List of coasts of Florida facts for kids

Florida is a sunny state in the United States, famous for its long and beautiful coastline. This coastline has many different names! Some names describe which big body of water the coast touches. Other names are special nicknames given to certain areas, often to help people know about them for tourism.

Florida's Coasts: Where Land Meets Water

Florida's long coast touches three major bodies of water. To the east, you'll find the huge Atlantic Ocean. To the south, there's the warm Caribbean Sea. And to the west, the coast meets the Gulf of Mexico.

The southern coast has some important bays, like Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, and Whitewater Bay. On the western side, you can find Tampa Bay, Waccasassa Bay, Apalachee Bay, and Choctawhatchee Bay. These bays are like large inlets where the sea comes into the land.

Exploring Florida's Special Coast Names

Many parts of Florida's coast have unique names. Some of these names are official, like you might see on a map. Others are more like nicknames, often used to attract visitors or describe a certain feeling about the area. These named coasts can sometimes overlap.

Here are some of Florida's well-known named coasts, starting from the northeast and moving around the state:

• First Coast / Historic Coast
• Surf Coast (This was a local name in the 1970s for the Daytona area, known for its waves!)
• Space Coast / Mosquito Coast (Home to rocket launches!)
• Treasure Coast
• Gold Coast
• South Florida
• Florida Keys (A chain of islands stretching into the sea)
• Sun Coast
• Paradise Coast (A name for the Naples area)
• Lee Island Coast
• Cultural Coast (This area is known for arts and culture, especially around Sarasota)
• Nature Coast
• Big Bend Coast
• Forgotten Coast
• Emerald Coast (Famous for its beautiful green waters)

The "Fun Coast" Story

Over the years, different places in Florida have tried to use the name "Fun Coast" to attract tourists. In the 1980s, the St. Petersburg area tried to use it. Then, in 1993, Fort Lauderdale also gave it a try.

In the 1990s, people promoting tourism in the Halifax area (near Daytona Beach) started a campaign to call their region the "Fun Coast." By 1995, they wanted to market Volusia and Flagler Counties together with this name.

A cool thing happened in 1999. The Halifax area was getting a new telephone area code. The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce worked hard to get the number "386." Why "386"? Because on a phone keypad, those numbers spell out "FUN"! Many local leaders and residents supported this idea. They were successful, and area code 386 was created for the Daytona area and parts of North Central Florida.

See also

• Palm Coast, Florida, the name of a city roughly between the First Coast and Space Coast.