Hi Pat,

I don't know much about metal detecting, but I'm guessing that the busiest beaches are the most productive when it comes to lost coins and jewelry. I'm not sure about finding gold coins in the Jacksonville area.

The main beach area in Jacksonville Beach is at the east end of Beach Blvd (U.S. 90 / S.R. 212). Street-end parking is provided along most of the avenues for about 60 blocks, so access should not be a problem. The most active and popular section of beach is from about 5th Avenue North to about 6th Avenue South.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Juve,

When I read your question, the first place I thought of was St. Augustine. Specifically, the old historic part of the city is especially good for a relaxing, romantic couple of days. And, it's close to the beach. Just a quick drive over the bridge and you are on the island and just a few minutes from beautiful and quiet beaches, including those at Anastasia State Park where you can drive your car onto parts of the beach. (Be sure to climb the lighthouse to enjoy the view).

St. Augustine has plenty of hotels, but you might consider a bed & breakfast or inn in the historic district. You can easily walk all over that part of the city, so you might not need your car much (the streets are very, very narrow), and there's plenty to see, and plenty of shopping. A number of the restaurants have live music in the evenings. November is a perfect time of year to be there.

I'm really picky when it comes to restaurants, but I was never disappointed in any of the St. Augustine restaurants. In fact, when we returned home, the one thing we missed most was the excellent food.

Be sure to thoroughly explore VISIT FLORIDA's information on St. Augustine and read some of the articles about St Augustine Beach, they'll give you a better idea of what to see and do there than I can in this Q&A. I know you and your wife will have a wonderful time there.

Thank you so much for your military service for our country. We are so proud of and grateful to all our armed-service members and their families for the incredible sacrifices that you and they make for us.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Chris,

You can rent a skimboard for about $10 per day at:

Skim City
133 5th Ave, Indialantic, FL  32903

www.skimcity.com

It's just up the street from Melbourne Beach.

phone = 321-676-0051

Have fun!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

I have a page on my Florida Beaches website with information about water temperatures."

Air temperatures are probably the major consideration, and like water temperatures, the further south you go, the more likely you are to have a warm vacation. My experience over 48 years in southern Florida is that we usually are quite warm until several weeks after Christmas. Some years we have some early cold snaps, but they are usually short-lived.  So my recommendations for warm air temperatures are the same as those for water temps that I wrote above.

I spent Christmas Day on Fort Desoto Beach in 2007. It was a beautiful, warm beach day.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Janna,

Here are some great suggestions for you:

During the warmer months (May through October), I highly recommend that you visit Panama City Beach. The water is beautiful and clear, and the sand is pure white. Panama City Beach has lots of beach hotels to choose from.

I also highly recommend that you visit the historic city of St. Augustine, which also has a beautiful beach. Climb the lighthouse and also Visit Anastasia State Park. Visit the Alligator Farm and Zoological Park.

Cocoa Beach is another great beach town with a wonderful beach and lots of beachfront hotels. Be sure to visit the nearby Kennedy Space Center.

Fort Lauderdale also has beautiful beaches and gorgeous water and plenty of hotels and things to do. It would also be a good destination for the cooler months.

Back on the Gulf coast, St. Pete Beach has lots of reasonably-priced hotels right on the beach and offers lots of activities. Almost anyone can find things they like to do in the St. Petersburg area. Visit Fort Desoto Park and Egmont Key.

Siesta Key, in the Sarasota area, also has a beautiful beach with beautiful water, and is close to all the attractions of Sarasota. See the Ringling Museum, Selby Botanical Gardens, and Sarasota's Jungle Gardens.

Be sure to read my article about all the beaches in Florida. I'm sure any of the areas I mentioned above will make you happy!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Mr. Lewis,

Since you say you are "not driving," I'm assuming that you mean that you will not be hiring a car for the duration of your stay. Either Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach would be the closest beach area to the Lake Buena Vista Area, so it is a good choice. Visit Florida has some great choices for Cocoa Beach accommodations listed.

What you'll discover, I think, is that most Florida beach vacation spots are designed for people with cars.  A "nearby" restaurant is generally a mile or two away, not a 10 minute stroll. The Hilton in Daytona Beach, right next to the Main Street Pier, is an excellent hotel on a very nice beach that truly is within walking distance of quite a few restaurants and shops. I enjoyed my stay there a few months ago.

Cocoa Beach is a bit more spread out. The Best Western Cocoa Beach might be a good choice, as it would be within walking distance of several restaurants and a Publix supermarket.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

John,

Generally, you'll find November water temperatures in the Keys around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is a good source for average Florida water temperature data.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Christine,

I'd recommend the southwest coast of Florida for the best chance of warm weather and calm water. I think Sanibel Island is most likely to offer what you are looking for, but you'll need to talk to a local realtor to locate a specific property. To get some good suggestions, visit the message board at BestOfSanibelCaptiva.com. Here's a great message thread with some info about staying on Sanibel at Christmas time. Feel free to register at the forum and ask questions. Click on "search" and type "Christmas" in the search box for some great info. Kim and Libby are the forum moderators and do an excellent job of helping visitors find what they are looking for.

Many of the Christmas festivals happen in early or mid-December, rather than during Christmas week, and most islands are pretty quiet. Nearly every island has some kind of lighted boat parade and luminary festival sometime during December.

Have a great Christmas in the islands, and think W-A-R-M!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

 72nd Annual Sanibel Shell Fair & Show
Thursday, Mar. 5 – Saturday, Mar. 7, 2009
Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
239-472-2155

This show is normally held the first full weekend in March. Call the number listed above to verify the date.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Ron,

What is affordable? Since you specified "beach communities," I'm assuming you would want to live on one of the islands. "Basic" home prices generally run $700,000 to $1.5 million on the barrier islands.

I'm also assuming you've got school-aged children, so you'll want a community with some activities that kids would like, and nearby schools. I'd recommend that you look at Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key, St. Pete Beach, or Indian Rocks Beach. Venice is a nice area, but is mostly geared toward the retired demographic. All of the communities I mentioned are nice beach communities and have schools and community colleges and four-year colleges nearby, off island.

A less expensive approach would be to purchase a home or rent near the islands. For instance, St. Petersburg, Bradenton, or Sarasota all have areas that are within a 10 to 20 minute drive of the beaches. Of course this option would not give you the "beach community" feel.

I hope this is helpful.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Stacie,

Both places have beautiful beaches. The sand and water are quite similar, but I think the shallow-water zone is more kid-friendly at Cocoa Beach, just based on my personal observations. I've been to both of these wonderful beach towns this summer and enjoyed them both. I did find that Cocoa Beach has a much wider selection of beach front hotels in a wider range of prices. Melbourne Beach tends to be more residential. On the positive side, there is more greenery above the beach in the Melbourne area, which I really liked. We had a bit of a hard time finding what we thought was a suitable beach front hotel in Melbourne Beach, so we drove slightly north to Indiatlantic and found the Hilton and the Doubletree right on the beach. They were in the $170 to $190 per night range.

Since you will be in the Cocoa area for the space center, I'd highly recommend that you stay in Cocoa Beach. The center of activity is the Cocoa Beach Pier on Meade Avenue. There is a Best Western right next to the pier. The further away from the pier you are, either north or south, the quieter the beach will be. Personally, I like the area around Lori Wilson Park. All the conveniences of home are within just a few minutes driving in Cocoa Beach and they have a great selection of restaurants.

VISIT FLORIDA has quite a few hotel listings for the Cocoa Beach area.

I do have some photos of the beach at Cocoa Beach that you can see here. I've not yet put my Melbourne Beach trip photos online.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Anne,

I recommend that you consider either Siesta Key or Sanibel Island on the Gulf coast. Siesta Key is close to Sarasota and its attractions. The beaches are very flat and have very soft white sand. The water is shallow and great for kids to swim in, and it is usually clear. There aren't many hotels or resorts on Siesta Key, but there are plenty of rental homes and condominiums.

Sanibel is less developed and is famous for its greenery and nature. It is close to the attractions of Fort Myers, but most likely you'll not want to leave the island. There is plenty to see and do on the island and there are lots of resorts. Check out the Sundial Resort.

You'll encounter water temperatures from about 18 to 23 degrees Celsius during March/April.

In the Keys you'll want to visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Bahia Honda State Park. There are not many good beaches in the Keys because they are mainly limestone rock islands covered with a very thin layer of sand. Bahia Honda is one of the most scenic spots in the keys and has a great white sand beach with clear shallow water and lots of coconut palms. At  John Pennekamp you can take the glass-bottomed boat out to the reef (if the weather is calm) and enjoy seeing the coral reef and all the colorful fish.

Fort Lauderdale has beautiful beaches and water and plenty to do as well. Not all the hotels are right on the beach (some are across the street), so if that's important to you, be sure to ask.

You'll see beautiful sunsets on the Gulf Coast and beautiful sunrises on the Atlantic side. In the Keys you can see both.

I know you'll have a wonderful trip!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Deborah,

It depends on what you are planning to do, and on the weather. Last year we spent Christmas Day at Fort Desoto Beach (very near Indian Rocks), and New Year's Day weekend on Naples beach. Both places were absolutely gorgeous and warm. Even the water was warm enough to go for a dip.

Some years it can be pretty chilly around Christmas and New Years, so we'll just have to wait and see how this year will shape up. My bet is on a warm Christmas.

Even if it is cool, Indian Rocks is a great beach to walk on and look for shells, or just sit on the beach and relax.

There's lots to do and see in the area, and plenty of great local restaurants.

You'll have a great time!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Dani,

I checked my resources and I must say that I've come up short. All-inclusive beach resorts in Florida are all-elusive to me. I did find one very good one on Fernandina Beach. It is the Amelia Island Plantation, which would be excellent, and does indeed seem to be all-inclusive.

Most larger beach resorts offer special packages with lots of "inclusives," but may fall a bit short of being "all-inclusive."

Check out the Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island.

Another suggestion is the Holiday Inn Sunspree on Panama City Beach.  This would be great for a summer stay, but too cool from November through the end of April. And don't even think about staying here during spring break unless you really want to party.

Here are a few others to look at:

Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Resort

Marco Island Marriott

Tradewinds Resort St. Pete Beach (a bit lower priced, and you can walk to lots of restaurants and shops, or use the inexpensive beach trolley to go up and down the islands).

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Yes, Joan, most any beach in Florida holds the possibility of finding sea glass, but in my experience it is not very common. One or two pieces is the most you are likely to find on any given beachwalk.

Lisl Armstrong, of naturalseaglass.com has been making sea glass jewelry for over 20 years, and here is what she has to say about finding sea glass in Florida:

"I have not found a lot of sea glass here in Florida. However, the gulf coast of Florida is still a beachcombers paradise as many of the beaches are loaded with beautiful shells and ancient sharks teeth."

I definitely agree with Lisl about the beautiful shells and shark's teeth.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Leeann,

Yes, the best beaches for shelling in Florida are generally agreed to be found on Sanibel Island, near Fort Myers. It's a great choice for a family vacation. You can read all about Sanibel and what it has to offer right here on VISITFLORIDA.com.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Claire,

I recommend that you consider Gulf Breeze Cottages on Sanibel Island. There's no better place for nature and shelling than on Sanibel Island. You'll absolutely love it. It's not a motel exactly, but it is old-florida style beach cottages.

Another suggestion that is an old-fashioned motel right on the beach is White Sands Beach Resort on Anna Maria Island. Shelling is excellent and the island has a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere. Plenty of greenery and unique Florida charm, but not as heavy on nature as Sanibel. Probably less expensive than Sanibel though.

Another idea, still on Anna Maria Island, is the Cedar Cove Beach Resort, which is quite popular.

Shells will be plentiful on any of the above beaches, but sharks teeth are not so common. If you stay on Anna Maria, I'd recommend taking a day trip down to Caspersen Beach in Venice (about an hour away) so the kids can hunt for shark's teeth.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Joe,

Nudity in any form is generally prohibited (and enforced) on all Florida beaches. Exceptions that I know of are Haulover Beach in Miami (has designated  "clothing optional" area), and Apollo Beach / Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (nudity prohibited, but tolerated in the more remote sections of beach).

Thongs are not common on most beaches. Crowded public beach areas near major population centers, and beaches with lots of youthful spring breakers will have plenty of thong-wearers.

Some of the more conservative family-oriented areas are St. George Island, Anna Maria Island, Sanibel Island, Marco Island, St. Augustine Beach, and Flagler Beach.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Allan,
Is the water warm enough for swimming in late December?

Well...not for me. But for you it might be perfect!

It all depends on what you are used to and what your expectations are. In the central part of the peninsula you can expect water temperatures in the 65 to 70 degree range, depending on what the weather has been. Many people are perfectly happy to swim in 65 degree water. Further south, in the Miami area, or Marco Island area, you might find water temps in the low 70's in December, especially if we've not yet had any major cold fronts pass through.

The further south you go, the warmer the water is, generally. If the warmest possible water is really important to you, consider vacationing in the Miami - Fort Lauderdale area on the Atlantic side, or on Marco Island on the Gulf side.

You can find information on Gulf and Atlantic water temperatures during all months of the year at the National Oceanic Data Center website.

I have a page on my Florida Beaches website with information about water temperatures.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi CM,

I'm not sure why someone would tell you that September is not a good time to visit Fort Myers. The only reason I can think of is that it is still summertime, so it is still hot and humid and can sometimes be rainy during parts of the day (usually in the afternoon). But that pretty much describes most of the southeastern United States during September. Often, by late September the rains have slacked off quite a bit, and the sun is a little lower in the sky and is less intense.

I've been here on the west coast of Florida for the last 47 Septembers and it has always been one of my favorite months (October and May hold the #1 and #2 position, respectively).

I'll give you 4 reasons why September is an excellent time to be in Fort Myers:

1. The kids are back in school and off the beach and off the streets.
2. It is the low season for tourism, so traffic congestion is at a minimum.
3. Rates are lower and there are deals to be taken advantage of.
4. All the tropical foliage is extra lush and green because of the summer rains.

My recommendations for a relaxing vacation:

Get up and go for a walk up the beach early in the morning, say between 7am and 8am. It's quiet and cooler and you'll see more birds and wildlife.

Check the weather forecast. If the chance of afternoon rains is more than 50%, plan your important outdoor activities in the morning. Usually afternoon rain only hangs around for an hour or two. Then it clears up and is really nice. Plan to be on the beach at sunset every day. September sunsets can be spectacular, especially if there are some lingering clouds from an afternoon rain.

Shopping in the Times Square area, at the foot of the Matanzas Bridge, isn't far from your hotel. Leave your car at the hotel and take the Fort Myers Beach Trollee. Ask your hotel for the trollee schedule.

Take the trolley up to the north end of the island to Bowditch Park for a few hours.

Drive, or take the trollee south, to Lover's Key State Park for the day to enjoy the trails, the wildlife, and the quiet beaches.

Consider driving out to Sanibel and Captiva Island one day. Have lunch in Captiva, take a walking tour and poke around in some of the shops, and visit Bowman's Beach.

Visit the Edison Ford Winter Estate.

Visit the Mound House.

Take a nature tour.

If you are on the beach between 10am and 4pm, use sunblock. Don't get sunburned your first day out!

There is a GREAT web cam on top of the Diamond Head Resort with an excellent view of the beach and the Pelican Pier!

Have a great time!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Teri,

I would rate them in exactly the order you listed them. Cocoa Beach will provide the most consistent surf with a nice sandy bottom. It is also easier to find a reasonably-priced hotel right on the beach in Cocoa Beach than in the other places you mentioned.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Nancy,

Sounds like you're going to have quite a busy vacation. That's packing a lot into 8 days.

First, I recommend ordering some of VISIT FLORIDA's free printed brochures and viewing some of the online guides. They are really good.

Sounds like you'll fly into Fort Myers and drive out to Sanibel. Then drive to the Everglades and across the state on I-75 (Alligator Alley) to Ft. Lauderdale (see alternate route below). Then on south to the Keys. By that time you'll be trying to sell your return ticket and you'll be looking into buying waterfront property in the Keys. Just for investment purposes, of course.

I'll throw in a few suggestions:

Fort Myers - be sure to visit the Edison Ford Winter Estate.

Sanibel - drive up to Captiva Island and have lunch. Take a walk around Captiva and enjoy the tropical foliage and shops.

Everglades - when crossing the state towards Ft. Lauderdale, consider taking the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) instead of I-75. It is the more scenic route, and you can stop at the Big Cypress Gallery and see the amazing photography of Clyde Butcher.

Ft. Lauderdale - take an early morning walk along the beach promenade. Visit Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.

Keys - visit John Pennekamp Corla Reef State Park and take the glass-bottom boat out to the reef and see all the tropical fish. This is a GREAT trip, especially if the sea is fairly calm.

Have a great time!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Mona,

Contact GoldenCutlass Rentals and Search Services. 727-644-9816

They recommend that you call in advance to arrange a rental for your preferred days.

Rates are $40 for a single day, or $35 per day for more than one day.

Happy Hunting!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Erica,

Yes, any of the better surfing beaches are also great for body boarding (aka boogie boarding). In fact, you can (in my opinion) have more fun in junky waves on a body board than on a surfboard. So even if the conditions are not big enough for surfing, body boards rule.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Parag,

In November, I'd recommend staying a bit further south. On the Atlantic side, south of Cape Canaveral would be good, and on the Gulf, anywhere from Clearwater Beach south would be fine.

You can snorkel anywhere with reasonably clear water, but finding someplace with rocks is more interesting. The best snorkeling is in the Keys, but they don't really have the best beaches.

Here are some places to consider on the Gulf of Mexico:

St. Pete Beach - Lots to do but rather overbuilt. Plenty of beach hotels and restaurants and shopping. Good nature tour boats in the area. Snorkeling at Egmont Key ruins if the water is clear.

Siesta Key - beautiful beaches, white sand, usually clear water. plenty of rental condos and beach houses, good shallow water snorkeling at Point-of-Rocks.

Anna Maria Island - Very relaxed town, family oriented, beautiful white beaches and swimmer friendly waters. Snorkeling near the concrete piers at Cortez beach can be interesting.

Sanibel Island or Captiva Island - the ultimate in relaxing beach vacations. Great beaches, lots of shells, plenty of nature, no big high rises, plenty of nearby islands to explore. Water clarity not usually good enough for snorkeling.

Marco Island - very quiet beaches, lots and lots of high rise condos and a few hotels. Very relaxing place overall and everything is clean and new and upscale.

Atlantic side:

Cocoa Beach - lots of hotels, and good restaurants. Surfing is popular and good. Water clarity not that great for snorkeling.

Ft. Lauderdale - beautiful beach and clear water. Great for snorkeling. Very busy place with excellent restaurants and shopping, but accommodations can get pricey. Very popular.

Relaxing beaches are easy to find. I could name a hundred. But top snorkeling locations are another story. A white sand bottom isn't that exciting to stare at for hours, even if the water is really super clear.

One idea is to pick a nice relaxing beach as your base, then take a day trip somewhere to go snorkeling.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Nils,

In December I'd recommend the following beaches for boogie boarding:

• Daytona Beach
• New Smyrna Beach
• Cocoa Beach
• Melbourne Beach

Cocoa Beach would be my favorite. VISITFLORIDA has lots of listings for hotels in Cocoa Beach.

Consider taking some surfing lessons while you're over there. It's a lot of fun. Check out my article on Florida Surfing.

December is a transition month in Florida. November is usually warm on the peninsula, January is usually cold. Anything can happen in December. Some years it is warm and calm all month. Other years it can be cooler and windy. Cold fronts bring surf in December. Even a small front will bring surfable waves to the Atlantic coast. Usually we get at least a couple of weak fronts in December. Great for beginners.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Linda,

Jellyfish can be present any time of year. They usually drift in on strong onshore winds.

If you are concerned about jellyfish interfering with your vacation, I suggest that you consider coming to the west central or southwest gulf coast. Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Anna Maria, Siesta Key, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Naples, or Marco Island would all be great choices any time of year, and free of jellyfish.

I've lived on Florida's lower gulf coast beaches all my life and I've never had to leave the water because of jellyfish, and I've never been stung.

Jellyfish are more likely to appear on Northwest Florida beaches and on the Atlantic beaches, however, millions of people swim and surf on those beaches every year with no problem.

There is also a product called SafeSea, which is a sunscreen lotion with jellyfish protection. One of the ingredients prevents the jellyfishes stinging mechanism from working. You can purchase some at www.buysafesea.com. It is in limited supply this summer, so if you want some, don't hesitate. The product is shipped from Israel and apparently there have been some shipping problems.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Zoe,

The sea is a natural and "wild" environment, so there are precautions to take and things to be aware of, just like if you were going camping in the woods.

I have been swimming in the sea all of my life and I've never encountered a shark and I do not know anyone personally who has encountered a shark, so I do not think it is something that should be of significant concern to you. I recommend that you download my free e-book on beach safety. I write a lot about sharks and how to be safe and what the relative danger from sharks is. I think you'll find it very helpful.

There are several beaches near Orlando to choose from. Because of your childrens' concerns, you might want to consider coming over to Clearwater Beach where the water is clearer, more shallow, and generally much calmer than on the Atlantic side. I also have a web page that compares beaches near Orlando.

I hope this is helpful to you.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Nidhi,

The likelihood of a hurricane in October is very small. Most hurricanes that affect Florida happen in either August or September, with the greatest chance in September.

October is my favorite month of the year in Florida, because the summer thunderstorms have ended, but the weather is still warm (and so is the water).

In December, the chance of a hurricane is near zero. The weather and water will be warm in the Keys, but on Sanibel, the water will have started to cool. Days will be shorter in December than in October. Nothing wrong with that unless you plan to spend a lot of time on the beach and in the water.

Either October or early December will be fine. Remember that hotel / condo rates often increase about December 15th. Rates are usually at their lowest in October and November.

See more information on Key West vacations and hurricanes here.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Kathy,

Wow, 4 cities in 7 days! That's quite a whirlwind tour.

Contact the Tarpoon Dive Center in Miami. They offer a snorkel trip to some interesting locations and provide snorkeling equipment. 1-888-DIVE-MIAMI.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Marion,

I'd recommend that you consider either Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach. You'll fly into Tampa International Airport. Then it's about 30 minutes by car to Clearwater Beach, or 40 minutes to St. Pete Beach. Plenty of hotels and restaurants on both beaches, although St. Pete Beach hotel prices tend to be a bit lower and St. Pete Beach does have more restaurants overall (since it is larger).

Yes, September can be rainy at times, but usually mornings and early afternoons are sunny. Most anywhere in Florida is subject to rain during some part of the day in September. September is a beautiful month here in Florida. Don't get sunburned!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Julie,

Beach glass can be found on any beach, but I've found the most on the Atlantic coast, south of Melbourne Beach.

Brown sea glass seems to be the most common, but it can be found in green and blue as well.

Lisl Armstrong, of naturalseaglass.com has an article on where to find beach glass, but she mentions that she has not found a lot of it in Florida. I have to agree. Rarely do I find any, and when I do, it's just one or two pieces. But it's still fun looking!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Tori,

I am not aware of anyone offering surfing lessons at Clearwater Beach. However, if you drive south about 25 minutes to St. Pete Beach, Surf Shack owner Greg Agerskov offers private lessons, which begin at $40 per hour and can be taken on a surfboard or a stand-up paddleboard. 5210 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. (727) 367-9898. Be sure to call a day or so in advance to schedule.

If the surf is not big enough for surfing lessons, I highly recommend that you learn how to "stand up paddle," which is the latest and greatest "new" water sport to hit Florida. Greg offers lessons on that as well.

Read more about surfing on the west central Gulf coast.

See a video about stand up paddle surfing.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Sue,

Your best chance of seeing a wild manatee would be to take a wildlife cruise at Grande Tours. They are located in Placida, across the harbor from Punta Gorda, and near Boca Grande. Not far at all from where you'll be. You might also enjoy renting some of their kayaks and enjoy paddling the backwaters.

I also highly recommend that you drive out to Pine Island and take the Tropic Star to Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa Island State Park. Cabbage Key is a fun diversion, and you'll get some good shelling on Cayo Costa. It's a great trip. In fact, later this year I'll probably be taking the VISIT FLORIDA video crew out to Cayo Costa on the Tropic Star to do a short video of the experience. I've been several times already. Be sure to take hats, sunblock, and a small cooler or backpack with cold water. It's pretty hot out on Cayo Costa during August. Tropic Star Cruises offers several different trips. I'd recommend the nature cruise that stops at both Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa.

If you just want to go shelling, other than on Sanibel, I'd recommend driving over to the Englewood area to visit Stump Pass Beach State Park. You might be lucky enough to see some baby turtles hatching.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Tim,

Volusia County has a great website with maps in pdf file format.

Volusia County beach access

Follow the link above and then scroll down the page to the links that say "beach driving map south" and "beach driving map north." South = New Smyrna and North = Daytona. The maps mark the beach driving access ramps. Be sure to follow the other links on the page as well and you'll learn all you need to know about beach driving.

Have a great weekend!

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Wayne,

You've stumped me. I have no idea how to track down that specific property. The best bet is to work with a local realtor that specializes in Cape San Blas properties. VISITFLORIDA.com has quite a few listings for Cape San Blas rental companies.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Michelle,

Yes, the public access on Indian Shores is located at about 195th Avenue. It is called the "Tiki Gardens Access," and it has a 200-space parking lot and restrooms. Both the parking area and the restrooms are on the east side of Gulf Drive, so you'll have to cross the street to get to the beach (not a big deal). It is right next to a convenience store. There is a marked pedestrian crosswalk with a signal to stop traffic. Last time I was there, parking was 50 cents per hour (free for the disabled) and is open from 7am til dark.

Just a little way up the street is Indian Rocks Beach with plenty of free street-end parking (but with no restrooms except at the county beach park at 17th Ave).

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert.

Hi Job,

The beaches are MUCH nicer in Destin. They are bigger, with white quartz sand and beautiful emerald green (and usually crystal clear) water.

Key West often has beautiful water, but the beaches are not so great--small and narrow. The water is really too shallow for swimming. The Keys are great for snorkeling tours on coral reefs. Destin has snorkeling tours that usually take you to rocky reefs, but they don't have coral.

If you are looking for a "beach" experience, I'd go with Destin. You can get a place right on the beach in Destin. Some of the pricier hotels in the Keys may have a private beach, but it will be small. Very small. You'll need to go to the public beach in the Keys for any kind of beach (Smathers Beach).

I'm not knocking the Keys at all. Just letting you know that the beaches and swimming are not the strong points of those beautiful islands.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Anne,

You can generally expect high temperatures in the mid 70's with lows in the low to mid 50's in the Panama City Beach area of Northwest Florida.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi Jena,

Most of the "tour" activity in the Palm Beach area is for SCUBA divers. I think this is because most of the rock reefs, ledges, and wrecks are further offshore and in deeper water. There are a few places to snorkel near the beach, but they are not enough to attract organized tour groups.

One of the easiest and friendliest places to snorkel is on Peanut Island. Here are some photos of the snorkeling "reef" at Peanut Island.

Here is more info on Peanut Island.

You will need to take a water taxi to get to Peanut Island. The Palm Beach Water Taxi is probably the cheapest and most popular way to get to Peanut Island.

Many of the beaches in the Palm Beach area have submerged rocks off the beach that provide interesting snorkeling:

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

Ocean Reef Park

If you really have your heart set on a snorkeling tour, you'll be best served by taking a trip to the Florida Keys. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a great place to enjoy a snorkeling tour.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Hi,
I recommend that you take a look at Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key. Both islands have clear, calm, shallow water that is great for kids. Anna Maria is a bit less "busy," and is mostly residential. Siesta Key is close to all the attractions and restaurants of downtown Sarasota. I personally prefer the quieter ambiance of Anna Maria, but with 4 kids to entertain, Siesta Key might be more to your liking. It depends on your expectations.

I suggest that you work with a local realtor that deals with beach rentals to help you choose just the right location on your island of choice.

On Anna Maria, try:

Anna Maria Accommodations and Vacation Rentals

Gulf Bay Realty of Anna Maria Island

On Siesta Key, try:

Siesta4Rent.com

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert

Sato Real Estate

Hi Coco,
You are correct, the beach at Daytona is not the "white sand / clear water" type beach. It is a warm brown and orange sand.

Clearwater Beach or St .Pete Beach would be closer to what you are looking for. Clearwater Beach is slightly closer to Orlando, but if you find the hotel prices higher than what you prefer, try St. Pete Beach. The Trade Winds, the Sirata, and the Howard Johnson are all popular.

Rates should be fairly low in September, after Labor Day weekend.

If you'd like to see some information I've put together for people wanting to make day trips from Orlando to the beach, visit my web page at www.beachhunter.net/closest-beach-to-orlando.htm .

In defense of Daytona, they do have a lot to do right on the beach near the pier, in front of the hotels. You can rent just about everything from beach chairs to surfboards and bicycles. Take a banana boat ride or go parasailing.

Another option is to try New Smyrna Beach on the Atlantic side. It's a bit further away than Daytona, but it does have white sand.

David McRee
Florida Beaches Expert