Clearwater Beach

Clearwater is located in Pinellas County on the west coast of Florida in the US. We are on the Pinellas Peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico on the west and Tampa Bay on the east. This beach is popular with younger people and is the perfect base for day trips to Tampa, St Petersburg and Orlando.

Clearwater boasts an average 361 days of sunshine per year.

Sand Key Park

Sand Key Park has a lovely, large beach which is popular with families. Sand Key Park was opened in August 1984. Ninety-five acres are located on Sand Key, which is a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida mainland. Clearwater Pass (which leads from the Gulf to the Intracoastal waterway) separates the park from the resort area of Clearwater Beach.

Indian Rocks Beach

This beautiful beach offers a rare chance to surf on the gentle Gulf waves. Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on the West Coast of Florida, 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport.

Madeira Beach

Madeira Beach is located halfway between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach offers a quieter alternative to these more populated beaches, making it an ideal vacation spot for the entire family.
You can see fishing boats unload their catches at nearby Johns Pass.

St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico on the western edge of the Tampa Bay area, St. Pete Beach is only 45 minutes from Busch Gardens in Tampa and 90 minutes from Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando. This beach has excellent water sports facilities

Pass-a-Grille

Pass-a-Grille beach offer visitors a glimpse of ‘Old Florida’. Visit for great views of sunsets and dolphins.

Do not miss…

- Biscayne Bay Boat Trips

Take a relaxing cruise between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Cruise along Biscayne Bay covering the downtown Miami skyline, the Port of Miami, Brickell Key, Fisher Island and the celebrity filled islands of Miami Beach known as ‘Millionaire’s Row’.

- Cedar Key

This remote island off Florida’s northwest coast makes an enchanting getaway. Cedar Key is a quiet island community located among many tiny keys on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This area is admired for its natural beauty and abundant supply of seafood. It is a tranquil village, rich with the almost forgotten history of ‘Old Florida’.

- Snorkelling in Key Largo.

Considered by locals to be the diving capital of the world, but the island is nearly as famous as a sport fishing destination.

- Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island

The area near the Canaveral launch site has an astonishing variety of fauna and a wide range of habitats – watch out for the alligators! Canaveral National Seashore: This national seashore boasts 24 miles of undeveloped beach on Barite Island off the coast of central Florida. The weather is semitropical with average year-round air temperature of 79 degrees and 295 days of sunshine. There are three beaches: Playalinda, Klondike (for hikers), and Apollo.

- Jackson beaches

This beach is 12 miles east of downtown Jacksonville. There are around 6 beaches stretching 28 miles north and south along the Atlantic shore.

Tim Burton
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/exploring-the-gulf-coast-99789.html

Visitors are drawn to Florida as a result of the states ideal climate, beautiful beaches and warm waters. The beaches and waters that surround Florida not only offer excellent relaxation opportunities, but also provide many water activities such as fishing. Florida also offers vacations for the family with their Disney World attraction and the site of Cape Canaveral along the space coast which features the space shuttle launch pad.
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The Gulf Islands National Seashore and the South Walton Beaches

The Gulf Islands National Seashore

The Gulf Islands National Seashore is the most westerly of the coastlines and spans from Mississippi to Pensacola Beach.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore contains thousands of acres of beaches, bayous, barrier islands, forts and other historic sites. With a variety of things to do, explore either by yourself or on a guided tour.

Note: Some areas were severely damaged from the 2004-2005 hurricane seasons. These areas are probably still closed, so check before you go: Santa Rosa Area, Fort Pickens Area.

South Walton Beaches

Just east of Pensacola you will find the South Walton Beaches, stretching 26 miles of powdery white sands, vast pine forests, cool underground springs, marshlands, bays, bayous and blue gulf waters.

A most beautiful spot is Deer Lake State Park. Located east of Seagrove Beach off Scenic Highway 30-A. The south side of the park offers pristine beach and lake areas. North of Scenic Highway 30-A, you’ll find hiking trails meandering through unspoiled forests.

Grayton Beach Florida, another of the South Walton Beaches, was established in the late 19th century. Grayton Beach is a historic district, with many of the old wooden shacks now properly restored.

The Grayton Beach has a scenic hiking trail and shops for purchasing your unusual visitors’ items.

Seaside, is a town by developer Robert Davis who created a modern town with Victorian style cottages sprinkled with extravagant carvings. The town is like a film set which therefore made a good setting for the 1997 movie, the Truman Show – about a man brought up on the set of a soap opera.

Seaside encourages walking as the town is pretty and the shops and schools are near. There are museums, ice-cream store, market, market and art galleries – you need not imagine it – visit Florida Gulf Coast !

Tim Burton
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/take-a-look-at-the-florida-panhandle-part-2-gulf-islands-national-seashore-and-south-walton-beaches-99754.html

East Coast Beaches

When many people think of Florida the first thoughts they have are sunshine and beaches. That’s because Florida has gorgeous sunshine year round and breathtaking white sandy beaches that attract residents and visitors year round. Some beaches are more well-known such as The Florida Keys, Miami’s South Beach. The east coast has Daytona and Cocoa Beach and on the west coast there is St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach. Panama City has also become a popular spring break and summer getaway for younger beach goers who are looking for a great place to unwind and enjoy the sun. (more…)

Sanibel Island, FL

Sanibel Island is world renowned for it’s Shelling Beaches. They even have a name for it called the “Sanibel Stoop”. With an abundance of sea shells people come from all over the world just to collect these beautiful treasures from the shoreline. A quick note, it’s best to look during low tide. Aside from the sea shells Sanibel Island is also the perfect island for Family vacations, Weddings, Honeymoons, Anniversary’s, and so forth. With crystal clear blue water and breathtaking white sand you are sure to remember this Island forever.

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