The beaches in Florida vary greatly, those on the ‘Gold‘ coast, Cocoa for example, known as the Surf capital, famous for the surf shop called RON JONS and where professional surfers can be seen riding the waves. Although it is a great favourite with families the under-currents can be deadly. Although children love the waves and have great fun on small surf boards care must be taken to make sure they don’t get out of their depth and carried off in the currents. The white sandy beaches are beautifully clean and often there are small water pools which are safer for small children. There is plenty of places to eat ( not unusual in Florida ! ) or just to sit and have a drink and watch the world go by. Sometimes if there is a shuttle launch due to go up, people crowd onto the beach with their binoculars as very often they can be seen from there.
Another famous beach is Daytona, very different to Cocoa , still with the surf but not quite so much as Cocoa, and the sandy beaches are hard, so much so that cars are seen driving up and down on the beach. You can actually park on the beach a novel idea to us Brits, families are seen parked up with picnic lunches watching the motorbikes and cars go past, you can even hire three wheelers and have a go yourself. Daytona is famous for it’s Motor racing track and world famous names can be seen here, you can watch the practise teams on occasions too.
But my personal favourite has to be the beautiful white sugar sands of the Gulf coast, there are several to choose from, Clearwater, Naples, Sanibel and St. Petersburg. We always take a trip to St. Petes, a little part of the beach known as Passe Grille. No! it’s not a restaurant although there is a very good one there that serves excellent sea food and has a roof terrace where you can sit at the end of the day and watch the sun set. There isn’t much there except a small shop and snack food bar, for the drinks and ice-creams and a quick spot of lunch. But the beach is breathtaking, miles upon miles of clean white soft sand, the sea is calm and you can unwind and relax after all the hectic days at the parks. Often you can spot a dolphin or two and closer inland there are little fish swimming around, (someone told us once “ it’s not the little fish you have to worry about , it’s the big ones that are following them !!“) In St. Petes there is a Sunken gardens I’ve heard it’s worth a visit. Further into St. Petes there is a pier where they offer wind surfing and speed boat rides, there is a Mall and I’ve heard a very good revolving restaurant. we have never actually ever got that far yet.
Perhaps next time!