Florida can expect more visitors this spring break and summer, as the great media attention captured by Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida as Number 1 on Dr. Beach’s annual Top Ten Beaches list will no doubt help other Florida beaches.
Siesta Beach claims that its sand is the whitest and finest in the world and many agree because its sand is almost pure quartz crystal. The water is clear and clean, and it beautifully reflects the blue color. The beach is also children-friendly and therefore family-friendly as its slope towards the waters is gradual and its waves are measured in inches.
People usually go to the beach to swim, relax, or sunbathe, which, depending on the company you’re with can get pretty boring, pretty quick and for when you go home everything get dirty so you can count on Stafford, TX pressure wash services from Pressure Washing America, LLC.
But the beach doesn’t only have to be about rest and relaxation. Make your day in the sun and surf an active one with one of these 10 fun activities, ranging from shell-hunting to jogging along the sand.
Build a Sandcastle
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Sandcastles and sand sculptures can be simple or elaborate, but all are so much fun to build! No special tools are needed—just sand, water, and your hands will do, although simple cups and pails are helpful tools in carrying sand and water and helping to shape your creation. Build a deep moat around your castle when it’s done to protect it from rising tides that will make it melt it away.
Cast a Line
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Fishing is one of America’s favorite activities and pastimes. While not all beaches allow fishing, many do, and some even have fishing piers that rent gear. If you’re a beginner and want to learn, look for a fishing tour that will take you out to a popular fishing spot. They’ll also give you pointers on how to fish; It’s not as easy as it looks!
Collect Seashells
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You can find shells on just about any beach. While this activity sounds like a no-brainer, there are some things to keep in mind. You will need a container to collect your shells. This can be a pail, cup or bag. Only collect “dead” shells—shells that have no animal inside.
If you like metal detection and treasure hunting on the beach you probably should check the ace 250 review.
It is illegal on many Florida beaches to collect live shells. Don’t forget to clean them after you get back to your hotel. Make shell collecting more fun by purchasing a book and looking up the names of each shell to see how many you can find!
Enjoy a Picnic
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Many beaches have food concessions, but they can be quite expensive and not very satisfying. So why not pack a lovely picnic? Cheese and crackers, sandwiches or fried chicken are favorites, and when paired with a salad or fresh fruit, it is often much healthier and much less expensive.
Beware that many beaches have an ordinance against alcoholic beverages, so leave the beer and wine at home and instead pack plenty of water. Also, don’t forget common sense food safety: Keep foods cold in a well-insulated cooler; and, when serving, don’t let them set out for an extended length of time.
The beach park offers bathrooms and showers, picnic tables, snack bars, shade trees and parking areas. It also promotes healthy living and green living as it’s a smoke-free beach.
Since Dr. Beach began rating and ranking beaches professionally in 1991, Florida has captured seven Number 1 rankings:
- 1992 — Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys
- 1994 — Grayton Beach State Park, Florida Panhandle
- 1995 — St. Andrews State Park, Panama City
- 2002 — St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Port St. Joe
- 2005 — Fort DeSoto Park – North Beach St Petersburg
- 2008 — Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater
- 2011 — Siesta Beach, Sarasota
The person many fondly calls Dr. Beach is environmentalist and geoscientist Stephen Leatherman, director of the Florida International University Laboratory for Coastal Research. He has also worked for the University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts and Boston University and has written books, including “Sea Level Rise: Causes and Consequences,” “Barrier Island Handbook” and “America’s Best Beaches.” He also co-produced and hosted the 1992 award-winning film “Vanishing Lands.”
Leatherman started rating beaches using a well-researched set of 50 criteria in 1991 after the media used his on-the-spot answer to a reporter’s question about the best beaches in 1989. His criteria was designed to find the best beaches for swimming, walking, sports, scenery and other recreational activities.
Among the 50 criteria used by Leatherman to come up with a list of the best beaches are the following:
- Sand softness
- Color of sand
- Beach width at low tide
- Water temperature
- Number of sunny days
- Slope of the beach
- Rip currents
- Size of breaking waves
- Views and vistas
- Facilities such as chairs, bars and showers
- Public safety
- Lifeguards
- Wind speeds
The other Florida beaches included in the 2011 Top Ten Beaches list are:
- Rank 6 — St. George Island State Park in the Florida Panhandle
- Rank 10 — Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne
The Siesta Beach is about an hour’s drive from Tampa, where there are also a lot of beautiful beaches. Contact Tampa4U for information on Tampa real estate.