5 Not To Miss Florida Beaches

The Sunshine state is surrounded on three sides by water: the Gulf of Mexico to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Straits of Florida in the south. This means there`s no lack of beaches in Florida, but sometimes too much choice makes for a tough decision of where to go.

So here`s my personal top 5 beaches not to miss in Florida:

1. Anna Maria Island Beaches

My favorite beaches, yes plural, are at Anna Maria Island. I just love the laid back atmosphere, the cute little boutiques and the beautiful beach houses; no high rises in sight. Anna Maria Island has six beaches: Coquina Beach, Manatee Beach, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Cortez Beach and Anna Maria Beach. Make sure to check out Bean Point, a local secret in the northern tip of the island that provides lovely views at a serene beach.

2. Captiva Island Beaches

Captiva Island is a place to go when you want to get away from it all. It is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets, go out for a lovely meal and just relax. It is also the place to be if you love shelling! Because of the unique location, it lies east and west whereas most of the other islands lie north and south, this island catches seashells from the Gulf of Mexico.

3. St Augustine Beach

The city of St Augustine is known for its historic sites, churches and monuments, but did you know there is a beach called St Augustine Beach located nearby in the heart of Anastasia Island? This stretch of beach is great for beach walks and taking things slow. If you want to combine a city trip with some beach time, then you have found your match.

4. Siesta Beach, Sarasota

Siesta Beach was named number one of Best Beaches by Dr Beach and I added it to my list because of the uniqueness of the sand. The sand at this beach is known as the whitest and silkiest in the world. It`s made of 99% quartz which means it stays cool under your feet on even the hottest of days!

5. Clearwater Beach

The white sandy beach of Clearwater with its beach chairs dotted around make it very inviting to just sit back, relax and read a book. If you prefer to be more active, there`s plenty of beach activities. Hungry? Just walk up the promenade for a quick snack or visit the many restaurants. With Clearwater Marine Aquarium nearby, this makes for a great family vacation.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.