[JoMar]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I am map-stupid about Florida's geography. However, my hairdresser raved about Fred Howard Park. (Tarpon Springs area?) She said it's beautiful, has shade available on the beach itself from palms, has picnic areas. She said they arrange to arrive around 1:00, and the place is emptying out from the early morning beach goers. They can sit in the shade on the beach if they want and stay all afternoon in relative peace and quiet.

I have never been there, but it might be worth googling.

We were at Fred Howard Park last weekend and the beach was great. Not far from there is Sunset Beech which is also very good. As mentioned, Tarpon Springs area so 1 to 1.5 hours depending on route and traffic. Great day trip

[dotti105]

Rated # 1 Florida Beach by USA today!

Our daughter lives on Indian Harbour Beach, (Atlantic near Cocoa, Melbourne) Our SIL surfs almost daily. But the sharks there are a serious hazard.

Some of the residents who live in the high rise beach front condos will sit on their balcony and use a whistle to alert the surfers when the sharks start towards them. No joke.

Jim (our SIL) has shown us aerial photos of those waters with sharks literally everywhere!!
The Atlantic is rougher than the gulf and creates a series of dips or gullies in the sand under the water and the sharks will sit in those recesses and wait.

Not my idea of a fun beach for swimming! Check out the statistics for shark attacks. That 30 miles stretch is one of the worst areas.....

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by HimandMe

How great it would be if The Villages had a man-made beach...

It could be built next to the indoor pool!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

It could be built next to the indoor pool!

That's a good one!

[jojo]

Are there any dog-friendly beaches?

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by jojo

Are there any dog-friendly beaches?

Top 10 Dog Beaches in Florida

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by JoMar

We were at Fred Howard Park last weekend and the beach was great. Not far from there is Sunset Beech which is also very good. As mentioned, Tarpon Springs area so 1 to 1.5 hours depending on route and traffic. Great day trip

According to Google Earth, Fred Howard Park is over two hours.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I am map-stupid about Florida's geography. However, my hairdresser raved about Fred Howard Park. (Tarpon Springs area?) She said it's beautiful, has shade available on the beach itself from palms, has picnic areas. She said they arrange to arrive around 1:00, and the place is emptying out from the early morning beach goers. They can sit in the shade on the beach if they want and stay all afternoon in relative peace and quiet.

I have never been there, but it might be worth googling.

according to Google maps, it is 1 hour and 45 minutes from Wildwood.

[cquick]

I would rather go to Siesta Key in Sarasota or Anna Maria Island in Bradenton and stay overnight! But for fun and lots of restaurants and nightlife, Clearwater is the best bet in my opinion.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by cquick

according to Google maps, it is 1 hour and 45 minutes from Wildwood.

Could be. I live 25-30 minutes from Wildwood.

The Villages is BIG.

[Chi-Town]

I've tried. There doesn't appear to be a Gulf beach worth visiting until the Clearwater Beach area. A little strand of sand doesn't count.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

Top 10 Dog Beaches in Florida

thanks for this info

[grayesun]

Not quite as far as Clearwater is Honeymoon Island State Park, a fantastic beach (in Dunedin). Don't bother paying for the boat ride over to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Beach, it's not worth it.

[OpusX1]

Here is a interesting list of the top 12 Florida beaches according to Dr Beach.

12 Best Florida Beaches - Orlando Sentinel

I think we have been to all of them except the one near Apalachicola.

The closest listed gulf beach is Caladesi Island State Park.

[Gulfhills]

Originally Posted by beachx4me

It isn't on the Gulf side, but New Smyrna beach is about 1.5 hours away. If you go 42 through the Ocala National Forest to 44, it takes you right on through for the most part.

This is where we go....just love it. You can park on the beach, and they have lifeguards and showers. Be sure to stop at Mon Delice bakery!! and get a grouper sandwich at Oceans Seafood. 44 goes right to beach area.