The white sands and warms waters of the Gulf of Mexico are the main draws for most visitors at Tradewinds Island Grand resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. (QMI Agency/Phil Raby)

FLORIDA - The beach was a picture of beauty in the early morning with only a few souls meandering barefoot as the first rays of the sun warmed the sand. But then came the ear-splitting scream that pierced the lovely calm.

It was my child, six-year-old Madison, who had interrupted that perfect morning, but I guess screaming at the top of your lungs is what you should do as you plummet three storeys straight down -- faster than Enron stock.

Lucky for her, the landing was soft and wet.

Before you decide to call child services on me for allowing my child to engage in such dangerous activities, I should explain that Madison was experiencing the High Tide Water Slide, a 61-metre-long thrill ride located on the beach, which plunges in a super fast, bone-chilling drop that ends with a long fast glide along a mat.

So menacing-looking is this slide that some adults -- including me -- were too chicken to take the plunge.

Madison decided once was enough, but others -- especially teenagers -- couldn't get enough of the wet and wild ride.

This extreme water slide is just one of the many amenities available at Tradewinds Island Grand, a resort in St. Petersburg, Fla. that specializes in family fun. It's a great place to spend a week connecting with your loved ones while enjoying the natural surroundings.

While Florida isn't always thought of as a summer destination, many Canadian families with schoolage children do travel south during the school break.

And if the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has made you second-guess a visit, you will be happy to know that most areas of the state have not been affected by the spill.

This includes the beautiful beaches along the west coast, where Tradewinds is located.

The resort continues to monitor the situation but, in the meantime, "our beaches are open, our beaches are clean and our weather is beautiful," the Tradewinds website reports. (Travellers can get a real-time view of beach conditions via the live Beach Cam or the Bay News 9 Sky Cam atop the Island Grand. Follow the links from tradewindsresort.com.)

Grand amenities

If you like warm salt-water swimming and feathery soft sand to sink your feet in, then you'll love the beach at Island Grand. As an added bonus, you'll see tons of fish swishing about as you bob in the gentle waves.

Eagle-eyed swimmers might even catch a glimpse of a manta ray. Silhouettes of graceful dolphins can also be seen cutting through the waves in the distance, making for an especially pretty sight as the sun goes down.

The beach can get hot in the middle of the day, so to avoid over-heating consider renting a cabana, which runs $30 US a day for two people. It's a good place to retreat to take a nap, dry off or just have a bite before heading into the water again.

If you get tired of swimming you can always take a break by paddling around the grounds on one of the resort's paddleboats. A waterway, that's inhabited by swans, egrets and koi, winds itself through the area giving visitors a different perspective on Island Grand. Visitors can also feed the koi by using the fish-feeding stations spread around the waterway.

Island Grand also plays host to an infamous pirate of the high seas who drops by for some rollicking fun with families.

Red Beard gives pirates everywhere a good name as he entertains young and old with stories and songs during this free weekly show. But the fun doesn't end there. Families will have the chance to create some nifty crafts that include a shark-tooth necklace that any young pirate would be happy to wear.

Island Grand also has heated pools, mini-golf, a playground and tennis courts. Especially nice are the hammocks sporadically located among the lush tropical gardens on the grounds.

Rooms with a view

A resort on the beach will of course offer lovely views from its rooms. The Island Grand is no exception to that rule so booking a room with a view is the way to go. Families will find the suites very comfortable. These come with kitchenettes that include everything you need to cook a meal.

There is a table for four in the spacious living room.

And at Island Grand there's no need to leave your beloved pet at home. For a small fee, the resort welcomes the family dog or cat in a big way with treats, toys and a Tradewinds signature bandana. As well, dogs have an off-leash area inside the resort that includes several fire hydrants and doggie drinking fountains.

There are special rooms set aside for families with pets, so if you suffer from allergies there's no need to worry.

More information

Current rates start at $109 US for a standard hotel room. Suites start at $230 US. Taxes and some resort amenities are extra. A Seven Suite Nights package runs through Dec. 24. It includes a seven-night stay in a suite and all resort amenities (beach cabanas, paddleboats, tennis, fitness centre, daily parking, wireless internet, volleyball and mini-golf) for $1,365 US plus taxes. The rate is for two adults and two children. Contact tradewindsresort.com or 727-367-6461.

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