Hi all, I have a question for you. I'm pretty new here. I've been here for a few years now and live close to the ocean, near Jacksonville. I spend a lot of time on the beach and so do a lot of other people. I see a lot of people talking walks along the beach but no one seriously hiking along the beach. Seems like it would be a marvelous place to put in some serious miles. I'm planning on a hike down the Canaveral Seashore next month. Is there something in particular I should know about hiking along the beach?

Dr Phil

Post edited by: sfriendfla, at: 2007/09/17 18:45

Hiking in sand can be tough, unless you're on firm-packed sand. Can't guarantee that on all Florida beaches. My favorite for beach walks is Anastasia Island State Park in St. Augustine. A few precautions I'd note for Florida beach hiking:

1) Wear and carry sunscreen and a hat
2) Carry LOTS of water. Easy to get dehydrated.
3) If you wear shorts, make them zip-off pants and carry the zips with you. In some places sand fleas can be doggone fierce and there is no predicting them.
4) Hike at daybreak or dusk. Savor the sun rising or setting, and it's cooler then.

I've done parts of Canaveral's beaches but can attest to soft sand and steep slopes in places. Have fun out there!

I also have a question about beach hiking. What kind of shoes should you wear? Hiking boots, sandals, water shoes?

It depends on how far you're walking and what your feet are used to. Smartest thing is to take comfortable shoes along in a daypack and put them on if your bare feet start to get tired. Only the sand closest to the water is firm-packed, and only briefly ... otherwise you're dealing with a tough surface for a long hike.

I would not wear hiking boots, but for a long walk would wear running shoes, and for a shorter one, Crocs or similar. Part of the joy of walking along the beach is getting wet, so don't be afraid of doing so ... but have solid foot support ready and waiting!

Thanks! I'm hoping to do some hiking/beach walking at Smyrna Dunes Park this Saturday if the weather is good in the morning. Got the idea from 2 of your books. They are such great resources!

Thanks! Smyrna Dunes Parkis a lovely place and the boardwalk trail is much fun ... you don't even HAVE to walk on the beach if you don't want to, but it's possible to walk the trail counterclockwise, take the side boardwalk down to Mosquito Lagoon, and walk back around the point on the sand to one of the dune crossovers back to the boardwalk trail to make it a more interesting hike. Have fun out there and don't forget to check out the old-fashioned soda fountain downtown (on the mainland) on Canal Street!