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By Rich Beattie, GORP Editor
Best Swimming
* Perdido Key, Florida


Sugar-white sands, clean water, and great body surfing: The beach on Perdido Key is a prime spot for jumping in and getting wet. While not exactly a secret from condo developers, this super swimming hole is still a get-out-the-magnifying-glass dot on the map. A 247-acre barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico's Florida/Alabama border, the Key offers wide, white, sandy beaches, rolling sand dunes covered with sea oats, and wildlife like the osprey, dolphin, and loggerhead turtle.

How great is this beach? Stephen P. Leatherman (also known as Dr. Beach), America's beach guru and a professor at Florida International University of Miami, ranked it among America's best in 2000. His factors? Everything that's important to a swimmer and beachcomber: sand softness, wave size and current strength, water color and quality, and lifeguard protection.

Essentials: For more info, call 850-492-1595.

Tip: Don't forget your mask and fins (or at least be sure to rent them) — the snorkeling's awesome.


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Book an Active Vacation
star Beyond the Beaches: America's Best Trips
bullet Best Biking Trips - From sea to shining sea, and everything in between.
bullet Best Hiking Trips - Stroll a beachfront or climb to a mountain peak.
bullet Best Paddling Trips - From rivers to oceans, dip your paddle into a wave.

RELATED GORP LINKS
* More GORP Beach Adventures
* National Seashores and Lakeshores
* GORPtravel



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[from Outside magazine]