7 Gulf Coast Vacation Destinations Unaffected by BP Oil Spill

I think it's great that President Obama is going to Florida for a vacation with his family. I think he heard that there are miles of pearlescent beaches with clear, warm waters and no one else is there. They've all been scared off by the incomplete information from the national media that Florida's beaches are covered in oil. It's not true. If you're looking for a beautiful beach experience in Florida, but have been unable to find conclusive information, keep reading. Hopefully, this information will allow you to book with confidence that your summer vacation will be unspoiled by oil.

Many of these locations have posted live video feeds and are actively updating the water's status via Twitter. According to Dr. Beach, Stephen Leatherman, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University: "Fortunately, nearly all of Florida's 825 miles of beaches are presently open as shown on our map." (see Resources tab on the right). These beach destinations are gorgeous and savvy planners can get some amazing deals, as well as some unprecedented guarantees. Listed in order of location from north to south:

1. Clearwater, FL: "I take my 3-yr-old to the beach every Sunday morning so he (okay, both of us) can enjoy it," says resident Linda Athans, director of marketing for Mangrove Employer Services in Tampa. "Couple the beach with the Pier, playground, great restaurants, Clearwater Beach is still one of the best vacation destinations around." Two beautiful hotels here are the Hyatt's Aqualea and the Hilton. Sand Key, about two minutes away is nice too, but better for fishing than beaching it. Sandpearl Resort is taking reservations and has a streaming video on their web site of their soft sand beach views, and is also offering a refund should your two-night minimum stay be disrupted through Sept. 1, 2010.

2. Longboat Key, FL: One of my favorite things about Florida is the mangrove trees. There are oodles of them here among the crystal clear shallow waters of this 12 mile long island just off Sarasota. The Longboat Key Club & Resort sits on a pile of beautiful beachfront and offers tennis, golf, boating and fishing. The only warning I'll give you about visiting the neighboring Anna Maria Island is that you might never leave once you see this place.

3. Siesta Key, FL: "We have property managers in Siesta Key," says Steve Coran, vice president of business development for Packlate.com. "All of them have seen a downturn and none of them have seen any oil." Packlate, which works with professionally managed properties, many of which are along the Gulf Coast, is also honoring the same cancellation policy many hotels are offering. So far, though, they have not had to use it. And if you look at a map, it's kind of ridiculous that the national news is lumping this area in with the oil spill disaster.

4. Placida, FL: I hate to share this well-kept secret, but I have it on good authority that there are only two other people on this seven mile stretch of pristine beach along the intercoastal waterway. You have to get there by boat and only bicycles are allowed on this private villa covered resort paradise. You can find plenty of shells, sharks teeth, and breathtaking sunsets here. Palmisland.com. I refuse to reveal more. It's so unspoiled.

5. Venice, FL: Water, water everywhere...check out the nearby Charlotte Harbour in the bay as well. Good hotels in this area include the Four Points Sheraton and the under priced Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda, which has a roof-top pool and tiki bar. The Gaspirilla Inn looks like an old southern style mansion and offers historically charming lodging with nearby bike paths.

6. Fort Myers/Sanibel, FL: The nationally aired TV commercials, one of which features Willard Scott, who used to be a weatherman for The Today Show, are hokey but show tar-free beaches and oil-free wildlife. If you click on the Summer Sanctuary icon on this web site, you'll find some amazing deals. For example, the DiamondHead Beach Resort & Spa is up to 15% off and Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa is offering up to 30% off.

7. Key West, FL: "What oil spill?"

The beaches are open in Destin, which is about 49 miles east of Pensacola. I didn't include Destin because there are tar balls present offshore, but not on the sand. If you do decide to go: Sterling Resorts is offering "Clean Beach Booking Guarantee" ensuring guests that if oil does wash up on their shores, they will receive a full refund. They're also providing guests booking a minimum of three nights a $50 gift card which they can use and enjoy at any of the area's restaurants, attractions and entertainment venues, now through Aug. 15, 2010.

County health inspectors conduct routine tests of the waters for bacterial contamination. The results of these tests are made public in addition to the tests that some visitor's bureaus are conducting of their own accord. Google has a great map (http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/oilspill/) where you can view satellite imagery of the oil slick and see NOAA forecasts of areas about to be affected.

Now, it is also hurricane season, which is another story. Cancellation policies due to weather may vary so double check with your hotel. I don't know how long these details will hold true, but if you're looking to get away in the next couple of months, make an informed decision.