Being
a Native Floridian, I’ve spent countless hours walking the shorelines, burying
my feet in sugary white sand, swimming, and shelling Florida’s gorgeous
shores. Now, I’m going to share with
you my pick for Florida’s best beaches. I’ve
tossed out (for the most part) what the so-called beach experts say and focused
on what Native Floridians love best about their treasured shoreline!
Here’s
my list (in no particular order).
1.
Sarasota’s Siesta Key – I fully agree with
the experts who label this the best beach in the country. And it’s not because I grew up in the
area! Siesta Key has some of the
whitest, softest sand you’ll ever sink your feet into. Combine that with the calm, beautiful
blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and you’ve got the ultimate beach
getaway! It’s the perfect beach to relax
on. Plop your beach chair or blanket in
that ultra soft sand. The surf is
usually quite calm, making swimming a breeze.
Or, walk down the beach in the hopes of picking up a shell or too.
Tip: Siesta Key is packed, especially on the
weekends, making parking a challenge. We
recommend arriving early (by 9AM) to get a spot and avoid that oppressive
mid-day Florida heat!
2.
Sanibel’s Shoreline- If you love
collecting seashells, then Sanibel’s beaches are tailor-made for you! Sanibel is known as “The Sea-Shell Capital
of the World.” Because of its location,
hundreds of thousands of shells wash ashore each year. Beautiful scalloped calicos, fighting
conchs, and welks are just a few of the treasures you can scoop up and bring home.
Sanibel’s beaches are spectacular. You can stand on the shoreline and shells
will wash over your tanned toes. The
water is so clear that you can scoop up some of the more prized shells before
they ever reach the shore. An added
bonus – dolphins love to frolic close to the tropical shoreline. Plus, the nightly sunsets are spectacular.
Note: There is a $6 toll to cross the Sanibel-Captiva
Causeway. And all beach parking is paid
parking. Do not park in resident-only
parking spots. You’ll be fined and/or
towed.
3.
Marathon’s Sombrero Beach – This is The Florida
Key’s finest beach. It’s
picture-postcard perfect with swaying palm trees, crystal clear waters of the
Atlantic, and some shade! Since the
beach sits inside the reef, the water is generally calm making it perfect for
swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Look to your south and you’ll see the famed
Sombrero Beach lighthouse. Then take a
short walk out to the point to see tropical fishes galore! There’s even a jungle gym for the kids and
a picnic area where you can grill out.
Tip: Weekdays are the best time to come. The parking area is small and can fill up
quite quickly on the weekends!
4.
Saint Augustine Beach – Forget about towering
high-rises and fancy resorts. Saint
Augustine Beach is the quintessential laid-back beach town. If you love beach walks, this beach is for
you! It is one of Florida’s best walking
beaches. The sand is hard packed, flat,
and firm. It’s even better at low-tide
when the beach stretches out seemingly forever. It is easy to spend 2, 3, or even 4 hours
walking down the shoreline. But that’s
not all! Surfers love to come strut their stuff on the
water – there always seems to be a swell.
Fishermen come to take advantage of the pier. And friends and families enjoy staking out
that perfect spot to build sandcastles and picnic!
Tip: Doggies are allowed to frolic in the sand
and swim in the refreshing ocean waters as long as their owner’s pick-up after
them.
