Blue Gulf

A heated pool on the deck, Gulf views from the balcony, and boardwalk access to the beach – this Santa Rosa Beach home makes a strong case for doing very little, very well. For groups who want to explore, six adult beach cruiser bikes and a six-passenger low-speed vehicle are included, making the 30A coastal communities easy to reach. Come evening, there's a barbecue on site and local dining just steps away. It's a well-positioned base along one of Florida's most celebrated stretches of coastline.

Home truths:
* You'll need to bring your own beach and pool towels – bath towels and linens from the home may not be taken outside except for laundering.
* One of the bedrooms contains a single-over-double bunk bed.
* The lead guest must be at least 25 years old.
* During sea turtle nesting season – 1st May to 31st October – if you're in a Gulf-facing room you'll need to keep curtains and blinds closed at night and avoid using white lights on the beach. Red-film torches are available from local businesses if you need them.
* The 30A beach communities operate a Leave No Trace policy – anything left unattended on the beach overnight will be discarded by local enforcement, so make sure you clear your chairs, umbrellas, and belongings each evening before you head in.