Beach 101

Floridians believe that their state is truly the best-dressed. After all, along her coasts she's dressed in silky white sand that trails beautifully for more than 1,100 miles. Awash with colorful creatures, warm water and sunshine, the beach is undeniably Florida's siren song. It's the reason many Floridians live here and, of course, the perfect place for you to get to know the Sunshine State. Once you're here, you'll discover all that's fun and fascinating beyond that captivating first impression.

Florida's beaches are as diverse as they are beautiful. From the jewel-green waters of northwest Florida to the coral-dotted lagoons of the Keys, our shoreline offers visitors soft sands, sparkling waters and sun-kissed skies. It's no wonder that Florida's beaches are consistently rated among the best in the country, capturing votes from Southern Living Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler and The Travel Channel along with famous "Dr. Beach" and the Clean Beaches Council.

No matter where you are in Florida, you're never more than 60 miles from the beach. Read on to learn about sensational sands around the state.


HIT THE BEACH

In the great Florida Northwest, the water is compared to emeralds and the sand is as snow-white as sand can get, and so clean it even squeaks! The sun shines bright, too, even though these beaches can get cool in winter and are most popular in spring and summer. This awesome stretch begins in the west at Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach, extending along the Gulf of Mexico to Navarre Beach/Destin/Fort Walton Beach, the Beaches of South Walton, Panama City Beach, Cape San Blas and St. George Island.

In north central Florida, coastline at the aptly named Big Bend is characterized by marsh, with a few secluded beach areas frequented mostly by locals. Scenic spots include Lighthouse Point, Alligator Point, Shell Point and Keaton Beach (famous for scalloping). A bit further south, a few pristine beaches, accessible only by boat, are found within the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge.

Into Northeast territory, St. Augustine's Anastasia Island typifies the splashy surf and wide, firm beaches of the upper Atlantic, loved by sailboarders and surfers. Around Amelia Island, rolling dunes and sugar-white sand define the sometimes wild, sometimes family-friendly shoreline. Flagler Beach is a lovely, quiet, family beach spot.

Once you reach the central east coast, you'll find a surfer (or two) on every wave around Sebastian Inlet and Cocoa Beach. To the north, Canaveral National Seashore protects pristine beachfront for miles. Seclusion-lovers and sea turtles are the greatest fans of these dune-covered sands. New Smyrna Beach is quaint and old fashioned, while the hard-packed sands of famous Daytona Beach are full of fun and activity, welcoming you and your car.