Skip to content

Beach Wedding Cost: Keep Your Budget on Track

Aug 26 20
by Darcie Plowden
Beach wedding setup with blue-covered white chairs and arch decorated with sand dollars

There are literally hundreds of decisions to be made when planning a wedding. The first one is deciding where you want to get married. For those of us in love with the sugar-white sands of the Gulf Coast, a beach wedding is an ideal way to personalize the celebration. And the icing on the wedding […]

Beach Wedding Checklist

Aug 25 20
by S. Lynne
Beach wedding checklist

  Both romantic and practical, beach weddings are popular with busy couples who want their big day to stand out from the crowd. The white sands and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico form a dramatic backdrop that’s guaranteed to make your wedding memorable. Other attractive Gulf Coast beach wedding venues include lush tropical […]

Discover Underwater Wonders at Navarre Beach Diving Reefs

Aug 18 20
by Chris Chatelain
Diver exploring the artificial reef in the Gulf off the coast of Navarre Beach

(Reef photos courtesy of Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and Navarre Beach Marine Science Station.) Take a look from the balcony of your Navarre beachfront condo or from a beach chair on the sugar-white sands, and there’s no denying that Navarre Beach boasts a natural beauty that stands above most other Northwest Florida vacation destinations. But there […]

Thrilling Yet Relaxing, a Destin Dolphin Cruise Delivers on Family Fun!

Jun 15 20
by Chris Chatelain

On your next trip to Destin, why restrict all your fun to the beach? The Gulf of Mexico is home to thousands of marine creatures, and they offer plenty to explore beyond the water’s edge. But few inhabitants of the Gulf capture the imagination as well as dolphins. With their mouths curved into permanent smiles, […]

Jellyfish Facts: Safety Tips, Sting First Aid, and Fun Things To Know

May 21 20
by S. Lynne
A trio og blue-tinted moon jellyfish

Safely exhibited behind the glass of an aquarium, jellyfish, with their fluorescent colors, spots, stripes, and other markings, can be real crowd pleasers. However, a close encounter with a jellyfish in the ocean or on the beach can have painful consequences for vacationers. The good news is that these stinging nuisances, which are found abundantly […]

Beach Vacation Rentals Vs Hotels: Pros and Cons of Each

May 1 20
by Chris Chatelain
Row of colorful beach vacation rentals

Where you stay on vacation truly can make or break your experience. Booking a hotel room has been the traditional vacation practice for decades, and it’s an economical choice for a short stay. But vacation rentals – private homes and condominiums, typically located in residential areas – offer a different experience. Rentals not only feel […]

She Sells Seashells But What Is a Seashell Anyway?

Mar 27 20
by Charlie Peay
Seashells Gathered from a beach in Destin, Florida

Did you know that seashells belong to the kingdom known as Mollusca? Most Mollusca are soft, slug-like creatures with a hard external shell that helps protect them in their ocean environment. It’s this outer shell that is more commonly known as a seashell. The shell itself is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is secreted over time […]

5 Tips for Knowing When To Buy Travel Insurance

Mar 24 20
by Jennifer Merritt

You’ve picked your dream beach destination, found a vacation rental, and you’re booking your stay, but inevitably you’ve got one more decision to make: Should you or shouldn’t you buy travel insurance. What would happen to your beach vacation investment in the event of a tropical storm or an unforeseen illness? What if you have […]

Parasailing in Destin – Gravity-Defying Thrills and Bird’s-Eye Views

Dec 2 19
by Chris Chatelain

While Destin, Florida might be well known for the spectacular Gulf views from its sugar-white beaches, there’s another vantage point that provides even better views – and way more thrills as well. That’s the one from above via parasailing. A Unique Perspective Seeing this popular beach destination from 400 feet in the air provides the […]

Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show: Exciting 2019 Season Closes in Style

Oct 17 19
by S. Lynne
The Blue Angels flying in the Diamond 360 formation

On November 8 and 9, Naval Air Station Pensacola will welcome the Blue Angels back to the base for their homecoming air shows. The Friday and Saturday shows will mark the Angels’ 73rd anniversary. Since 1946, they have been traveling the country, wowing audiences with their precision flight formations (sometimes bringing them as close to each […]

Boardwalk Beach Resort Weddings: Say “I Do” on the White Sands in Panama City

Aug 25 19
by S. Lynne
Boardwalk Beach Resort bride with veil and groom in light-colored suit

Whoever said life is all about the journey rather than the destination clearly did not have a Boardwalk Beach Resort wedding in Panama City. Close your eyes and picture you and your partner, the bridal party, and the groomsmen having fun taking photos while the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. Think of how […]

Gulf Coast Fishing in Northwest Florida and Alabama – A Year-Round Affair

Aug 16 18
by S. Lynne
fishing boat on the water for Gulf Coast fishing blog

It’s a fact that the sugar-white sands and blue-green waters of the Northwest Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts attract millions of visitors each year. But did you know that these locations also offer some of the best fishing in the world? In fact, the fishing fun is just as bountiful as sunshine here. And you […]

Top Things to Do Along Highway 30A

Aug 15 18
by S. Lynne
Yellow-flowering shrubs line a hill above the beach and Gulf at Topsail Hill State Park in Northwest Florida.

While most visitors are naturally drawn to the beautiful beaches when booking a stay on Highway 30A, they realize there is much more fun and adventure available than a simple day at the beach. This renowned location is bursting with natural beauty, serene scenery, and a playful nature. And vacationers quickly realize there are many […]

Discover Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Aug 9 18
by S. Lynne
Majestic sand dunes at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Cape San Blas

The natural unspoiled environment known as “Florida’s Forgotten Coast,” which includes the quiet coastal communities of Apalachicola, St. George Island, Mexico Beach, Cape San Blas, and Carabelle, offers a unique look into the rich traditions of Florida’s Gulf Coast. This colorful area is best known for its excellent oysters, superb fishing, and mouth-watering seafood, but there […]

Parasailing in Gulf Shores — Take Your Senses for a Ride

May 16 18
by Chris Chatelain
Parasailing through a bright-blue sky over a grove of leafy palm trees

Imagine you’re a bird soaring above the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, just where the waters meet the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. What would you see? Maybe schools of fish swimming below, or a pod of dolphins playing a few hundred feet under your toes. Perhaps you’d catch a glimpse of sea turtles nesting […]

The Siesta Fiesta Art Festival Offers Unique Creations of Artists from Across the Nation

Mar 20 18
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Painting of sunset over the water, on display at Siesta Key's Siesta Fiesta

Immerse yourself in a delightful array of handmade arts and crafts during this year’s Siesta Fiesta Art Festival. The annual block party is scheduled for May 4-5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in beautiful downtown Sarasota, Florida. The Street Fair setting will be in 5 Points Park and will showcase the unique creations of artists and […]

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: Ready, Set, Build Sand Sculptures!

Feb 12 18
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival

The sugar-white sands of Clearwater Beach will soon become raw material for works of art during the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. Sixteen of the world’s best sand sculptors are lined up to participate in this year’s 10th annual festival. It’s scheduled for March 29th – April 14th and themed “Sands of Time.” These incredible […]

Visit Tampa Bay Blues Festival, Banish the Lingering Winter Blahs

Jan 16 18
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Daytime band performance at Tampa Bay Blues Festival

St. Petersburg, Florida, comes alive with the blues at Vinoy Waterfront Park during the highly acclaimed Tampa Bay Blues Festival. Hailed as one of the world’s finest blues music events, the festival, scheduled this year for April 6-8, packs out the house with three days of legendary sounds from some of the biggest names in […]

Celebrate Art at Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts

Jan 3 18
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Anna Maria Island Art League small stylized painting of surf against the sand

Head to the Anna Maria Island Art League’s 30th Annual Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts and dive into art of all colors, textures, and mediums. Held each year in Holmes Beach, the biggest community on this beautiful barrier island, Springfest brings people of all ages together to share its three biggest attractions […]

Make a Run for It in the Boca Grande 5K Run and Fun Walk

Dec 8 17
by Lisa Milberger Moore

You know you love to run. And you know you love the beach. So, what are you waiting for? Join the folks at Boca Grande Community Center for an island 5K Run and Fun Walk through the historic town, one of Southwest Florida’s premier spots to take in the sun. Not only is the event […]

Happy Tasting at Apalachicola’s Annual Forgotten Coast Chefs Sampler

Nov 30 17
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Local chefs serve guests at the annual Forgotten Coast Chefs Sampler.

Because it’s hosted by a city with the memorable name of Apalachicola, you should expect the 22nd annual Forgotten Coast Chefs Sampler to be uniquely fun. Presented by the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, the event features chefs from all over the Forgotten Coast, preparing and serving their most creative dishes. It’s scheduled for Sunday, […]

Festive Naples, Florida, Cocktail Party Raises Funds “For the Love of Art”

Nov 21 17
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Live entertainment and art at Naple Art Association fundraiser "For the Love of Art"

Art connoisseurs know that the love of art comes from the heart, bringing joy and visual engagement. So it’s no wonder that “For the Love of Art,”  a festive cocktail party/gala organized by the Naples Art Association, is a highly anticipated event that has become as unique as the artistic creativity and artists it showcases. […]

ArtFest Fort Myers – Waterfront Event Is Southwest Florida’s Premier Art Festival

Nov 10 17
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Colorful painting of a tropical scene by ArtFest Fort Myers artist Jim Holehouse

If you ever need a reason to head to the beach, ArtFest Fort Myers is destined to be one of them. The popular event gives you all the fun and sun you need wrapped in one sweet weekend. Held each February on the city’s beautiful waterfront, ArtFest features original artwork from more than 200 experienced […]

Venice, Florida Christmas Boat Parade Dazzles Visitors

Nov 3 17
by Lisa Milberger Moore
Holiday lights decorate a boat in the Venice Christmas Boat Parade.

The Intracoastal Waterway will become a sea of floating holiday-light displays on December 2nd during the 35th annual Venice, Florida Christmas Boat Parade. Seasoned boating enthusiasts and novices alike will take to the water for the magical evening and a chance to claim top spot for the best-decorated holiday boat. The parade is set to […]

Eat Your Way Through Mardi Gras at the Mexico Beach Gumbo Cook-Off

Oct 24 17
by Lisa Milberger Moore

Nothing says celebrate like a Mardi Gras event coupled with a great batch of fresh, spicy gumbo, especially when you’re talking about the 20th Annual Mexico Beach Gumbo Cook-Off scheduled for February 17, 2018. Held during a season of smaller beach crowds and ideal Florida temperatures, this popular event features the best gumbo and Brunswick […]

5 Reasons for Booking Vacation Rentals from the Pros

May 24 17
by Alison Large Ketcham

Finding the perfect beach vacation rental to book for a reasonable price can be difficult. So, we suggest that rather than struggle with uncertainty, you go through an experienced and reputable property management company when booking vacation rentals. In addition to making the booking process easier, the advantages of using a pro may include discounts, […]

“Papa” Enthusiasts Pour Into Key West for 2017 Hemingway Days

May 12 17
by Alison Large Ketcham
Hemingway look-alike contestants gathered on the stage at Sloppy Joe's Bar in Key West during Hemingway Days

Come one! Come all! Whether you’re a devoted Hemingway fan, a Key West lover, a white-bearded “Papa” Hemingway look alike, a fisherman, a paddleboard pro, a 5K enthusiast, a big-time partier, or all of the above, you’re in for six days of unrivaled fun at 2017 Hemingway Days. The 37th annual celebration of the life […]

Highway 30-A Arts: The Heart and Soul of South Walton

Apr 28 17
by Chris Chatelain
ArtsQuest artist painting outdoor mural

  While scenic Highway 30-A might be best known for its lush landscapes and tropical tranquillity, this renowned stretch of Gulfside road is also dotted with galleries displaying local and regional artwork. From beach paintings to driftwood furniture and seashell picture frames, these South Walton communities offer something just about everyone will love. Plan some time […]

Fort Myers Hosts Fifth Annual Fort Rock Festival, April 29 – 30

Apr 22 17
by Alison Large Ketcham
Fifth annual Fort Rock festival poster featuring English rock band Def Leppard

Music and beach lovers will experience rock-and-roll heaven on earth at the Monster Energy fifth annual Fort Rock Festival, Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30, at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. South Florida’s biggest rock festival will feature two stages with a lineup of artists that is sure to appeal to rock-and-roll […]

Budget-friendly Beach Games and Activities

Dec 7 16
by Chris Chatelain
Flying kites is fun for the whole family

All too often, guests plan a beach vacation and forget about the key component when planning activities for the trip — the BEACH.  Water parks, excursions and dining can run up vacation expenses in a hurry, especially for families. But there are dozens of beach games and activities that come with little to no cost […]