I find the most appealing beaches sparsely populated. I like lauderdale-by-the-sea for that reason. Way back in the 1980s went to Treasure Island on the gay/homosexual part of the beach and it was totally empty! The annoying crowd on the other side was loud and filled with children.

Steph, Sunset Beach at the southern tip of TI is still sparsely populated. It's mostly residential. And the beach culture there has changed. There's hardly any gays because the city razed the hangouts. We have a little rental house there.

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So what is the color of water along the Gulf coast or, to be specific, near Sarasota and Naples? I hear it is "green" but that brings image of a dirty pond. I have been to Ft. Lauderdale and North Miami beach and loved the aquamarine water there. I tried looking up pictures/photos of some of the hotels in Naples etc but sometimes those hotels enhance the images to make things look better than they really are so I am not sure.

The beaches of Sarasota/Bradenton without a doubt are the best within 2-3 hour distance from Orlando. My recommendation is go to Lido Beach. Siesta Key beach has the recommendation as the purest white sand but I find Lido less crowded, has the same powdery white sand and the water is beautiful. Lots of hotels right on the beach and the best part, you can relax on the beach, and since you're right next to St. Armands Circle, walk over for a leisurely stroll, grab an ice cream cone and walk back to your chair on the beach and watch the sunset. Heaven!

I am pretty sure that you can reach Port St. Joe within three to three and half hours from Orlando. There you will find Cape San Blas. It is consistently rated as one of the best beaches in the country. It still is not overwhelmed with tourists, has gorgeous sugar white sand, and emerald green water. It has developed quite a bit in the last few years, but as a native Floridian who lives in Pensacola home to beautiful beaches, I still consider Cape San Blas the best.

annakay, according to mapquest it's about double that amount of time. But, in any case...shhhhhh....let's try to keep that area a secret!

Don't you just love the Indian Pass Raw Bar?

Hey Tandoori girl--"hardly any gays"? A wee bit prejudiced, are we? Gays are people, too.