Daytona Beach: The original American beach! and one of the United States most famous, being over 23 miles long. It's open to pedestrians 24/7 with free access. Cars are permitted in designated areas of the beach from sunrise to sunset (tidal conditions permitting!). The hard packed sand make Daytona a mecca for motorsports. It hosts many out-of-towners that descend upon the city for various events such as Speedwells in early February where 200,000 NASCAR fans come to attend the season opening Daytona 500. Other events include the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 race in July, bike week in early March, Biketoberfest in late October and the 24 hours of Daytona endurance race in January, so can be very busy at these times. For some water-sport fun, jet ski's, powerboats and sailboards can be rented. There is the recently reopened Daytona Beach Pier and the Boardwalk Amusement area offers the likes of a roller coaster, ferris wheel, mini golf and arcades.

Daytona Beach is about a 90 minutes drive from Providence

Cocoa Beach: Experience the culture and coolness of America's Space Coast! The closest beach to Orlando offers an array of things to do from deep sea fishing to kayak and airboat rides to get up close and personal with Florida's awesome wildlife. Being so close to the Kennedy Space Center you may even see a rocket taking off. For those old enough to remember, the beach was made famous in the 1960's by the TV sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie". As well as being home to the world-famous Cocoa Beach Pier, you can also check out Ron Jon's, the world's largest surf shop.

Cocoa Beach is about a 90 minutes drive from Providence

Caladesi Island: Miles of Natural, unspoiled beaches. This is accessible only by ferry or boat and this pristine island offers a glimpse of what Florida beaches were like long before there were any people around to enjoy them. You'll find no T-shirt or souvenir stands here, no beachfront bars and restaurants. Kick back on quiet white-sand beach, swim in the turquoise waters or go on a beach combing expedition. Named the best beach in the United States in 2008, you won't have any choice to relax once you arrive.

Caladesi Island is about a 90 minutes drive from Providence

Sarasota Beaches:

Siesta Key:

Public Beach: This beach is ideal for swimming, sunning and volleyball and is also famous for spectacular Gulf sunsets. the beach is 99% pure quartz, so soft and cool on the feet. Siesta key has won many awards over the years and is known as one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. The nearby Siesta Key Village is brimming with unique restaurants, tropical-feeling bars and mom-and-pop shops, all accessible via the trolley and "free ride" taxis.

Turtle Beach: Is near the southern end of the key where the sand is a bit coarser and the beach drops off more dramatically but that means the snorkelling and shelling is better. Turtle Beach has no lifeguards but there's free parking with picnic tables, a playground, showers and restrooms.

Lido Key:

North Lido Beach: is a natural beach with an ideal dune system to observe the many shore birds. It is a good beach for privacy but there is no on-site parking and caution must be used when swimming as there are no lifeguards on duty and currents are very swift.

Lido Public Beach: Is everything you expect in a public beach; a great beach, snack pavilion, playground, picnic tables, showers, restrooms and good parking. The beach is very popular with families. As well as the fantastic amenities it is also just steps from phenomenal shopping at St. Armand's Circle.

South Lido Park: As the name suggests this as at the south end of Lido Key and has a "back to natural Florida" atmosphere. There is good, free parking, picnic tables, a playground, showers, restrooms, volleyball court and grills all make for a pleasurable, relaxing experience. There are no lifeguards and due to the strong currents swimming is not advised. The 100 acre coastal park has large pines, 2 walking trails and a self-guided canoe trail with launch site.

The Sarasota beaches are about a 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours drive from Providence