The 12 Coasts of Florida

I have a confession to make. I have lived in Florida most of my life and never realized there were 12 coasts.  Obviously, growing up in Northeast Florida, I knew we were referred to as the First Coast, primarily due to the city of St. Augustine.  Then there’s naturally the aptly named Space Coast for the Kennedy Space Center region that I am familiar with.  Of course, there’s the well-known Emerald Coast for their beautiful turquoise green waters and hugely popular vacation destinations.  What I did not know is that Florida is divided into 12 named coastal regions spanning its 1,350 miles of coastline.  The naming of the coasts started as far back as the mid-20^th century and led to the actively promoted usage of the 12 by the 1990s and early 2000s.  It was essentially all a part of a marketing campaign for Florida tourism.  Given this new revelation, let’s get to know a little about each coast before I take this gig on the road.

The First Coast spans over 80 miles of northeast Florida.  It includes the major cities of Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palm Coast and Flagler Beach.  It was named The First Coast in the 1980s due to the city of St Augustine being the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the U.S. It was founded by the Spanish in 1565.  There was also a French colony founded in 1564 in the Fort Caroline area of Jacksonville.

The Fun Coast, sometimes also referred to as The Surf Coast, includes the more recognized cities of Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, and New Smyrna Beach.  This region is known for being the most popular surfing destination in Florida, as well as a Spring Break hotspot.  The region’s area code (386) even spells out “fun” on a keypad.  How wild is that!

The Space Coast extends over 70 miles of Atlantic shoreline.  It got its name from being the hub for space exploration.  The Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island.  Every manned spaceflight by NASA has been launched from there since 1968.   Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is its neighbor, formerly known as Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  This region also is home to one of the busiest cruise terminals in the world, Port Canaveral.  Other familiar cities within The Space Coast are Cocoa Beach and Melbourne.  Just like The Fun Coast, The Space Coast has made a play on their area code of (321) as a tribute to the countdown process before rocket liftoffs.  Cosmic!

The Treasure Coast consists of Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, and Jupiter.  This coast was coined The Treasure Coast because of treasure that was lost in the Hurricane of 1715 by a ship in a Spanish Armada fleet.  The area continues to attract divers and treasure hunters alike looking for gold, silver, and jewels from the shipwreck site.

The Gold Coast includes 60 miles of Florida’s southeastern Atlantic communities of West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami.  There seems to be a little debate on where this coast got its name.  Some sources say it is from the region’s reputation of being the most wealthy, high profile, and grandiose region of Florida.  There is no disputing the area boasts a high price tag with luxurious resorts, high rise condominiums and an astonishing mega yacht community.  Others say the name comes from many accounts of gold being salvaged from shipwrecks off the coast like The Treasure Coast.  Either way, The Gold Coast title is fitting.  (Note:  While it would seem fitting for the Florida Keys to be a part of this coastal region, The Keys are not included in any of the coastal groups.  They are apparently an island unto themselves.)

The Paradise Coast is the southwestern part of Florida highlighting the Gulf communities of Everglades City, Marco Island, and Naples.  Known for its white sandy beaches and aqua blue waters, this area was crowned The Paradise Coast for its natural beauty.  Over 80% is made up of parks and nature preserves.  It features unique places like the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Keewaydin Island, only accessible by boat.

The Lee Island Coast has a less glamorous name.  It was simply named after the county in which it is located, Lee County.  It spans approximately 50 miles.  While the name does not carry much excitement, the region does offer some stunningly beautiful destinations.  This coastal region includes Bonita Springs, Fort Meyers, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island and Cape Coral.  The beaches along this coastline are very popular for shelling.  It is said that more shell varieties are found in this area than anywhere else in North America.

The Cultural Coast stars the cities of Venice, Siesta Key, Sarasota, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.  Sarasota leads the way for famous art galleries, theatrical and musical performances, and the unique Ringling Estate, giving rise to the name The Cultural Coast.  But don’t let the name fool you.  This region hosts some of the Gulf’s most amazing beaches as well.  Venice Beach is the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World.”

The Sun Coast gets its name from being the location within the state that experiences the most days of sunshine per year.  Here you will find Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater, and Tarpon Springs of the more commonly known cities.  This region is uniquely rich in natural water bodies such as bays, sounds and rivers, providing a diverse ecosystem for exploration.

The Nature Coast is the largest coastal region that stretches around the “big bend” of Florida.  As its name implies, it is popular for outdoor activities such as fishing in the quaint village of Cedar Key, snorkeling and diving at Homosassa Springs and swimming with manatees at Crystal River.  The area is also very diverse in wildlife and terrains, making it a great location for hiking and animal watching.

The Forgotten Coast, as you may have surmised, is a less developed and recognized coast.  It is home to the cities of St. Marks, Alligator Point, Apalachicola, Port St. Joe, and Mexico Beach.  These are quiet communities that do not draw significant tourism traffic like most other Florida coastal cities.  If you are looking for low-key, this would be the place.

The Emerald Coast is considered the gem of the Gulf Coast of Florida.  It boasts its name due to the deep emerald green clear waters that spans its shoreline.  It hosts popular tourist destinations like Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Pensacola Beach.  This area is hugely popular amongst the military community as it is home to Eglin Air Force Base and the Blue Angels Naval Base.

There you have it.  A snapshot of the 12 Coasts of Florida.  It just serves as a reminder that there is always an opportunity to discover something new. You just have to go looking for it.