Florida Gulf Coast

Best time to visit Florida's Gulf Coast

The best time to visit Florida's Gulf Coast is generally considered to be spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November).

In spring you can expect warm, sunny days with comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds compared to summer. This makes it the perfect time for activities such as swimming and outdoor water sports.

Autumn also has comfortable weather with cooler evenings and generally lower prices with some hotels and attractions offering discounted rates. If you enjoy slightly cooler temperatures, late autumn is probably the time for you.

It's important to note that hurricanes can occur in Florida from June to November. Be aware of the risk and plan accordingly.

Discover Florida's Gulf Coast

Rich ethnic neighbourhoods nestle alongside swamplands and nature reserves. Cosmopolitan towns compete with the lure of the sea and shore for honey-tanned holiday makers. The charms of this sun-soaked region can be loosely combined into three main areas: the twin cities of St Pete's-Clearwater, with their family-friendly accolades, buddy up with the large and thoroughly modern urban centre of Tampa. 

Further south the serene Sarasota region is known as Florida’s cultural centre and is the home of the Ringling Complex, with neighbours in Bradenton and Venice Beach. In the most southerly region of Florida’s Gulf Coast, laid back Fort Myers is a treasure with its barrier islands, while Naples provides the zen gem of the Paradise Coast.

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Tampa, St. Petersburg & Clearwater

Tampa Bay combines its hip and historic elements to create a welcoming urban destination. The Riverwalk’s two and a half miles of museums, restaurants and parks link downtown destinations like the impressive Florida Aquarium and Tampa Bay History Centre. Directly across the bay St Pete's-Clearwater world-famous beaches lounge on the sun-drenched peninsula which separates Tampa Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. A surprise attraction is the incredible collection of works by surrealist Salvador Dali in St Pete's dedicated museum.

Sarasota

The affluence of good-looking Sarasota is often credited to its most famous resident. John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers Circus invested much of his enormous fortune here and left the city with arguably its top attraction: The Ringling Museum Complex., Sarasota also has an attractive waterfront and pretty barrier islands such as Longboat Key and Lido Key.

Naples & Fort Myers

Fort Myers gets its nickname ‘The City of Palms’ from the thousands of towering royal palms planted along the McGregor Boulevard and throughout the city – a trend started by Fort Myers’ best known resident, Thomas Edison. At the southern-most point of Florida’s Gulf Coast, neighbouring Naples is a thriving and sophisticated city often likened to Palm Beach. Shopping, golf courses and unparalleled access to some of America’s finest sandy beaches sum up the city’s main draws, which mirror those of the Gulf Coast itself.

Things to do on holiday on Florida's Gulf Coast

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay offers some of the best attractions for getting close to wildlife and having a wild ride at the same time! Tampa has an intoxicating Spanish and Cuban vibe. Ybor City is a historic neighbourhood in Tampa known for its rich heritage and sizzling nightlife. It is one of only three National Historic Landmarks in Florida. Once the hub of the world’s cigar industry, Ybor is now Tampa’s Latin Quarter where Cuban culture abounds. The main thoroughfare of 7th Avenue is where the clubs, cafes, restaurants, and independent breweries can be found.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Home to one of the largest zoos in North America, Busch Gardens has natural habitat enclosures like its expansive Serengeti Plain® and award-winning Jungala® area. Incredible animals - which adults and children alike will love - include cheetahs, lions, gorillas, giraffes and rhinos. . The main park houses dozens of roller coasters including top-rated thrillers like Iron Gwazi, SheiKra and Falcon’s Fury. When not enjoying the thrilling roller coaster rides, you can relax in an open-air vehicle and enjoy a safari that travels across the parks Serengeti Plain® where you can spot zebras, rhinos, ostriches and zebras.

Naples

This elegant resort is the perfect based when exploring the sub-tropical wilderness and swamps of Everglades National Park. Naples oozes sophistication, white powdery beaches, high-end shops, golf courses and a wide selection of water sports from fishing to sailing. Glamorous Fifth Avenue South in the historic district is the resorts’ most exclusive area with one-of-a-kind art galleries and shops, fine-dining restaurants, and upscale fashion stores.

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Things to do on holiday on Florida's Gulf Coast

Bask on the beaches of St Pete's-Clearwater

This gloriously sunny peninsula averages 361 days of sunshine a year. With odds like those, we’ll bet you’ll want to spend at least a few days on the award-winning, white-sand beaches. Caladesi Island, Fort de Soto State Park and the Honeymoon Islands make up some pristine regions to find unspoilt shorelines. The wide, immaculate and family-friendly main beaches of St Peters-Clearwater are perfect to pop to when you don’t fancy going further afield. Explore the sea in a different way by renting a kayak and paddling through the silken waves and peaceful mangroves.

Indulge your artistic side in Sarasota

Sarasota is known as Florida’s cultural centre, so it’s the ideal stop-off for indulging in some art. The jewel in the city’s artistic collection is The State Art Museum of Florida built by John Ringling. The magnificent building houses 21 galleries inside, while the vast outdoor courtyard is filled with sculptures. Art on display ranges from old masters like Peter Paul Rubens to modern visionaries like James Turrell. Also on the same complex is the Ringling Circus Museum. From parade wagons to vintage posters, glittering costumes to the human cannon, there are plenty of thrilling exhibits to explore here.

Explore Sarasota’s Keys

The barrier islands near Sarasota are made up of three beautiful keys – Longboat Key, Lido Key and Siesta Key. Siesta Key has luxurious amenities and a laidback vibe while Lido Key has varied and lively waterfronts, elegant shopping, and dining.