The Best Gulf of Mexico Beaches: A Sentimental Travel Guide
*Sponsored Post: I was paid for this travel piece, but all words, photography and views are my own.
If you’ve landed on this corner on the web before, you’ll already know I have a little thing for the tropics. [Insert many palm trees emoji here.] Just one whiff of a destination that requires little more than a bikini and - before you’ve even had time to blink - I’ll have already booked my flight there. Be it near or far, I’m always (always) up for an island adventure. I’m a Florida girl after all.
So it was about time I bring you a travel guide to my favourite sunshine-infused destinations in a part of the world that’s near and dear to my heart.
Fellow beach babes, this one’s for you.
Now, I’m going rogue here, and taking you not to the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, or the cobalt hues of the Caribbean, but instead to the warm waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Perhaps not the body of water that tops every young(er) backpacker’s bucket list. But one that should certainly be on any well-versed traveller’s radar. It’s the world’s ninth largest body of water, and touches five American and Mexican States alike. (Yes. I’m a geography nerd.) And every gulf shores beach and coastline comes with quartz-like sand to sink your toes (and soul) into and enough year-round sunshine to sort out even the worst case of Vitamin-D deficiency.
Here are my top picks for the Gulf’s most blissful beaches, alongside some tips to help you truly enjoy the Gulf of Mexico region in style:
Siesta Key, Florida:
This was once voted the number one in beach in the United States for good reason. And once you see it for yourself, you’ll understand why it’s considered one of the very best Sarasota Florida beaches. As I proclaimed in my Ode to Home, Siesta Key gets everything right. Its silky-soft (almost billowy) sand is the very definition of a dream tropical destination. So are its undulating dunes and their reeds, blowing ever-so-gently in that balmy Florida breeze. And though the colours may chop and change daily, every single Siesta Key sunset offers visitors some serious eye candy. And despite popular opinion, Siesta Key is not just for snowbirds escaping a brutal winter. I’d hasten to say it’s what summer holidays are truly made of: a cozy beach lounger, icy cold beers (kept chilled in a koozie, a classic Southern accessory) and the first few pages of a good book.
Marco Island, Florida:
Located on Florida’s Paradise Coast, Marco Island wears its namesake with aplomb. As the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, it straddles both the calm, greenish-blue waters of the Gulf as well as swampy, mangrove-tentacled estuaries. Visit Marco Island for a blend of both highbrow and lowbrow: luxury resorts and chi chi seafood restaurants only a short distance away from Goodland, the island’s hippie fishing village. Both swanky Naples and the Everglades wetlands are also easy day trips from the island, for those keen to blend a bit of sightseeing with their sunbathing.
Caledesi Island:
Only accessible by boat, this Gulf of Mexico island comes with a story good enough for a novel. It was once the home of Myrtle Scharrer Betz, the only child ever born on the island thanks to her Swiss immigrant father, who purchased Caledesi in the late 1800s. In 1921, a storm cut the island from the Florida mainland and it became a little isolated pocket of paradise. In 1967, it was purchased by Florida State and has remained in absolutely pristine condition ever since, making it just the place for serious wilderness babes. Because not only can you plop your beach towel on its sands and get your sun-soak on (with 50+ SPF of course!), you can adventure around the island too. Hike the countless trails on Caledesi Island State Park, hire a paddleboard and put your abs to work along those beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters, or explore the island’s spectacular mangroves by kayak. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a dolphin on your island explorations.
Holbox, Mexico:
Is there really anything more for me to say about Holbox? Wasn’t this ode to this beautiful Mexican island enough? No folks, no. I will take any excuse to rave about this blissful tropical isle if given the opportunity. Because there is no where else I’ve been in Latin America that comes so close to those mellow Southeast Asia vibes. It’s slow-paced, its hippie, its humble, and as a result, just divine. Go to switch off. Then stay longer. And report back on how much you’ve fallen in love with this corner of the world too.
How to Get Around the Gulf of Mexico:
If you love a bit of independent travel, the best thing to do is book a direct flight to a Florida Gulf city hub such as Tampa or Fort Meyers. Find yourself a bargain during shoulder season (or hurricane season, for you adventure travellers). Then hire a car for the duration of your stay, pick up a map of Gulf coast beaches and hit up as many of these recommended spots as your time allows.
However, if you’re in a pampering mood, and want to have your multi-journey trip sorted for you, then I highly recommend booking a trip with a tour company like TravelPlanners. You can pick the multi-stop itinerary that’s perfect for you. You’ll get a rich, diverse experience of the region and have the pleasure of being properly looked after during the entirety of your trip. Either way, you’ll return home one incredibly blissed out babe.
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