Local Beaches Among Top Family Beaches in U.S.
Three beaches near Palmetto, Florida were named among Reader’s Digest‘s top family beaches to visit in the U.S. and Carribean! You’re in luck when visiting our area because these top family beaches are just a short drive away. Below, you’ll get the scoop on each beach as well as the amount of travel time it takes to reach your destination from Palmetto.
Clearwater Beach
Travel Time: 57 minutes
With it’s pearly-white sand against the lucid ocean waters, what’s not to love about Clearwater Beach? Take the kids to a pirate ship cruise where they can hear pirate stories, play games, go on treasure hunts and much more. You may even spot a dolphin! Speaking of dolphins, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium also boasts a one-of-a-kind experience as you’ll get to meet the movie star dolphin Winter, who starred in Dolphin Tale.
Sanibel Island
Travel Time: 2 hours, 3 minutes
When you visit Sanibel Island, there’s one pastime that might take over your entire day: shelling. That’s right—Sanibel is known for its spectacular shelling opportunities! You’ll be surprised to discover a variety of shapes, sizes and colors making this the perfect souvenir to remember your trip to Sanibel. When you’re taking a break from shelling, the Gulf is the perfect area for kids to swim since there’s no shore break. Kids will also enjoy the national wildlife refuge where they can see blue herons, pelicans, alligators and more!
Fort Lauderdale
Travel Time: 3 hours, 16 minutes
When in Fort Lauderdale, you and your family will have plenty of beaches to explore! In fact, there are six beaches; each has its own unique amenities. Deerfield Beach has a family playground and a fishing pier. Then, Hollywood Beach has a boardwalk spanning miles, where you can walk or bike! After the beach, don’t miss Butterfly World downtown where you will see nearly 2,000 caterpillars and butterflies in a screened-in aviary. Then, when you’re looking for a more scenic route to explore the area, hop in a water taxi and enjoy the ride!