FLORIDA GULF COAST BEACHES

*Don't forget to scroll through to find the live beach web cams. Remember these are live, so if it is night it will be black.

Florida has 3 of the Nations top beaches and two of the three are on the West coast of Florida!

#1 Beach in the Nation is Caladesi Island this is a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico only accessible by boat or ferry. Most beach goers reach the island by a 20-minute, $10 ferry ride. Visitors -- unless they bring their own boat -- are limited to four-hour stays at the beach, which is a state park.

The ferry service to Caladesi leaves hourly beginning at 10 AM. You can call the ferry service directly at 727-734-1501.

Driving DirectionFrom Orlando: I-4 west to I-275 south to SR-60 west. Cross Courtney Campbell Causeway, then turn right on US Hwy 19 north. Left on Curlew Rd. (SR-586). Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.

From north of Tampa: I-75 south to I-275 south to Hillsborough Ave. exit.West to slight left at Curlew Rd. (SR 586). Pass fork at SR-580. Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.

Caladesi Island State Park Beach

We visited Caladesi Island yesterday and it was SPECTACULAR!! It is everything that the travel channel said it is! First the Caladesi Ferry was a nice pontoon boat ride through lush mangrove trees and docks at the small yet nicely accommodating marina. The round trip ferry ride is $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children and departs every hour beginning at 10:00 a.m. up until 4:00 p.m. We ended up bring beach chairs and a umbrellas (NOT NECESSARY). Once we got to the Island there was a nice lady there with plenty of beach chairs and an umbrella. (you can rent this for the day for $20.00)

Restrooms are clean and showers were available. Concessions were available as well as covered picnic tables. No other services available as this is a very REMOTE island.

We got great shells and even saw dolphins swimming next to our boat! Great day!

Additional Tips for Caladesi Island: You can get to the ferry from Honeymoon Island this is at the west end of Dunedin Causeway. You need to pay $5.00 per vehicle to get into this park. Then you catch the ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caledesi Island.

#3 Beach on List: Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

Seista Key Beach Web Cam..The only thing missing is you

Siesta Key has three wonderful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico all have the beautiful powdery crystal-white sand. Siesta Public Beach is renowned for its breath-taking sunsets, easy-going waves, and gorgeous, crystal-white sand. The sand is 99% pure quartz, soft and cool on the feet. Among the many awards it has earned are:

�the whitest and finest sand in the world� (The Great International Beach Challenge, 1987) and �The Best Sand Beach in America� (The Travel Channel, 2004).

Seista Key is within walking distance of the many shops and restaurants in Siesta Village.

Crescent Beach has the same white sands, crystal water and breath taking sunsets, however more secluded and quiet, as it has only one public access road this allows a more peaceful and private beach

At the southern tip of this beach is the Point of Rocks - snorkeling and diving area that is rich with coral rock formations as well as colorful and abundant marine life. No need to travel to a remote Caribbean Island!

Turtle Beach: The beach has picnic areas, a playground, a volleyball court and horseshoe pit. There's also a boat launch, and fishing is permitted in Blind Pass Lagoon. There are restaurants and shopping nearby.

The sand on the beach tends to carry more shells, making it perfect for beach combers and shell collectors. Many find petrified sharks' teeth to take home and treasure, especially after a storm.

DIRECTIONS: From Sarasota/Bradenton airport, go south on Tamiami Trail (US 41) to Siesta Drive. Turn right (west), go over drawbridge, bear left at traffic light, turn right at second traffic light. Siesta Beach is on the left.

From I-75, Take exit #205, go west on Clark Rd., cross Tamiami Trail (US 41) over the Stickney Point drawbridge. Turn right (north) at traffic light. Go through second traffic light - Siesta Beach is on the left.

AMERICA'S BEST BEACHES 2008 (Two beaches within driving distance to Central Florida)

1. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

2. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

3. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

5. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York

7. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

8. Cape Hatteras,Outer Banks, North Carolina

9. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida

10. Beachwalker Park,Kiawah Island, South Carolina

My favorite Florida Gulf Coast Beach................Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Web Cam- See what you are missing....

Anna Maria Island at Sunset

Seven mile stretch of pristine old Florida charm. Everything is literally a walk or bike ride away. The entire island is surrounded by exceptional water views, amazing quiet white sandy beaches with glimpses of bottlenose dolphins, as well as nesting areas for the endangered loggerhead turtles.

While staying on the island, leave your car and ride the "FREE trolleys" that travel daily from Coquina Beach to Anna Maria Pier; with service beginning at 6:00a.m. til 10:30p.m.; arriving every 20-30 minutes.

Directions to Paradise

From Sarasota/Bradenton airport, Go north on Tamiami Trail (US 41) to Cortez Rd. Turn Left (west) on Cortez, go to the traffic light at 75th Street, then turn Right (north) and continue to the traffic light at Manatee Ave. Turn Left (west), go over drawbridge, through a traffic light to Stop Sign. Manatee Beach is directly ahead. Turn Right (north) on Gulf Drive for Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Beach. Holmes Beach runs from Beach Drive to 27th St. off Gulf Drive. Anna Maria Beach runs from White Avenue to Bean Point in the city of Anna Maria on the northern end of the island.

From I-75, Take exit #219, go west through downtown Bradenton. Continue on Manatee Ave., go over drawbridge, through a traffic light to Stop Sign. Manatee Beach is directly ahead. Turn Right (north) on Gulf Drive for Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Beach. Holmes Beach runs from Beach Drive to 27th St. off Gulf Drive. Anna Maria Beach runs from White Avenue to Bean Point in the city of Anna Maria on the northern end of the island.

Other Florida Gulf Coast Beaches

Clearwater Beach

Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Shores

Madeira Beach

Treasure Island

Ana Maria Area

Sarasota Beaches

Venice/Englewood

Boca Grande

Ft. Myers Beach

Sanibel Island

Naples/Marcos Island

Gulf Coast Activities

Things to Do

Charter Sailing

Salt Water Charter Fishing

Jet Ski rentals

Kayak Adventures

Parasailing

bike Rentals