Hawaii may be the dream destination for many, but hidden on the Côte du Gulf de la Florida is a hidden paradise which is just as breathtaking. Anna Maria island, a barrier island seven miles long, offers white-white sand, turquoise waters and a relaxed atmosphere that wants to go back in time. This is why this little American island gives Hawaii a serious competition.
Powdered white quartz beaches that stay in the fridge
Walking barefoot on the island of Anna Maria wants to walk in powdered sugar. Unlike the volcanic beaches of Hawaii, these banks are almost entirely in quartz crystal, which gives them a shiny white appearance which is reflected rather than absorbing heat. Even during the burning summer days of Florida, the sand remains pleasantly fresh under the feet. More clumsy beach dashes or burnt soles here! Families appreciate the gentle slope in water, creating shallow areas perfect for small splash in complete safety while parents relax on the comfortable shore.
Dolphin identifying your beach towel
Imagine by sipping your morning coffee while watching the dolphins play just offshore. On Anna Maria Island, this is not a special package – it’s daily life. The waters of the Clean Clear Gulf offer perfect visibility to locate sea visitors. The dolphin pods of the bottles are frequently navigated, sometimes a few meters from the swimmers. Lucky beach enthusiasts could even see soft lamantins paid on sea herbaries in the shallows. Unlike the deeper waters of Hawaii where the observation of fauna often requires a boat trip, the marine residents of Anna Maria come to you, making every day of the beach a potential meeting of fauna.
The sunsets that paint the sky in Technicolor
The Côte du Gulf de la Florida has a natural phenomenon that even Hawaii cannot match. The beaches oriented towards the west of the island of Anna Maria deliver masterpieces every evening while the sun plunges into the Gulf of Mexico. The inhabitants meet in places like Bean Point to attend the sky transform into a canvas of orange, pink and purple shades. The flat horizon creates a breathtaking view, allowing the full solar spectacle to think simultaneously on the sky and water. Many visitors plan their whole day around these magical moments, bringing picnics and cameras to capture what the inhabitants proudly call “the best sunsets in America”.
Old Florida Charm without high height hotels
Strict construction codes on the boundary structures of the island of Anna Maria on a maximum of three floors, preserving the authentic atmosphere of the coastal village which disappeared from most of the beaches of Florida decades. The colored beach chalets border the calm streets instead of imposing stations. Family ice cream salons, not restaurant chains, serve as gathering points. The free trolley of the island eliminates the worries of traffic as it completes from one charming district to another. This preservation of the character of the seaside city of the old contrast strongly with the marketed tourist areas of Hawaii, offering visitors an overview of the coastal vacation before mass tourism.
Isolated beaches that you can have almost for you
The northern tip of Anna Maria islands several beaches which remain surprisingly unstopped even during the high season. Bean Point, with its water views of 270 degrees where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf, often has more shore birds than people. Early elevators can find themselves completely alone, with the exception of the occasional fisherman or the shell collector. The absence of large car parks naturally limits crowds, creating peaceful spaces that are impossible to find on the famous beaches of Hawaii. These isolated places provide modern travelers to be the most sought after: the increasingly rare luxury of personal space in a magnificent setting.
