With Labor Day weekend approaching like a freight train, that can only mean one thing: summer is unofficially over.
At least, that’s what I would be saying if I lived in any of the other lower 48 states not named Florida.
Beach season is measured more by the days you can’t go rather than the days you can, and those no-go’s are few and far between.
SUMMER TRAVEL PSA: IF YOU COME TO FLORIDA LOOKING FOR GREAT BEACHES, STAY AWAY FROM THE KEYS
Labor Day just so happens to be one of the most popular beach days in the state, as it is in other locales across the country, and this year will be no different.
Folks from all over the world will be enjoying the white sandy shores of the Sunshine State, and that means if you want to partake in some beach action, you might have to go off the beaten path unless you want to rub elbows with the unwashed masses.
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Luckily for you, I grew up in Florida and spent my entire life trying to find strips of sand that weren’t overrun with fraternity chapters and New Jerseyans – since their beaches apparently will be underwater soon – and now I want to share my findings with you.
Here are three beaches in my home state that you MUST check out as alternatives to some of the more well-known spots.
Instead of South Beach, check out Dania Beach
When you think of beaches in South Florida, there’s a good chance your mind immediately jumps to South Beach or perhaps Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Well, odds are both of those places will be overrun with tourists this weekend (and every weekend), so skip those and head to Dania Beach.
Situated just on the other side of Port Everglades, Dania Beach is a quiet strip of land smack dab in between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and while everyone else is partying it up in those two cities, you’ll enjoy the relaxing side of SoFlo living here.
The north end of the beach features Whiskey Creek, a quiet brackish river that is great for kayaking and occasionally spotting some manatees (though highly unlikely at this time of year).
Further south, you will find the Dania Pier, featuring the local restaurant Quarterdeck and plenty of fishing opportunities, so long as you pay a small fee to access the far end of the pier.
The seagrape trees and dunes offer a chance for wildlife lovers to spot plenty of birds along with other creatures that call these beaches home, and the water is exceptionally calm for an Atlantic shore.
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Dania is a perfect spot to slow things down this Labor Day weekend, so check it out if you’re in the area.
Instead of Clearwater Beach, check out Lido Key Beach
The Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater area is home to some of the most famous beaches in the country, but that also means everyone and their grandmother will be there soaking up this sun this holiday weekend.
Hop in the car and drive an hour south to Lido Key Beach in Sarasota to remedy that.
Sarasota is one of Florida’s best kept secrets, and although many locals swear by Siesta Key or Anna Maria Island, Lido Key offers the same pristine white beaches without the pomp and circumstance of the other two.
It’s family-friendly, so you won’t have to worry about watching Sigma Chi try and funnel a keg of suds in front of your kids, and the views are spectacular; truly some of the best the state has to offer in that regard.
You’ll feel like you’re staring at a postcard as the sun sets over the Gulf.
For those of you feeling adventurous, there are guided kayak tours that take you through the mangroves, and jet ski rentals are available if you want to get a little wind through your hair.
Make it a Labor Day to remember for all the right reasons and head to Lido Key.
Instead of Daytona Beach, check out Villano Beach
I might get myself in some hot water with my friends and family for revealing this spot, but if you want serenity and tranquility for your beach weekend, this is the place to be.
Daytona Beach has a reputation as being a spring breaker’s paradise, and I’ve never figured out why.
Regardless, the place will be slammed all weekend, so if you’re up for a little drive, less than an hour and a half north is Villano Beach.
Just east of downtown St. Augustine, Villano Beach is a small and fairly unknown Atlantic beach that is really only frequented by locals and campers, given that the North Beach Campground sits across Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.
The parking lot that leads to the shore only has about 30 spots, but I’ve never seen all of them taken, and it’s one of the few points where you can access the beach, if that gives you an idea of just how untapped this place is.
The sand is abundant and wide open, as Villano Beach offers a ton of runway to set up a tent or giant umbrella and stake your claim for the majority of the day.
This is a no-frills type of beach, so if you just want to relax and hear the crashing of the waves and maybe do a little body surfing, this is your jam.
And, when you’ve worked up an appetite, stroll into The Reef for some upscale seafood or Aunt Kate’s across the street on the intracoastal side for some more laidback eats and a great view of the sunset.
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You can’t go wrong with either after a long day in the sun.
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