ON THE WATER: BEACHES & BAYS Walton County beach, photo by Patrick Farrell and Peter W. Cross Flagler Beach, photo by Daron Dean RELAX The sound of gentle surf combined with the scent of salty air provides instant stress relief — especially if you’re lucky enough to find a stretch of quiet shore you can call your own. Lucky for you, Florida’s coast is lined with beaches that are perfect for relaxation no matter your style. If you dream of lounging on a secluded gulf shoreline, you’ll want to steal away to a beach like Caladesi Island near Clearwater in the Tampa Bay area. This uninhabited island will make you feel like a castaway — even if it’s just a short distance from your hotel. This island is accessible only by boat, but you can catch a ferry here from Honeymoon Island State Park , or paddle out by kayak. Your toes will love the powder-soft quartz sand on Siesta Beach near Sarasota. To the south, Sanibel and Captiva Islands offer miles of shoreline perfect for bird-watching and scanning the sand for rare shells. 16 ✹ VISITFLORIDA.com
Visit Florida Visit Florida 2019: Page 15
