![]() ![]() The area is a major hub for local entertainment and special events, including Mardi Gras celebrations, a triathlon, wine tastings, a summer music series and parades. Though determined residents have protected much of the barrier island from development, several high-rise condos have created a bit of a Gulf Coast skyline. The beach occupies nearly 8 miles of the 40-mile-long Santa Rosa barrier island, surrounded by the Santa Rosa Sound and the Gulf of Mexico to the north and south, and by the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore on either side. Young/Shutterstock Pensacola Beachĭistinctly separate from Pensacola itself, Pensacola Beach is a pretty stretch of powdery white sand, gentle, warm waters and a string of mellow beachfront hotels. Pensacola Beach, Florida, on Gulf Islands National Seashore. It is located on Collins Ave about 4.5 miles north of 71st St. It is one of the nicer spots for sand in the area. You don't have to get into your birthday suit if you don't want to – in fact, most of the beach is clothed and there’s even a dog park. Swimsuits are optional at least part of this 40-acre South Florida beach park hidden behind vegetation from the sight of condos, highways and prying passers-by. A trip includes a 45-minute narrated tour of the fort, free snorkeling equipment and national park entrance fees. Reservations ($190 for a day trip to the island) to board the Yankee Freedom III, which provides ferry service to the island, are booked months in advance. The marine life is quite rich here, with the opportunity to see tarpon, sizable groupers and lots of colorful coral and smaller tropical fish, plus the odd sea turtle gliding through the sea. ![]() ![]() In reality, only 1% of the park (about 143 acres) consists of dry land, so much of the park's allure lies under the water. On paper, the Dry Tortugas covers an extensive area – over 70 sq miles. ![]() You'll also get to tour a beautifully preserved 19th-century brick fort, one of the largest such fortifications in the USA despite its location 70 miles off the coast of Key West. Reachable only by boat or seaplane, it rewards you for your effort in getting there with amazing snorkeling amid coral reefs full of marine life. Most of Dry Tortugas National Park's wonders are found underwater © Matt Munro / Lonely Planet Dry Tortugas National Parkĭry Tortugas National Park is one of America's most inaccessible national parks. Related content: Miami's best Cuban sandwich shops Parking runs anywhere from $2 an hour for public lots to $4 for on-street parking. Keep in mind that there's no alcohol (or pets) allowed on the sand. Families can convene on Lummus Park, which has restrooms, grassy areas and a playground for kiddos. You can escape the masses by avoiding the densest parts of the beach (5th to 15th Sts) – heading south of 5th Street, to the area known as SoFi, is a good means of eluding the crowds. The shore gets crowded in high season (December to March) and most weekends. The beach is an almost 2.5-mile sweep of golden sand, dotted with colorful deco-style lifeguard stations and countless souls uploading panorama shots to their social media platforms. The latter includes clubs, bars, restaurants and a distinctive veneer of art-deco architecture. When most people think of Miami Beach, they envision South Beach (SoBe), a label that applies to both the beach itself and the neighborhood that adjoins it. Miami's South Beach is iconic for a reason © Miami2you / Shutterstock South Beach ![]()
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