Travel Guide
Visit These 3 Florida Islands For Unspoiled Beaches And Less Crowds This Spring
Mar
Despite Miami putting the kibosh on floods of obnoxious spring breakers invading their shores, the rest of Florida hasn’t pulled the welcome mat.
The Sunshine State is always in high demand this time of year, whether for a family vacation after a long, cold winter or for college students ready to get cranked.
But the good news is you don’t have to be another face in the crowd of Panama City, Daytona Beach, or Destin — there are numerous island hideaways to enjoy sun and sand without the hassle of crowds and “woo!”-yelling beachgoers.
Realtor.com may not be your typical go-to for vacation advice (unless you’re ready to splurge on your dream beach villa), but given their knowledge of Florida’s most sought-after destinations, they actually provided some valuable insight on where to avoid Florida’s crowds this spring.
Standing out the most are a trio of islands often overlooked by most vacationers, and one is a textbook “hidden gem”.
Pine Island: Wave To The Crowds From Your Own Slice Of Paradise
Only 30 minutes from Fort Myers lies an island most tourists ignore despite being the state’s largest barrier island.
Unlike the bright lights of Miami, this is the perfect place to delve into what locals call “Old Florida charm”.
Calm, quiet, and scenic at every turn, Pine Island offers visitors a tranquil escape from the chaos of numerous Florida beaches this time of year and summer as well.
While not known itself for gleaming white-sand beaches, you can make your base here with cozy stays at such places like the upscale 99-year-old Tarpon Lodge and take a ferry to numerous surrounding islands.
Visit Florida recommends Caya Costa for the nearest paradisal beach escape, but Pine Island is close enough to popular Sanibel Island to wave back to the crowds from your newfound slice of paradise.
If you’re the type who loves to get out on the water rather than park your butt beachside, check out top-rated Pine Island Kayaks to explore the winding waterways’ diverse ecosystem and possible dolphin sightings.
Key Biscayne: Miami’s Island Oasis
While Miami may not have the rowdy spring break crowds we all try to avoid once we hit 30, Miami is still a hugely popular city.
Just a 15 minute drive from the vibrant skyline and cultural neighborhoods lies Key Biscayne, your best bet to find peace and serenity in one of America’s party capitals.
This large barrier island is known for long stretches of white-sand beaches, lush tropical forests, and clear water, unlike what you’ll find in world-renowned South Beach.
Locals love visiting Big Baggs State Park ($4 admission) for virtually no crowds, frequent manatee sightings and a picturesque lighthouse.
Whatever you do when visiting, don’t skip out on The Cleat Mia (known as “The Cleat”) within the park. This outdoor bar’s idyllic setting overlooking the island’s blue waters will have you feeling like you’re in the Caribbean!
In typical Miami fashion, Key Biscayne is anchored by Ritz Carlton, but there are numerous vacation rentals much lighter on the wallet.
Although, since it’s only 15 minutes away Miami, it’s easy to go back and forth as needed if you prefer to check out all of Miami’s delights.
My recommendation: you gotta check out Little Havana!
Rum Island: A Speck On The Map That Packs A Punch
Sadly, there’s no rum bar on Rum Island. What you’ll find here is Florida’s most unsuspecting island, which is actually inland on the Santa Fe River.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking – should I visit in a river in Florida, a state known for alligator horror stories?
Due to frequent visitors, there are very few alligator sightings here, so you can tube, kayak, snorkel, swim, and fish with peace of mind.
Rum Island Park is home a natural spring with clearer water than some of Florida’s beaches. Tourists do visit Ginnie Springs and Gilchrist Blue, but there are far less crowds at Rum Island in comparison and it’s just as pretty!
The park is open year-round and only costs $5 per vehicle. Located in Fort White, Gainesville is the nearest city with name-brand hotels and only 45 minutes away.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
