Sanibel/Captiva is beautiful but it's a pricey area. Mostly resorts. Shells are abundant there though.
Destin/Ft. Walton Beach has gorgeous sugar white sand, gorgeous emerald colored waters (thus the name Emerald Coast). Alabama has some nice beaches also.
I personally don't care for the beaches on the east coast like Daytona. They allow cars on the beach and the sand is brown and packed. |