In a region with miles of sandy beach destinations in Florida, Blowing Rocks Preserve is unique: Its craggy limestone shore looks like it belongs in Maine or Hawaii. so air fare really isn't that much to go to Hawaii. He took out his video camera and took a walk. What about flying into Miami, renting a car and driving to Key West? Today we discuss my two recent trips to beach locations: Maui, Hawaii vs Fort Myers Florida. Agreed, Hawaii has some very dramatic mountains. WebAnswered: I grew up in Hawaii and we try to visit every year. The shell-strewn shores of Lovers Key State Park are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. Archive - no problem whatsoever, can always use a good laugh 03-18-2012, 12:58 PM You probably know that Fort Lauderdale has one of the great lively urban Florida beach destinations. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Florida has more sandy beaches than any other state, a year-round climate to enjoy them, and a seemingly unbounded appetite for growth, all of which makes beach access a chronic flashpoint. 17 in the country the previous year, Siesta Beach did not place on the world list in 2021. 1 Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii, No. Though its easy to reach, Barefoot Beach makes you feel miles away from highways and high-rises. I'll PM you a couple of ideas. Rankings are based on the quantity and quality of reader reviews in the TripAdvisor community. Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida. This is a great trip and you can enjoy Miami's South Beach shopping, beaches, and nightlife, and see some wonderful sites on the way to Key West. The park is on the barrier island immediately south of charming Fort Myers Beach. Tips: The park gets busy on weekends and think about the high-tide line before you park your car! Any thoughts? Its a lovely beach, but whats special is the pass itself, a narrow river-like opening in the mangroves, shallow enough that an adult can stand at the center except at the highest tide. Ka'anapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii, topped the U.S. list while Baia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, ranked No. 7. 2 among the Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. Ka'anapali Beach, Florida and Hawaii took 9 of the 10 top spots for the best U.S. beaches in the awards announced Wednesday. There are more of them, you have warm water in the Gulf and Atlantic unlike the Pacific, and it is easier to go into the ocean and swim in the Gulf or Ummm--since the original post is from 2004 I'm sure azbec has made her decision by now. I have lived in both places and I think you should experience the Keys at least once but if you are looking for wide, sandy beaches and decent surf you went in the wrong direction. Just enjoy yourself. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. But for others, the fort is just a sidelight to the seven miles of beach perfection that wraps around it. There are hiking trails plus shelling, surfing and fishing are all good. Located on the barrier island between the Intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea limits buildings heights and thus maintains its charming old-time beach town atmosphere. Siesta's wide public beach features soft sand made almost exclusively of pure quartz, which remains cool on the feet even when baked in the Florida sun. This is a beach for folks who like an urban beat and will take topless sunbathers (legal here) in stride. Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday, at these restaurants, bars and nightclubs, in downtown Sarasota, from fancy to casual. Here's what West saw at the beach and from a boat on Sanibel near the lighthouse, and in New Pass near Lovers Key, and in Estero Bay in Bonita: This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Southwest Florida red tide outbreak has people dodging dead fish, Mark H. Bickel and Andrew West, Fort Myers News-Press, Dead eels are washing up on Fort Myers, Naples beaches. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Fort Pickens Area - Gulf Islands National Seashore. Florida and Hawaii dominated the list this year, with eight locations each. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. The 2.5 mile beach is lined with trees and natural vegetation that is full of bird life, including two bald eagle nests and many more osprey nests. With 825 miles of beaches, there are Florida beach destinations for every need and desire great snorkeling vs. good surfing; quiet and hidden vs. social and action-packed; sugar-like sand vs. dramatic craggy rocks. Theres no shortage of great beaches near Jacksonville, but theres one out-of-the-way beach known mostly to locals thats worth finding Huguenot Memorial Park on Fort George Island. Floridas many wide, sandy beaches are lined with fantastic restaurants and offer many activities. You may find sand-dollars or shells, or spot a bottle-nosed dolphin in the water in the distance. 14) and Clearwater Beach (No. (Also: the fort itself is very neat.). The dead creatures are washing ashore on beaches from Fort Myers to Marco Island. Follow him onTwitter,FacebookandInstagram. Called Langdon Beach, this beach on the Santa Rosa barrier island has sand as white as snow, composed of fine quartz eroded from granite in the Appalachian Mountains. 20) and Sombrero Beach in Marathon (No. Gopher tortoises and their burrows are plentiful along the nature trail that runs between the sand dunes and the hammock. You must reach it by boat. The beach at Lummus Park is what people think of when they say South Beach. Its three miles of beach arent even the most popular thing here there are seven miles of bike trails, two fishing piers, camping, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and a historic fort. I have been to Maui twice and Key West only once but returning again this Saturday. No highrises to be found. Who lives here?21 celebrities with homes in Sarasota and Manatee, Wade TatangeloisTicket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida-Georgia Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. It won't be Hawaii, but it will be a different and new adventure. Naples is renowned for its beaches, including award-winning Barefoot Beach. You can take a shuttle from Sailfish Marina (98 Lake Drive Palm Beach Shores) or a water taxi from Riviera Beach Marina (Slip 522 200 E. 13th St. Riviera Beach.) Sombrero Beach was the only new entrant for 2023 while Fort Lauderdale Beach and Treasure Island Beach fell out of the Top 25. In addition, Siesta Beach is conveniently located less than a mile away from bustlingSiesta Key Village and a bunch of popular restaurants, bars and nightclubs. What we know. Bucket list100 fun things to do in Sarasota County including restaurants, bars, beaches and more! 10 La Jolla Cove in La Jolla, California. It has been a long time since I have been to Destin, but I remember it being one of the nicest beach areas that I have gone to in Florida. The prob I would try southwest Florida. Florida is pretty and cheaper than Caribbean. I would also recommend other places in the south, like Georgia or Caro Beach, a Florida university professor who does an annual beach ranking. A bonus for families: A large pond that attracts ducks and turtles. Best waterfront restaurantswith outdoor seating in Sarasota and what to eat, drink there! Fortunately, thats easy and fun. Beaches in Georgia, Oregon and Barefoot Beach, a Collier County park just north of Naples, was named the sixth-best beach in America in 2013 by Dr. Sarasota County's most popular beach has again been ranked among the best in the country and world by a national website. I live in AZ. nearby in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice area. Here are 17 beach destinations in Florida worth A shuttle service connects the two. The famed Sarasota County beach just missed the Top 10 on Tripadvisor's list of Top 10 Beaches in the World, placing No. Even without that convenient novelty, Huguenot has much to offer. 23). Beaches? You really cannot compare the 2. St. Andrews State Park, named the best beach in America in 1995 by Dr. Beach, is known for its clear, blue-green water and dazzling white sand. At low tide the beach expands dramatically. I'd love to find a closer (drivable) beach to visit. It all depends. Florida beaches made their annual foray into TripAdvisors best beach lists in 2023 with Siesta Beach near Sarasota once again near the top. RankedatNo. Then from the shady mangrove tunnel you emerge to a beach with blindingly white sand and turquoise water. Bornwithwheels, Aruba doesn't have any mountains either. The water down there is absolutely beautiful though. It is more desert like where Hawaii i All rights reserved. Why? The Sunshine State tied with the Aloha State for the most winners overall in the Top 25. This region is home to Gulf Islands National Seashore, which encompasses miles of beaches from Floridas border to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island. 14) A great walking beach with white quartz sand, clear calm water, and seashells by the truckload," one of TripAdvisor's reviewers said. Fort Pickens, in the Gulf Islands National Seashore attracts lots of folks for the Civil War-era forts self-guided or ranger-led tours. WebDestin, Florida vs Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii Transportation cost in Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii is 10.5% more expensive than Destin, Florida. You can rent kayaks and bikes or take a boat trip to explore a more remote island, Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge. Most of the time, however, Blowing Rocks is a beach for wading, sunbathing, and admiring the unique rock formations. These conditions are most common in winter. WebFrom beaches with volcanic rock to coasts lined with tropical forests, Hawaiian beaches are an Instagram paradise, and you can find tranquil spots for swimming or rougher surf waves. A promenade winds through the landscaping; its a favorite for bicycling skating and strolling. The beach is so big it cant get crowded and it offers the necessities: lifeguards, showers, bike, chair and umbrella rentals. Florida has no shortage of stunning coastlines, ranging from secret hideaways to family-friendly beaches. 6. 22) bring Florida's total to eight. I believe Donna suggested flying to Miami then driving south to Key West. Why? Suggest you consider visiting Maui if you have not already, it has more in the way of scenery. And heres an insiders tip: Keep your admission ticket and re-enter for free at sunset for one of the best places to watch the Key West sunset. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. It became a global story. The beautiful blue-colored water is clean and clear, making it so inviting to bathers and swimmers.. Siesta Beach in Sarasota makes Top 5 in U.S., ranked among Top 15 in world by Tripadvisor Tripadvisor ranked eight Florida beaches in the Top 25 this year, The News-Press and Naples Daily News visuals journalist Andrew West was on or near several beaches recently. The oft-lauded public beach on Siesta Key that has in the past claimed the travel websites top U.S. ranking for the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards, came in at No.