Make sure you visit one of Florida’s award-winning beaches

Clearwater

Clearwater is the ideal family beach, with powder sands lapped by a warm, shallow sea – ideal for the bucket and spade brigade. Children will love the street entertainers and face-painting found on Pier 60 and there’s a selection of restaurants to suit even the youngest palates. Boat excursions and the aquarium will entertain, if you need a change from the beach. Family accommodation nearby ranges from self-catering condos to top class hotels.



Don Pedro Island State Park

The Guardian voted Don Pedro Island State Park “the best beach you haven’t heard of – yet”. You can’t stay here – access is by private boat or ferry – but it makes a magnificent day-trip from Naples or Sarasota. Bring your binoculars - manatees, gopher tortoises, ospreys and bald eagles are among the rare wildlife to be seen. You can collect shells, follow nature trails, kayak through the mangroves and snorkel, for those who don’t wish to lie on the white sand beach.



Fort Myers Beach

Stay in one of the top quality hotels of Estero Island, Fort Myers and there’s no need to do anything more than stroll directly onto the sparkling white sands, lapped by the balmy waters of the Gulf. Our favourite hotel, the Gullwing Allsuite Resort, even has a beachfront swimming pool and jacuzzi. Rent a cabana on the beach and relax. Isn’t that what a holiday in paradise is all about?



Cape Florida, Key Biscayne

A short drive from bustling Miami, this is another beach for wildlife lovers. The tiny key is fringed by palms and well known for its towering black and white lighthouse. The beach is gently shelving with small waves and there are picnic areas and barbecues as well as two restaurants. A special wildlife event occurs each summer when loggerhead and green turtles make their laborious way up the beach to lay their eggs.  There are two national parks, a fabulous barrier reef and an underwater archaeological trail, so exploration beside and under the water is the order of the day.



South Beach, Miami

It has the required palm trees, soft white sand and water heated to bath temperature. However it’s for the restaurants and nightlife that South Beach has been voted Best Party Beach by the Travel Channel. Think water sports and shopping by day – clubbing by night. Don’t miss the Art Deco of Ocean Drive but most of all experience the most cosmopolitan, bustling 24 hour party beach in the world.