http://www.visitflorida.com/beaches/ Florida's beaches are ranked as some of the best in the country for beauty, accessibility and facilities. Families, couples and singles on the move enjoy year-round sunshine, glittering white sand and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-beach-for-each http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-beach-for-each Crystal clear waters, sugar-white sand and sun-kissed skies… getaways to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel are as pleasure-filled as any cruise or Caribbean isle. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/castaway-for-a-day http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/castaway-for-a-day As an alternative to a Tahiti vacation my husband, James, and I sought to find our fantasy island closer to home – the keys and islands of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. We began with one of the most celebrated islands in the area, Caladesi Island, which regularly ranks among the nation's best beaches. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/sandy-feet-welcome http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/sandy-feet-welcome Always wanted your own beach house? TOPS'L Beach and Racquet Resort in Northwest Florida is the perfect solution, with all the amenities and none of the hassles. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/rockin-around-the-clock-in-panama-city-beach http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/rockin-around-the-clock-in-panama-city-beach Wind your watches and get ready, get set, and go for an around-the-clock review of the best the family-friendly beach town of Panama City Beach has to offer. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/fort-myers-beach-on-the-flip-side http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/fort-myers-beach-on-the-flip-side The ivory-tower sanctuary of DiamondHead Beach Resort rises like a bookmark between the frivolity and sophisticated beach indulgence that is Fort Myers Beach. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/the-new-daytona-beach http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/the-new-daytona-beach Daytona Beach ups the ante with families with exciting top-of-the-line attractions, new beachfront parks and upgraded resorts that offer kid-friendly amenities. If you haven't been here in awhile, you're in for a big surprise. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/martin-county-beaches-a-to-z http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/martin-county-beaches-a-to-z Martin County, on the east coast, has some of Florida's most beautiful and natural barrier island beaches. Some are relaxing and quiet, others are family friendly and full of kids. Find the beach that's right for you. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/fort-de-soto-fortified-with-fun http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/fort-de-soto-fortified-with-fun Ever wonder where the local families go for a fabulous beach? In St. Petersburg, they go to Fort De Soto Park, recently ranked "America's #1 Beach." http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/sunny-treasures-of-sand-and-sea http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/sunny-treasures-of-sand-and-sea Much as Marco Polo had sought adventure and riches in Xanadu, our writer seeks beauty and relaxation in Fort Lauderdale. Join him on his exploration of the "Venice of America" and uncover treasures both on and off the beach. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/beach-break http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/beach-break Feeling starved for some me time, I called my mother and asked if she'd like to accompany me to the Beaches of South Walton and Destin area for a little grown-up fun in the cooler, autumn sun. She agreed. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/making-a-sunny-impression-on-sanibel http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/making-a-sunny-impression-on-sanibel How do you amaze someone who already lives in Dreamland? I had a feeling I could find the answer on Sanibel Island. This pristine southwest Florida island seemed like the perfect place for our little reunion. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/naples-the-finer-side-of-island-life http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/naples-the-finer-side-of-island-life Hours after sinking my toes into the sugar-sand beaches of Naples, I'm sitting in a posh restaurant on Fifth Avenue South, sipping a glass of wine and indulging in the fine life. Here, it's big city life meets the beach. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/springing-for-a-break-in-pensacola http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/springing-for-a-break-in-pensacola College kids may know a thing or two about spring break, but in Pensacola, they aren't the only ones having fun. With more than 52 miles of beachfront, the decision for beach bums of all ages is hardly "what to do" but "how to fit it all in." http://visitflorida.com/articles/caladesi-island-pristine-perfection http://visitflorida.com/articles/caladesi-island-pristine-perfection The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area's Caladesi Island State Park, one of Florida's few remaining undeveloped barrier islands, is the ideal place for angling, kayaking, birding or hiking. Or just relaxing. Its soft white sand invites you to sink in, to rest a while – and you won't want to pass it up. http://visitflorida.com/articles/timeless-fun-in-panama-city-beach http://visitflorida.com/articles/timeless-fun-in-panama-city-beach In northwest Florida's Panama City Beach, there are plenty of ways to be entertained and to find your own fun, both on and off the beach. And you can enjoy it all at your own pace, whether that's laidback or action-packed. Which makes coming here a true escape. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/gateway-to-the-gulf http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/gateway-to-the-gulf If you're looking for a gateway to the Gulf's manifold charms, Bradenton area beaches will afford you passage onto parasails and kayaks, as well as into volleyball games. And whether you linger beachside or prefer to get wet, the area is the home base for Gulf-inspired activities of all kinds. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/daytona-beaches-hit-the-gold-standard http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/daytona-beaches-hit-the-gold-standard Many NASCAR drivers have taken home gold after speeding around that famous track, but there's another gold standard in Daytona: the beaches. Twenty-three miles of them to be exact. Take a surfing lesson, go swimming, stroll the shore, cruise the beach in your car or just chill. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/culinary-heaven-meets-the-coast http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/culinary-heaven-meets-the-coast An award-winning culinary team sets up shop in a first-class resort resting on a famous stretch of Atlantic coastline – a surprisingly short distance from Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It's the Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort, and it's at the center of it all. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/beach-perfect http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/beach-perfect What makes the perfect beach, besides silky sand, turquoise water and near-constant sun? A perfect beach is where everything comes to you – where you don't have to work at keeping you, your partner and your kids entertained. The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Northwest Florida fits the bill... http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/quiet-harbor http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/quiet-harbor On a sunny afternoon at The Cove On Ormond Beach, a central east Florida resort on the Atlantic Ocean, children on tubes zoomed down a two-story water slide. A father in Bermuda shorts flipped burgers on a grill. Dozens of resort guests, including myself, lounged around the oceanfront pool... http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/paradise-on-st.-pete-beach http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/paradise-on-st.-pete-beach Two white swans cross our path as my son and I paddle the narrow waterway winding through the Island Grand Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach. Up ahead I see sunlight dancing on a sparkling blue pool while my son spots a giant three-story inflated slide resting on the white sandy beach... http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/beach-bonding-in-destin http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/beach-bonding-in-destin We were prepared to go the distance to get a little closer. So three girlfriends and I packed up the SUV and headed to the northwest corner of the state for some much-needed girl time on the sublime Emerald Coast. We settled in at TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort... http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/seven-bits-of-beach-heaven http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/seven-bits-of-beach-heaven In St. Petersburg/Clearwater, you'll find a collection of Gulf-front communities with their own distinctive feel – from buzzing beach activity on award-winning shores to blessed quiet among Old Florida cottages. Here's a look at seven of my favorites, from north to south... http://visitflorida.com/articles/coastal-character http://visitflorida.com/articles/coastal-character My father's eyes lit up like fireworks at the thought of spending a long weekend in Pensacola Beach. It wasn't long before he had his trusted Hobie Cat sailboat tacked to the back of a borrowed truck. With enough scuba gear to satisfy a Navy SEAL and a cooler full of sandwiches stacked in the cab, we were off to the beach... http://visitflorida.com/articles/savoring-floridas-gulf-islands http://visitflorida.com/articles/savoring-floridas-gulf-islands It's easy to fall in love with the many flavors of Florida's Gulf Islands of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and the mainland areas of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. Most restaurants are locally owned, offering tastes you won't find anywhere else, and the tropical setting is ideal for the many culinary events held here... http://visitflorida.com/articles/naples-beach-paradise http://visitflorida.com/articles/naples-beach-paradise With Florida flaunting two of the most stunning coastlines in the world, it took plenty of confidence for the communities of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades to name their personal stretch of coastline the "Paradise Coast." But their confidence is well deserved. Let me introduce you to this magical coastline, my paradise... http://visitflorida.com/articles/luxury-hits-the-beach-in-fort-lauderdale http://visitflorida.com/articles/luxury-hits-the-beach-in-fort-lauderdale Long a popular destination with yachting enthusiasts and pleasure seekers, Greater Fort Lauderdale – especially its magnificently restored beachfront – has become one of the nation's leading luxury destinations, thanks to opulent new resorts and swank restaurants. Here, your beach chic experience extends beyond the shoreline... http://visitflorida.com/articles/caladesi-calling http://visitflorida.com/articles/caladesi-calling The secluded sandy shores, translucent blue waters and palm fronds waving in the light sea breeze call me back to Caladesi Island State Park when I hear that it was chosen as America's #1 Beach 2008 by Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach), who calls the island in the St. Pete/Clearwater area his "favorite getaway beach"... http://visitflorida.com/articles/the-ultimate-summer-beach http://visitflorida.com/articles/the-ultimate-summer-beach Think warm summer sunshine and sand so white and soft it sparkles, squeaks and rolls like ski moguls. Think spacious suite with a view of water like liquid gemstones. Think fresh seafood and shops straight off the sand. It's Panama City Beach, home to live-in-your-swimsuit summer getaways and White Sale savings...