When it comes to Florida trips, many travelers gravitate toward the popular, big-name hubs along the state's eastern coast, such as Miami and Daytona Beach. While those Atlantic-facing spots have plenty to offer fun-in-the-sun seekers, it's the Florida Gulf Coast beaches that are truly the state's—nay, the country's—seaside gems. Here are four reasons why your Florida itinerary should skew westward.

You Can Dig Your Toes Into Silky, Sugar-White Sand

Not all Florida Gulf Coast beaches boast super soft sand the color of snow, but many of them—especially along Florida's Panhandle—shimmer with a stunning white sheen. The fascinating reason? Portions of the Appalachian Mountains eroded over millions of years into specs of fine quartz, which were then carried all the way down to Florida via rivers and creeks.

Plant your towel on: Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, FL. It boasts 2.5 miles of picture-perfect white sand, earning it the title of "Best Beach in America" from _The Huffington Post_.

While you’re there: Take a stroll on Pier 60, which juts out 1,080 feet into this crystal clear patch of the Gulf. Sunsets here are some of the best in the state.

You Can Wade Really Far Out in the Shallow Waters

In addition to sparkling with a distinctive turquoise hue similar to those in Hawaii, the waters of the Florida Gulf Coast beckon swimmers and waders alike with perfect temperatures and a shallow, sandy bottom that stretches seemingly to the horizon.

Get your feet wet at: Pensacola Beach on the state’s northern Emerald Coast. Listed as one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Beaches in the US”, it boasts gorgeous blue-green waters that are famously walkable due to their shallow depths.

While you’re there: Hike the Footprints in the Sand Eco-Trail, which has been known to house sea turtle nests. And speaking of Gulf Coast creatures...

You’ll See the Coolest Wildlife in the Southeastern U.S.

Beyond hosting manatees and dolphins, Florida’s Gulf Coast teems with lush seaside vegetation, several kinds of crustaceans, and vacationing snowbirds from northern climates. The region even has beaches where you can see large sharks swim close to shore.

Bust out your safari hat at: Delnor-Wiggins State Recreation Area, located on the southwest coast near Naples. It harbors countless shorebirds and features natural estuaries filled with eagles, owls, and reptiles.

While you’re there: Take a guided boat tour through the embouchures of the Cocohatchee River for an even closer look at the area’s gorgeous creatures and plant life.

You Can Take Home Perfectly Intact Seashells as Souvenirs

Because it’s protected by a broad underwater shelf, the Gulf of Mexico regularly yields whole, unchipped specimens from shell-heavy currents. This means that many beaches along the Gulf Coast brim with intact coquinas, conches, and keyhole limpets.

Take your bucket to: Sanibel Island off Cape Coral, which has been rated the best shelling spot in America by _Travel + Leisure_ magazine. The casuarina trees along its shore ensure a comfortable stroll for beachcombers hunting false angel wings and other famously prominent shells.

While you’re there: Spot the best shells before they even hit land during a snorkeling excursion. You’ll also most likely see one of Sanibel’s man-made reefs, which keep the island stocked with fish and other sealife.