Exploring the Gulf Coast

Clearwater Beach Clearwater is located in Pinellas County on the west coast of Florida in the US. We are on the Pinellas Peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico on the west and Tampa Bay on the east. This beach is popular with younger people and is the perfect base for day trips to Tampa, St Petersburg and Orlando. Clearwater boasts an average 361 days of sunshine per year. Sand Key Park Sand Key Park has a lovely, large beach which is popular with families. Sand Key Park was opened in August 1984. Ninety-five acres are located on Sand Key, which is a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida mainland. Clearwater Pass (which leads from the Gulf to the Intracoastal waterway) separates the park from the resort area of Clearwater Beach. Indian Rocks Beach This beautiful beach offers a rare chance to surf on the gentle Gulf waves. Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on the West Coast of Florida, 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport. Madeira Beach Madeira Beach is located halfway between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach offers a quieter alternative to these more populated beaches, making it an ideal vacation spot for the entire family. You can see fishing boats unload their catches at nearby Johns Pass. St. Pete Beach St. Pete Beach is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico on the western edge of the Tampa Bay area, St. Pete Beach is only 45 minutes from Busch Gardens in Tampa and 90 minutes from Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando. This beach has excellent water sports facilities Pass-a-Grille Pass-a-Grille beach offer visitors a glimpse of Old Florida . Visit for great views of sunsets and dolphins. Do not miss... - Biscayne Bay Boat Trips Take a relaxing cruise between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Cruise along Biscayne Bay covering the downtown Miami skyline, the Port of Miami, Brickell Key, Fisher Island and the celebrity filled islands of Miami Beach known as Millionaire s Row . - Cedar Key This remote island off Florida s northwest coast makes an enchanting getaway. Cedar Key is a quiet island community located among many tiny keys on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This area is admired for its natural beauty and abundant supply of seafood. It is a tranquil village, rich with the almost forgotten history of Old Florida . - Snorkelling in Key Largo. Considered by locals to be the diving capital of the world, but the island is nearly as famous as a sport fishing destination. - Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island The area near the Canaveral launch site has an astonishing variety of fauna and a wide range of habitats - watch out for the alligators! Canaveral National Seashore: This national seashore boasts 24 miles of undeveloped beach on Barite Island off the coast of central Florida. The weather is semitropical with average year-round air temperature of 79 degrees and 295 days of sunshine. There are three beaches: Playalinda, Klondike (for hikers), and Apollo. - Jackson beaches This beach is 12 miles east of downtown Jacksonville. There are around 6 beaches stretching 28 miles north and south along the Atlantic shore. Tim Burton writes travel articles for the popular Rent Orlando Villas Florida Holiday Homes website at milkriver.co.uk and Rent Vacation Rentals Worldwide website © Copyright 2006 by Tim Burton Article may be reprinted but must include the all the author information.