BeckyFL Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Ds wants a white sand beach and blue water honeymoon, but his fiance can't find her birth certificate so no time for passports by June (Plus passport fees). Has anyone been to a romantic location in the Keys? Other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3littlekeets Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I love Key West for the wild side,but for a honeymoon, I think Seaside or San Destin (a small secluded section of Destin) on the Florida Gulf Coast would be ideal! They'd likely fly into Pensacola, FL or Mobile, AL and rent a car for the 1 - 2 hour drive. http://www.seasidefl.com/ http://www.destinfl.com/ The Gulf Coast beaches of Florida are stunning and swimmable! I think Gulf Shores, Alabama is NASTY, but that's just me! Super touristy and airbrush-shoppy. ICKY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 (edited) Ds wants a white sand beach and blue water honeymoon, but his fiance can't find her birth certificate so no time for passports by June (Plus passport fees). Has anyone been to a romantic location in the Keys? Other ideas? Maui? You actually do not need a passport for the US Virgin Islands. You don't need one for Puerto Rico, either, both places are US territories. All territories: American Samoa, Baker Island, Howland Island, Guam, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas), and Wake Island. Edited March 3, 2010 by Mrs Mungo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Dauphin Island is south of Mobile, AL and is much quieter than than Gulf Shores if that is what they are looking for. It is a barrier island so the sand is white. Most people are not aware of it so I think prices are lower than some other areas also. There are a few hotels but there are also a very large number of rental houses. There are oil/natural gas rigs offshore if that is a major scenery problem. There is a historic fort on the east end of the island and all stores, houses, and other development are on the eastern half of the island. The western half is public beach. It is literally possible to walk far enough west to not be able to see any houses or other buildings. Just a thought, for any beach honeymoon during hurricane season it might be a good idea to have a backup plan in case of any storms. June is pretty early in the season and there are generally not very many storms that early but you never can tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OHGrandma Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 The beaches at Destin are gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 We went to Seaside for our honeymoon and loved every minute! Re: Birth certificate - I'm sure this varies by state, but the bride might want to double check that your state and/or county don't require a birth certificate to obtain a marriage license. Dh had to order a copy of his before we could get our license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alte Veste Academy Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 The beaches at Destin are gorgeous! :iagree: I don't know what it is, if they're protected by the way the tide comes in or what (I'm ocean ignorant) but they are just the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. We vacationed there for a week this summer and DH (a TX native and someone who lived a while in Galveston) couldn't believe it was the Gulf of Mexico. My dad even says Destin's beaches were prettier than Hawaii. That blew my mind but I believe it after seeing the Destin beaches. The water is crystal clear and the white beaches are gorgeous. ETA: And when people say Destin, they mean Destin. DH and I stayed at Fort Walton beach years ago, just down the road from Destin and I remember thinking eh. In Destin I kept thinking it was paradise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Seaside is fun and relaxing. Think the idealyic 50's town, but on the beach. We went aout 3 yrs ago though and the beach was almost gone and muddy looking. They also had a red tide, which is an irritant, that usually comes in Sept and causes most people to cough. Rosemary Beach is also nice (it's next to Seaside) but I can't speak to the condition of the beach. San Destin is nice in Destin. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores have some very nice condos, but I don't know if I'd call it romantic. There are some fun restaurants, plenty of tourist shiops, concerts and shopping. Gorgeous, deep white beaches. Not too crowded. Activities such as dolphin cruises, deep sea fishing (expensive), jet ski rentals, kayak rentals etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I vote for Seaside, St. Augustine or Naples (where I had my honeymoon. :) ) I grew up going to the Keys almost every weekend. I used to LOVE Key West but I can't go there anymore. It wreaks of stale beer and "other" things. :ack2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in FL Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Siesta Key near Sarasota FL. White, soft, not hot sand. The nicest beach IMHO. Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I'm going to agree with those that suggest Destin, or in general, Gulf Coast FL or AL. The beaches in the Keys really don't compare. If they want a more exotic location, they could choose Hawaii (Kauai is the most beautiful - esp the beaches/mountains - stay on the north shore) or the US Virgin Islands. Out of all of those, I'd choose Kauai. The Virgin Islands would be second. They should look at them all and see what appeals to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 The beaches at Destin are gorgeous! :iagree:we went there last summer. Dh and I are beach nuts and have been to several popular beaches around the country, these still took my breath away, gorgeous. Somewhere in Hawaii would be my other top choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarleneW Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Hands down SanDestin in Destin. It is beautiful! And a great resort too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I'm going to agree with those that suggest Destin, or in general, Gulf Coast FL or AL. The beaches in the Keys really don't compare. FYI: The Keys aren't known for their beaches (we're a chain of coral islands w/no surf to make sand.) Folks come here for the diving & fishing (live coral reef 7 miles off-shore along w/many wrecks to check out.) Yes, Key West sells more beer than any county in the state (and the island is only 2x4 miles), but there's also great restaurants and lots of history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
way2cross Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Siesta Key gets my vote. Dh and I met there when I was waitressing. Can't beat the beach, nice village for romantic dinners. Great vibe. Pretty much my favorite place on earth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in WI Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 The Keys do NOT have white sand beaches. The beaches in the keys are very rough. He'll be very disappointed if this is one of his "must haves". I don't have a suggestion for you, but wanted to point this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 FYI: The Keys aren't known for their beaches (we're a chain of coral islands w/no surf to make sand.) Folks come here for the diving & fishing (live coral reef 7 miles off-shore along w/many wrecks to check out.) Yes, Key West sells more beer than any county in the state (and the island is only 2x4 miles), but there's also great restaurants and lots of history. I agree - that's why I said the beaches in the Keys don't compare (meaning they weren't as nice). Sorry if I wasn't clear. I love the Keys, but for camping along the ocean and diving, not for the beaches. Even Bahia Honda (the best beach there IMO) wouldn't match those of Destin or Kauai (HI). Actually, the diving isn't as good as Hawaii either, but it's nice for continental US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I agree - that's why I said the beaches in the Keys don't compare (meaning they weren't as nice). Sorry if I wasn't clear. I love the Keys, but for camping along the ocean and diving, not for the beaches. Even Bahia Honda (the best beach there IMO) wouldn't match those of Destin or Kauai (HI). Actually, the diving isn't as good as Hawaii either, but it's nice for continental US. I was just helping the understanding since I actually live here. :D I worked reservations at a resort here & people were astounded that the hotel didn't have a beach! They think Florida == beach. The sugar-sand of the panhandle is beautiful, the surfing in Palm Beach is a draw, but you don't come to Monroe Co. for the beach. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in KY Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Ds wants a white sand beach and blue water honeymoon.... Other ideas? St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Cabins about $100/night. Beautiful beaches. Very yummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 They were leaning towards Kauai when we found great prices, but within a few hours they went up. Ds said he felt like he was playing the stock market. He's also just a couple of months short of 25 yrs old so there was going to be a $27 per day surcharge on top of each day's rental car charges. So..... drum roll...... the decision was LaPlaya on Naples beach. They can fly into Tampa and get our car, then drive down there. The hotel looks awesome and they got a deal on a Premium King room with ocean view and jacuzzi tub. The only problem, I've done so much looking at this place and that, now I really want to go somewhere! LOL! Thanks for all your help! If anyone has Naples tips, let me know. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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