Apalachicola

Beautiful sandy beaches in the Florida Panhandle town of Apalachicola with beach house vacation rentals in the background

Apalachicola is a small town in the Florida panhandle, on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast. Apalachicola is known for its interesting history, fresh seafood and pristine natural surroundings on the Apalachicola River. Apalachicola is a nice day trip from Tallahassee, which is located approximately 75 miles to the northeast. Apalachicola is a very small town, … Read more

Navarre Beach

Navarre Beach, Florida, beach umbrellas, as seen from a beachfront hotel.

Navarre is a small beach town in the Florida Panhandle.  Navarre is known for its uncrowded white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, which are a beautiful, emerald green. Navarre is also known for its laid-back, relaxed atmosphere, which we love. Every time we visit we’re shocked at how laid-back it is compared to other … Read more

Madeira Beach

Madeira Beach, Florida

Madeira Beach is a small beach town on Florida’s central Gulf of Mexico coast.  Madeira Beach is known for its long, beautiful sandy beaches and its most popular attraction, Johns Pass Village. Johns Pass Village is a lively waterfront boardwalk with a variety of shops, restaurants, activities, boat tours and more. It’s also the site … Read more

Seaside

Seaside, Florida town sign

Seaside is a small beach town in the Florida panhandle, on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Seaside is known for its white-sand beaches, beautiful turquoise water and charming small-town feel. It’s also famous for being the birthplace of New Urbanism and for being the filming location for The Truman Show. Seaside has charming … Read more

Longboat Key

Town of Longboat Key sign

Longboat Key is a beautiful barrier island and small beach town on Florida’s west coast.  Longboat Key is known for its uncrowded white sand beaches, resorts, and upscale beach town living. The island of Longboat Key is long and skinny, like most barrier islands in Florida. It’s about a mile wide at its widest point, … Read more

The Best Beaches in the Florida Panhandle

Aerial view of clear water and white sand beach in the Florida Panhandle at Pensacola Beach

There are about 150 miles of almost continuous beaches in the Florida panhandle.  White sand beaches and crystal clear water stretch almost continuously from Port St. Joe to Perdido Key at the Alabama state line. The beaches keep going after that, but we’re only talking about Florida’s panhandle beaches. What is the best beach in … Read more

Naples

Beautiful white sand beach and clear water in Naples, Florida

Note: Naples was heavily affected by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Some attractions, including the Naples Pier, may be partially closed. Naples has also been heavily affected by the 2023 red tide outbreak, affecting beaches on Florida’s Gulf coast. Naples is an upscale beach town and coastal city in Southwest Florida.  Naples is known for its … Read more

Treasure Island

Beach access, Treasure Island, Florida

Treasure Island is a small beach town in Pinellas County, Florida. Treasure Island is a popular tourist destination known for its retro style, long white sandy beaches and convenient location near St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater. Treasure Island is also known for having a more residential, laid-back feel than other nearby beach towns, and for … Read more

St. Pete Beach

St Pete Beach, Florida

St. Pete Beach is a small beach town on Florida’s central Gulf Coast. St. Beach Beach is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and convenient access to downtown St. Petersburg. It is also conveniently located near Clearwater Beach and many other beach destinations in Pinellas County.  Location St. Pete Beach is located on a … Read more

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Pass a Grille Beach, Florida. A wooden boardwalk gives access to the beach, one of the best beaches in Florida.

Pass-a-Grille beach is my favorite beach near St Pete! The sand is soft, white and excellent. The water is often crystal-clear. The town is super cute, and it has a perfect laid-back beach town vibe. There are some things that could be better about Pass-a-Grille, but overall it’s an excellent beach. Pass-a-Grille Beach is one … Read more

Grayton Beach State Park

Aerial view of beaches at Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park is a beautiful beachfront state park and campground in the Florida panhandle.  The park protects approximately 2,187 acres, including delicate dune lakes, pristine beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, and a variety of natural ecosystems. What is Grayton Beach known for? Grayton Beach State Park. is known for its: Grayton Beach … Read more

Crystal River

swimming with manatees in florida

Crystal River is a small waterfront city on Florida’s central Gulf coast.  Crystal River is known for its nature, beautiful natural springs, manatee tours, cute historic downtown area and water activities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Location The city of Crystal River is located on Florida’s gulf coast in western central Florida.  The small city … Read more

Mexico Beach

A welcome sign on the beach in Mexico Beach, Florida

Mexico Beach is a quiet beachside town in the Florida Panhandle. It is a hidden gem and a last remnant of “Old Florida” in a region known as the Emerald Coast. Mexico Beach is known for its laid-back lifestyle, white sand beaches, clear waters and abundant wildlife.  Mexico Beach has a small-town feel and a … Read more

Warm Mineral Springs

Warm Mineral Springs in Florida with shade trees and lawn furniture

Important note: Warm Mineral Springs is currently closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Be sure to check this page for updates from the City of Northport. Warm Mineral Springs is a natural hot spring, set inside an ancient sinkhole. The sinkhole is filled with warm, mineral-rich, geothermally heated water. The water is the … Read more

Nokomis Beach

Nokomis Beach, Casey Key, Florida

Nokomis Beach is a quiet, peaceful public beach on Casey Key. The beaches and seashore are stunningly beautiful, but are less developed than other beaches in Sarasota County, like Siesta Key. Location Nokomis Beach is located at 115 S Casey Key Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275. <span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” … Read more

Anna Maria Island

Aerial View of Anna Maria Island, Florida

Anna Maria Island is a barrier island in southwest Florida, on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast.  Anna Maria Island is very long and narrow. It’s approximately 7 miles long, measured from north to south. The island is only about a mile wide in its widest point, and is only a few blocks wide in some … Read more

Places With the Clearest Water in Florida

Gulf of Mexico Beach, clearest water in Florida

Where can you find the clearest water in Florida? It’s a common question! Florida’s water is extremely clear in many coastal locations around the state, including beaches in: Besides beaches there are also crystal-clear rivers, lagoons, lakes and hundreds of natural springs in Florida. Many have beautiful, clear fresh water. Here’s our guide to our … Read more

Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Florida.  Famous for white sand beaches and turquoise waters, it spans 385 acres and has more than 4 miles of beaches for visitors to enjoy.  In addition to its pristine beaches, Honeymoon Island State Park has several miles of unspoiled wilderness with … Read more

Beaches in Tarpon Springs

The swimming beach at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs, Florida

Tarpon Springs is famous for its historic sponge docks and Greek culture. But, the beaches in Tarpon Springs are also very nice, and are worth visiting! In fact, Tarpon Springs’ beach at Fred Howard Park is the northernmost beach in Pinellas County’s mainland. It marks the first of many beautiful beaches along Florida’s central Gulf … Read more

Things To Do in Tarpon Springs

A statue of a sponge fisherman in the historic sponge docks, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Tarpon Springs is a hidden gem in Florida’s nature coast. It’s conveniently located near several of the largest cities in Florida, and is a great alternative to the stereotypical list of “Things to do in Florida”. Tarpon Springs is a fantastic weekend getaway for Florida locals who want to explore an interesting place, or a … Read more