Florida has an amazing array of beaches, but what separates those on the Gulf Coast from those on the Atlantic?
After Visit Floridathere are several different factors including temperature, water clarity and sand.
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temperature
The water temperature on Gulf Coast beaches, like those near Tampa, is typically at least five degrees warmer than on the Atlantic Coast during the summer months.
In fact, Visit Florida said Gulf beaches can reach 92 degrees or more, which could make the water even warmer than the air around it from July through September. Meanwhile, Atlantic beaches tend to hit 82-86 degrees, making them a cooler choice for summer.
In winter, however, the south is where you want to be. Beaches near Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Keys, Marco Island and Naples will have the warmest water during these cooler months, Visit Florida reports.
water clarity and waves
Another difference between the Gulf and East Coasts is the clarity of the water at the beach.
In a blog postBest Western said a lack of strong waves in the Gulf means there isn’t as much shell fragments, sediment or debris from the ocean.
This means that the water on these beaches tends to be much clearer than on the Atlantic border. It also means that the Gulf beaches are better for shellfishing, as the washed-up shells aren’t broken up underwater on steep cliffs like on the East Coast. Visit Florida Reports.
Not all is bad on Florida’s east coast, however. Best Western said the East Coast is much better for surfing and boogie boarding thanks to the harder waves the Atlantic produces.
sand
Sand is also a big difference between the two types of beaches. While Atlantic beaches like those in Counties Volusia and Brevard tend to have brown, hard sand, Gulf beaches tend to have white sand that’s much fluffier and easier to walk on. this report from Visit Florida read.
According to the report, Atlantic beaches like Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach can even have orange sands, which are actually just tons of crumbled coquina shell fragments that have turned the rusty color of iron oxide.
Many of the beaches along the Atlantic coast feature broken shell fragments, which is one reason the sand is so hard and colorful, Best Western said.
On the other hand, Best Western said that Gulf Coast beaches are mostly made up of white quartz crystals, so they tend to be much softer and cooler than their East Coast counterparts.
What’s the verdict?
It all depends on preferences. Not really.
While the Gulf tends to have lush sandy beaches, richer beach-walking areas and clearer waters, the Atlantic offers plenty of activity, with hard sand for jogging and active waves for surfers.
The Atlantic is also typically much cooler than the Gulf, meaning it’s a better place to hang out during those sweaty summer months. Of course the opposite is true where the Gulf is a better place to warm up on those cold winter days.
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