Pristine Coastlines Far From the Maddening Crowds

Florida's Wildest Beaches

Gulf Island National Seashore

Despite the crush of tourists, residents and shoreline developments, Florida still offers a bounty of pristine beaches.

In Guana River State Park on the northeast peninsula, fine-grained quartz sand is supplied by rivers and reworked along the beaches by waves and currents. South and east down the peninsula are the wilds of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, a pristine diamond in the ritzy rough of Palm Beach County. On Florida's western coast, beachcombers will find a prodigious supply of shells and fossilized shark's teeth on the shores of Lovers Key State Recreation Area.

Just off the panhandle, the barrier island of Little St. George offers great, sandy beaches and the appealing isolation of the"forgotten coast." Going further east, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park does its part to preserve a good stretch of hilly dunes and sugar-sand beaches. Finally, for the well-balanced beach experience, Grayton Beach State Recreation Area enjoys gourmet restaurants and tasteful architecture alongside miles of unspoiled beaches and glistening gulf waters.

Take your pick of these beautiful spots in the Sunshine State and make the most of your Florida beach getaway.

Gorp Editors

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Last Updated: 15 Sep 2010
Published: 29 Apr 2002
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.