vero beach vs gulf coast beaches

[minniestheone]

How is the water and beach at Vero compared to that of say Destin ? We usually do the Destin thing but are thinking about heading over to Vero. FLorida gulf coast beaches are wonderful and the water is great. How does Vero compare with that?

Also, does VB have a lot of activities for 15 yr olds or is it more geared to younger children?

Any input will be greatly appreciated!

 

[floridafam]

The sand is different. More white and powdery on the gulf coast beaches. There isn't good shelling like there is over on the gulf coast beaches.

We love VB and the gulf coast beaches and it's hard to say which we like better because it is like comparing apples and oranges.

The beach at VB isn't going to be as big as the beaches on the Gulf side but I think VB and other Atlantic coast beaches have a more tropical feel to them and there is something nice about being right on the ocean compared to the Gulf.

We've seen the beach at VB be calm and fiesty some days. Last time we were there we watched all sorts of fish jumping out of the water.

I guess it all depends on what kind of mood you are in.

I think your 15 yr old would be happy at VB but there are definately more activities for younger children. I think any teenager would like the atmosphere better at Panama City Beach for instance but I can't find anything to complain about at VB.

Are you trying to decide what area to stay in?

Where are you thinking about staying in the Gulf area?

 

[vernon]

I think you'll find the beach is narrower and steeper than the Gulf. The water is also cooler, this is a benefit, in the summer although in Dec,Jan or Feb you may find it too cold. I know that sharks are an issue on the Gulf coast as well, but do be aware there are areas just north of Vero where sharks mass to hunt bait fish (the inlet to the intracoastal waterway). Usually these are not large sharks, but the water does sometimes get quite cloudy and it's not unheard of an occasional bite on a swimmer in the confusion. Serious attacks are very rare, but if you see any evidence of bait fish jumping out of the water it's a good idea to retire to the pool.
Vero do a very good job of trying to have things for all age groups. They offer movie and pizza teen only evenings as well as a number of daytime activities that suit teens better the younger kids (kayaking and nature visits)

 

[floridafam]

I also second what vernon said.

We did enjoy watching a lot of the fish jump but we enjoyed it from the beach. We keep a careful eye out for any activity like that in the water.

You could tell what attracted the fishing boats. Within 2 hours of seeing all the fish jumping out of the water about 10 boats anchored in the area.

We did see a big Marlin, I believe come about 3 feet out of the water. It was great.

We seem to get more dolphin involvement on the Gulf coast beaches. My DH saw a pod of about six of them a few weeks ago while looking for shells in the water. He could hear them under water "talking" to each other. The water was clear for about 20 feet out and this black shadow came coasting parallel to the shore while we were in the water and we got out and DH followed it along the beach-it was moving THAT slow. It was a dolphin and my DH thought he was looking for food.

 

[spiceycat]

Okay after going to VB twice I sold my points - I found a timeshare in PCB that was perfect for my family.

VB is a beautiful resort - the CM's are some of the best at all the DVC resorts - the pool is alot of fun.

the beaches are brown and the ocean was calm (according to the CM's) one time and really bad the other -

when it was calm you could walk along the beach and see the ocean -

now when it was bad - the tide was so high that there wasn't a beach to speak of - it was up to the steps

I am not a good swimmer - so this was kind of crazy to me

now I happen to love the gulf at the panhandle - so it might be a different in taste. plus when the gulf is calm it is calm - what the cms called calm on the ocean was not calm (my opinion).

of course I didn't like HH for some of the same reasons - I got used to panhandle and I don't happen to like brown sand or rocks in my sands -

 

[floridafam]

We also fell in love with the beaches in the panhandle.

We went there in May and can't wait to go back.

I even found a difference between the panhandle gulf beaches and the southern gulf beaches-like Sand Key. Even Sand Key was a little rocky and brown compared to the panhandle.

I wish Disney would build a timeshare in the panhandle.

We checked into a place that was absolutely disgusting in May and I longed for a resort with that Disney "magic".

If you stay in PCB make sure to eat at Pineapple Willeys-we walked by this place one day and had the best meal and the best service of almost any restaurant we have ever eaten at-Anywhere!

 

[TeensMom]

Vero is not my favorite beach. Very narrow strip of brown sand. Waves can be choppy - I think it has something to do with a steep drop off of the coast. I was trying to ride the waves on my air float and got thrown into the beach hard - really hurt my neck and back. I think it is a better walking on beach than lounging/swimming beach.

That said, the resort is beautiful. The pool is large and very nice. The mini-golf is nice (I guess they still have it, we haven't been back since my experience). We rented bikes and went for a very long ride - it is absolutely flat and you can ride for hours without getting tired. They do have some planned activities for kids but once when we were there, there apparently weren't many kids and they canceled some of the evening stuff.