Rock,

You just made my day!! I have tears running down my face from laughing so hard! Brings back memories of the time we were in Curacao with our sons and some of the older women were topless!

The boys were so grossed out!! :-d

Hmmm...they're asking us if we want to split up from them for a day or two! I wonder where they want to go????

Don't ask.

The ocean on the east side is much more majestic and the beaches much prettier. How about going to St. Augustine? StPete/clearwater is crowded and not particularly nice --- although downtown st. Pete is nice. The water on the West coast of FL is much gentler though, but at least close to the shore may not be clean enough for snokeling. Call Hotels on the east coast, perhaps start calling in Cocoa Beach, and head North through Daytona, Crescent Beach and ask about water activities. You could actually do both., you know. From St Pete Beach in the west to Cocoa Beach in the east is only a 4 hour drive.