1. Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Fort Myers Beach is a popular Florida gulf shore town located on Estero Island, a barrier island on the southern part of the state’s western coast, next to Sanibel Island. The water here is crystal clear and quite shallow, making it ideal for the little ones. The town is known for offering many water sports such as parasailing, waverunner rides, and kayaking, but the seven-mile coastline here is also great for a day of lounging on the sand. Fort Myers retains its small-town charm, with cottages and one-story beachfront properties dominating the rental scene. Beyond the beach, visitors also enjoy Lovers State Park, a marshy nature reserve and popular spot for biking and hiking.
2. Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi sits along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, an area fondly referred to as the “Playground of the South.” The region is probably best known for its plethora of casinos, many of which sit right on the shoreline. Beyond gambling, there are many outdoor and family-friendly activities in and around Biloxi, including boat charters, fishing, shopping, museums, and seaside classics like miniature golf and amusement parks. The region is also home to famous landmarks, like the Biloxi Lighthouse and Ship Island, an island 12 miles off the coast that not only serves as the site of historic Fort Massachusetts, but also has some of the loveliest beaches around.
Romantic Beaches Along the Gulf Coast:
3. Bonita Springs, Florida
Bonita Springs is a southwestern Florida city, part of which lies on Little Hickory Island, a barrier island situated between the Gulf of Mexico and Estero Bay. Bonita Springs contains several beaches, some of which are Florida state parks. Bonita Beach Park has a dedicated swimming area and a boardwalk, while Barefoot Beach, an undeveloped piece of territory, has been nationally ranked as one of the country’s top ten beaches according to Forbes and Dr. Beach. Bonita Springs is particularly well equipped for lovers of water sports, as the town is lined with small businesses offering jet ski, kayak, sailboat, paddleboard, and other equipment rentals.
4. Bradenton Beach
Bradenton, Florida is a small beach town on the southern tip of Anna Maria Island. The community prides itself on its hospitality and preservation of Old Florida charm and sits between the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Tampa Bay on the other. Bradenton Beach keeps its small-town feel with artisan shops and a distinct lack of drive-through restaurants, which are in fact prohibited here. Perhaps the most famous feature of the town is City Pier, a popular fishing pier complete with both a café and bait store on the premises. Beyond the pier and the sugar-sand beaches, the historic town center has an abundance of small shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Family Beaches Along the Gulf Coast:
5. Cape San Blas, Florida
Cape San Blas, Florida is a quiet, secluded beach destination along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Known less as a tourist hub and more as a pristine, natural beach, this 17-mile peninsula is popular for its calm atmosphere. Even in the high season, the sands here are never crowded, and outdoor activities are the norm rather than the exception. In addition to standards like fishing, golf, boutique shopping, kayaking, cycling, and horseback riding, Cape San Blas is also known as a shelling and scalloping hotspot. Scallopers can harvest shellfish from boats or along the shoreline, and those seeking out beautiful shells along the sand need not search long to find unique Cape San Blas treasures.
6. Clearwater Beach, Gulf Coast
As Gulf Coast beaches go, Clearwater Beach, Florida is more of a built-up resort town rather than a quaint and cozy village. Clearwater Beach is located on a barrier island on Florida’s west coast just outside the city of Tampa. In addition to its 2.5 miles of lush, white sand beaches, the city also has man-made attractions such as the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where Winter the bottle-nosed dolphin from the movie Dolphin Tale lives; pirate cruises; and water-based activities such as parasailing, boat tours, and jet skiing. Pier 60, a long fishing pier with a snack bar and nightly live performances, is another favorite spot in Clearwater.
Unique Beaches Along the Gulf Coast:
7. Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida is a beautiful coastal locale on the state’s panhandle between the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay. Thanks to waters teeming with hungry fish, Destin is often known as “the world’s luckiest fishing village.” The city is one of the most popular places for visitors in the region, drawing in about 80% of the Emerald Coast’s tourist traffic. In addition to its sugar-sand beaches, Destin also has many golf courses, the activity-packed Destin Harbor Boardwalk, and Big Kahuna’s water park, as well as beautiful natural dunes in the local Henderson Beach State Park. Resorts and rentals along the water provide convenient accommodation close to the action.
8. Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a barrier island off the southern coast of Florida with seven miles of white sand and beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters. The island, which Native Americans who hunted and fished in the gulf setting originally settled, has remained an unspoiled, charming locale free from towering condominiums and hotels. Anna Maria Island has three small cities, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria. Each of these towns has plenty of accommodation options in the form of beachfront cottages and villas just off the gulf. The pace of life is slow here, and there is plenty to enjoy along the water’s edge, on the island’s boardwalks, and at its numerous delicious seafood restaurants.
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
9. Galveston Island State Park, Texas
Galveston Island State Park is a Texas natural area that offers gulfside recreation without the atmosphere of tourism. We live just under 4 hours from Galveston, so it's more practical to stay the night than driving back on the same day.
Because the park is a protected territory, it contains a number of coastal habitats such as dunes, wetlands, and of course, beaches. Galveston Island State Park is conveniently located about an hour outside bustling Houston, but the tranquil environs of this barrier island are a complete change from the big busy city.
On the island, you get to relax on the sand. There is also hiking, biking, paddling, or geocaching. Cabins and campsites are available at the park as options for accommodation, and there is an educational ranger program that sponsors regular nature-themed events.
10. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach run along 32 miles of Alabama’s southern edge, which leads out to the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf Shores prides itself on its stunning sands made of tiny grains of quartz from the more northern Appalachian Mountains. I just love the texture of the beaches here!
The area has a little something for everyone along its sprawling coastline; favorite activities here include boat rentals, dolphin cruises, kayaking, parasailing, and deep-sea fishing. Beyond the water, the small town has several championship golf courses, a range of amusement parks, and extensive opportunities for shopping. Even museum fans can get their fill here, as the town is home to venues such as the National Museum of Naval Aviation and the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum.
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