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Oddly enough, spring brings both families and rowdy ‘Spring Breakers’ to Florida’s pristine beaches while summer sees an invasion of seemingly every walk of life.
September is when the crowds begin to dwindle, but it is Florida after all…
Finding your quiet space on a nice beach in this state is no easy feat, regardless of the season.
The good news is you don’t have to visit the state’s most notable names for a blissful beach getaway.
Overshadowed by Miami, Panama City, Clearwater and all the other vacation hotspots lies Marco Island, a popular coastal town for sun and sand amongst locals and tourists in the know.
This spectacular island is like a Russian doll, revealing layer upon layer of hidden gems.
If you think this beach town is great, wait until you see the raw beauty of Keewaydin!
An 8 Mile Stretch Of Pure Beach Bliss
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy… There’s vom…
Sorry, had to hype myself up for this section…
Some 8 Mile places are where you want to avoid, but this 8 mile stretch of secret paradise is exactly where you want to be!
Forget the noise of other buzzing Florida beaches; the only sound you’ll want to hear is the song of your choice and the boat motor thrumming on an awesome trip to this gorgeous remote island.
Keewaydin Island is textbook paradise.
Sometimes we forget places such as Cancun, Los Cabos, and Punta Cana were once just as untouched as Keewaydin is today.
No ritzy hotels, no eyesore chain restaurants – just lush greenery, swimmable turquoise waters, and soft white sand.
Some places borrow the word “island” to make themselves sound sexy.
Take Coronado, a popular peninsula outside San Diego that claims to be an island to boost tourism appeal.
Here, however, is a true barrier island boasting virgin natural offerings like the inland Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve surrounded by 8 miles of paradisal sand and pristine waters, one of many reasons why it’s one of Southern Living’s favorite hideaways.
It’s the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle and everyday stresses, where you can let loose with locals and enjoy real Florida beaches without towering resorts and cheesy attractions.
‘Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Roads’… But You Do Need A Boat
Nearby Naples is a luxurious resort town where you’ll have no problem finding a boat to reach Keewaydin.
Check out Naples Waterways and Wildlife Tours for Keewaydin tours starting at $55.
Otherwise, you’ll have to charter a boat or make friends fast! Boats depart from Marco Island as well so you can island-hop with the Hemingway Water Shuttle for just $22. Can’t beat that!
You’ll arrive at the calm waters of the bay where you then trek through a narrow path to virtually crowd-free white sand beaches.
Make sure to bring a lounge chair, picnic blankets, and whatever else is deemed necessary.
Although, there is one unique aspect you don’t have to worry about.
Picnics are common here, but Just Beachy Burgers has you covered otherwise. Food trucks may be popular across the globe, but food boats are a Florida staple.
It’s not quite room service, but this is as close as it gets on a paradise island with no hotels.
Fun fact: Keewaydin Island is the only pet-friendly beach in the Naples region, so feel free to bring your furry friend on vacation too! (Both boat services mentioned above allow pets.)
The Perfect Place To Swim, Snorkel & Shell
Usually, beachgoers are content if they can do one of the following: swim, snorkel, or “hunt” seashells.
Some of the most popular beaches in the world don’t meet all 3 marks, but Keewaydin ticks off all the boxes.
While the famous lyric ‘only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair‘ does hold true here, the only real worry is being aware of other boaters and unpredictable strong currents.
The water is warm and clear as can be to enjoy a nice dip or dive to explore the ocean floor.
One recent visitor claimed on TripAdvisor, ‘Amazing shelling, plenty of room to spread out, plenty of beaches to walk and enjoy’.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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