white sand beaches in florida map white sand beaches in florida map

The area features 2 beachfronts with swimming areas, picnic tables, sand volleyball court, a playground, concession standand amenities. 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! We are locals and writers who love to research, explore and share information about Florida. 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. Its accolades include being named as Americas Best Beach in 2011 by Dr. Beach and again in 2017 when the criteria was changed. Swimming and snorkeling are extremely famous here too. Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking and bicycling are all popular activities that make Honeymoon Island State Park an ideal getaway. Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on the West Coast of Florida, only a 30 minute drive from Tampa International Airport. It boasts an average temperature of 75 degrees and 343 days of sunshine never mind snow-white beaches that beg you to ditch your sandals. If youre a history lover that happens to be in Key West on the third weekend of the month, youre in luck. 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. All in all, it is truly the best white sand beach in the US. Bearing in mind a wet season, possible hurricanes and a stretch of super-humid weather, here's when to visit Everglades National Park. WebThe white sand beaches and diverse nature trails of Honeymoon Island State Park make this barrier island an ideal place to get away from it all. The silky beaches of Kaanapali, formerly a retreat for the states royalty, and its emerald waters now entice visitors to engage in a wide range of amenities, from drinkingto lounging, surfing, swimming and cliff jumping. Back on land, check out the parks visitor center, which has a 30,000-gallon aquarium. But if you are looking for an afternoon visiting a small town with fishing, boating and beach options, head up the Nature Coast and discover Old Florida at its best. The white sand is brought in to create a softer whiter beach area. The center is open to the public for tours six days a week (except Wednesdays). 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. Hole up at one of the beach's chill waterfront bars or watch surfers from the fishing pier. Best beach for kayaking and paddle boarding. 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. You can focus your attention on nature particularly, the beach's rolling waves and sandy shores or walk along Millionaires' Row in the Old Naples area and pick out your dream house. It attracts travelers with its dazzling white sand and clear, shallow waters. 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. If you discover yourself on the Florida Panhandle, you wont like to skip a daytime (or days) finished enjoying Miramar Beach. The beachfront features a natural shoreline by the water and a white sandybeachfront area for sunbathing and enjoying the Florida sunshine. Lil Shark Park is a city park that offers a playground and white sand beachfront. Here are 14 of the best beaches in Florida. Powered by Mai Theme, 18 Best Day Trips From Orlando Worth The Effort. 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. 15. If you go beyond the beach, there is a lot more for you to discover, such as forests, cranberry bogs, and wetlands. In addition to the iconic bridge, the park offers a snorkeling tour, camping and kayak rentals for different vantage points, too. Howard Park's location provides access to the Gulf of Mexico by a 1-mile long causeway. Smathers Beach. The beachfront is a beautiful white sand natural beach. The South Beach Pavilion provides bicycles to rent by the hour or day and kayaks are available at Caf Honeymoon. WebI live in north Florida and believe the panhandle has some of the most attractive beaches. 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]. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Honeymoon Island State Park attracts visitors from all over with its world-class beaches. When you envision a South Florida beach, its flat with white sand that stretches along the coast for as far as the eye can see. The barrier island across from Miami has a fossilized mangrove reef, which is home to colorful sea life that has long attracted divers and snorkelers. Honeymoon Island is the perfect place to go when looking for outdoor recreational entertainment! 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. The trail goes out-and-back, so its a total of four miles, but at the end, youll be rewarded with a serene oasis with stunning vistas. Just south of Horseshoe Beach is another small beachfront area, Shired Island Beach. The highlight of Coronado Island in San Diego is themile-long stunning white sandbeach located in that area. Just like the start of this list, its only fitting that it ends with a white sand beach from Florida as well. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. This beach is popular among locals for launching kayaks and fishing from the shore. If youre peeking for an excellent spot to go swimming in the Sarasota area, check out Siesta Key! Beach areas are hard to come by without a boat to go out to one of the surrounding keys. Draw up a bistro chair and drape your hand into the fine, white sand or join a game of beach volleyball. Get barefoot! 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. 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. However, with stunning coastal states like Florida, Hawaii and California, there really isnt a shortage of white sand beaches in the US. For a memorable view of it all, the park offers numerous boat tours throughout the day. From quick boardwalk strolls over gator-clad waters to lengthy shoreline treks, these are the best hikes in Everglades National Park. From little surf towns to action-packed hotspots, appreciate the postcard-perfect terrains at one of Floridas greatest white sand seasides. Certified Visitor Information Centers North Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Northeast Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central West Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central East Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southwest Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southeast Florida, Florida Travel and Vacation Guides - United States, Exchange Rates, Conversions, And Processes. Take a look at this list of the cleanest rivers in the US. WebIn addition, other beaches like Ormond Beach and Cocoa Beach also have darker sandy colors. At Floridas southernmost tip, the Florida Keys are surrounded by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and part of North Americas only living coral barrier reef. So these are the best white sand beaches in the US. 9 Clearwater Beach Clearwater Beach is an 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). 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. 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. There are many islands off the coast that have some sandy beachfronts in the Nature Coast. Our goal is simple. These beaches are laden with pure white sand, great fishing, and mom-and-pop stores and restaurants. 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 Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the states lead agency for environmental management and stewardship protecting our air, water and land. Be included in our Business Directory. George has received the 2020 Irene DeLaby Award for contributing 10,000 hours of volunteer service at Honeymoon Island State Park. Best White Sand Beaches in Florida Florida is a beach lovers paradise, home to a cluster of idyllic, white-sand seasides. Best beach for a totally isolated retreat. This area is known for being a fishing village and home to somegreat seafood. Located in the Big Bend region where the curve of Florida connects the panhandle to Floridas peninsula. While some Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Sand Key Beach, Clearwater, Florida. 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 Fortunately, the key never actually fetches too active anyway, even in the center of summer, with numerous tourists choosing to find themselves other east along the coast or down on the cape. Word: | 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. 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. From April through October, the beach is a Loggerhead Turtle nesting hotspot as well, which is bound to be a memorable sight for those of all ages. But it most certainly is. Highway 314 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. It is possible to access Caladesi Island by taking a ferry from Honeymoon Island in Clearwater. 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. The following icons link to free Reader/Viewer software: A must: walking out to a sandbar beyond the shore (dont worry, the waters are typically shallow and calm). 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. The Sponge Industry helped build a Greek Community that is now famous not only for the worlds finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country. 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. Gulf Coast beaches have sand that's made of pure, white quartz. It was also declared the Number Two Beach in America and the Number 16 Beach in the World in 2013 by TripAdvisor. This Grab a bag of picnic supplies and spend the morning swimming and soaking up the sun on Juno's pristine shores. A family-friendly area with white sand beaches and emerald green waters, this fuss-free beach is a great place to soak up the sunshine. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Cedar Key Airport Beach is a beachfront along Airport Road that offers white sand and quiet gentle waters. In Carmel Beach, situated in California, the natural beauty never endsfrom the dolphins and marine mammals swimming in the Ocean to the beach goers surfing the waves. Sign up forour monthly enewsletterto stay up to date on what's happening in Florida, upcoming events and special deals. The sand on the West Coast of Florida is mainly made of 99% crystal quartz Situated in Marathon, this tranquil beach (with typically tranquil waters!) 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. The sands at Perdido Key are fluffy and welcoming, and there are different dunes to investigate too. Bring the whole family to Fort Walton Beach, as its an energetic beach townlet that is a maximum of appeals, gardens, galleries, and aquariums. Whether its protecting sea turtle nestsor teaching kids about environmental protection, he knows he is helping preserve this park for future generations. Fifteen public, sugar-white sand beaches beaches spanning 18 miles in the Pensacola area are all yours to stroll, swim, sun, and savor. Home to a Campground, boat ramp, and beachfront. Dry Tortugas (An Island Paradise) Dry Tortugas National Park is a beautiful beach and a truly unique experience. Swim, snorkel or kayakin the fresh cool spring waters and spot a manatee or two. Ten counties range from largely undeveloped Hernando through the urban areas of Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee to the vast conservation areas of the Big Cypress Swamp and Everglades in Collier and Monroe. There are almost 9miles of whitesand at Orange Beach, which is situated in a particularly scenic part of the Gulf of Mexico. Situated in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico, that honor goes to Dry Tortugas National Park. Spend the day walking the beach and looking for shells or rent a kayak and venture out into the blue, tranquil waters. Excel: Contact Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Get Information About the Volkswagen Settlement, Florida Mitigation Fund, Protect the Environment from Solid and Hazardous Wastes, Environmental Accountability and Transparency, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, All Florida Coastal Access Guide Content, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. This beach offers a quieter off-the-beaten path shoreline with a swimming area, picnic areas and amenities. As one of the few completely natural islands along Floridas Gulf Coast, Caladesis white sand beaches were rated America's Best Beach in 2008. A truly urban beach, this spot regularly sees toned locals playing volleyball or getting bronzed under the ever-shining sun. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Some content on this site is saved in an alternative format. 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. 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. But, once youre there, vivid coral reefs, a massive Civil War-era fortress (Fort Jefferson) and secluded beaches like no other await. Nothing beats a quiet day spent at the beach. Among its attractions are volleyball courts, food trucks and watersport companies offering parasailing, jet ski rentals, kayak excursions and more. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. Often a popular spring break destination , it can also make a great day trip from Orlando! 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. It is a wonderful beach in all-around and one of the most lovely beaches in Florida! 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. Perdido Key. So these are the best white sand beaches in the US. Miramar Beach. 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. 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. You want Tampa. All rights reserved. A short drive from Tampa, beautiful Honeymoon Island offers visitors an escape from the bustle of city life. White sand beaches are magnificent beaches that are usually comprised of quartz and minerals and usually form in special locations.