Why Florida’s West Coast should be on your travel wishlist
When it comes to Florida destinations, we know it can be hard to play favourites. Tourists flock to theme park paradise Orlando and party central Miami, leaving some of our favourite destinations — such as Sanibel and the Gulf islands — as some of the best unspoiled beaches and natural habitats in the state. If you haven’t yet discovered the sugary-sand coastline of Florida’s west coast, now is the time. Check out our top five reasons to visit Florida’s West Coast below...
Gulf islands
Situated just south of Tampa and St Petersburg, the Gulf islands (Bradenton, Anna Maria and Longboat Key) are best explored with your toes in the sand and camera in hand. With miles and miles of coastline, the islands boast of some of Florida’s most authentic and unspoiled beaches and seaside villages. Breathtaking sunsets, historic downtowns and lush vegetation are par for the course. 
Paradise Coast
With 90 golf courses in the greater Naples area, Florida’s Paradise Coast is officially home to the most golf holes per capita. The golfing haven has also been recognized by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators as the Golf Destination of the Year in North America (2014) and was awarded fifth place in USA Today’s list of 10 Best Golf Destinations in the World. Not much of a golfer? There’s plenty of other incredible attractions to explore in the area, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Everglades National Park. 
Sarasota
There is a uniquely wonderful blend of arts, culture and natural wonders on Sarasota’s Gulf Coast. Head to the state art museums, operas, orchestras and botanical gardens, or just have some fun in the sun. Sarasota has the Best Waterfront to Visit in North America (USA Today) and is home to Siesta Key Beach, the country's No1 Beach according to users of TripAdvisor. 
St Petersburg
Perfectly placed on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, St Pete and Clearwater offer visitors access to unbeatable sugar-fine sand in over 35 miles of beaches. Both St Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach were recognised in the Top 10 Best US Beaches in TripAdvisor’s 2015 Traveler’s Choice Awards, and for good reason. Whether you’re looking to take a dip in the warm water, parasail or just sit back and soak up the sun, the area is perfect for families and couples looking for a sunny and sandy escape. 
Fort Myers/Sanibel
Thanks to the unique geography of the area, the warm Gulf currents bring in hundreds of thousands of shells onto the sandy shores each day, most of which are fully intact and ready to be scooped up by collectors and souvenir seekers alike. Lucky visitors who adopt the “Sanibel Stoop,” (a local nickname for bent-over shell collectors), often leave with some of the most sought-after shells, such as horse conchs, calico scallops, banded tulips, sand dollars and starfish. 
Main picture: Mark Vance via Flickr