Gasparilla Island State Park features pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico with the historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse as its centerpiece. The island has a fascinating history tied to the phosphate industry and wealthy winter residents including the du Pont family. The waters around Boca Grande Pass are known as the ‘Tarpon Capital of […]
Beaches for Fishing
Jupiter Beach
Jupiter Beach offers 3.4 miles of pristine Atlantic shoreline with sections specifically designated as dog-friendly, rare for Florida beaches. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, built in 1860, provides a stunning landmark and offers tours and museum exhibits. The beach is known for excellent water clarity and is popular for snorkeling around the nearshore reef system. The […]
Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach offers a charming alternative to nearby Daytona Beach with a quieter atmosphere while still allowing beach driving in designated areas. The beach town has significant historical interest as the ‘Birthplace of Speed’ where early automobile speed records were set on the hard-packed sands. The Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail provides a 30-mile scenic […]
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park offers the rare combination of an unspoiled tropical coastal habitat in the highly developed Palm Beach area. The beach is reached via a 1,600-foot boardwalk that crosses a picturesque lagoon lined with mangroves. The offshore Anastasia rock reef provides excellent snorkeling opportunities with abundant marine life. The park’s Estuary […]
St. George Island State Park
St. George Island State Park encompasses nine miles of undeveloped shoreline on the eastern end of this barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. The park features pristine beaches with sugar-white sand, emerald waters, and majestic dunes. The area is excellent for birding with migrating species visible throughout the year. Due to minimal light pollution, […]
Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach is the northernmost beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast, combining beautiful shoreline with Victorian charm in the historic downtown district. The main beach area features wide sands with ample facilities and lifeguards during summer months. The downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places with 50+ blocks of historic buildings now housing […]
Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Beach offers a quiet, residential beach experience in contrast to busier Space Coast beaches. The area is significant for sea turtle nesting, with loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles laying eggs between May and October. The beach’s unspoiled stretches are ideal for long walks and collecting sea glass and shells. Historic points of interest include […]
Wiggins Pass
Located where the Cocohatchee River meets the Gulf of Mexico, Wiggins Pass offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities with diverse marine habitats. The beach at Barefoot Beach Preserve features natural surroundings with sea oats, sand dunes, and nesting areas for sea turtles and shore birds. The shallow, clear waters are ideal for families and provide […]
Bowditch Point Park
Located at the northern tip of Estero Island, Bowditch Point Park offers beach access on both the Gulf and back bay sides. The park combines recreational beach areas with a 17-acre restoration zone featuring native coastal vegetation and wildlife habitats. Walking trails wind through the preservation area with interpretive signs about local ecology. The location […]
Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach is an upscale community with pristine beaches and world-class golf, including the famous TPC Sawgrass course, home of THE PLAYERS Championship. The beach features unique coquina rock formations that create tide pools at low tide, perfect for exploring marine life. The GTM Research Reserve offers excellent hiking trails and wildlife viewing. The […]