Saltwater borders Florida on both sides, and visions of palm trees swaying along sandy beaches lure vacationers to ocean retreats in Florida every year. The Gulf of Mexico borders Florida's west coast and its panhandle with its sugar-white beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean borders Florida on the east. Ocean vacations promise deep blue waters and surf, and the sound of waves crashing lull vacationers to sleep while orange sunrises streaked with pink wake them in the morning.
When selecting an oceanside retreat in Florida, remember that all saltwater isn't an ocean. The Gulf, on Florida's west side, is much shallower than the ocean proper, although the sugar-white sands and emerald waters of Panama City Beach and Destin in the panhandle make them major destinations. The Atlantic Ocean, only on the east coast, is deeper, has bigger waves, and beaches that aren't as deep as the Gulf beaches. This means that you may find a retreat closer to the water on the ocean side. Prices don't vary much between the gulf and ocean sides of the state.
Florida stretches over 500 miles from north to south, and the ocean starts at the Georgia border and end at Key West; in the winter time, the northern retreats will have water that many find too cold to enjoy. From April through October, any ocean water should be comfortable, but in the colder months you may want to stick with points south of Palm Beach county. If you have little tolerance to Florida's hot summers, stick to the northern third of the state--think Daytona Beach and points north-in the June, July and August.
Alongside the ocean, you can choose from renting a condo, hotel, private home or camp site. Each type of accommodation has its own merits. Families with young children may be best-suited to homes or hotels, and many hotels cater to families along the ocean. Many condos in Florida allow only retirees, so if you're seeking an adults--only retreat, one such condominium complex may afford you a quiet oceanside retreat. Camp sites along the beach or within walking distance--many at state or national parks- allow outdoors enthusiasts to maximize their beach time. Most, but not all, of these oceanside retreats boast "private" beaches, but in many cases this means that only registered guests can park by the beach; it does not stop the public from coming onto the beach.
For the purpose of an ocean retreat, think of Florida's east coast in three parts: north Florida, central/south Florida and the Keys. North Florida includes the areas of Fernandina, St. Mark's, and St. Augustine. These areas have many national seashores and more public beaches and parks alongside the ocean. Central/south Florida- which runs from Palm Coast to Miami- has more developed oceanfront land with more rental opportunities (although it will be more crowded as well). The Florida Keys, a narrow string of islands that curls off mainland Florida, has few beaches but more snorkeling and diving opportunities.
