[Adream]

I used to live in Satellite Beach, near Cocoa. Family lives in Melbourne.

However, I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the Gulf's beaches. We visit Naples whenever we can, have lots of friends there, and one of our favorite things to do is to watch the sunset on Vanderbilt beach. We got a call from a friend who is there now, we're not and just typing this makes me miss it. It is so beautiful there.

[Ladywithafan]

Sometimes I think it has a lot to do with whether you're a city or a suburb type of person.....

I like cities...I've always loved the Atlantic side beaches...Ft. Lauderdale.....but I've lived on Anna Maria Island for the past 15 years....I do like the color of the sand, we have white...Ft. Laud is brown.....Our area Bradenton doesn't "have that Ft. Lauderdale look" that I'm used to....

[quork101]

I am seriously trying to attain this info online and am getting nowhere fast. my friend has a place in midcentral Florida which i am not crazy about. I would like to be closer to the water and some place a little more exciting than Avon Park, Sebring area. Advice welcome! I am a registered nurse and will be seeking employment.

[Wwanderer]

Originally Posted by florigidge

i like both coasts - the atlantic is best for swimmming because of the temperature; remember, the gulf stream! and there are some nice waves.

the gulf is cold but sunsets are quite pretty. the best wave action i ever saw for the gulf was up in the panhandle on the beach. best shelling is near marco island, southwest florida.

Thanks for bringing up the temperature. I've been arguing this with my friends for months--I tried swimming a couple of times around Clearwater over the winter and it was hopelessly cold. But everybody keeps insisting that the gulf side is warmer. Just not true--I've swum in Daytona at Christmas, and it was nice and warm.

That being said, we chose the Gulf side for our new winter home. The sunsets are beautiful, that's for sure.

[Angler]

Originally Posted by Wwanderer

Thanks for bringing up the temperature. I've been arguing this with my friends for months--I tried swimming a couple of times around Clearwater over the winter and it was hopelessly cold. But everybody keeps insisting that the gulf side is warmer. Just not true--I've swum in Daytona at Christmas, and it was nice and warm.

That being said, we chose the Gulf side for our new winter home. The sunsets are beautiful, that's for sure.

The average temps between the Gulf and Atlantic are very similar, with the Gulf having a higher average in Jan and Feb. in St. Pete, as opposed to Daytona.

Florida Ocean Water Temperatures in Winter - Current Results

[valicky]

In the summer months, the Gulf is warmer than the Atlantic. I don't go near the water any other time.

[Wwanderer]

Originally Posted by Angler

The average temps between the Gulf and Atlantic are very similar, with the Gulf having a higher average in Jan and Feb. in St. Pete, as opposed to Daytona.

Florida Ocean Water Temperatures in Winter - Current Results

Originally Posted by valicky

In the summer months, the Gulf is warmer than the Atlantic. I don't go near the water any other time.

Thanks for the information. I'm a bit surprised, but my Gulf information is pretty anecdotal still; I'll know more after I've spent the winter there!

I'm a snowbird so I'm pretty tolerant, temperature-wise, I don't like swimming in cold weather (i.e., under about 70 or so), but if the weather's nice, I can make it into reasonably coolish water.

[daytonadewd]

As a Native Floridian, I've lived on both Coasts. Each has their own merits (and headaches).

But as far as temperature and color go, the Florida Atlantic Coast is my choice.

There is NO way the Florida Gulf Coast is warmer as the current flows from chilly winter TX, LA, AL, MS and the Panhandle before heading down the FL southern Gulf Coast. (There's not a Yucatan Coast Bypass directly to FL ) It's also pea green/gray most of the year.

The Florida Atlantic Coast on the other hand is blessed by the Trade Winds from the Caribbean during the Winter. Mostly torquoise blue.

But it's all OK as some people prefer strawberry ice cream and others prefer vanilla! I'd stop splitting hairs and just make a choice that suits your preferences!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by daytonadewd

As a Native Floridian, I've lived on both Coasts. Each has their own merits (and headaches).

But as far as temperature and color go, the Florida Atlantic Coast is my choice.

There is NO way the Florida Gulf Coast is warmer as the current flows from chilly winter TX, LA, AL, MS and the Panhandle before heading down the FL southern Gulf Coast. (There's not a Yucatan Coast Bypass directly to FL ) It's also pea green/gray most of the year.

The Florida Atlantic Coast on the other hand is blessed by the Trade Winds from the Caribbean during the Winter. Mostly torquoise blue.

But it's all OK as some people prefer strawberry ice cream and others prefer vanilla! I'd stop splitting hairs and just make a choice that suits your preferences!

MMM - sorry it is NOT pea-green or gray as you say. Here in Sarasota it is usually turquoise, and against the white sand it is gorgeous. Doesn't matter to me which coast you or anyone prefers, as you say they both have pluses and minuses. For me, I love the gulf coast for color, calmness, white sand and SUNSETS! For me, just can't be beat! I DO agree with you, people need to make a choice based on THEIR preferences! By the way, aren't we lucky to be in a state with TWO beautiful coasts?

[user8]

both coasts are beautiful. the atlantic side feels a little cooler (to me at least) in the summer which is nice, but i prefer the laid back lifestyle of the gulf coast a little more. plus, the sugary white beaches over here are far nicer than what you'll find on the other side.