The 9 Best Beaches in Florida

— -- intro: Summer may be winding down in the Northern Hemisphere, but if you are anything like most of us at Oyster.com -- that is to say, complete and total beach fanatics -- you may find yourself already fantasizing about a winter escape. With more than 650 miles of sandy shoreline and year-round balmy weather, the Sunshine State offers beach options to suit all tastes. It's also an easy destination to travel to from most cities in the U.S. -- and since the state relies heavily on tourism for the economy, there are all sorts of flight and hotel deals to choose from, especially in the off-season; after all, is there ever a bad time to hit the beach? So go ahead and check out our favorites: We start with Miami and move counter-clockwise along the state's best beach destinations.

quicklist: 1title: 1. Miami Beachtext: The most famous of them all, Miami Beach takes up a prime nine-mile stretch of white sand along a natural (and partially man-made) barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and Bay of Biscayne. Sea temperatures stay in the 80s from May to November (that's also when waves are the calmest), and barely drops below 70 from November through March. The turquoise water here is crystal clear so make sure to bring snorkel gear and jump on a stand-up paddle board for when the horizon is flat. Surfers, on the other hand, will want to visit during winter months when low-pressure systems offer the most consistent waves.

At the northern end is Bal Harbour, best suited for laid-back, get-up-and-see-the-sunrise types who prefer to stay clear of nightlife and crowds. This quiet beachfront is an easy walk to condo high-rises and luxury hotels like St. Regis and The Ritz-Carlton, and has a nice jogging/biking path, as well as areas for fishing, and plenty of space to spread out for sunbathing. The town of Bal Harbour also offers charming cafes for grabbing lunch and picnic provisions.

Further south is another low-key spot called North Beach, and then comes Mid-beach -- a popular area for tourists with notable hotels and resorts like Fontainebleau, Eden Roc, and Loews, as well as the historic Collins Waterfront Architectural District. Those who like to party and see-and-be-seen will want to continue down the coast to South Beach, where a lively, beautiful (and scantily-clad) crowd vies for attention against brightly colored art deco architecture, restaurants, clubs, and hotels along Ocean Drive. media:41998086

quicklist: 2title: 2. Palm Beachtext: North of Miami are more beautiful beach hubs like Pompano, Fort Lauderdale, and Delray, but our next spot on the list goes to the exclusive Palm Beach -- a 47-mile area of coastline next to the Gulf Stream with clear turquoise water and gentle breezes, not to mention mega-upscale dining and shopping options, pulling in wealthy visitors and locals alike. If relaxing in the wide expanses of white sand is not enough, active types can take a spin on the dog-friendly, six-mile Lake Trail along Palm Beach's Intracoastal Waterways. Meanwhile, families can head for kid-friendly Lake Worth Beach with a large playground and casual restaurants to have lunch. History buffs can opt for a quick boat ride to the man-made, 79-acre Peanut Island, which has a bunker from the Cold War era, as well as a running/walking trail that circles the entire island. This is also a great spot for snorkeling, though on weekends the nearby sandbar attracts rowdy groups of partiers. Surfers tend to congregate at Reef Road during winter swells.

Yes it's an expensive area, but for those who want to base themselves here without paying an arm and a leg can head across the waterway to West Palm Beach where more affordable hotels, dining, and nightlife options await.media:41997763

quicklist: 3title: 3. St. Augustinetext: This 42-mile stretch of shore in northeast Florida is nicknamed the "Historic Coast" and rightly so. St. Augustine is, after all, said to be the first city in the U.S. as it was discovered by Spanish settlers in 1565, making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent. The historic district of St. Augustine has a Spanish fortress and museums, while nearby, miles of unspoiled beaches offer public areas for recreation and relaxation. Cars are allowed to drive along the hard-packed sand of St. Augustine Beach -- a central area with hotels, restaurants, and a pier -- but nature lovers can head for the 1,600-acre Anastasia State Park, intentionally car-free with rolling sand dunes, several types of beach grass, and sea oats. On the southern end of the coast is another unpopulated area called Crescent Beach, which has a natural crescent moon shape.media:41997491

quicklist: 4title: 4. Destintext: Chances are you haven't heard (or haven't heard much) of this friendly town along the Florida Panhandle attracting road-trippers from mostly Southern and Midwestern states. Founded in the 1830s, Destin -- once a quiet sleeping village -- has experienced a spurt in tourism thanks, in part, to a bridge that connects the narrow peninsula to Florida's mainland. The area's beaches consist of some of the whitest sand in the world due to quartz particles that traveled down from the Appalachian mountains during the end of the last Ice Age. This unique geological component keeps the sand cool in the heat, and allows the sea water to shimmer a brilliant emerald green in the sun's reflection. Destin's family-friendly vibe is made even more attractive with affordable hotels, golf courses, water parks, and deep sea fishing, while snorkelers and scuba divers can check out a handful of old shipwrecks off the shore in the Gulf of Mexico. media:41997954

quicklist: 5title: 5. Clearwatertext: Clearwater, together with neighbor St. Petersburg, offers 35 miles of white sand and crystal clear water due west of Tampa Bay. The two beach hubs are often listed amongst top beach ratings for the entire country -- and just this year, Clearwater was voted the 2016's Best Family Beach by The Travel Channel. Clearwater Beach has ample gorgeous white sand with plenty of tourist-friendly activities in the way of shopping, dining, water sports, and pirate ship cruises -- especially near the hub of activity centered at Pier 60 (great for people-watching). The area is a popular boating community with several marinas built inside the intracoastal waterway, and many choose to take a boat (or public ferry) to nearby Honeymoon Island or Caladesi Island for protected beaches, secluded trails, and kayaking opportunities -- especially pretty at sunset. Back on the "mainland," laid-back types can head south to St. Pete Beach for relaxed beach bars and fewer crowds. media:41998011

quicklist: 6title: 6. Siesta Keytext: An hour south of Tampa -- not too far from Clearwater, actually -- is yet another beautiful destination along the Gulf of Mexico. Siesta Key's eight-mile barrier island shares space with two other standout beaches: Crescent Beach (more quiet) and Turtle Beach (more sporty). Since the brilliant white sand in Siesta is 99-percent quartz (like Destin, Siesta Key is known for having some of the best sand in the world) sand sculptures are a popular activity, especially in November when the annual sculpture contest takes place. Siesta Key Beach has shallow azure water near the shore making it great for families, and those who base themselves here will be within walking distance of shops and restaurants in Siesta Key Village. The island is also close to Sarasota, accessible from the North Bridge, for more choice in cafes, bars, and restaurants -- not to mention a Whole Foods Market for stocking the fridge. media:41997548

quicklist: 7title: 7. Sanibel Beachtext: A convenient location for those arriving to Fort Myers airport is Sanibel Island, recognizable for the century-old iron Point Ybel Lighthouse. This barrier island on the Gulf Coast offers some of the best shelling beaches in the world, so those looking for a slightly more undeveloped, rugged feel will find one here. Not to say Sanibel doesn't have sections of soft white sand (it does!) along with swimming, fishing, and water sports like windsurfing and kayaking. Peace-and-quiet seekers can head over a bridge to Bowman’s Beach to walk or jog on natural trails. On the island’s south coast is Tarpon Bay Beach, another uncrowded spot (pack a picnic) with a small fee for parking. Romantics seeking privacy can also wander around Captiva Beach on the northern tip of the island with miles of uncrowded shore -- keep an eye out for dolphins jumping in the distance, and a pontoon boat selling concessions. media:41997705

quicklist: 8title: 8. Naplestext: This upscale (and some would say overdeveloped) town on the southern gulf coast offers a dizzying array of free public beach options for visitors who have a car -- recommended for those who like to view aforementioned development in the way of some pretty notable mansions and golf courses. The upside to the area's glitzy growth is that this section of calm coastline on the Gulf of Mexico (ideal for stand-up paddle boarding) is truly well cared for with a dedicated beach patrol that keeps a close eye on things. And despite all the growth, condominiums and hotels have added lovely tropical landscaping and tall palm trees (Naples is said to have some of the most lush vegetation in Florida). Downtown is a charming hub of shops, bars and restaurants, which lead to seven miles of sand, including Naples Municipal Beach and a popular 24-hour pier for fishing. Within driving distance are lesser-developed areas like Clam Pass County Park, South Marco Beach, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park with a network of trails. Another plus for Naples: the weather is warmer than most of Florida during the winter months of December through April. media:41997838

quicklist: 9title: 9. Key Westtext: Like Naples, Key West has warmer temperatures thanks to its lengthy stretch of coastline on the very southern part of Florida. It is also known for Cuban and gay communities, and Conchs (residents, many who hail from the Bahamas) are proud to display lots of personality (stuffy types may want to stick to Naples or Palm Beach). The best beaches in Key West are found on the south side of the island facing the Atlantic Ocean with water sports, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Compared to other destinations on this list, the golden sand tends to be more narrow, more rocky, and more crowded, but Higg's Beach has a wide sandy beach, and others offer nightly yoga and sunset views. It's not just about the beaches here, though; rather, it's Key West's undeniably fun and free-spirited lifestyle that give it a spot on this list. After the sun sets, many choose to head to lively Mallory Square to sip margaritas, and dine on seafood and key lime pie; literary freaks will rest easy knowing Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote here for 10 years, after arriving on a ferry from Havana. Sigh. media:41997897