Gulf beaches

[sweetheart2576]

We are planning a WDW vacation in August and plan on hitting Daytona for a few days and tagulf coast beach. We have never been to the gulf coast and was wondering if anyone has any opinions on which area would be the best, we are thinking st. pete beach. Is there any other beaches.(Clearwater, treasure island, m) that would be better. Does anyone have any recommendations? We are a family of four 2 adults, and 2 kids 9 and 6. We love Daytona beach and would like to try the gulf while we are there. Anything we should look into doing on the gulf(activities, tours). Any recommendations on hotels? TYIA

 

[sln88]

we went to the gulf for a couple of days last fall
we stayed around John's pass(maybe Treasure Island?)- I think it was a Holiday Inn or something. Nothing special(but I was looking for cheap!). It was right on the beach.

I have 2 boys(6 and 9). We went on the 'pirate ship at Johns pass'. The boys liked it alot. The give the kids some pirate dress up stuff and wooden pistols. They have a squirt gun fight, scavenger hunt, pirate stories, dancing, face painting. Beverages(including beer for adults) are included. It lasts around 2 hrs. You go on a ship that looks like a pirate ship. They had coupons on their website if you decide to go. I would say it was around $20 pp- kids were cheaper.

I had wanted to go on a snorkeling trip, but it was not available on the days we were there.

if you have any ?, let me know.

 

[sweetheart2576]

Thanks for you post. I did see the pirate ship cruise you are talking about. I thought the kids might like that because they love the pirate cruise at disney and this one looked like a real pirate ship.

 

[ZuZugal]

On our trips to Florida, we usually spend 5 days in the Orlando area and then 3 at St. Pete Beach. We have always stayed across the street from the Tradewinds (one of the biggest resorts besides the Don Cesar) at a place called "The Sunrise". They are wonderful condo/timeshare units, but you rent them just like a regular hotel room. We loved the fact that it has a living room area, complete kitchen, and washer/dryer to start on the laundry before heading back home. You can also pay the resort fee at the Tradewinds and use their property as if you were staying there (covers Cabana rental as well.) They have lots of activities such as parasailing, etc. A fairly quiet beach in the fall when we travel w/our kids. An easy drive north to Treasure Island, St. John's pass.