The Gulf Coast has some of the best destinations in North America.
That’s why more and more tourists are visiting every year.
But with so many different beaches on offer, how can you possibly choose? In this post, we’ve made it easy by narrowing it down to just five.
Read on to find some of the best Gulf Coast beaches to visit.
The Top 5 Gulf Coast Beaches for a Vacation
Need some inspiration for your next trip? One of these spots is bound to suit you.
1. Clearwater Beach, Florida
Florida’s Clearwater beach boasts 2.5 miles of soft, white sand beach.
As the name suggests, the water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. To see more of the local marine life, you can pay a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where you’ll find bottle-nosed dolphins, alligators, otters and more.
If you’re looking for a little more action, you can go parasailing, ride jet skis, or take a boat tour.
2. Galveston Island, Texas
If you’re looking for an action-packed vacation for all the family, Galveston Island is the ideal destination.
With several beaches stretched over 30 miles of shoreline, there’s something for everyone.
As well as water sports and boat tours, there’s a variety of historical and cultural attractions to enjoy. Peruse the museums and art galleries, enjoy some live music, or take a tour. With festivals running all-year-round, there’s always something going on.
To get some adrenaline pumping, you can visit the haunted Mayfield Manor, ride rollercoasters at the Pleasure Pier amusement park, or slip and slide at the Schlitterbahn water park.
3. Destin, Florida
Destin is known as ‘the world’s luckiest fishing village’, and for good reason.
Here, you can get the fishing experience of a lifetime. The waters boast an abundance of snapper, amberjack, grouper, king mackerel, tuna, and even shark.
Take a deep sea fishing trip with the charter boat Sea Winder for a chance to reel some in for yourself.
This coastal village offers much more than just fishing, though. You can also go scuba diving, head to one of the local golf courses, and dine on a fresh catch at a range of local restaurants. When the sun goes down, there’s a great nightlife, scene to enjoy, too.
4. Gulfport, Mississippi
If you love watersports, head to Gulfport.
The calm waters are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing. They’re also home to plenty of local marine life.
Children will enjoy the Gulf Islands Waterpark, as well as the playgrounds at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center.
When you’d rather just relax, you can retire to the beach, where there are 25 miles of soft sand.
5. Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach is one of the Gulf Coast’s most popular destinations for dolphin spotting.
To catch a glimpse of them, take a glass-bottom boat ride or get right into the water with a snorkel.
In the evenings, head to The Wharf Outdoor Amphitheater. for some live music and open-air shopping.
Get Your Beach Body Ready
Now that you know which Gulf Coast beaches to check out, the next step is to start planning your trip.
As well as booking your hotel, packing your bags and creating your itinerary, you might also want to get in shape before you hit the beach.
For some tips, read our post on how to get a beach body in time for your vacation.
