The 72-mile stretch of Atlantic shore known as the Space Coast also includes the popular resorts of Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach. A haven for wildlife, this wetland area boasts the largest sea turtle nesting area in the US, and you can pick up various wildlife tours to see manatees, sea birds and more than 20 endangered species.

But our holiday beach lay on the opposite coast, an easy drive of about 90 minutes from Orlando. The 35-mile stretch of the Gulf Coast around Clearwater and St Petersburg is known as Florida's Beach – mile after mile of fine white sand, barrier islands and lagoons linked by bridges and causeways.

Watersports enthusiasts are spoilt for choice and if you've never tried them, this is the ideal time. We were particularly impressed by the attention to safety and training.

It's well worth exploring the coastline. A recent survey of nature beaches rated Fort De Soto Park second in the USA, with Caladesi Island State Park in fifth place. Only accessible by ferry, Caladesi is one of the few large, undeveloped barrier islands on the Gulf Coast. It's great for swimming, shelling and scuba diving.

Dolphins live in these waters and many visitors take a high-speed motor launch out to sea to watch them play in the wake. But we enjoyed the tranquillity of a trip around the sheltered waters of Boca Ciega Bay on a 46 ft sailing boat and were lucky to see several of the creatures.

For anyone interested in wildlife, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a must. This rescue and rehabilitation centre helps stranded marine animals – from dolphins to turtles, seals to seabirds – with the aim of putting them back into the wild wherever possible.

A short way down the coast, at Indian Shores, the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is the busiest wild bird hospital in the country. Most are rehabilitated and released, but you can visit the permanent residents for free.