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Central Florida's Gulf coast should appeal to nature lovers, and here's a place where it really does.

I’m not a fan of Florida.  It conjures images of tall, white condos lurking over beaches, theme parks that I’m not interested in, chain restaurants and early-bird dinners.  People say the weather is great, but the few times I have visited family there, it was mostly rainy.  I was not in a hurry to return. 

When I was invited by the Clearwater Region Chamber of Commerce to explore “Natural Clearwater,” I must say I was intrigued as I had thought there wasn’t anything natural about Florida.  The invitation mentioned a dolphin encounter, something I’d always wanted to do, so I signed on.  I spent four days exploring this wonderful part of the state and discovered that my image was way off the mark.  This region is worthy of attention. 

Clearwater Beach is a barrier island surrounded by the spectacular Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Intracoastal Waterway on the east.  The entire Clearwater area is rich in marine and bird life, and offers nature preserves and an extensive state park system brimming with flora and fauna.  To top this all off, award-winning beaches are everywhere.

In nearby Tampa and St. Petersburg there are many first-rate attractions including art, science and history museums.  All together, the area offers a very appealing combination of activities for all interests and age groups and makes a great spot for a family vacation. 

Let’s Go Swimming

Almost everyone who goes to Florida has the beach on her agenda, and with over 28 miles of Gulf beaches in Clearwater, you will not be disappointed. Families with infants and toddlers will be especially delighted by the calm, shallow surf and warm water, making this an ideal place to introduce young children to the sea. Incidentally, “Dr. Beach,” aka Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a Florida International University professor who annually ranks beaches for their health and safety, including the clearness of the water, the purity of the sand and the undeveloped state of the shorelines, consistently chooses Clearwater Beach as the best on the Gulf.  And, in 2007, he named nearby Caladesi Island State Park as #2 on his list of “America’s Best Beaches.”

The Beach Walk project, now underway, is a redevelopment plan for Clearwater Beach which will include a promenade with greenspace, public areas, and improved pedestrian and vehicle access. 

Other area beaches of note include Sand Key Park, a half-mile-long white sand beach with bathhouses and picnic shelters (but no lifeguards), tranquil Honeymoon Island State Park, and, further afield, Fort DeSoto Park Beach named for the standing Spanish-American War fort for which it was named, which offers nature trails, canoeing and kayaking areas, picnic facilities and fishing piers.