Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of those iterations of beach, head for Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach.
These are the spots where you'll see the stars and models decked out in swimwear. Those
searching for a casual beach escape or a trip for the family may be better served by the tep-
id, calm waters of the Gulf; Sanibel Island, off the coast of Fort Myers, may have the most
family-friendly beaches in the state. You'll also feel less pressure to look stunning in your
skivvies compared to Southeast Florida and Miami. If you're into straight-up partying and
a spring-break atmosphere, set your compass to towns like Panama City and Daytona
Beach, and kiss your liver goodbye. Fair warning: while the Florida Keys seem like they
would possess excellent swaths of sand, they are in fact mangrove islands with few natural
beaches to speak of (larger private resorts do tend to create their own artificial beaches).
Beyond that, your main concern is how close to or far from other people you want to be.
Even in the most hyper-developed condo canyons of South Florida, it is possible to find
state and local parks that provide a relative degree of natural isolation. With few excep-
tions, Florida's beaches are safe places to swim; the most dangerous surf will occur just be-
fore and after a storm. Also, stingrays in summer and occasional jellyfish can trouble
swimmers (look for lifeguard-posted warnings).
Don't overlook Florida's lakes, rivers and springs. Taking a dip in one of Florida's 700
freshwater springs - each 72°F (22°C) and, when healthy, clear as glass - is unforgettable.
There are too many to list, but good swimming destinations are the Suwannee River, the
Ichetucknee River and Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.
A great all-in-one paddling guide - with everything from the state's best water trails to
nitty-gritty advice about weather, equipment and supplies - is
Paddler's Guide to the Sun-
shine State
(2001) by Sandy Huff.
