These beaches range from isolated, undeveloped tropical islands accessible only by boat (Anclote Key, Caladesi Island) to packed tourist beaches with all the souvenir shops, grouper sandwich shops, and nightclubs. The people that rank beaches place Caladesi Island State Park, Anclote Key State Park, and Fort De Soto park in the top ten beaches in the United States, with most of the other top ten beaches being in Hawaii.
There are more than 20 'barrier islands' called 'keys', along the Florida west coast. The Gulf waters that lap on the shores of these island are warm and clear. The slope of the beach is very gentle, making the beaches safe for small children to play at the water's edge.
Every possible water sport can be enjoyed along these beaches including fishing in the grass flats, deep-sea fishing, boating, sailing, canoeing, sea kayaking, SCUBA diving, windsurfing, shelling, para-sailing, swimming, and water skiing.
1.
Anclote Key State Park and Game Preserve
More than 1,000 years ago, this island was pushed up from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico to rest on a limestone platform. It is still slowly growing today and its size has increased by more than 25% since 1956. This four mile long island is one of the few truly unspoiled and undeveloped islands left along the Florida coast.
Anclote Lighthouse
The abandoned lighthouse on the southern end of this remote island adds to the islands fragile beauty and character. The lighthouse was built in the 1880's and served almost 100 years to protect the mariners in the Gulf of Mexico. With the advent of more modern navigational tools such as the Long Range Navigation System (LORAN), and later the Global Position System (GPS), the lighthouse became obsolete. It was decommissioned in 1984 and for the last 16 years has been abandoned.
Anclote Wildlife
Rare and endangered birds and turtles inhabit Anclote Key.
Visitors travel to the island by boat every year to enjoy the more than 43 species of birds that live there including the American oystercatcher, bald eagle, and ospreys (sometimes called fish eagles). The ospreys have numerous nesting sites in the tall pine trees that cover the island. Turtles can also be spotted on the island including endangered loggerheads and green turtles.
Anclote Activities
The main activity on the island is swimming in the shallow Gulf waters that are as warm as a bathtub in the summers. The gradual slope of the beaches makes it easy for oldsters as well as youngsters to enjoy the clear warm waters, which are said by some to provide comfort for the soul as well as the body. Shelling is also a favorite activity. Several species of shells can be collected. Sand dollars can also be found by digging your toes into the sand in about two or three feet of water and feeling the sand dollars under the surface of the sand.
Ski:
This is the only place in the US where sponge diving is actively pursued as an industry. The colorful traditions and atmosphere introduced to this area by the Greek sponge divers has continued today with sponge auctions, sponge diving exhibitions, and the largest Epiphany celebration in the United States. Visitors can enjoy the authentic Greek food in the more than 20 restaurants, shop in the sponge and souvenir stores, and board cruise boats for half day or day trips for casino gambling or fishing.
The Sponge Docks are listed in the National Historic Districts register. Along with the sponge docks are more than 140 art gallery/studios, antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants. There is also a Performing Arts Center and Cultural Center which host several annual events and festivals.
4. Clearwater Beach
On an island all it own, Clearwater Beach is the major 'tourist beach' on the Florida Sun Coast. Every type of beach-oriented activity can be found here.
Golf:
The sand dollars vary in size from one to six inches across.
2. Fred Howard Park
This park was first opened in 1966 and is located at the end of a mile long causeway west of Florida Avenue in Tarpon Springs. This is a beautiful beach area. The swimming and sunbathing are both excellent. The facilities include very nice sheltered picnic areas, playgrounds for the kids, restrooms, barbecue grills, and beach showers. Bring your fishing poles and your wind surfers. This is a very popular park with the local Floridians and over two million people visit the park annually. On weekends it can be crowded, but on week days there are fewer people enjoying the sun and the water.
3. Tarpon Springs
Hiding just north of Clearwater Beach, Tarpon Springs is one of the oldest cities on the Florida West Coast. The Greek heritage of this area makes it a truly unique location in the United States. The Greeks first settled this area around the turn of the century and started the Sponge Diving Industry.
