Florida's beaches tops even Honolulu for year-round rays of sunshine. Over four million visitors travel annually to this land of spotless beaches and gentle surf, where the emphasis lies in the delightful balance of scenic sea vistas and outdoor activity for the entire family.

With such a moderate climate (coastal temperatures average around 73 degrees and water temperatures 75 degrees), Florida beaches are ideal for year-round enjoyment of such water sports as swimming, sailing, windsurfing, and diving. The Suncoast waters also boast more than 300 species of fish available for catching, making this one of Florida's top fishing spots. Close to 100 docks and marinas rest along the shore, and for those looking to venture away from the sea and sand, St. Petersburg houses plenty of prime facilities for golfing and tennis. But its beaches are what truly sets Florida beaches apart from others in the country.

Among these vast stretches of soft sand shoreline edging up against the Gulf you can find some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. We have ranked the Best Beaches in the U.S., which includes three St. Petersburg area beaches--Caladesi Island State Park, Fort DeSoto Park, and Sand Key Park--as among the country's finest:

Caladesi Island State Park
3 Causeway Blvd
Dunedin, FL 34698-8561
Phone: (727) 469-5918

One of the state's last undeveloped barrier islands, you'll feel a million miles away from civilization. Comprised of six islands with 650 upland acres and more than 1,800 acres of mangroves and grass flats, the park was opened to the public in 1972. Caladesi Island itself came into being in 1921, after a vicious storm created Hurricane Pass and carved it out from Hog Island. Exploring the natural offerings is the best way to experience Caladesi. Long stretches of unspoiled, sugary white sands, swaying sea oats, lush mangrove forests and sturdy palm hammocks beckon visitors to fish, camp, collect shells or hike. Pack your own lunch and enjoy it at the picnic pavilions, or take advantage of the limited concessions. The island has covered pavilions, bathhouses, restrooms and a picnic area.

Captiva Island
1159 Causeway Rd
Sanibel Island, FL 33957
Phone: (941) 472-1080

Escape the daily grind at one of the state's most tranquil beaches. The island's changed since the causeway opened up in 1963, but not dramatically. One of the most underdeveloped beaches in Florida consists of unspoiled stretches of sand, and not much else. The spring-break crowd should look elsewhere, but those seeking peace and quiet will be rewarded amply. You'll soon come to realize why Anne Morrow Lindbergh was so inspired to pen her best-selling love letter, "A Gift From the Sea," while staying on the island. The surroundings are that stunning. Captiva's beaches, and those of surrounding Sanibel Island, boast an embarrassment of riches for shell-seekers. Known for the abundance of seashells that wash up on the shore every day, the posture adopted by treasure hunters has even garnered its own regional moniker. Don't miss the natural offerings: kayaking, canoeing and sailing are all available at area resorts. Getting to this island paradise is quite a trek—but worth the time and effort. Pack some goodies, fill up that tank and plan an hour and a half to two hours each way. Dr. Stephen Leatherman (also known as Dr. Beach) deemed Captiva's beaches among the most romantic in the nation. So this just may be the perfect place for a proposal or a cozy anniversary picnic.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
8899 Cape San Blas Road
Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Phone: 850-227-1327

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park has miles of white sand beaches, striking dune formations, a heavily-forested interior and a favorable climate for year-round outdoor recreation. The 2,516-acre park is bounded on three sides by the waters of St. Joe Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Named for lifelong community leader and settler T.H. Stone, the park is teeming with wildlife and marine life. Noted as an excellent birding area with sitings of 209 species currently recorded, it is a premier location in the eastern United States for observing hawks during fall migration. Many species can be seen including the endangered peregrine falcon. The monarch butterfly is also on the wing in autumn, making its long migratory journey from northern states to wintering sites in Mexico. Shore and wading birds are in abundance throughout the year. While the best area of the park to observe birds is along the beach and bayshore, the sandpine scrub, pine flatwoods and dunes offer protective habitat. The shallow waters of St. Joseph Bay are alive with a variety of marine life. Frequently encountered are bay scallops, hermit, fiddler and horseshoe crabs and octopi. The park offers picnicking, swimming, camping, saltwater fishing, boating and wilderness hiking in the park's 1,650-acre wilderness preserve. St. Joseph offers luxury, furnished cabins located on the bay side of the park. Hiking along the Gulf beach, the bay shore or the center of the peninsula is the best way to observe wildlife and enjoy the natural values of the park. Nature trails provide easy access to the various plant communities. Guided walks and campfire programs are offered seasonally.

Fort DeSoto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Tierra Verde, FL 33715

If you've heard of Stephen Leatherman, the coastal geology professor known as "Dr. Beach", then you probably have heard of Fort DeSoto Park. Rated one of the best beaches in America in 1999, Fort DeSoto has much to offer the beachcomber: 7 miles of waterfront, sugar white sand, several snackbars and a 12 foot wide 4 mile long asphalt recreational trail for walking, biking and skating. Another highlight is Fort DeSoto, a historic fort complete with cannons and mortars. Fort DeSoto Park has much to offer the sea kayaker as well. The 900 acre park is made up of 5 interconnected islands called "keys". Mullet Key, the largest of the islands is the focus of this trip. By circumnavigating Mullet Key, the kayaker is able to experience many different types of saltwater environments. North of Mullet Key is very shallow with a seagrass bottom. The east (Tampa Bay side) has course sand and shell beaches while the south (Gulf) side exhibits those fine white sand beaches that Dr. Beach is so fond of. To the southeast, the Egmont shipping channel separates Mullet Key and Egmont Key. This waterway is traveled by some of the world's largest ships and reaches depths of over 90 feet. For those individuals not quite ready to make the 10 mile trip around Mullet Key, there is a 2.25 mile recreational canoe trail on the island. Kayak, canoe and bicycle rentals are also available.

Beaches: 8th Street and Ocean Drive
8th St and Ocean Dr
Miami Beach, FL 33139

The excess of eye candy at this physique-conscious scene is enough to induce sugar shock. This is the place to gawk at the beach's hardest bodies in the season's skimpiest suits. There are also plenty of tourists (especially Europeans), so an international phrase book is recommended for those looking to make new friends. Sunbathing is taken quite seriously here; sand-kickers and runaway Kadima balls are only grudgingly tolerated. The more athletically inclined can work up a sweat at the volleyball nets or take a jog on the boardwalk that runs from 5th to 14th streets (also a prime rollerblading trail). Some of the beach's best outdoor cafes are a walk across Ocean Drive: The News Cafe is a perennial favorite, and Lario's on the Beach (Gloria Estefan's Cuban joint) serves first-rate, thirst-quenching mojitos.

Sand Key Park
1060 Gulf Blvd.,
Clearwater, FL 33767
Phone: (727) 588 - 4852

Located at the north end of Sand Key at Clearwater Pass, Sand Key County Park really boasts an extra ordinary white shelly sand beach that is among one of the widest in the area. The beach runs for a full mile south of the pass, and the park occupies an additional 65 acres of intact dunes and native vegetation. Sand Key Park offers gentle surf and a wide stretch of shore, plus a locale off-the-beaten-path from the more commercial Clearwater Beach. Besides these three natural wonders, other (more urban) beach hot spots of the area include St. Pete Beach, located on Treasure Island and filled with fast-food joints, souvenir shops, and crowds; Clearwater Beach, which has all the typical beach amenities from water-sports rentals to concession stands; and Honeymoon Island, famous for its rugged beauty more than for its swimming. With its great diversity of natural wonders and outdoor activity, it's no wonder that St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Peninsula have become the second most-visited region--just behind Orlando and Disney World--in the state.

Dry Tortugas National Park
PO Box 6208
Key West, FL 33041
Phone: (305) 242-7700

Almost 70 miles (112.9 km) west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, and its legends of pirates and sunken gold. Ft. Jefferson, the largest of the 19th century American coastal forts is a central feature. The Tortugas were first discoverd by Ponce de Leon in 1513. Abundant sea turtles or "tortugas" provisioned his ships with fresh meat, but there was no fresh water-the tortugas were dry. Since the days of Spanish exploration,the reefs and shoals of the Dry Tortugas have been a serious hazard to navigation and the site of hundreds of shipwrecks. U.S. military attention was drawn to the keys in the early 1800's due to their strategic location in the Florida Straits. Plans were made for a massive fortress and construction began in 1846, but the fort was never completed. The invention of the rifled cannon made it obsolete. As the military value of Fort Jefferson waned, its pristine reefs, abundant sea life and impressive numbers of birds grew in value. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters as a national monument. The area was redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992 to protect both the historical and natural features.

Clam Pass Beach
410 Seagate Drive
Naples, Florida 34103
Phone: (239) 353-0404

In Clam Pass County Park, natural resources abound. The Park consists of 35 acres of mangrove forest, coastal dunes and 3200 linear feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico. There is a boardwalk, which provides access to the beach through a mangrove forest. The boardwalk is about three quarters of a mile long and can be walked or you can catch a ride on a free tram that runs continuously throughout the day. Should you decide to stroll down the boardwalk, you will see three species of mangrove trees, red, black and white. These trees protect and stabilize low-lying coastal areas and play a vital role in coastal fishery food chains. For these reasons, federal, state and local laws protect mangrove trees. Mangrove trees are very unique because they are salt tolerant. For your convenience, there are restrooms at the beach. Additionally, a concession offers beach equipment rental, food and drinks. A handicapped beach wheelchair is available at this site. There are 182 parking spaces available. Clam Pass was voted as one of the top 20 beaches in the United States, and is close to many Naples Florida Hotels.A concessionaire rents kayaks, canoes and sailboards, and the beach is rarely crowded.


Perdido Key State Recreation Area
12301 Gulf Beach Highway
Pensacola, FL 32507
Phone: (850) 492-1595

Perdido Key State Recreation Area is a 247-acre barrier island near Pensacola on the Gulf of Mexico. The wide, white sandy beaches and the rolling sand dunes covered with sea oats make this a pristine oasis along the rapidly developing panhandle. This gorgeous 2.5 mile stretch of sugar-sand can be reached from two parking area located on the south side of State Route 292. Each offers picnic pavilions and modern bathhouses. Between the two locations, there are a total of 50 picnic tables and 8 picnic shelters. During the summer weekends, this park is usually filled to capacity. Anglers are invited to surf fish anywhere along the coast. Usual catches include speckled trout, sheepshead, flounder, bluefish, and redfish. People come to this fabulous beach to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, canoeing, saltwater fishing, picnicking and partake in seasonal bird counts or sea turtle programs. Many of the activities are in cooperation with Big Lagoon State Recreation Area. The panhandle area of Florida experiences mild, comfortable winters and warm to hot, humid summers. The average summer temperatures reach well above 83 degrees Fahrenheit (above 29 Celsius). Winters are mild with temperatures averaging below 52 degrees Fahrenheit (below 11 Celsius). The average precipitation for the panhandle area is more than 60 inches per year. August and September are peak months of the hurricane season that lasts from June 1 through November 30.