Check out the top ten beaches in Florida including Daytona Beach, Siesta Beach, Sarasota and South Beach, Miami...

1. Fort DeSoto Park � North Beach, St. Petersburg Welcome to the number one beach in the whole of the USA, three miles of sugar white sand at North Beach in Florida�s Fort DeSoto Park! Described as Dr Stephen Leatherman (aka Dr Beach) as �a natural jewel on the finger of a sun-drenched city� Fort DeSoto lies on the southernmost tip of Pinellas County, nestled on Mullet Key in the Shadow of the famous Sunshine Skyway bridge. Fort DeSoto�s aesthetic value is priceless. The North Beach faces West over the Gulf of Mexico, so has the pleasure of watching the sun gently slip beyond the calm horizon at the end of yet another day of sun and fun. The pristine sand strikes a stunning contrast to the aquamarine sea that softly laps the shore. The whole park is lined with divine beaches allowing you your own idea of a pure beach experience, Fort DeSoto offers EVERYTHING from activities and trails, picnics and camping grounds to deserted natural serenity. Dr Beach�s judgement that Fort De Soto is the number one beach in the USA 2005 was spot on, as anyone who makes a trip there will discover. For more information see www.floridasbeach.com

2. Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater Caladesi Island is a completely natural island found on Florida�s Gulf Coast; the park is available only by ferry or private boat. The park has a 108 slip marina, and the ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island operates daily from 10am, but the exclusive, quiet atmosphere that you would expect of an undeveloped barrier island is not lost. Caladesi has something for everyone. Beachlovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Keen anglers can fish from their boats, or just cast a line from the shore into the gentle surf. Nature enthusiasts can observe the island�s abundant wildlife, either while hiking the three mile inland nature trail, or while paddling a kayak through the mangroves and bay. Scuba diving is popular off Caladesi, or snorkelling in he shallows, though watch out for the stingrays in early June in particular. For serenity and seclusion, Caladesi is unrivalled, particularly for a place so near (yet so far) from the bustle of a modern city in Clearwater. Nature at its untouched best is hard to come by, and as the pristine surroundings of Caladesi calm you into a state of pure relaxation, you will feel a million miles from everything. For more information see www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland

3. Siesta Beach, Sarasota At the Great International White Sand Beach Challenge in 1987 Siesta Beach was recognised as having the whitest and finest sand in the world. Not much has changed over the years, and the 99% quartz sand of Sarasota�s finest beach is as fine, as white, and as beautiful as ever. The white sand is so reflective that even on the hottest of days (and they do get hot in Sarasota) the sand remains cool to the touch, making Siesta Beach ideal for small children. Furthermore, the water near the shore is shallow, and the beach offers year round lifeguard protection. Within close range of the beach you will find a selection of bars, cafes and restaurants to cater for all tastes and budgets, as well as volleyball and tennis courts, fitness trails and even a soccer field. The sunsets at Siesta Beach are spectacular, and provide the perfect end to the perfect day out to the beach. For more information see www.4sarasota.com/siestakey.beach

4. Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys You will find Dry Tortugas National Park, a cluster of Islands, in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico. The area is famous for its marine and bird life, and its legends of pirates and sunken gold. With its coral reefs and sandy waters, it is no surprise that Dry Tortugas is equally famous as one of the best snorkelling and scuba diving locations in Florida. 70 miles west of Key West, the trip to Dry Tortugas is an unforgettable experience in itself. Every seat is a window seat for those who take the seaplane, with the pilot acting as a personal tour guide on this low altitude flight. Flying over the shallow Gulf waters you will spot sharks rays, porpoises and huge sea turtles, as well as the wrecked Spanish Galleons the Atocha and Margarita. Dry Tortugas is a combination of historical and natural features that makes for a unique beach experience amidst tranquil unspoiled natural beauty, removed from the commercial distractions of urban life. For more information see www.drytortugasinfo.com

5. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, decreed Cape Florida to be the 10th best beach in the USA in 2005. His widely respected survey, which has been labelled the Oscars of the beach world, is generally dominated by beaches from Florida and Hawaii, which had three apiece in the top ten this year. The beach is short at less than two miles, but stick to the motto of quality over quantity, because there is not one inch of this beach that will disappoint. Swimming is safe, and for the angler many varieties of gamefish follow the current that runs through the Cape Florida Channel. You can cast from the shore, wade out into the shallows, or fish from the base of the famous Cape Florida Lighthouse, a celebrated landmark. There are rental facilities for bicycles, sailboats, kayaks, and paddle boats enabling you to enjoy the beach from the water or on land. There are miles of paved roads that are closed to traffic so that beachgoers can enjoy the outstanding beauty of the area in safety. Casual waterfront dining is available in the Boater�s Grill restaurant, or alternatively picnickers can reserve a pavilion and grill their own dinner to finish off a perfect day. The beach remains relatively quiet and uncrowded, just as the locals like it, but this is sure to change as more and more people get word that there is a beach as beautiful and as perfect in Key Biscayne. For more information see www.floridastateparks.org/capeflorida

6. Cocoa Beach, Space Coast Cocoa Beach is the classic beach holiday location. Six miles of white sandy paradise, with tropical and exotic landscapes, offers a broad range of beach activities. And in case you ever tire of fishing, surfing, boating, jet ski, and swimming in the crystal clear waters, you could visit the nearby Kennedy Space Centre, or take the brief drive to Orlando, home to SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. Take a river tour and get close to the Florida �gators, panthers, sea turtles and other amazing wildlife. Alternatively, for those less keen on nature, day cruises on a casino ship are available from Cape Canaveral. The restaurants near the beach range from extremely elegant and up-market to flip-flop casual. After dark, relax and enjoy the laid back atmosphere of the Cocoa Beach nightlife, ranging from jazz clubs to beach shacks. There are shops for everyone, and the famous Ron Jon�s Surf Shop is a must for all visitors. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River Lagoon, Cocoa Beach is located on a barrier island, and beachfront runs the entire length of the city limits. It is an affordable beach vacation, offering the best of sun and fun. As soon as you feel the first grains of sand slipping between your toes you will know that your day at cocoa beach is going to be an unforgettable beach experience. For more information see www.cocoabeach.com

7. Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key Bahia Honda State Park nestles between the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The palm-fringed sandy beaches that line the crystal clear water are reputedly the best in the Keys, which is some accolade given the competition. In 1992 Bahia Honda was ranked as the best beach in America by Dr Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr Beach. A tip to Bahia Honda will involve two eye-catching bridges, that contrast the new and the old. Firstly, crossing the Seven Mile Bridge that stretches from Vaca Key to Bahia Honda Key is an exhilarating experience, with the water so close. Secondly, the remains of the old Bahia Honda Bridge, designed by Henry Flagler, provides an interesting historical backdrop to its tropical paradise. Swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing and boating are the main activities on offer. The warmth, shallowness, and absolute calm of the water makes it ideal for young children, as you can walk very far from shore and still touch the bottom. Witness the abundance of tropical fish (including stingrays) in their natural habitat of the coral reef. This immaculate beach boasts three large picnic shelters and a bathhouse with outdoor showers. For more information see www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda

8. South Beach, Miami Occupying the southernmost three miles of Miami Beach is the gorgeous South Beach, undoubtedly the Florida beach at which to see and to be seen. Originally developed in the 1930s, South Beach has been revitalised by its return to fame and now is regularly the destination of choice for fashion shoots and films. Consequently models, filmstars, photographers and all manner of wannabes flock to the area for both work and play, both to see and to be seen. South Beach is truly a people watcher�s paradise. By day the sun beats down on sizzling bodies on the beach. By night Ocean Drive becomes one of the liveliest stretches in Miami, as the crowds of holidaymakers spill out from the trendy bars and nightclubs onto the specially widened pavements. It is hard to look beyond the bustle that pervades the area, but if all the glamour was taken away the fabulous beaches would remain. The calm waters, clean sands, and swaying palms make South Beach a genuine beach paradise, with or without the Art Deco, the beautiful people, the camera flashes and the exciting nightlife. For more information see www.visitsouthbeachonline.com

9. Mexico Beach, Emerald Coast Billing itself as �the quiet alternative�, this tranquil beach lies midway between the Panama City and Port St Joe in Florida�s Panhandle. At Mexico Beach, the desire that a holiday should be an �escape from it all� is genuinely realised - unless �it� includes uncrowded water, clean beaches, safe waters, beautiful scenery and temperate weather. A sand bar protects the shore, so lolling on an inflatable just beyond the surf line is as peaceful as the lounging on a deck chair on the uninterrupted beach, with no commercial distractions to disturb your mind from this relaxing holiday experience. Although Mexico Beach prides itself on being a simplistic, undiluted, beach experience, the plenty of nature based activities on offer will satisfy the more adventurous holidaymaker. The beach provides volleyball and badminton, and the sea provides water-skiing, surfing, parasailing, sport-fishing. For more information see www.mexicobeach.com

10. Daytona Beach, Volusia Daytona beach could hardly be further from Mexico Beach, as not only is it on Florida�s Atlantic coast, but it is the self-proclaimed �most famous beach in the world�. The 23 miles of sparkling white sand, that stretches through several adjoining towns, is more often than not covered with the sparkling bronze bodies of sun seekers. For a small fee, cars are allowed on most sections of the beach, which further to ease of access creates fantastic picnicking opportunities. The beach is a staggering 500 feet wide at low tide, so the cars do not necessarily intrude on your space. Despite its popularity Daytona remains a clean beach, and is well patrolled by lifeguards and attendants. The sheer size of the beach means that there is something for everyone: young people tend to congregate near the Daytona Pier, whereas families and older groups prefer the relative quiet of the Ormond stretch. Entertainment on the beach covers all varieties of beach and water sports from horse riding to jet skiing. The fun continues away fro the beach: the Boardwalk provides rides, games, arcades and shops, and the famous Daytona International Speedway is only a short trip away.

For more information see www.daytonabeach.com

For even more information about other brilliant beaches in Florida or just additional information on the Sunshine State, please contact esther.williamson@kbc-pr.com or call + 44 (0) 1825 763633.

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