Author: Hayden Dunsel

Hayden Dunsel is a Florida-based travel writer, editor and photojournalist. Hayden's work is often featured in leading publications, including national and international news organizations.
The old fishing pier in Redington Shores Beach

Redington Shores

Redington Shores is a small beach town on a barrier island along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The beach is fairly large and is usually relatively uncrowded. It can get crowded during peak times though, partially due to the high-rise hotels, condos and resorts in the area. Redington Shores is sandwiched among several other beach communities. It…

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in Florida, and the entire United States. It is an extremely popular destination for locals, and visitors alike. Clearwater Beach is located on a long, narrow barrier island. The north section of the island has upscale beach houses, and Caladesi Island State Park. Important:…

The Fort De Soto Pier and Beach in Pinellas County, Florida

Fort De Soto

Fort Desoto is one of the best beaches in Florida. To make it even more official, Fort De Soto was once named the “Best Beach in the entire United States” in 2005 by “Dr. Beach” Stephen Leatherman. The water is clear, the sand is amazing, and there is a huge amount of parking. Plus, it…

Snorkeling in the Florida Keys at Key Largo Christ of the Abyss Dive Site

Key Largo

Key Largo is both an island and a community in the Florida Keys. The island of Key Largo is approximately 30 miles long and approximately 1-2.5 miles wide. It is a relatively small island by any normal standard, but it is the largest island in the Florida Keys. Key Largo is classified as part of…

Fishing in Islamorada

Islamorada

Islamorada is a small village and group of islands in the Florida Keys. Islamorada is located in the upper Keys, and is roughly halfway between Miami and Key West. The village includes approximately 7 square miles of land area. The official boundaries extend from Channel Two Bridge near mile marker 72.5 to the Tavernier Creek…

Sunshine Key RV Resort in the Florida Keys

Camping in the Florida Keys

Many people dream about camping in the Florida Keys. They imagine white sandy beaches, Caribbean blue water and easy living. They dream that camping is an easy, cheap alternative to hotels and expensive vacation rentals. Maybe even find some free camping on a beach? That all sounds great, right? It does sound great! But, sadly,…

Sombrero Beach in Marathon, Florida

Marathon

Marathon is one of the most populated cities in the Florida Keys. It’s considered to be part of the “Middle Keys”, and forms their southern boundary. Islands below Marathon are considered to be the “Lower Keys”. History Like almost all of the Florida Keys, Marathon was inhabited and used for thousands of years by indigenous…

Campgrounds in the florida keys

Campgrounds in the Florida Keys

There’s a huge variety of campgrounds in the Florida Keys. You can find everything from old, run-down trailer parks to the fanciest, most high-end and expensive private campgrounds you could imagine. Some campground lots in this guide sell for over a million dollars! Can you imagine paying a million dollars for a parking place? This…

Chassahowitzka River Campground

Chassahowitzka River and Springs

The Chassahowitzka River is located in the city of Homosassa on Florida’s central gulf coast. It’s located in Citrus County. Chassahowitzka River Video Tour History of Chassahowitzka River and Springs Like many springs in Florida, Chassahowitzka Springs has a fascinating history. It has attracted humans for tens of thousands of years. There are several notable…

Beach at Bahia Honda State Park, viewing the Milky Way

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is located on Bahia Honda, a small island in the Florida Keys archipelago. It’s located in the lower keys, southwest of Marathon.  The island of Bahia Honda has some of the most beautiful views in the Florida Keys, and several of the most beautiful beaches in the Florida. Location Bahia…

Sammy's Creek on Sugarloaf Key in the Florida Keys

Sugarloaf Key

Sugarloaf Key is an island in the Florida Keys, below the southern tip of Florida. Location and Geography Sugarloaf Key is located in the “Lower Keys” below Cudjoe Key and above the Saddlebunch Keys. The Gulf of Mexico borders the north shores of Sugarloaf Key, and the Atlantic Ocean is to the south. The Lower…

A Map of the 5 largest cities in Florida

Major Cities in Florida

On a map, Florida can sometimes look like a small state because of its long, narrow shape. But, Florida is deceptively large in both land area and population. Florida covers 65,758 square miles, which makes it the 22nd largest state by land area. According to the most recent 2019 census estimate, 21,477,737 people live in…

Kayaking in the Florida Everglades mangrove tunnel tour

Everglades

What are the Florida Everglades? The Everglades is a large region of subtropical wetland in Florida. The Everglades form an incredibly complex and fragile ecosystem. The Everglades ecosystem is very large, and covers more than two million acres. The Everglades begin in central Florida and descend to the southernmost parts of the Florida Peninsula. Millions…

A rental bicycle near a beach in Key West, Florida

Key West

Key West is the southernmost key in the Florida Keys archipelago, and the southernmost point of the continental United States. It’s a small island filled with big character, energy and adventure. We hope this guide will help you learn more about Key West, and all that it has to offer.  Location First of all,…

A beach access point in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach is a small beach town on Florida’s east coast. It sits in Volusia County, about 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach, and an hour north of Cape Canaveral. The town is sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Indian River to the west. Beaches and Outdoors This part of Florida…

The Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple in Tampa, Florida

Thai Temple Tampa

Update: 6/15/2021: The Thai temple and grounds are open daily from 9 am until 6 pm. The Sunday Thai brunch market is held every Sunday from 8 am until 1 pm. The market is currently drive-through service only. After collecting food via car, visitors can park and eat their food at the onsite picnic tables….

An aerial drone photo of luxury waterfront homes in Windermere, Florida, one of the best suburbs of Orlando

Windermere

Windermere, Florida is a small, vibrant city in Orange County, Florida. It’s one of the best and popular suburbs of Orlando, especially for wealthy people. Windermere is known for its luxurious lakefront homes, famous residents and a quiet, charming atmosphere. Approximately 2,500-3,000 residents live in the Town of Windermere. Location Windermere’s location is one of…