Closest, prettiest Gulf Beach from The Villages
 

As a relative newcomer to Florida, we are looking for the best Gulf beach for a day trip. Have heard much about the pure white sand, clear water and great sunsets. What locations do you recommend?

If you ever get the idea to go to Fort Myers Beach consider the following: Last week we sat in a 3 hours traffic jam to go the 4 miles to get over the bridge and off the island.

Our favorite is Indian Rocks beach on the gulf. Relatively quiet without large hotels/condos.

If you like quiet... Indian Rocks. If you want the whitest... Siesta Key (farther away though.) If you want to collect shells, go to Sanibel/Captiva (much farther away.) Do not go to Ft. Myers Beach!

Our friends live in Bonita Springs. According to them bumper to bumper traffic is non stop around them and in the Ft Myers area.

Try other options suggested here.

Port Orange

Check with gulf coast news reports regarding red tide before going. It seems to be prevalent at present. Under normal circumstances, I'd recommend Siesta Key with a night or two stay.

On the Gulf ?

closest and prettiest don't co-exist from here. The prettiest are up near Panama City Beach and Ft Walton. There have been some good recommendations for the closest.

The good beaches in southern Florida are pretty crowded this time of year, so you could wait a few weeks until more of the tourists go home.

However, there are a lot of extremely beautiful other places in Florida to visit - like Bok Tower and other nearby springs, like Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs, Alexander Springs, and Rock Springs.

Siesta Key
 

We love Siesta Key.

Siesta Key

Day trip beach
 

I'm a native Floridian and have visited almost everywhere in Florida.


Google Maps

Is a Google map link to Fort Island Beach.. Near Crystal River.. Straight west of The Villages.

It has white-sand beach featuring covered picnic tables & restrooms, plus a boat ramp & a fishing pier.

The magazine cover beaches your thinking of are in the Panhandle of Florida, and much to far away for a day trip.

Google Maps

Example Google map link for Cape San Blas.

Clearwater south to Fort Myers also have great beaches but come with lots of Snow Birds traffic and over crowed beaches.

Indian Rocks Beach is my recommendation as well. With a meal visit at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill in Clearwater. It's right on the beach so you have an awesome view if you ask for a patio table.

We like Clearwater.