1 in the U.S. twiceby Stephen Dr. I haven't been to Hawaii but beleive us to be totally different. What we know, Southwest Florida red tide outbreak has people dodging dead fish, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Kellyanne Conway, George Conway To Divorce After Decadeslong Marriage: Report, School punished teen girl for working out in sports bra in 100-degree Texas heat, ACLU says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, 'Extremely dangerous': Spike in illegal crossings at Canada-Vermont border has feds sounding alarm, Tracking red tide along Southwest Florida's coast, Heading to the beach this weekend on Floridas Gulf Coast? WebWorlds Most Stunning Beaches. You can swim in the more protected inlet side of the island vs. the rougher Atlantic side. It has five miles of pristine white sand beach that is perfect for those who savor beachcombing solitude and nature. Ka'anapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii, topped the U.S. list while Baia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, ranked No. In a region with miles of sandy beach destinations in Florida, Blowing Rocks Preserve is unique: Its craggy limestone shore looks like it belongs in Maine or Hawaii. Its a natural lazy river adventure where the pull and depth of the water is safe but still fun. Georgia and much of South Carolina have turbid water due to organic matter from the salt marshes. The Florida Atlantic coast tends to have greenish Driving from Miami to Key West in a Convertible! In contrast, Hawaiis beaches are more scenic but scattered among Why? But those in the know consider the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park the best in Key West. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. First just reaching it is an adventure: You can walk or take a free tram from the parking lot down a three-quarters-mile long boardwalk through a mangrove forest. The beach itself is about a mile long, and at several points youll find benches and showers. Located on the barrier island between the Intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea limits buildings heights and thus maintains its charming old-time beach town atmosphere. If you love Hawaii, you'll find the Keys very different. I still say Hawaii though -the landscape and beauty and climate beat Florida completely -especially if you're going in the summer. North Beach faces the Gulf of Mexico and is popular for shelling strolling and sunset views. This is the 11th year of the TripAdvisor awards, during which a Florida beach has topped the U.S. list seven times. The price of that seclusion? Naples is renowned for its beaches, including award-winning Barefoot Beach. However, we are not going to compare their natural wonders, their Ka'anapali Beach, The state of Florida had eight beaches in the top 25, tying the Sunshine State for most beaches with Hawaii. If you love Hawaii, you'll find the Keys very different. Theres no shortage of great beaches near Jacksonville, but theres one out-of-the-way beach known mostly to locals thats worth finding Huguenot Memorial Park on Fort George Island. The park is on the barrier island immediately south of charming Fort Myers Beach. The beach at Lummus Park is what people think of when they say South Beach. With 825 miles of beaches, there are Florida beach destinations for every need and desire great snorkeling vs. good surfing; quiet and hidden vs. social and action-packed; sugar-like sand vs. dramatic craggy rocks. Who lives here?21 celebrities with homes in Sarasota and Manatee, Wade TatangeloisTicket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida-Georgia Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. 20) and Sombrero Beach in Marathon (No. West has seen his share of red tide outbreaks during his career. Suggest you consider visiting Maui if you have not already, it has more in the way of scenery. Gopher tortoises and their burrows are plentiful along the nature trail that runs between the sand dunes and the hammock. Then enjoy the laid back experience of Key West for a few days. Ummm--since the original post is from 2004 I'm sure azbec has made her decision by now. Cookie Policy - When molten lava cools rapidly in seawater, it shatters, forming the black sand that is washed onto the shore. The dead creatures are washing ashore on beaches from Fort Myers to Marco Island. You can rent kayaks and bikes or take a boat trip to explore a more remote island, Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge. Even if you cannot tell the difference between the cultures of Hawaii and Florida, the weather easily sets the two apart. WebFrom beaches with volcanic rock to coasts lined with tropical forests, Hawaiian beaches are an Instagram paradise, and you can find tranquil spots for swimming or rougher surf waves. Gstaad is the lair of the billionaire, a little Alpine nirvana so saturated with wealth that even the prices for fondue are faintly heartbreaking. 18), Pensacola Beach (No. Bornwithwheels, Aruba doesn't have any mountains either. The water down there is absolutely beautiful though. It is more desert like where Hawaii i nearby in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice area. With a $6 admission and ample parking, its a Key West bargain. But if you want a long wild beach lined with sea grass and sea grapes all to yourself then head 15 minutes south of Fort Lauderdale toVon D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach. so air fare really isn't that much to go to Hawaii. If you are set on using your tickets to go to florida I would do the Miami to Florida trip - check out south beach then take the road to key west. Perdido Key is home to part of this Seashore. He took out his video camera and took a walk. Key West is soooo much different then Hawaii. I just enjoy the laid back almost Caribbean feeling of Key West. Siesta Beach with its quartz sand that makes it cool to the feet even in the blaring sun has been named the best beach in the U.S. twice in the annual Dr. Beach rankings that come out around Memorial Day. more information on NYC scams with short term apartment rentals. 1 beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2008. As much as I would like to head back to Hawaii, Southwest Air doesn't fly in that direction. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. And heres an insiders tip: Keep your admission ticket and re-enter for free at sunset for one of the best places to watch the Key West sunset. The hard-packed white powder sand is perfect for beachcombing, with lots of shells and picturesque driftwood. Today we discuss my two recent trips to beach locations: Maui, Hawaii vs Fort Myers Florida. Thanke everyone for your help. If you need a break from the sun, the fort provides shade and cool. Florida and Hawaii dominated the list this year, with eight locations each. -- Hawaii's beaches are unlike any others in the world; they're made of coral sand, lava rock, erosional runoff and calcareous matter, which means exoskeletons of 22) bring Florida's total to eight. A bonus for families: A large pond that attracts ducks and turtles. Will I be disappointed in the keys? Its not just a beach on an island; it offers two Florida beach destinationson five islands. (Also: the fort itself is very neat.). If you like spotting wildlife, the beach atLovers Key State Park is a good choice. Bucket list100 fun things to do in Sarasota County including restaurants, bars, beaches and more! You really cannot compare the 2. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Maybe it's because of the length of time it takes to get to Hawaii. Advertising - Why do you have a problem with people liking Florida beaches over Hawaii beaches? If the tide is coming in, you float into a shallow mangrove-fringed lagoon. Take some extra time in Florida and discover a beach waiting for you. The oft-lauded public beach on Siesta Key that has in the past claimed the travel websites top U.S. ranking for the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards, came in at No. www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Kellyanne Conway, George Conway To Divorce After Decadeslong Marriage: Report, School punished teen girl for working out in sports bra in 100-degree Texas heat, ACLU says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, 'Extremely dangerous': Spike in illegal crossings at Canada-Vermont border has feds sounding alarm, South Florida snubbed on best beaches list, Siesta Key Stars Garrett Miller and Makenna Quesenberry Get Married in Romantic Sunset Wedding, Several arrests made in series of Long Beach burglaries, Is red tide present at your favorite Florida beach? Got a few questions before I dig in! Black Sand This black sand beach in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the site of some of the newest land on Earth. Fort Pickens, in the Gulf Islands National Seashore attracts lots of folks for the Civil War-era forts self-guided or ranger-led tours. Best waterfront restaurantswith outdoor seating in Sarasota and what to eat, drink there! The beach is so big it cant get crowded and it offers the necessities: lifeguards, showers, bike, chair and umbrella rentals. From this jetty, you can watch 20-story-high cruise ships or tankers a block long come and go. no problem whatsoever, can always use a good laugh 03-18-2012, 12:58 PM In addition to dolphins, the park attracts all sorts of birds pink roseate spoonbills, magnificent frigates overhead, and ospreys. The beach and town radiate out from Anglin's Fishing Pier, open 24 hours a day, where fishermen catch snapper and snook, and others pay a small admission for a scenic stroll. With its rocky shoreline and its location directly in the mouth of the inlet, it has some of the best easy-access snorkeling in South Florida. I would try southwest Florida. Florida is pretty and cheaper than Caribbean. I would also recommend other places in the south, like Georgia or Caro 1 on the global list. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. I have lived in both places and I think you should experience the Keys at least once but if you are looking for wide, sandy beaches and decent surf you went in the wrong direction. Tripadvisor's top 25 beaches are: Baia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil; Eagle Beach in Eagle Beach, Aruba; Cable Beach in Broome, Australia You must reach it by boat. 3 Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island, Georgia, No. But even when the parking lot is full you can find solitude and nature. 6 a.m. FS1 NASCAR Cup Series: Qualifying, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas (Taped) Last year's winner was Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Another red tide outbreak in Southwest Florida is killing a wide-range of marine life. Yeah, it's touristy, but if you enjoy Waikiki, it's much less so than there. Tips: The park gets busy on weekends and think about the high-tide line before you park your car! The Sunshine State tied with the Aloha State for the most winners overall in the Top 25. 7. The sand spit extends into the Gulf of Mexico and the farther you walk the more stunning the scenery and solitude. This beach also offers a thrill you wont find at any other Florida beach: a long fishing jetty adjacent to the busy Port Everglades channel. You can visit the area, and then take a boat trip to Catalin Island. This region is home to Gulf Islands National Seashore, which encompasses miles of beaches from Floridas border to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island. A promenade winds through the landscaping; its a favorite for bicycling skating and strolling. In 2022, Tripadvisor also named Siesta Beach No. 8 Coronado Beach in Coronado, California, No. In 2018, Southwest Florida experienced one of its worst red tide outbreaks ever. Ranked 13th was St. Augustine Beach, 14th was St. Pete Beach, 18th Panama City Beach, 20th Pensacola Beach, 22nd Sombrero Beach on Marathon Key In Florida, though the heat and humidity is almost unbearable. 6 Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, No. 2 Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, No. They're right here in Florida. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. In the United States, Hawaii proved the strongest with three beaches in the top 10, while Florida and California both had two. Even without that convenient novelty, Huguenot has much to offer. What we know. 14 in the world. Here we take a closer look at the top 10 beaches in the U.S. ranked among the winners of 2023 Travelers' Choice Awards for TripAdvisor. Rankings are based on the quantity and quality of reader reviews in the TripAdvisor community. While 80 percent of this protected area lies under water, the rest is snow-white beaches, coastal marshes and maritime forests.