3 Best Gulf Coast Beaches You Need to Try:
The Gulf Coast is about 1680 miles of coastline. It’s known for its many stunning beaches. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly destination, a romantic getaway, or a place to unwind with friends, these three best Gulf Coast beaches stand out for their incredible qualities. Here’s why South Padre Island, Gulf Shores, and Clearwater made our top 3 list!
South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island is a gem on the Texas Gulf Coast. South Padre Island (SPI) is located on the southern tip of Texas, stretching along the Gulf of Mexico. This barrier island is renowned for its beautiful beaches, clear water, warm climate, and vibrant marine life. Easily accessible via the Queen Isabella Causeway, SPI offers a perfect getaway for beach lovers and adventure seekers alike. With 34 miles of beautiful beaches, SPI is a world-famous tropical island. Famous for its soft, sandy beaches and clear blue waters, it’s a hotspot for beachgoers of all ages. With 300 sunshiny days a year, SPI is an ideal destination no matter the season.
South Padre has a variety of things to do. From dolphin watching tours to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, fishing, and birding, there’s something for everyone. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy kiteboarding, parasailing, and jet skiing, while those looking to relax can simply bask in the sun or take a peaceful walk along the shore. The island also has a vibrant nightlife, with plenty of beachside bars and restaurants serving up fresh seafood and tropical drinks.
Fun Fact: The bay between South Padre Island and the mainland, Laguna Madre, is a "hyper-saline" bay. That means its salt content is higher than that of the ocean. It is one of only six hyper-saline bays in the world, making it extremely important for Gulf of Mexico sea life, including dolphins and sea turtles that migrate there to hatch or raise their young. The only body of water in the U.S. with a higher salt content is the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Plus, you’ll float better there than in the ocean!
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Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores, Alabama, is another must-visit beach on the Gulf Coast. Known for its 32 miles of sugar-white sands and calm, emerald-green waters, Gulf Shores offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and fun activities. It’s a fantastic place for families, couples, or solo travelers.
Gulf Shores has great dining and lodging options, and it’s more affordable than some other more popular nearby destinations.
One of the highlights of Gulf Shores is the Gulf State Park, which features miles of hiking and biking trails, a fishing pier, and a scenic golf course. The park’s white sand beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles.
Or if you’re more of an adventure seeker, there’s parasailing, zip-lining, and kayaking.
Gulf Shores also hosts many festivals throughout the year, including the famous Hangout Music Festival and the National Shrimp Festival, making it a lively destination with plenty of entertainment options. It’s a popular place year round.
Fun Fact: The Gulf State Park Fishing Pier has the most square footage of any of the piers on the US Gulf Coast at 30,000+ feet of fishing pier.
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Clearwater Beach in Florida is often praised for its stunning beauty and vibrant atmosphere. The beach is known for its powdery white sand (which are made of quartz) and crystal-clear waters (which come from numerous nearby fresh springs). Clearwater Beach has consistently been rated one of the best beaches in the United States, and it’s easy to see why.
The beach is perfect for a variety of activities, from paddle-boarding and jet skiing to beach volleyball and dolphin-watching cruises. Pier 60 is a popular spot. It’s over 1000 feet of fishing pier along with nightly sunset celebrations with street performers, local artisans, and live music and dining.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a great place to visit, especially for families, as it’s home to rescued marine animals, including the famous dolphin, Winter. Winter is famous for having a prosthetic tail as well as being in the Dolphin Tale movies.
With its wide range of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options, Clearwater Beach offers a lively and inviting atmosphere for visitors of all ages.
Fun Fact: Clearwater is nicknamed the ‘Sunshine City” because it holds the Guinness Book Record for most consecutive days of sunshine. The record was set between 1967 and 1969 at 768 consecutive days.
Why These Beaches Made Our Top 3
If you love spending time on Gulf Coast beaches, or if you’ve never been to a Gulf Coast Beach, these 3 are the perfect places to start. South Padre Island, Gulf Shores, and Clearwater Beach each offer something unique and special, making them standout choices for the best Gulf Coast beaches.
South Padre’s warm weather and variety of outdoor activities, Gulf Shores’ natural beauty and family-friendly attractions, and Clearwater’s stunning scenery and lively atmosphere all contribute to their top-tier status. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, these beaches provide the perfect setting for a relaxing Gulf Coast experience.
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