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fort de soto park

American oystercatchers stepping out on the pristine beaches of Fort De Soto Park.

Stories about our favorite Florida beaches, including hidden treasures where you can find solace, best fishing or surfing, and many family beaches to sun and play.

Browse our full catalog of beach stories below…

Siesta Key is famous for its top-ranked beaches, but this kayak trail is another reason to visit. It takes you through a bird-filled preserve to a beach accessible only by boat. The origin of this beach involves the fascinating tale of Midnight Pass, which some locals want to restore.

Read More about Siesta Key kayaking trail: Paddle to Hidden Beach on pretty Sarasota waterway

Visiting here, I found myself amazed that places like Anna Maria Island survive — a low-rise beach town with quaint cottages and a spectacular beach. Daytrippers will be happy to learn they can skip the weekend traffic and parking hassles with an affordable new ferry service from Bradenton.

Read More about Anna Maria Island: A charming Old Florida beach town; now you can skip the traffic

This beach occupies one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s southwest coast, and its a place for finding shells, sand dollars, gopher tortoises and, best of all, unadorned natural beauty. It reopened 14 months after severe damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Presently, it operates with limited facilities including portable restrooms.

Read More about Open again: Barefoot Beach, ‘second best beach in America,’ is wild and wonderful

In Dunedin, we love bicycling the Pinellas Trail, but this charming Tampa Bay area town has more to offer, with eight breweries plus great restaurants and coffee shops in its walkable historic downtown. Twenty minutes away are two excellent state parks with award-winning beaches.

Read More about Dunedin: Delightful biking, breweries, beaches and historic downtown

Like all beaches, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is popular when it’s hot, but it is also a great winter destination because it offers scenic kayaking and rentals. We like kayaking to Munyon Island, a wild mangrove island that 120 years ago was the site of a health resort serving an elixer that “restored vitality.”

Read More about John D. MacArthur Beach Park: Perfect blend of kayaking, snorkeling, beach

Fort Myers Beach was a charming Old Florida town, but Hurricane Ian blasted it. More than a year later, much damage remains and you see it everywhere. But a big Margaritaville resort is opening in December, which can help turn things around.

Read More about Fort Myers Beach in winter 2023-24: Work needed after Ian, but Margaritaville Resort opens