Support local journalism bysubscribing.. In the United States, Hawaii proved the strongest with three beaches in the top 10, while Florida and California both had two. You really cannot compare the 2. Located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Zach, as locals call it, has clear water, a shaded picnic area, and very good snorkeling around rocks not far offshore. It became a global story. It won't be Hawaii, but it will be a different and new adventure. 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. The popular Atlantic-facing beaches of Miami in South Florida are noted for features that Combine those qualities with the parks two jetties and you also get excellent snorkeling. The beach is so big it cant get crowded and it offers the necessities: lifeguards, showers, bike, chair and umbrella rentals. 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 Why? The conservancy doesnt even let you bring food or beverages. Then from the shady mangrove tunnel you emerge to a beach with blindingly white sand and turquoise water. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. 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. St. Pete Beach (No. Youll recognize it from countless commercials and TV shows; if youre lucky youll see a shoot in progress. Well, the Keys are probably very nice, but the water in Hawaii is warmer and prettier. He did the same when he was on a boat. 18), Pensacola Beach (No. The shell-strewn shores of Lovers Key State Park are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. 9 Ogunquit Beach in Ogunquit, Maine and No. Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Named Americas top beach in 2009, Fort De Soto Beachdeserves all sorts of superlatives. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. Today we discuss my two recent trips to beach locations: Maui, Hawaii vs Fort Myers Florida. WebMiami & the Keys may be closer in tropical but the Keys do not have great beaches just beautiful water and great reefs for snorkeling and diving. Here's the rest:Want to visit 8 of TripAdvisor's Top 25 Beaches in the US? Across the inlet lies a second part of St. Andrews wild and undeveloped Shell Island. The average hostel charge is $166 per person per In addition to Siesta Beach, Tripadvisor's Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. list for 2023 included Henderson Beach State Park in Destin at No. Contact Us - I think I'll take the Florida Keys suggestions and try not to compare it too much to Hawaii. Also, Hawaii has the nicer backdrop with all the mountains. Fort Pickens, in the Gulf Islands National Seashore attracts lots of folks for the Civil War-era forts self-guided or ranger-led tours. I'd love to find a closer (drivable) beach to visit. 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 Theres usually a shallow tidal pool for kids to enjoy, and in winter people watch for right whales off the shore. Then enjoy the laid back experience of Key West for a few days. Owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy, Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island is as wild and natural as a beach can get. Siesta Beach with its quartz sand that makes it cool to the feet even in the blaring sun has been named the best beach in the U.S. twice in the annual Dr. Beach rankings that come out around Memorial Day. I live in AZ. The famed Sarasota County beach just missed the Top 10 on Tripadvisor's list of Top 10 Beaches in the World, placing No. This guide highlights the most common mistakes many travelers make so you can This northern beach wont win awards for its sand -- its studded with rocks and seashells -- but it goes on for three miles. However, I have earned two tickets off a Southwest Airlines. As much as I would like to head back to Hawaii, Southwest Air doesn't fly in that direction. 11 for 2023. 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. Huguenot is the last beach in Jacksonville where you can drive your car onto the hard-packed sand. 22) bring Florida's total to eight. Its a natural lazy river adventure where the pull and depth of the water is safe but still fun. But even when the parking lot is full you can find solitude and nature. Take some extra time in Florida and discover a beach waiting for you. Even if you cannot tell the difference between the cultures of Hawaii and Florida, the weather easily sets the two apart. The state ended up with eight U.S. beaches in the Top 25, one down from the 2022 ratings, with entrants from along the Gulf Coast near Tampa Bay, the Panhandle, the Atlantic coast and the Keys. Its an unusual combination of an accessible beach with lots of parking, first-rate concessions, and facilities and a natural beach with extensive wildlife. Florida beaches made their annual foray into TripAdvisors best beach lists in 2023 with Siesta Beach near Sarasota once again near the top. Key West is soooo much different then Hawaii. RankedatNo. "Travelers have been raving about the white powder sand in Tripadvisor reviews,calling it a 'great beach for people watching, sunsets, breakfast/morning walk on the beach and finding sand dollars,'" aTripadvisor spokespersonsaid in an email issuedto the Herald-Tribune in 2022. St. Augustine Beach (No. You wont find many who disagree:Caladesi Island State Park is paradise. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. 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. West has seen his share of red tide outbreaks during his career. You probably know that Fort Lauderdale has one of the great lively urban Florida beach destinations. With a $6 admission and ample parking, its a Key West bargain. You can swim in the more protected inlet side of the island vs. the rougher Atlantic side. Last year's winner was Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Rankings are based on the quantity and quality of reader reviews in the TripAdvisor community. 13), Panama City Beach (No. You can rent bikes and ride them on the hard-packed sand beach. The dead creatures are washing ashore on beaches from Fort Myers to Marco Island. Just enjoy yourself. This is a beach where you can walk from one-story open-air cafes and storefronts directly onto the sand. Why do you have a problem with people liking Florida beaches over Hawaii beaches? The pier also has a small caf which is popular for its stunning views. Here are 17 beach destinations in Florida worth finding, This beach qualifies as a hidden gem often overlooked by visitors because its tucked away on a less-visible part of the island. Ticket NewsletterSign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday. Cookie Policy - Beach Leathermanand appeared in aWall Street Journal story in 2022about the best beaches in Florida. Why? The Caladesi Island Ferry (727) 734-1501 departs from Honeymoon Island, and the trip often includes spotting dolphins along the way. What we know. Plenty of colorful fish are viewable in waist-deep water, making it particularly popular with families. In the United States, Hawaii proved the strongest with three beaches in the top 10, while Florida and California both had two. 14) and Clearwater Beach (No. WebDestin, Florida vs Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii Transportation cost in Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii is 10.5% more expensive than Destin, Florida. Fort DeSoto has two main beaches. If the tide is going out you float out into the Gulf which remains shallow for a great distance. To explore the beach at Peanut Island you must arrive by boat. Snorkeling? I love them both, but with the exception of both being on the ocean and having beaches they are NOTHING alike. WebHawaii vs. Florida Vacation: Which Is Better? It got is name because for years it was reachable only by boat, and only lovers seeking seclusion went to the trouble to go here. Ranked 13th was St. Augustine Beach, 14th was St. Pete Beach, 18th Panama City Beach, 20th Pensacola Beach, 22nd Sombrero Beach on Marathon Key :Dead eels are washing up on Fort Myers, Naples beaches. It has five miles of pristine white sand beach that is perfect for those who savor beachcombing solitude and nature. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Thanke everyone for your help. 6 Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, No. It has big sand dunes and is full of wildlife gopher tortoises, sea shells and shore birds. Tips: The park gets busy on weekends and think about the high-tide line before you park your car! 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. more information on NYC scams with short term apartment rentals. 10 best places to visit in Sarasotaand what to do when you get there! It all depends. Ka'anapali Beach, The surfing is good and fishermen have luck casting from shore or from the fishing jetty. VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. I'm in the midwest, and have to say I prefer Key West to Hawaii. Its easy to spend the whole day here. In contrast, Hawaiis beaches are more scenic but scattered among 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, But those in the know consider the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park the best in Key West. I've been to Oahu and The Big Island a few times, prefer Oahu. The 385-acre park has three distinct beaches one thats close to parking and concessions, a dog beach, and the northern sand-spit beach. How about a trip to San Diego or Orange County? 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. 14) A great walking beach with white quartz sand, clear calm water, and seashells by the truckload," one of TripAdvisor's reviewers said. Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. Kaanapali Beach Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida. Its one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Floridas southwest coast. Beaches? The park is on the barrier island immediately south of charming Fort Myers Beach. 20) and Sombrero Beach in Marathon (No. Honeymoon Island has a spectacular beach that can draw crowds. This is the 11th year of the TripAdvisor awards, during which a Florida beach has topped the U.S. list seven times. 10 Sneaky Travel Mistakes You're Probably Making Right Now. This is a great beach to visit to enjoy the sunset; theres usually a mellow crowd. Ummm--since the original post is from 2004 I'm sure azbec has made her decision by now. This 80-acre county park, with guarded swimming and picnic shelters, is a man-made island in the middle of the Port of Palm Beach. 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.
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