Best Gulf Coast Beaches
Destin
Thinkstock
With brilliant blue waves lapping gently upon sands as soft and white as sugar, it makes good sense that the stretch of Florida shore where Destin lies would be coined, "The Emerald Coast." Truly, this tranquil, charming beach town in Florida's Panhandle is a gem. Twelve beach access points can be found along Destin's coastline; while all are truly lovely, the 1 1/2-mile Henderson Beach State Park is a waterfront Eden.
Beach lovers and families set up camp with myriad towels, chairs and umbrellas, whiling away hours basking in the sun, quietly reading a novel or splashing in the surf. When lying by the beach grows tiresome, charter one of Destin's ubiquitous fishing boats for a day spent trawling the Gulf for a catch. Fishing has grown so popular in Destin that it now claims to be home to Florida's largest fishing fleet, and has boldly dubbed itself "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village." The area is also a popular golf destination; head to nearby Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and find 72 holes spread over 3 painstakingly manicured courses.
Galveston Island State Park
Photo by [Yinen Chan via Flickr Creative Commons 2.0] , edited for web.
The port town of Galveston, located on a barrier island off the Texas coast, has earned its marks as a popular vacation destination, particularly for residents of nearby Houston. Still, the appeal of its swaths of beaches and its downtown historic district lure travelers from across the country to Galveston's shores. As a whole, Galveston Island feels like a major resort destination; 32 miles of beaches, numerous resorts, restaurants, shops and galleries can be explored, particularly in the quaint Victorian downtown.
For respite from the masses, head to the quiet oasis of Galveston Island State Park's 2,000 acres, a mostly undeveloped stretch of land and shore. Here, you'll be able to take dips in the water (be careful, there are no lifeguards in attendance), or enjoy a number of outdoor activities like bird-watching, biking, fishing and picnicking. Camping is one of the park's most popular activities, and 66 campsites exist in the park, including 36 sites facing the beach.
St. George Island
Rachel Kramer, flickr
Come early summer, the beach proves attractive to another visitor: loggerhead sea turtles that come ashore to dig nests and lay eggs. At nightfall, the baby sea turtles can be seen making their way toward the water. A number of trails, boardwalks and viewing platforms wind through the park, and make for excellent, easy hiking and wildlife viewing. St. George's is also an excellent destination for fishing and many charter companies offer daily trips into the surrounding Gulf waters, rich with flounder, trout and redfish.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
Not everyone considers Alabama a likely Gulf Coast beach destination, preferring instead the Florida Panhandle beaches. Oh, but they should reconsider. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL, lie in proximity to the splendid shores of Florida's "Emerald Coast," and offers beachgoers 32 miles of spectacular, sugar-white beaches, as well as nearby outdoor activities and family attractions. But first, the beaches.
Hit the sands at Gulf State Park, set amid the dunes and wild sea oats. This family-friendly beach features a newly built outdoor pavilion with air-conditioned restrooms, showers, tables and benches for eating, a snackbar and even a fireplace, perfect for warming your toes on chilly afternoons or evenings. For a bit more action, hit the sands at Gulf Shores Public Beach, a favorite local hangout, where volleyball games and sipping cold beers with pals can occupy your laidback time. For outdoor activities, make a trip to nearby Dauphin Island, where you'll find the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and fishing pier. Should the kids get restless, head to Adventure Island amusement park or the waterpark at Waterville, USA.
West Ship Island
ParkerDeen / Vetta / Getty Images
Today, visitors can take the Ship Island Excursions ferry from Gulfport, MS, on a 12-mile journey to West Ship Island, where they'll spend the day lounging on the shores, or exploring Fort Massachusetts, built in the mid-19th century to protect the coast from attacks by foreign navies. Besides swimming in the calm waters or lounging on the beach, the island is an ideal destination for quieter beach pursuits, such as shelling, birding, fishing and nature photography. West Ship Island is part of Gulf Shores National Seashore, and remains open to visitors from sunrise to sunset; no camping or overnight stays are allowed, and visitors must traverse the island by foot.
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