Beach Getaways 2008 - (Page 32) NW NC NE 1 PENSACOLA 3 PANAMA CITY BEACH CW C CE National Seashore and snow-white dunes This region is home to the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which encompasses several beaches from Florida’s border to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island. While 80 percent of this protected area lies under water, the rest is snow-white beaches, coastal marshes and maritime forests. Perdido Key, part of this seashore, is a hidden island retreat with award-winning beaches and protected dunes. Pensacola Beach, which occupies part of Santa Rosa Island, has two lively beach parks – Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach. The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier extends across emerald water and offers breathtaking views of the shoreline and sunsets. Family and barrier beach fun This coastal area, with its powder-white sands and emeraldgreen waters, is popular with both families and divers, who call the area the “Wreck Capital of the South.” At Camp Helen State Park, three bodies of water (the Gulf of Mexico, Phillips Inlet and Lake Powell) surround the park, providing superb wildlife viewing. St. Andrews State Park features pristine shoreline and lots of amenities. There is also Shell Island, a barrier island you can get to by water shuttle. At Panama City Beach and Pier, take advantage of all kinds of water sports as well as one of the area’s most popular beaches. SW SE APALACHICOLA/PORT ST. JOE 2 DESTIN/FORT WALTON BEACH Unspoiled, unharried beaches Think of Apalachicola, and oysters come to mind. Here, at Indian Pass, there’s an oyster lagoon that’s known worldwide, as well as a broad beach that’s serene and uncrowded, as many in this region are. From here, you can boat to the St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge or one of the other pristine barrier islands off the Apalachicola coast. This region is also home to the Cape San Blas peninsula, which contains unspoiled beaches within several beach parks. For a secluded beach oasis, head to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park at the tip of Cape San Blas. Sea oats and see dolphins on the Emerald Coast The Destin/Fort Walton Beach area, also known as the Emerald Coast, is a top destination. Its beaches offer snow-white, powdery sand and crystal-clear water great for swimming or snorkeling. Fun, family-friendly and amenity-packed beaches include John C. Beasley Wayside Park, situated on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island; James Lee Park; and Ross Marler Memorial Park, located on the island’s bay side. Henderson Beach State Park is characterized by gleaming stretches of pure white sand, dunes and sea oats, and you can often see dolphins swimming in the emerald waters offshore. 3 SEASIDE/BEACHES OF SOUTH WALTON Clean, cute beach towns on the Gulf Fourteen beach communities and three state parks make up this area, and all are certified clean beaches by the Blue Wave Campaign, the country’s first environmental certification for beaches. Found in places including WaterColor, Seascape and Rosemary Beach, the beaches are just as lovely as their names suggest, with soft white sand, clear emerald water and tall dunes. Coastal lakes, which are unique to this part of the world, can be found here. See urban planning history in Seaside. Sandestin is a family-friendly beach resort alive with activity. 2 1 Photo cour tesy of the Sa nta Rosa C ounty CVB 32 VISITFLORIDA.com/beaches http://VISITFLORIDA.com/beaches
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