Henderson Beach State Park is located in beautiful Destin, Florida and has some of the most white sandy beaches in the state. The facilities are spotless and the grounds well maintained and this beach is definitely worth a visit.  Since it is a state park, there is a $6 fee (cash only) to enter.

Not crowded, Henderson Beach in Destin, Florida is perfect for a family get-a-way. There’s a nice playground area and some very well maintained nature trails. And you have the BEACH!! Full facilities here including showers, restrooms and eating areas. The park does close soon after sundown.

Spend hours here to collect shells or simply relaxing on the beach listening to the surf. Peaceful and detoxing.

My tip here is to come early and enjoy the beach or walk the trails, then leave for a nice lunch in Destin and save your state park receipt so you can re-enter and watch the sunset here. It’s totally worth it. Beautiful!

There are some picturesque dunes that line the beach area here at Henderson Beach State Park, and they are protected, so you can’t climb on them. But they do make a perfect backdrop for your relaxing day at the beach here. There are several covered areas (6 pavilions) if it rains or the sun is a tad too hot, where you can sit and eat or relax. This park is totally ADA compliant if you are disabled.

The water here can get very clear and some say it reminds them of the Caribbean. In fact, the sand here has been known to squeak when you walk on it – crunch, crunch, crunch.

Tourist season here in Destin is May through September and this means that there are more people along the highways nearby. Henderson Beach sits right across Highway 98 from a Super Wal-Mart, meaning you can buy just about anything you can imagine to spend your day at this beach.

Camping is allowed at this beach although you may have to go on a waiting list. See the State Park Site for more information.

Henderson Beach State Park – Beach Index:

• White sand, squeaky!
• $6 cash entry
• Across from a Super Wal-Mart
• Full facilities

This world beach encompasses:

• oval beach saugatuck mi

A post from Worlds Best Beaches

Oval Beach is in Saugatuck, Michigan and has been rated as one of the best shorelines in the World! If you’ve been to Michigan, you’ve probably heard about the great sand dunes. Nestled among the dunes, Oval Beach is on the winding Kalamazoo River as it makes its way to Lake Michigan. The beach is dark tan sand is fine to medium powder.

Even though the park area this beach is on is open year-round, this is a summer beach and winters here can get freezing cold. And since it’s in a maintained park area belonging to the state, there is a park fee of $6 and the park is open from 9 AM to 10 PM. No dogs/no alcohol.

If you’ve never experienced the waters of Lake Michigan they can be chilly. Expect temperatures in the mid 70′s during the summer. It’s “refreshing” if you know what I mean!  And here the sunsets are really special because the beach sits facing westward making it easy to take it in when the time is right.

Oval Beach has full facilities even though they are basic, but because this is a park, there are picnic areas, grills and a pretty nice boardwalk, all maintained throughout the year. The water is great for families with small kids because it is shallow and the sandy beach litter-free.

In the summer and especially on holidays this park can become crowded and the beach as well.  Plan your trip in advance and you can stay at the picturesque town of Saugatuck and come down to the beach every day. The town is beautiful to stroll through with its many shops and restaurants.

One problem some have reported during periods of the year when there is simply no breeze are biting flies which can become such a nuisance as to ruin your day here. You can use repellent or jump in the water. They do go away in a small breeze.

Oval Beach Saugatuck – Beach Index:

• Tan, powdery sand. Very clean
• Perfect for families
• Full facilities
• $6 park fee
• Stay for the sunset!

A post from Worlds Best Beaches

Hilton Head, South Carolina is mentioned more as an exotic vacation getaway and we don’t hear much about the beach – but it’s very classy! Pristine is what most say when they experience the sandy seashores of Hilton Head. Captain William Hilton – thank you!

Here’s a seaside resort town that many prefer to keep under wraps and has continued to see crazy growth (40%!!) in the past few years. This is because the area has become more developed and advertisers are getting the word out for their benefit.

But we’re telling you it will also benefit you! Hilton Head attracts people along the East Coast who are looking for the gold sands and flowing dunes that capture everything relaxed on the eastern seaboard. Vacation? They look to Hilton Head…and why not?

Myrtle Beach is a lower cost choice but check out another gem, Coligny Beach with shopping and dining that can’t be matched. And if you don’t enjoy rubbing shoulders with that 40% vying for the same stretch of sand you may be… head to Alder Lane! This beach has fewer people and really – better swimming and frolicking than the other Hilton Head beaches. And tell me, who doesn’t like to frolic?

The stretch of beach here is mainly wide with dunes because of the constant winds. But remember, you can still get burnt here as the sun is might powerful during those long summer days. Don’t turn out toasty!

Parking is available throughout the long seashore and you will find many amenities along the road that follows up the coast. Hotels can be a premium so book in advance. The locals love their beaches on the weekend – but remember – there is a good portion of Hilton Headiers that have no need to work.

Hilton Head Beach Index:

• Sand – tan and medium to fine grain
• Facilities – yes, but look around – some hard to find
• Sports – at the resorts

This world beach encompasses:

• family beach

A post from Worlds Best Beaches

Santa Barbara beaches in California are among some of the best in the United States. They are beautiful and flat making then ideal for families. The shoreline angles slowly into the grand Pacific Ocean which means the huge surf is offshore and you can be confident that a day at a Santa Barbara beach will be a good day.

Wow, where do we start? Santa Barbara beaches face south. What?? Yes – you’d think they’d face west, toward Hawaii, no? But the way the coastline and mountain range settled, well, they face south for the most part. So what happens and what does that mean for the visitor (you and I – because I live in Naples, Florida)? That means the sun sets in the NORTH! (no way!! way.)

There are 10 significant beaches here and we are not going to go over them all on this page – but we’ll run down a few of our favorites.

The first is Hendry’s Beach which is officially called (and by the locals) Arroyo Burro Beach (ha!) and it is very cool because of the way it seems secluded and you can hang out and not feel you’re on Waikiki (even though we love Hawaii).

Privacy and tons of amenities. But with the nice comes a drawback – parking! A premium. Get here early and make good. Stay longer. Enjoy!

Next look for Butterfly Beach. Goodness – it faces west. What can we say? You get a real sunset from Butterfly Beach! But this beach is kinda private and difficult to get to which means it’s – - – better! People watch until you fall asleep. It’s fun and you know you love it.

Finally, out of 10! Carpinteria State and City Beaches – well – two beaches right smack dab in the middle of it. Long sandy beach with camping. Yes! You can reserve campgrounds here. And guess what? They made this thing easy to get to! Yes – kuddos to Santa Barbara City! A lot of the locals hang out here so… it MUST be good!

Santa Barbara Beaches Index:

• Sand is medium tan
• Facilities throughout
• Sports not much

A post from Worlds Best Beaches

The beach at Fort Lauderdale, Florida is impressive in that if faces the full force of the Atlantic Ocean. Located just minutes north of the world famous Miami Beach, “Lauderdale” as it’s known to the locals is fun with its surf and clear water. It’s known for long and wide tan beaches and the laid-back counterpart to snazzier Miami Beach.

But without the clubs that border the beach you’re faced with extreme sand and waves. Isn’t that what a beach should be? Welcome to Fort Lauderdale. Can we take a second out to snatch the history book to ask why in the world do they call it fort?

In the Second Seminole War they built three forts around this area of Florida and that’s how it got the name. Lauderdale was a Major in the army.

There are 23 miles of pretty nice beaches here and a wonderful Interstate and coastal highway that threads along with it. Plus not a shabby Intercoastal Waterway either!

Photos by Komierowski Photography, Calgary, AB Canada. During the night you have Boca Raton and South Beach close by, but Lauderdale has its own set of night fun as well. Think clubs by the beaches and Lauderdale has them.

As for the beaches, hotels and condos line the sea and the sand is largely tan in color and the beach fairly wide – some areas almost 50 yards. There are great facilities throughout the area and you will find eateries everywhere.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Index:

• Sand – medium grained tan
• Sports – varied along the shore: scuba, snorkel, hobie, deep sea fishing
• Facilities – full throughout

A post from Worlds Best Beaches