Beach Getaways 2008 - (Page 38) NW NC NE 8 FORT MYERS/SANIBEL 9 FLORIDA KEYS/KEY WEST CW C CE Shells and stunning sunsets Picture the perfect beach – soft, white sand strewn with dozens of exquisite shells. Clear, aquamarine water and gentle waves. Dazzling sunsets and dolphins frolicking offshore. Such perfection exists on the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, loved by families and romantics alike. The barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva are famous for shells and striking beaches. Fun Fort Myers Beach offers beach-goers jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing. This region is home to Lovers Key State Park, which boasts white-sand beaches, world-class shelling, fishing, bird watching and waterways to explore by canoe or kayak. Beaches near snorkeling heaven This string of islands is perhaps best known for fantastic snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. Since it boasts the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S., there aren’t as many wide, sandy beaches here as in the rest of southern Florida. But what the Keys lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. The sandy shores at Bahia Honda State Park, for example, are stunning and long. And the southernmost island, Key West, is home to several beaches, including the gorgeous Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. There’s a white-sand beach, clear, turquoise water, lush vegetation and great views of breathtaking Key West sunsets. SW SE MIAMI More-than-beautiful-people beaches Miami is home to the world-renowned South Beach, but the celebrities and models aren’t all that’s beautiful. South Beach has white sands, swaying palm trees and whimsically painted lifeguard stands, all just steps away from hip shopping, restaurants and nightclubs. However, Miami also boasts a number of amenity-packed, family-friendly beaches. Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park Beach, Matheson Hammock Park and Homestead Bayfront Park are but a few. In the Miami region, the Atlantic Ocean merges with the Caribbean Sea. The sand is soft and white and the water nearly clear aqua. For aweinspiring beauty, head to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, ranked one of the country’s best beaches. NAPLES AND MARCO ISLAND Stylish towns near sparkling water This area is known as the “Paradise Coast” for its breathtaking beaches featuring powdery white sand, gently swaying palm trees and inviting blue waters. Naples Municipal Beach, a vibrant, bustling beach with a fishing pier great for watching the sunset, is one example. But what some don’t realize is that many of the area’s beaches are also wonderful places to spot wildlife, including manatees and bald eagles. Both Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park feature terrific nature trails; at Tigertail Public Beach, there are boardwalks, butterfly gardens and tidal pools filled with sea life. 10 FORT LAUDERDALE Stylish beaches for couples and families 9 Fort Lauderdale, which provides the ultimate in beach vacations, draws visitors from all over the world seeking sandy shores and warm, sparkling Atlantic waters. There are beaches for families, for couples seeking romantic getaways and for active, adventurous types looking for water sports or beachfront promenades on which to roller-blade, bike or jog. Snorkelers and divers should head to Lauderdale-bythe-Sea, where it’s possible to swim out to a reef from the beach. Less-bustling beaches can be found in Deerfield Beach. At John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, hike along nature trails and canoe among the mangroves during breaks from swimming, snorkeling and sunning. 8 10 38 VISITFLORIDA.com/beaches http://VISITFLORIDA.com/beaches
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