Which Golf Coast Beach, late March, after Disney

[Chiefillini]

Which golf coast beach does everyone like to visit following their Disney vacation, late March time frame. We have a DS-6 and DD-4. Last year we stayed on Anna Maria Island and rented a condo from VRBO in June. With traveling in March next year we would like to be further south. Thoughts/recommendations?

 

[Surgie2]

Our kids loved St. Pete Beach as kids growing up when we visited Grandma who went there every winter and spring. Lots for kids to do - rent wave runners or water trampolines, parasail, etc. It's about 90 minutes from Orlando. This is not south of Anna Maria Island but March weather there is beautiful...lots of sunny days in the 80s...perfect for the beach. Anna Maria Island is beautiful but I think St. Pete's Beach has more going on that the kids would enjoy.

 

[Chiefillini]

Thanks Surgie2, I will take a look. We do like the idea of close proximity to Orlando.

 

[srwarden1928]

My vote for a beach is ALWAYS St. Pete Beach. In fact one year we were on a beach trip and drove to Orlando for the day to spend time at Downtown Disney (thats what it was then) and eat at Wilderness Lodge (I think it was Artists Point). It is a beautiful beach. If you are staying there, I recommend looking at even numbered hotels on Gulf Blvd. That is the beach side.

 

[monorailsilver]

Englewood area for all the sharks teeth! My kids hate the beach, we will be at one a month from today but they love that beach!

Sanibel and captiva are nice but the beaches aren't our favorite, we like thenlighhosue for shelling.

One of our other favorites is Barefoot beach in north Naples. Easy walk from the parking area.

 

[monorailsilver]

Also, my sister was up in englewood about 2 weeks ago, manasota beach and said the red tide was there. She also said in her area Ft. Myers, the water wasn't that great.

When we went last April, manasota was not as crystal clear as it was the year before and all the beaches north and south of Ft. Myers area had a brown hue from lake okechobee.

 

[Chiefillini]

Ah yes, the red tide, good point to remember about. We had to watch out for that last year as it can effect our DS. Thanks for the recommendations.