Low-cost Seaside Holidays in Florida

Panama Metropolis Seaside

I landed in Panama Metropolis Seaside (PCB) a bit of greater than 17 years in the past and at all times depend myself fortunate to name this place house. With 300-plus days of sunshine annually, it is identified to have a number of the world’s most lovely seashores, together with some reasonably priced spots. And because of 100 seaside entry factors, it’s straightforward to spend a day paddleboarding the mild waves or constructing sandcastles.

Shell Island, the seven-mile barrier island simply off St. Andrews State Park on the east finish of PCB, offers a personal oasis the place you’ll be able to acquire moon snails, periwinkles, and olive shells—all native to the realm. My household scuba dives and we spend our time underwater exploring the coral-encrusted shipwrecks, Goliath grouper, giant sea turtles, and faculties of angelfish. When you desire to remain on land, cheap mini-golf programs dot the seaside. Locals like me know to beeline for the meals trailer, Finns Island Type Grub, which serves wonderful fish tacos.

St. Augustine Seaside

When you’ve had your fill of reasonably priced sights like taking the free ferry to Rattlesnake Island–house to Fort Matanzas, a fortified watchtower constructed by the Spanish in 1740—head to the 42 miles of Atlantic Ocean-facing seashores.

St. Johns County Ocean Pier has a beachfront park with bocce ball courts, a playground, and a youngsters’s splash zone. I like to spend the day stress-free on St. Augustine Seaside earlier than heading to Boat Drinks bar for arguably one of the best piña colada within the state. And that is saying so much—final summer time, I traveled the state high to backside, making an attempt cocktails and assembly bartenders whereas writing a e book known as, “Florida Cocktails.”

St. George Island

On the Forgotten Coast of Florida, life strikes a bit of slower. There’s shelling, bird-watching, lighthouses value exploring, and a number of the greatest seaside stargazing at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park. It’s frequent to catch sea turtles nesting at daybreak on the 22 miles of serene seaside in early summer time.

Comparatively untouched for the 30 years I have been coming right here, it typically ranks among the many high seashores within the U.S. An ordinance limiting buildings above three tales has saved the high-rises and large manufacturers at bay.

While you get hungry, Paddy’s Uncooked Bar has a bushel of oyster preparations and a tasty shrimp salad sandwich with simply the correct quantity of mayo and dill. Cease by Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream after a day on the sand; I’ve been taking my youngsters there since they have been infants.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville has 22 miles of public, pet-friendly seashores dotted with surf retailers, boutiques, eating places serving Mayport shrimp, and magical spots like Boneyard Seaside. Recognized for having a number of the largest waves on the East Coast, it is also a surfer’s paradise. Guests and locals alike can take classes with Saltwater Cowgirls, a crew of ladies instructors.

Simply do not go away with out tasting some Mayport shrimp—Jacksonville’s seashores have a number of stops on the Mayport Shrimp Path, or you’ll be able to swing by one of many many fish camps for recent, native seafood. Journey author Carrie McLaren, born and raised right here, loves TacoLu on Seaside Boulevard. She says, “My household stops right here for tacos, margaritas, and the road corn after a day on the seaside.”

New Smyrna Seaside

Slightly over an hour from Orlando’s theme parks and half-hour from Daytona’s high-octane actions, New Smyrna Seaside provides small-town vibes with lengthy swaths of shoreline, swooping Florida shorebirds, historical past museums, and households on seaside cruisers pedaling the sand. With 17 miles of sandy seashores and North America’s most numerous estuary, the Indian River Lagoon, there are many budget-conscious actions for guests.

E book an affordable two-hour pontoon boat tour up the Indian River Lagoon. Guided by a conservationist from the Marine Discovery Middle, you will have an opportunity to identify the elusive manatee, leaping mullet, and pink-hued roseate spoonbill. You can too go fishing, and drop off your catch at JB’s Fish Camp, the place they’ll cook dinner it to order for simply $15 and serve it alongside fries and coleslaw.

Stuart

North of Palm Seaside County, Stuart proves a South Florida escape will be finished on a funds. A county-wide four-story constructing top restriction means no towering buildings spoil the 22-plus miles of uncrowded seashores. Talking of seashores, they’re all public, with free parking and rolling seaside wheelchairs for guests with mobility wants.

Past the sand, greater than 115,000 acres of sprawling parks and conservation land supply plenty of exploration alternatives, together with free guided eco excursions, like sea turtle seaside walks, kayak journeys, birding excursions, and extra.

Key Largo

For a lot of, a Florida Keys trip ends in Key West, however that is not essentially essentially the most reasonably priced choice within the archipelago. Only a couple hours north sits Key Largo, the biggest of the Florida Keys and residential to a number of seashores.

It’s a extra budget-friendly choice, plus it has the nation’s first underwater park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the place admission begins at $4.50. Absorb the solar on Far Seaside, or swim to remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck 100 toes offshore at Cannon Seaside.

For vacationers in search of reasonably priced eating, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, the longest-running restaurant in Key Largo, has fueled lots of my private dive journeys.

Hollywood Seaside

Positioned between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood provides a funds seaside trip tamer than its siblings to the north and south. The whole lot is inside strolling distance, and I by no means go away with out a cease at Le Tub for one in every of their toasted coconut piña coladas.

There’s one thing a couple of boardwalk, or Broadwalk on this case, that makes a seaside significantly engaging. The two.5-mile pedestrian lane right here is paved with bricks moderately than wooden, therefore it is identify, Broadwalk.

Take within the dramatic ocean vistas plus out of doors cafes, farmers markets, juice bars, and ice cream retailers whereas strolling or curler skating (my most popular mode of transportation) the trail. Two parks supply a bit of respite from the summer time warmth—paddleball is fashionable on the historic Garfield Road courts, and the youngsters’s water playground at Charnow Park has a whimsical dolphin fountain for teenagers of all ages (like me) to play in.

Pensacola Seaside

Pensacola Seaside is house to one of many longest stretches of federally protected seashore within the U.S., Gulf Islands Nationwide Seashore. With 40 miles of sentimental, white-sand seashores and emerald waters, an excellent afternoon right here may embody swimming, snorkeling, and sandcastle constructing. When you go to on a Tuesday between April and October, gifted native musicians present the soundtrack to your seaside getaway.

Pensacola can be house to the primary cease on the Nice Florida Birding and Wildlife Path, so do not forget to pack your binoculars.

Pensacola additionally contains Perdido Key, house of the Flora-Bama Yacht Membership—one in every of my favourite locations to spend a lazy afternoon on the seaside. From the Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney lyrics painted on the partitions to the memorabilia left by musicians passing via to the unobstructed view of the sand and sea, it is a should for anybody touring to Florida. Order one in every of their legendary Bushwackers and sink into island life.

Manassist Key

This barrier island, between Tampa and Fort Myers, could be the least talked about slice of paradise within the Sunshine State. Go for the seashores full of shark tooth ripe for gathering, however keep for the Hermitage Artist Retreat, a multidisciplinary collective providing free and low-cost public occasions.

The island can be house to nature preserves, like Lemon Bay Aquatic Protect, which has numerous ecosystems for mountain climbing, bird-watching, and exploring mangroves. There’s parasailing, tarpon fishing, dolphin excursions, and extra to loved. And should you discover a inexperienced sea grape leaf whereas exploring, add a stamp and mail it as if it have been a postcard for the vacation spot—it is a little-known, time-honored custom on Manasota Key.