Any suggestions for the best beach in Florida?

I love Daytona Beach as I enjoy walking on the firm sand and there is always a breeze.

Where's your favorite?

I love the Keys, and there are only a few good beaches there, but my favorite is the beach at Fort Zach in Key West. Shade trees so you don't roast, sheltered swim area, nice facilities, and the Fort to walk to if you get bored.
Sombrero Beach in Marathon is nice, too. I always stop there on my way down.

Apparently St. Pete Beach has been voted the top beach destination in the USA by TripAdvisor, because of its "sugary-white sand
and dolphins frolicking just off shore."

You may find this book about the 20 Best Florida beaches useful:

20 Best Florida Beaches and Coastal Cities

Every year "Dr Beach" publishes his Top 10 beaches in the US.This year 2 are in Florida. Read on to find out which beaches he chose, and why.

Two Florida Beaches are in the US Top 10!

How are the beaches along the Canaveral coast? I am nearby and already saw Kennedy Space Center (loved it), but want to know if it's worth a trip out there for the beaches. I'm staying in Sanford.

Cocoa Beach (the nearest beach to Orlando)is just gorgeous. It has beautiful sand that is firm enough for walking, good surf most of the time, and a constant breeze.

Even closer to you in Sanford is New Smyrna Beach. You can drive your car on ($6 daily charge I seem to recall). It is quieter than Daytona and lined with beach houses rather than highrises so very pleasant. Very firm sand for sitting, walking, ball games and good for swimming if you like the challenge of waves, otherwise get your bodyboard out!You can hire all sorts of Surreys, bicycles, sea kayaks etc as well as chairs and umbrellas in the more popular spots.

The climate is perfect in Florida right now, so enjoy yourself Jilly!

Well, yesterday I went to the Clearwater Beach on the Gulf, and that was really lovely. The water was an interesting light-blueish color, and the sand was white. White and powdery. It's not like that at all in CA, where my family lives.

I was able to walk a few miles in both directions from Pier 60 and enjoyed the firmness of the sand by the shore. I got some great photos, got to enjoy sitting in one of those half-dome shade umbrellas, and watched a storm come in. Then we sat at an ocean-front bar and watched lightning roll around as the sun set.

Lovely day, really.

I don't think I will be hitting New Smyrna Beach or Cocoa Beach. They just seem like more big wide beaches, like what I was just at, and like my So Cal beaches back home. I am hoping to find some small cove-like, intimate beaches with palm trees. I want to set up a hammock and hang out under the palms, listening t the water. Ideas?

Sounds like heaven! I have heard that Anna Maria Island near Bradenton Beach is idyllic as you describe, and recommended for honeymoons, but I've never visited. Has anyone been there?

I've covered a few others in my book:
20 Best Florida beaches and Coastal Cities

Sanibel Beach is one of the best beach in florida. Sanibel is a unique barrier island with east-west orientation that differs from the typical north-south layout.

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