Bonita Beach
Quiet and quaint, this beach provides a relaxing, sunny getaway. Nearby bungalows and cottages complete the idyllic hidden beach town feel. Located at the end of Bonita Beach Road.

Barefoot Beach State Preserve
This calm preserve with its own learning center and nature trail displays a majestic natural beach lined for more than one and a half miles by fine powdery sand. Manatees can be seen offshore, and tortoises, ospreys and bald eagles are a common sight. Directions: Take U.S. 41 to Bonita Beach Road and head west.

Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park
This wildlife habitat is lush with sea oats, sea grapes and cabbage palms. Amenities include observation tower and nature trail. Separated from the mainland by mangrove swamps and tidal creeks, this recreation area is a narrow barrier island on Florida's southwest coast.

Vanderbilt Beach
Birdwatching and shelling are just some of the activities to be enjoyed at this lovely beach set along a golden shore at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road near the Ritz-Carlton.

Clam Pass Beach Park
Dunes, mangroves and a boardwalk decorate this natural 35-acre park. The concession area and picnic pavilions make this park a popular family and gathering spot. Free trams are available from the parking area. Directions: End of Seagate Drive in Naples.

Lowdermilk Pass
A family-friendly park, Lowedermilk has picnic tables, concessions and sand volleyball courts and many restaurants and shops are located nearby.

Naples Municipal Beach & Fishing Pier
Access this vibrant, bustling beach with emerald-green waters and white sands at 12th Street and Gulf Shore Boulevard, located just south of downtown. The pier stretches deep into the Gulf and is open 24 hours a day. Metered parking available by entrance and in lot across the street.

Tigertail Public Beach, Marco Island
At this beach, tidal pools are filled with fish and there is an offshore sandbar where you can search for treasures from the tide. A bird sanctuary nearby is off-limits to visitors, but many shorebirds can be seen in the area. Directions: Take Tigertail Court off North Collier Blvd.

Cayo Costa Island State Preserve
Cayo Costa is a delightfully secluded island that is great for camping, swimming, shelling and fishing. Primitive cabins are available for overnight stays. The island is accessible only by boat.

Yacht Club Community Park
Located in Cape Coral, the beach at this park runs along the Caloosahatchee River and has picnic shelters, BBQ grills, restrooms, fishing pier, playground area and a restaurant. Racquetball courts, boat ramps, shuffleboard courts and horseshoe pits are also on site.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands
These long, barrier islands are known worldwide for shelling and beautiful white beaches:

Turner Beach
Situated between Sanibel and Captiva islands, this beautiful beach is prime shelling territory and an excellent vantage point for west coast sunsets. Parking is limited. No handicapped restrooms available.

Bowman's Beach
Found Gulf-side on Bowman's Beach Road on Sanibel Island, Bowman's Beach is a county-owned and operated beach and picnic area with sparkling sunset views.

Sanibel Lighthouse
Located on Sanibel Island's southern tip, view the picturesque 100-plus-year-old lighthouse while enjoying a picnic, strolling on the beach or fishing from the pier.

Bowditch Point Regional Park
Unspoiled and uncrowded, this 17-acre park is located on the northern tip of Estero Island in Fort Myers Beach. Activities stretch from Gulf to bay, and a boardwalk leads to shaded picnic areas.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park
This county-operated park is perfect for family activities with a fishing pier, nearby shopping, dining and entertainment.

Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve
Overlooking Estero Bay off of School Street, this preserve features more than 56 acres of unspoiled live Oak Hammock and 4,000 feet of mangrove shoreline to explore by elevated boardwalk.

Mound Key
Mound Key was constructed from shells deposited by the Calusa Indians more than 2,000 years ago. You can explore the canals and ancient watering system left behind. This key is accessible by boat only and sits just northeast of the southern tip of Fort Myers Beach.

Lover's Key State Park
Located between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach, this park offers two and a half miles of white sand beaches perfect for world-class shelling, swimming, bridge top and back bay fishing, bird watching and miles of waterways where you can observe manatees and bottlenose dolphins. Canoe and kayak explorations of the miles of waterways are another way to enjoy the area.

Bonita Beach Park
This 4-acre pristine beachfront park features a boardwalk to protect the sea oats, sand dunes and coastal vegetation surrounding a gazebo and eight picnic shelters. Bathrooms, changing rooms and outdoor showers, parking, and handicapped access are available.

Englewood Beach
Englewood Beach is located near the Charlotte-Sarasota County line along SR-776. Beach-goers will find sizzling taupe colored sand and tufts of sea oats growing along the dune line. There is also a path leading to a more secluded white-sand beach.

Port Charlotte Beach Park
Port Charlotte Beach is highlighted by its popular complex, which offers a beach club with boat ramp, fishing pier, barbecue grills, a pool and sporting activities like tennis, volleyball, basketball and horseshoes. Across the harbor from the beach complex you will find the quaint shops and tantalizing restaurants of Fisherman's Village.

Stump Pass Beach State Park
Composed of Manasota Key and Peterson and Whidden islands, Stump Pass has miles of shoreline perfect for shelling, picnics, sunning and surf fishing. The soft sand is practically untouched and very secluded. Nearby nature trails provide short walks through tropical vegetation.

Don Pedro Island State Park
Located in Charlotte County between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island has approximately one mile of beach white sand beach and elevated sand dunes. Swim in the bay and the Gulf, and in the summer, you can see the nests of Loggerhead sea turtles, but please don't disturb them.

Boca Grande Beach Park
Set on the southern tip of Gasparilla Island, this park overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, and comes equipped with tables, barbecue grills and restrooms.

Gasparilla Island State Park
The Gulf of Mexico beaches provide year-round excellent saltwater fishing in the waters adjacent to the park and in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass. There are two picnic areas beneath the Boca Grande Lighthouse, which built in 1890 is the oldest building on Gasparilla Island. Swimming is not recommended here because of strong currents in the pass.

Anna Maria Bayfront Park
Over 1,000 feet of sandy beach overlook the waters of Tampa Bay on the northern tip of this quaint island. An abundance of parking, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic shelters and a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge make this a family favorite.

Anna Maria Beach
Facing the Gulf of Mexico, this quiet, undeveloped sandy beach offers over three acres of beautiful views and the soft sound of waves lapping at the shore.

Holmes Beach
Found at the center of Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach presents a full range of amenities including grills, playground, showers and picnic area, as well as 14,400 feet of sandy Gulf of Mexico beach.

Manatee County Beach
Features 900 feet of sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico with access at Gulf Drive (S.R. 789) and 40th Street (S.R. 64) in the city of Holmes Beach. 120 parking places as well as public transportation drop off/pick up.

Cortez Beach (aka Bradenton Beach)
Cortez Beach showcases 140 feet of undeveloped beach. Parking and public transportation drop off/pick available.

Coquina Beach
Located on Anna Maria's southern tip, Coquina is a popular public beach lined with towering Australian pines. A full-service concession stand, ample parking, barbecue pits, picnic facilities, boat ramp, playground, restrooms, showers and lifeguards make this beach a popular, bustling beach.

Beer Can Island (aka Greer Island)
This is a secluded peninsula at the northern tip of Longboat Key. Its 2,000 feet of primitive sandy beach are excellent for shelling. It is best to come by boat or walk to the island at low tide. Limited parking, public transporation drop off/pick up.

North Longboat Key Beach
Longboat Key is for those who prefer seclusion. These pristine beaches are a well kept secret, though, and public access is at a minimum. Try the undeveloped sandy beach extending from North Shore Road, south to the county line, accessible through residential street ends.

North Lido Beach
North Lido Beach is a gorgeous half-mile stretch of golden beach floating on the Gulf of Mexico. This beach is popular for sunbathing and quiet reading.

Lido Beach
Located mid-island on Lido Key, this beach is only minutes from St. Armands Circle, a popular shopping and dining district. The facilities here are outstanding, including showers, lockers, dressing rooms, concession stand, public meeting rooms, beachwear souvenir boutique and children's playground.

South Lido Park
This park, located on the southern tip of Lido Key, is well shaded by Australian pines. The 100-acre park is surrounded by four different bodies of water, the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, Big Pass and Brushy Bayou. A great place to grill-out and chill-out. South Lido is a popular spot for boaters and for family outings.

Siesta Key Public Beach
Siesta Key Beach is recognized as having the "Finest, Whitest sand in the World." The award-winning sand is 99% quartz-and is perfectly white and soft. This is the area's most popular beach, attracting sun worshippers of all ages. Facilities include beach wheel chairs, tennis courts, ball field, soccer field, and fitness trail. Pine trees shade an area for picnicking with grills for cookouts and a playground.

Turtle Beach
On the Southern end of Siesta Key, Turtle Beach has some of the highest beach dunes in the area. The site is perfect for family outings with abundant picnic areas, dune walkovers, a playground and restrooms.

Nokomis Beach
Nokomis Beach is found off Albee Road on Casey Key. Ample parking, lifeguards, picnic tables, grills and bathrooms lead to this wide, steep beach. This family-oriented beach is also popular for fishing and includes a boat launch ramp.

North Jetty Park
Located on the tip of Casey Key, the jetties make this one of the most exciting surfing beaches on the west coast of Florida. It is a very popular picnicking spot for families and large groups and the fishing is said to be spectacular.

Venice Beach
At the west end of Venice Avenue are the smooth, white sand and crystal-blue waters of Venice Beach. If you enjoy diving in your leisure time, a reef containing fossilized material is located quarter mile offshore.

Brohard Beach and Service Club Park
A city owned park that has a 740-foot fishing pier. Up the road, Service Club Park offers playground equipment and boardwalks with covered picnic areas. You will also find the U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla Training Center, wetlands and several areas that are great for bird watching.

Casperson Beach
Untouched. Secluded. Windswept. These are the words that come to mind when you visit Casperson Beach. This unspoiled beach is one of the best shelling beaches in Sarasota. Also a great location for picking up pre-historic sharks teeth. You will also find a nature trail and see freshwater and saltwater marshes, mangroves and tidal flats.