Spend $35.00 when you adopt a manatee… and receive a 2012 Save the Manatee Wall Calendar!

Adopt at $35 or more Get a 2012 wall calendar!

Adopt-A-Manatee® Gift Recipients Receive:

• An adoption certificate, full-color photo, and biography of a real endangered Florida manatee.
• A membership handbook.
• The Manatee Zone, the official Club newsletter featuring updates on the adopted manatees.
• Paddle Tales, their e-newsletter with current news, great photos, fun activities, and more!
• A personal holiday message from you.
• FREE SHIPPING for U.S. adoption orders.

Your purchase of manatee gift items and gift memberships will help in funding for the Save the Manatee Club’s conservation work. They work tirelessly to protect endangered manatees and their habitat. Please consider this wonderful gift!

To learn more about this great organization please visit…

 Save the Manatee Club

Some of the best spots for windsurfing in Florida can be found at:

• Clearwater Beach
• Destin Beach
• St. Petersburg Beach
• Key West Beach
• New Smyrna Beach
• Miami Beach
• Panama City Beach
• Jacksonville Beach

More specifically, Tarpon Springs, Sunset Beach, Honeymoon Island, Dunedin, Madeira Beach, and Fort Desoto Park, all located within the area of Clearwater/St. Petersburg are all excellent places for beginner windsurfing.

The best part about windsurfing in Florida is that you don’t have to own your own windsurfing board, or “rig”, otherwise known as the sail.  Many, if not all of these Florida beaches have places for you to rent boards and equipment, and even partake in windsurfing lessons with local professionals. Taking windsurfing lessons can be more beneficial because in most cases, the equipment is better and you can pickup the basics in roughly 1 to 2 hours. To find more tips on getting started, check out this article on eHow about how to start windsurfing.

At WaterSportsFL.com you may find great schools or places that offer windsurfing lessons in Florida.

Check them out here:  WaterSportsFl.com

One thing to remember when starting out is the size of the board you choose. The size of the board can depend on the rider and the riders’ experience.  For instance, beginners may want to start on a heavier board to keep from gliding too quickly through the water and make it easier for them to enjoy their first windsurfing experience. When renting gear or taking lessons, you may not have as much of a choice but they usually have pretty decent beginner boards.

Windsurfing in Florida can be a great activity for anyone looking for fun and excitement in the water. Do you have any tips on how to start windsurfing? What about a great windsurfing spot for beginners in Florida? Let us know!

Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida!

Siesta Beach has been a long time favorite for locals and visitors alike.
With it’s….

~99% pure quartz sand

~sparkling, clear shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico

~ and wide beaches

Is it any wonder that they won the honor of America’s Best Beach for 2011?

Siesta Key beach is hundreds of yards wide, attracting volleyball players, beachcombers and sun worshippers. Waves are normally measured in inches, and the beach gradually slopes into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, making it a safe area for children.

This beach park is complete with showers and bathrooms, snack bars, grills, picnic tables, shade trees and a large parking area (get there early, it fills up on summer weekends). Siesta Beach is a smokeless beach, earning extra points for cleanliness and environmental management.

While you’re there visit Siesta Village, north of Siesta beach. This mostly pedestrian village area is ideal for “People Watching” from sidewalk cafes. This adorable little village is filled with boutiques, shops, restaurants too!

Congratulations Siesta Beach!

For more info on Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, Florida…

Sarasota and Her Islands

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce

And make to sure to visit drbeach.org for all Best Beaches for 2011. Florida has a couple of other amazing, beautiful beaches on the list!

When you sign up to adopt Florida’s official state marine mammal, you’ll receive membership to the Save the Manatee Club. This wonderful organization was founded in 1981 by Jimmy Buffet and former U.S. Senator Bob Graham (who happened to be governor of Florida at the time).

You’ll also receive an adoption certificate, a membership handbook, a bio of a real endangered Florida manatee, a picture of your manatee,The Manatee Zone club newsletter & if you give them your e-mail, the Paddle Tales e-newsletter.

But wait, there’s more!
Receive a FREE 30th Anniversary Calendar for 2011 when you Adopt-a-Manatee at $35.00 or more. This beautiful deluxe wall calendar includes pictures that were taken by professional photographers.

Please note…
if you’re signing up for a new membership outside the U.S.,additional charges may apply.

Visit Save the Manatee Club for more info on adoption, membership, manatee facts, mission of the club, gift items and more. And while you’re there check out:

Cool Manatee Stuff – this page has great stuff for kids of all ages. You can download FREE coloring books, bookmarks, manatee fact sheets (great for teachers), and even a manatee cursor (if you have Windows). We have a manatee cursor on our computer…guess we’re kids at heart! You can listen to Manatee sounds, view a great slide show, play games and more!

Please help save the manatee…Adopt-a-Manatee for the Holidays!

Ask a snorkeling family, they may tell you Bahia Honda State Park. Ask a surfer, she may tell you Cocoa Beach. Ask a shelling enthusiast, and he may say that  Sanibel Island is the best Florida beach.You get the idea. It’s all a matter of opinion!

Florida is all about beaches! Each one is unique and beautiful, each with its own character, causing each of us to have a favorite.

If you have a funny story, a favorite memory of a Florida beach vacation, or an amazing spot to watch a beautiful sunset, tell us about it. We’d love to hear your story, and so would our other readers. You can drop us a line on our contact page, or in the comment section below.

What’s Your Best Florida Beach?

If you’ve ever been sunburned to a crisp, stung by a jellyfish, caught in a rip tide, overheated in the hot sun, or sought shelter during a lightning storm…then you know there is a lot that can ruin a vacation at the beach.

You’re probably thinking right about now, “boy this beach stuff sounds like fun!” Well, it can be just by following a few simple steps:

• *The best way to be safe at the beach is to learn to swim. You’re never too young (my kids learned as little tykes) or too old (check with your doctor first). Contact the YMCA, Red Cross or your local community pool for swim classes.
• *Try to swim near a lifeguard station, and in areas designated for swimming. Observe beach condition warnings and flags. Call 911 if you have an emergency and no lifeguard is on duty.
• *Swim with a buddy or group. And don’t dive in shallow or unfamiliar water.
• *Never leave a child alone near the water! Don’t rely on water wings or inflatable toys to protect the kids. If you or your child need a life jacket it should be U.S. Coast Guard approved.
• *Save the cocktails for after swimming. Too much alcohol can impair judgment and also dehydrate you.
• *Rip currents can be extremely dangerous. If you’re caught in one, stay calm and swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim back to shore. If you are unable to get back on your own, then float or tread water and wave for help.

• *Use plenty of sunscreen with at least SPF 15 or higher. If you are fair skinned, think about going a lot higher. Try to limit your time in the sun between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Take it easy on the sun-bathing! There’s nothing worse than burning your first day of vacation, and then suffering the rest of the time. If you do get burned, there are many wonderful sunburn relief lotions available. Our favorite is aloe burn relief gel. One more thing, don’t forget to protect your lips with UV protection.
• *Beach safety should also include protecting your eyes. Sunglasses with UV protection can help avoid sun damage to your eyes.
• *Don’t forget your sandals or shoes. Sand can get hot, especially in the summer. Your shoes will also protect you from broken shells, rocks or glass while walking on the beach.
• *Drink plenty of water! Keep yourself hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• *Seek first aid for any beach injury (such as Man of War or Jellyfish stings).
• *And one more thing to remember. Florida weather can be beautiful and unpredictable. If you see a storm approaching, hear thunder and or lightning, seek shelter when possible. Read here to learn more: National Weather Service

Our Florida National Parks are home to some of the most amazing beaches, sand dunes, coral reefs, and mangroves. Throw in protected coastal wetlands, salt marshes, hardwood hammocks, historic forts, stories of pirates and explorers, endangered animals like the West Indian Manatee, Florida panther, wood stork and American crocodile, and you’ve got a recipe for a great Florida getaway.

Biscayne National Park: in Miami, Key Biscayne, and Homestead, Florida

Since 95% of the park is underwater, it is a wonderland for water lovers. There is fabulous snorkeling and scuba diving in Biscayne Bay and offshore at the living reefs, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Camp on both Elliot and Boca Chita Keys…boat required. The park offers boat trips to the islands in the winter and spring. If you want to keep your sea legs dry, take a glass-bottom boat tour.

Visit the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and learn about the 10,000 years of history here. There is even history under the water. The Maritime Heritage Trail has 6 shipwrecks for divers to enjoy. This is one of the Florida Parks that is a must see if you’re in the Miami area!

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve: in Jacksonville, Florida

The 46,000 acre park highlights the history of the people who have spent time here (6,000 years worth),like the Timucuan Indians, French and Spanish Settlers, Spanish Missionaries, plantation owners and slaves.

Stop by the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center Exhibit, “Where the Waters Meet”, and learn about this beautifully preserved coastal wetland. You can visit Kingsley Plantation, Fort Caroline National Memorial, the Theodore Roosevelt Area, and Cedar Point (home to over 200 species of birds), where you might spot a painted bunting.

The kayaking is great! You can paddle through waterways and salt marshes that are full of history and wonderful wildlife.

And let’s not forget the beaches! Visit Little Talbot Island & Big Talbot Island State Parks, more examples of our beautifully preserved Florida beaches.

We felt like we were miles from the city when we visited, even though it was just a short drive to Jacksonville. A great place to visit for history and nature lover’s alike!

Canaveral National Seashore: in Titusville and New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Discover a “Real Florida” Seashore on 24 miles of undeveloped beach. The seashore offers: primitive backcountry camping in Mosquito Lagoon or on the beach, excellent surf fishing, clamming, surfing, and boating. The nature and history are rich in this National Treasure!

In the middle of enjoying this beautiful park, you may even see a space shuttle launch!

Gulf Islands National Seashore: in Gulf Breeze, Florida

This is the largest national seashore in the country and covers two states (Florida and Mississippi). There is so much to see and explore like; several historic forts, loads of natural beauty, and snowy white beaches.

If you love the beach like we do, you’ll be amazed at the natural beauty!

Visit the National Park Service Online to learn more about: planning your trip, history & culture, and nature & science. There are also great links for kids and teachers. Discover other great Florida parks in the National Park System as you explore this website.

So, as a courtesy to you this page was created…to share other travel websites and more cool web links. We enjoy visiting these wonderful websites and hope you enjoy them too!

Please note: The links provided on this page are not controlled or monitored by Best Florida Beaches.net. Therefore, we cannot be held responsible for the content and accuracy of the sites listed here.

U.S. Destinations:

Kona Text- Hawaii visitor information for both the world traveler and local resident. See the big islands best web cam. Get inside tips about what to do, see and where to go.

Disney Vacations: Kid Recommended, Parent Approved One family’s suggestions for Disney Vacations that are filled with fantasy and adventure.  The dreams of every princess and pirate can come true with the magic of Disney.

Discover Green Bay Come discover the beauty of Green Bay, WI. This is your complete guide to Green Bay Packers, restaurants, things to do, hotels, events and more. Information for visitors and locals.

Worldwide Destinations:

Scotland’s Enchanting Kingdom This site introduces the visitor to the Kingdom of Fife in Scotland – to the place, the people, the culture, the food as well as help and advice for planning a trip to Scotland.

Best Barbados Vacation Packages A comprehensive look at Barbados the gem of the Caribbean Sea, Villa vacations, best restaurants, best hotels and the friendliness people you’ll find anywhere.

Welcome to our Perthshire Travelguide Enjoy the freedom and make the most of your vacation with our Perthshire Travelguide. Plan your days to the full. Visit the beautiful scenic landscapes, world famous Glens, Lochs and Mountains. Taste Scotlands fine malt whisky renowned the world over. Excellent fishing & top rated golf courses.

Travel Deals:

Midwest Airlines Flight Get great discounts on Midwest Airlines Flight at OneTravel. Whether you are visiting family or taking off to an exotic destination, we help you get best airline price online.

Check Out: Florida’s Living Beaches, A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber. This is a great book for learning about all the wonderful treasure’s you’ll find on our beautiful Florida beaches!

We hope you enjoy reading and learning about Florida beaches as much as we do!

Our National Park Service and State Parks have joined in on the movement to encourage children to play outdoors and participate in outdoor recreation. And our Fantastic Florida State Parks have some of the best Florida campgrounds!

Richard Louv the award winning author of The Last Child In The Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, has led the movement to teach parents, schools and leaders in our communities the benefits of outdoor recreation. You can read more about him and the Children & Nature Network at Childrenandnature.org.

Our parks offer primitive camping, tent camping with full facilities, RV camping and some even have cabins. Many of the state parks have centers highlighting wildlife in the area. And some even have museums about fishing and sunken treasure!

• Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa – Northwest Florida. The gorgeous sugar sand beaches, emerald green waters and sand dunes are the stars of the show. Bring your tent or RV & enjoy great cabins there too. You’ll really feel like you’re away from it all!
• Topsail Hill Preserve State Park another great park in Santa Rosa-Northwest Florida. This is a real gem! Not only do you have the pristine beaches, freshwater lakes and coastal dunes of the panhandle, but also an awesome campground. RV spots (full hook-ups) and really nice cabins included. There’s even a swimming pool,laundry and store!
• Long Key State Park in Long Key, Florida (the Florida Keys). How about beach camping overlooking the Atlantic Ocean? Need I say more! Enjoy views of “Real Florida” on a beautiful nature or canoe trail.
• Sebastian Inlet State Park near Melbourne, Florida. This is another little slice of paradise! It’s home to the McLarty Treasury Museum and shows the history of the 1715 Spanish Fleet that sunk nearby. You never know, you may find a treasure while you’re beachcombing!

Visit Florida State Parks Online to read more about these and other great parks in Florida.

There are so many beautiful parks from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys. I hope you have as much fun as my family and I do exploring these state treasures!