Are there better beaches than the Florida Panhandle?

[Anonymous]

Our family (we have young kids) absolutely loves the completely undeveloped beaches on the Florida Panhandle. We camp, ride bikes, snorkel, kayak, look for shells. The waters are gorgeous blue/green and very clear. The sand is sugar white and very smooth. We love seeing all the wildlife, dolphins, jellyfish, stingrays, etc... It truly feels like heaven on earth.
However, we have never been to the Caribbean or the Bahamas and are wondering if we are missing out on something. Is it worth the extra expense of visiting these places??? If so, where should we go? Does it really get any better than the Florida Panhandle?

[Anonymous]

I agree that the panhandle has some amazing beaches, but I say yes - go visit some of the Caribbean islands. The difference is that in the Caribbean you can snorkel really awesome reefs right off the beaches and see amazing fish. You can't do that in Florida. The Caribbean is warm all year long - Florida is not... The culture in the Caribbean is totally different than what you will find in Florida. Many of the islands are mountainous which have a very different feel than the flat terrain in Florida.

[Anonymous]

For small kids, the beaches on Florida & Alabama's gulf coast are pretty close to perfect.

For older kids & adults, the snorkeling is better in St. Croix (Buck Island) and is otherworldly in Belize. Many Caribbean islands have amazing beaches, but the sand is better in Florida. Also, you have to pay the international taxes on the airfare and deal with connecting flights.

[Anonymous]

OP Here. Thanks for the responses. Our kids are 4 and 8. How old do you think they need to be before we can truly enjoy the amazing snorkeling that you speak of?
Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Which beaches do you go to, OP? Sounds wonderful!

[Anonymous]

Brazil has some amazing beaches. Also anywhere in Austrailia.

[Anonymous]

We took our 8YO snorkeling last summer and he did OK, but mostly wanted to play on the beach. He didn't have the patience to just float and look for the fish. Also, our snorkel spot was a bit choppy and varying depths. Your kids need to be strong, confident swimmers to enjoy snorkeling.

BTW, we did the 'stingray feeding' at Castaway Cay when we did the Disney cruise. They were surprisingly scared of all the stingrays in the shallow lagoon and spent much of the time on the beach. Not $$$ well spent!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family (we have young kids) absolutely loves the completely undeveloped beaches on the Florida Panhandle. We camp, ride bikes, snorkel, kayak, look for shells. The waters are gorgeous blue/green and very clear. The sand is sugar white and very smooth. We love seeing all the wildlife, dolphins, jellyfish, stingrays, etc... It truly feels like heaven on earth.
However, we have never been to the Caribbean or the Bahamas and are wondering if we are missing out on something. Is it worth the extra expense of visiting these places??? If so, where should we go? Does it really get any better than the Florida Panhandle?

OP and PP, can you please share some of these awesome Florida gulf beaches? I've been trying to figure out short vacation there.

[Anonymous]

OP Here. For those looking for amazing gulf coast beaches St Joseph peninsula state park tops our list. It's a bit out of the way but truly amazing. St George island state park is also incredible. We moved to Georgia last year and have been testing out many of the beaches in the area.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are vacationing in the right place for your family at the moment. In a couple years I would recommend visiting St. John in the USVI. You can do all the playing on the beach, kayaking, and snorkeling you could ever imagine, but surrounded by lush green mountains. That is definitely not Florida. Have fun!
Also in my family one of DD could snorkel like an adult from the age if 7 or 8, and the other never really cared for it but was capable at 8 or so. In St. John the best snorkeling for young ones is Maho Bay because it is totally flat, good visibility, and there are sea turtles!

[Anonymous]

Falcarragh in Donegal - off the north west coast of Ireland. Its as beautiful as the beaches of Kenya but closer and safer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Falcarragh in Donegal - off the north west coast of Ireland. Its as beautiful as the beaches of Kenya but closer and safer.

And no temperatures above 68 degrees f. to trouble you.

[Anonymous]

Anse Bateau on Praslin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family (we have young kids) absolutely loves the completely undeveloped beaches on the Florida Panhandle. We camp, ride bikes, snorkel, kayak, look for shells. The waters are gorgeous blue/green and very clear. The sand is sugar white and very smooth. We love seeing all the wildlife, dolphins, jellyfish, stingrays, etc... It truly feels like heaven on earth.
However, we have never been to the Caribbean or the Bahamas and are wondering if we are missing out on something. Is it worth the extra expense of visiting these places??? If so, where should we go? Does it really get any better than the Florida Panhandle?

OP and PP, can you please share some of these awesome Florida gulf beaches? I've been trying to figure out short vacation there.

Not OP, but lived on Perdido Key. Beautiful.

[Anonymous]

OP where do you guys like to stay? I'm intrigued! Condo or hotel?

For what it's worth I think Florida is perfect for those ages. I think middle school/high schoolers can appreciate the culture and other features of the Caribbean