You may think of taking a Florida Gulf beach vacation during the summer months when the kids are out of school and/or you have a couple weeks of vacation time you’d like to use. You may also think about a Florida vacation as a winter escape from the snow, ice and unending cold temperatures during the winter months and decide to plan a beach getaway for that time.
But have you considered planning a Gulf beach vacation in fall months? You should! Why? It’s an off-season of sorts. It’s the time after the summer beachgoers have left, but before the winter crowds start rolling in. It’s mainly the locals and some of the snowbirds returning to the area during the fall months.
There are some great advantages to vacationing on the Gulf Coast this time of year. Here are a few of the best.
Less crowded beaches
Any time you can get more of the sun, sand and salt water to yourself, the better! Autumn on the Gulf Coast of Florida is the perfect time for that. You won’t have any trouble finding your spot in the sand. Kick back, relax, breathe in the sea-salt air, and take in the beautiful coastal views. It’s peaceful, quiet, relaxing and good for the mind, body and soul.
A sunny disposition
Let’s talk about the weather in the fall months on the Gulf Coast. It’s lovely, absolutely lovely. A break in the heat and humidity leads to warm, comfortable beach days and cool coastal nights. It’s still tank top, shorts and flip flop weather, but bring a light jacket or sweater for the evenings. Swimwear is still in season, too. Average temps on Florida’s Gulf Coast stay in the 80s until close to Thanksgiving time, then they drop a bit into the 70s. How bad can that be?
Abundant festivals, events, attractions & things to do
The fall season offers the same Tampa Bay attractions and things to do that the summer months do. In fact, the weather during this time of year is ideal for a day trip to Busch Gardens, a round of golf, a dinner cruise, an on-the-water sightseeing tour, and just about any of the Gulf Coast attractions or activities you want to do in the great outdoors. (P.S. Don’t forget to get your Tampa Bay CityPASS for discounts on all your favorite places!)
The fall festival and event lineup is wonderful, too. Local favorites include the Super Boat National Championships, Oktoberfest on the beach in Indian Rocks Beach, and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, just to name a few. Stay tuned to our blog for more details on these upcoming events that you won’t want to miss.
Great fishing
There’s great fishing to be had any time of year on the Gulf Coast, but the fall months are especially good for both inshore and offshore fishing. If you’re interested in what’s biting now, click here. For information on all you need to know about our fabulous Florida Gulf Coast fishing, click here.
Spectacular Gulf of Mexico sunsets
Sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico are a sight to behold any time of year, but the fall months offer a brilliance and radiance not tempered by humidity and haze. So, they are really quite stunning.
It’s a different display each and every night, but all are guaranteed to please. You can expect an added oomph to the coastal color show as the placid Gulf waters provide a mirror-like reflection of the sky. Bring your camera!
Gear up for the holidays
The holiday season is not far off this time of year (yikes!) and along with it comes the hustle and bustle of all that goes with it. While the holidays are something to look forward to, they can also require a great deal of time, energy, planning and preparation that can be quickly followed by mounting stress, utter exhaustion and a case of the winter blues.
Why not be proactive this year and take some time for yourself in preparation for what’s to come? Now is the perfect time to plan a little beach getaway. Do it before the craziness begins. Gear up for the holidays by winding down on our beaches first. It’s one of the best presents you can give yourself. You deserve it!
Vacation rental discounts
The best part of an off-season beach vacation is the money you’ll save. You get all of what the Florida Gulf Coast has to offer with the added benefit of beach vacation rental specials and discounts. Win-win!
Are you ready to start planning your Florida Gulf Beach vacation? Check out our featured vacation rentals. See you on the sand.
Have you vacationed on our Gulf beaches during the off-season? How did you like it? What was your favorite thing about this time of year?
