There is a big differnece in nightly rates GOM vs Atlantic properties. I agree that Clearwater to St Pete has the better sand-nice and powdery especially at St Pete's Beach. But, the bodysurfing is better on the Atlantic side, especially from St Augustine to Flagler Beach (my favorite and the reason why I bought in Palm Coast, instead of the Tampa area.) Daytona suffers from too many vehicles driving on the beach, so harder packed sand, but I think the water is cleaner on the Atlantic side, well, except the occasional jellyfish problem up near Jacksonville Beach.