During all four seasons, Florida is one of the best destinations in the USA for the East Coast and beyond residents. You might spend weeks or even months exploring the sunshine state’s coastlines and beaches. With more than 2,000 km of Gulf shores and 1,000 km of Atlantic coastlines, you may not see them all.
In case you are searching for the best beaches in the country with white powdery sand, cobalt-shade waters, national and state beach parks, marine biodiversity, and cocktail and kid-friendly views, the best beaches in Florida will never disappoint.
Wondering which to choose? Here is our take on the best beaches to visit in Florida with the residence-friendly surroundings. That was not easy to choose the best from the sheer number of stunning boardwalks.
Let’s make it to some of the top Florida beaches keys this vacation! Have a look at this guide.
List of 15 Best Beaches in Florida
- Key Biscayne Beach
- Siesta Key Beach
- Mexico Beach
- Naples
- Cedar Key
- St. Petersburg
- Destin
- Fort Myers
- Islamorada
- Jacksonville
- Sanibel Island
- Miami Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Key West
- Clearwater Beach
1. Key Biscayne: Best Quiet Beach in Florida
Location: Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Known for its beautiful palm tree-lined streets, ancient shops, studios, restaurants, and some of the aesthetic quiet beaches, Key Biscayne is no less than a heaven on earth.
Reaching before the destination, a journey across the Rickenbacker Causeway across the beautiful Biscayne Bay is full of adventures with scenic beauty.
A little far from Miami, you can find a tiny island town between two wonderful parks – Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Key Biscayne is an ultimate travel destination in Florida for a swim or rents a kayak at Bill Baggs Park, a life-moving swim with dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium, a historic visit to Cape Florida Lighthouse, and wonderful experience of playing golf at the renowned Crandon Golf Course.
Don’t miss out to witness the movement of turtle eggs hatch at the two-mile-long Crandon Park beach.😉
2. Siesta Key Beach
Location: Siesta Key, FL 34242
The list of best beaches in Florida will be incomplete without Sarasota’s Siesta Key beach. This real Florida scenic piece of land is a pure depiction of the Gulf coast’s glimmering white and pure quartz crystal water tides.
👉 Sarasota is the Hub of such many by-and-By beaches on earth.
Full of activities and fun ventures, this beach is great to do some paddling through Sarasota Bay and look for manatees and dolphins, visit Ringling Museum of Art, compete in building sandcastles at the Siesta Key Crystal Classic, rent a fishing boat, go snorkeling, or so many other fun activities.
You might find it almost impossible to leave your swing or the chair on the heaven-like beach of Florida. 😀
3. Mexico Beach: Best Family Beach in FL
Location: Mexico Beach City
Give yourself a little time out of the world’s hustle and reach at one of the best beaches in Florida (Mexico Beach) for all fun and family time. Just 20 mins drive away from Panama city beach; this exotic beach is full of nature dives of spectacular views.
- Walk barefoot and explore the unending miles of sand-stranded all over emerald water shores, exquisite seaside restaurants, and old-fashioned shops.
Mexico beach is known for its quaint sunset every day that you would not be one to miss that out on.
Family vacations are a breeze at this top Florida beach, which offers scuba diving, boat rides, fishing, and thousands of birds.
4. Naples: Best Secluded Beach in Florida
Location: Naples, FL 34102
Florida is never short of a family vacation destination, trust me! Naples, located in southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, is a home of many great beaches for family fun and an adventurous pack of activities.
Tracking the way to a fantastic Golf experience and superb shopping vista? Naples is all you need.
- A perfect destination with friends and family covered with powdery golden sand and replete with super-dewy parks setting the goals for people of every age.
- Kids are never bored of the competition of building sand houses, swimming, or playing with all fun.
If you are up for an adventuresome adventure, you can enjoy a tram ride through the lush mangroves to the quiet park.
A trip to the historic Naples Pier constructed in 1888 is a great way to view playful dolphins, go fishing, or let your kids take a ride on an airboat watching alligators and birds.
You wouldn’t miss shopping during your stay as the beach is adorned with shops and antique galleries. How about giving it a try?
5. Cedar Key
Location: Gulf of Mexico
In 1929, the area where you can find the best shelling in Florida had been declared a birds and wildlife sanctuary, and it is now a park named Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge.
👉 This place is home to rare white pelicans, sumptuous bald eagles, vibrantly pink roseate spoonbills, and many other birds that love to reside on islands.
Cedar Key, the favorite spot of beach lovers (consisting of beautiful little islands) is surrounded by enchanting destinations. It lies about three miles off the Florida coast, about 100 miles north of Tampa, and about fifty miles southwest of Gainesville.
You can spend an entire day kayaking on these beaches since many of them are abandoned. There are many fulfilling activities to enjoy, such as beachcombing, hiking, sailing, fishing, and kayaking.
In April, Way Key hosts a festival for 120 artists that were discovered and endorsed by the artists. You’re sure to get a perfect shot here!
6. St. Petersburg
Location: Center of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico
Calling it “the city that never rains” instead of St.Petersburg will be way more accurate. Why? This city is known for its world record of 768 sunny days in a row without a raindrop. Isn’t it wondrous?
You may see the beach lovers facing the sun and kids playing on the sand and enjoying the slight water shores here.
St.Petersburg is beautified with much more activities for kids. Take them to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, fun Fort De Soto Park, South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium, fishing activities at the Skyway Fishing Pier park, and the more memorable activities.
A food lover is never neglected here! Enjoy your visit to the 20,000 square foot locale market food site to satisfy your cravings.
7. Destin Beach
Location: 2971 Scenic Gulf Dr, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Beach on a budget? Destin might be your destination.
Up to enjoy the white sand beaches in Florida? Destin, beautified with bright green waters and great fishing activities, will never disappoint your tour aesthetic. Known for the immense fish production in the water Destin is labeled the “world’s luckiest fishing village.”
How about taking a visit to the Big Kahunas Water and Adventure Park? Kids enjoy this. Taking a snorkeling trip, a dolphin cruise, or even trying parasailing will make them enjoy themselves to the fullest.
No Florida beach leave you deprived of Golf session, and Destin is not out of the list. Like me, you won’t admire to miss out on the chance of the best seafood on these white-sand beaches.
8. Fort Myers: Best White Sand Beach in Florida
Location: Sunny Gulf Coast of southwest Florida
Enjoy the family as well as a solo trip at Fort Myers, known for its endless-miles golden beaches, amazing shopping destinations, Superb fishing experience, and adventurous activities.
The scenic beauty is mesmerizing, so no wonder! Laidback and adoring the charming views only will also be great.
Learning while having fun! A boat tour of the barrier islands, spotting alligators and panthers in Telegraph Cypress Swamp and Babcock Ranch are fun activities for kids.
The Edison & Ford Winter Carnival offers a fun, educational experience for the whole family.
9. Islamorada Beach
Location: Islamorada, FL 33036
Islamorada, best known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” is home to fishing allowing tourist to enjoy their time on marine life hunting and locals to earn bread and butter.
While rolling over one of the four islands in the Florida keys, you will spend the maximum time under, on, or by water snorkeling, diving, parasailing, kayaking, windsurfing, boat racing, and even feeding an enormous silver tarpon.
Apart from an adventurous, fun-filled day, lay down on the sand, have a refreshing beach drink, and witness the beauty of magnificent sunset. Here you release all your stiffness!
10. Jacksonville
Location: Jacksonville City in Northeast Florida
Jacksonville is not only well known for its cultural and business activities but its natural beauty; Sandy & Quiet Beaches.
There are 22 miles of quiet and deserted powdery-fine sand beaches where you can relax and indulge in more fun water activities.
Visit Shipwreck Island Waterpark, Jacksonville Zoo & Garden, Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve with your family.
Kids would never mind hiking through 46,000 acres of salt marshes, coastal wetlands, and hardwood forests.
Historic Fort George Island located at this location is not less than icing on the cake for History enthusiasts.
11. Sanibel Island
Location: Coast of Southwest Florida
Matted over the 15 miles long area, the beautiful beaches at Sanibel island are a small piece of heaven on earth. Take a short drive from the Myers and spend your vacations around the water.
Mostly uncrowded, this location is the best for alone strollers and sometimes families to spend some quality time.
The most favorite activity on the Sanibel beaches is collecting shells, and you will mostly find everyone doing this.
What’s strange in it? Well, the island is full of 250 kinds of such captivating and beautiful shells that no one can take their eyes off these little beauties. It’s a count-down activity. Get, set, go!
These beaches are home to almost 230 different kinds of birds that add scenic beauty and chirping sound to the whole beautiful natural picture of the beach.
Enjoy the multiple refreshing activities with your family and friends including:
- Swimming, fishing
- Visiting a historic lighthouse
- Enjoying a tropical drink.
You don’t have to walk only on long miles; just rent a canoe or a bike to ride on 25 miles of bike paths or go on a boat tour to see the island standing in the middle of the sea.
12. Miami Beach
Location: Barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Biscayne Bay
Known as one of the best and more crowded areas in Florida, Miami Beach is the center of the island’s nightlife. Miami beach is the stop for those who are looking for the whole city beach vibes.
The shoreline of barrier island is filled with long, amazing beaches and ocean drive. Some smaller beaches are more secluded, family-oriented, and full of nature’s perks.
The sand is crammed with sunbathers in the summer, and cars whizz slowly by watching the scenes.
Either big or small, Miami beaches are full of spectacular views and fun-filled adventurous activities. Kids will have fun in Miami Zoo that is the home to almost 3000 animals.
Furthermore, Everglades Alligator Farm, Miami Seaquarium, and Jungle Island are some of the must-see places. You can have a lot of fun day and night.
You can take the kids on an airboat ride through the Everglades for a mesmerizing aerial view and to the Miami Children’s Museum with 14 interactive exhibits. Fun and learn altogether here! Enjoy Plenty of entertainment day and night at this one of the best beaches in Florida.
13. Fort Lauderdale
Location: Florida A1A, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
The city of Fort Lauderdale, with its amazing beaches, 165 long canals, and 46 cruise ships that sail from the city towards the spectacular watery lands, is a favorite tourist spot.
Fort Lauderdale has a total population of 170,000 and almost 12 million visitors every year, which is 10 times higher than its actual population. No wonder why because the city has everything for everyone.
There is nothing that you can’t wish to do. You can set up your umbrella along the public beaches dotted with palm trees or along the famous beachfront promenade. What about a gondola ride through the canals?
You won’t mind exploring the nearby everglades, taking an aquatic tour of Las Olas Boulevard, and discovering the marine world through Scuba diving.
Note: During spring break when students from all over the country visit the place, the beach is insanely crowded, so it is best avoided during that time.
14. Key West
Location: Key West City
Who doesn’t get mesmerized by the beauty of Key west beaches? Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Bishop, Jimmy Buffett, Robert Frost, and the list goes on who are caught up by the unbelievable scenic magic of nature here.
Key West is the finest blend of cultural diversity, unbelievable history, spectacular beauty, perfect climate, and exemplary architecture. You can’t take your eyes off the beauty and serenity that prevail there.
The city architect is an amazing blend of fancy gingerbread mansions on one side and tin-roofed shell-like houses on the other side.
The city is surrounded by palm trees that look good while roaming around the neighborhoods. Since many cultures and nations have inhabited West Key, they all became “KENYANS” after a few centuries.
Visiting the West Key beaches, you can’t go through a single second disconnected to nature. Enjoy historic mini-town, have your hand on Fishing, experience snorkeling or scuba diving, or simply take a boat tour to see dolphins.
Just lying on the beach chair doing nothing and witnessing the captivating sunset view standing on Mallory Square won’t make you regretted even once.
15. Clearwater Beach
Location: Narrow Barrier Island, Clearwater City
The beach is located on a narrow barrier island just across the water from Clearwater, northwest of Tampa, and is one of the best beaches in the Florida gulf.
Clearwater beaches are lined with ice cream shops: holding the ice cream in one hand and eyes on the sun is something we call a beautiful feeling.
Try it on! A paradise on earth with 2.5 miles of powdery-fine sand beaches, scenic boardwalks, breathtaking beach huts, and a party every night, Clearwater beach is no less than a paradise.
Numerous activities to spend a day-long period in fun await you. Rent an umbrella and spend a day enjoying sunbath, walk through the crowd, or take the family on a pirate cruise to enjoy the sea; everything will add up fun to your day.
You can enjoy visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium with your kids to watch Dolphins and marine lives.
Don’t forget to meet the star of the much-loved movie Dolphin Tale “The Winter.” Exciting?
FAQs
Where can I find a beach that’s right for me?
Choose your general location and the time of year you want to travel. Find out more about any destination you’re interested in by searching for it on Google. You’ll find lots of helpful information, as well as articles and videos, that can help you decide which is right for you.
What are the cleanest beaches in Florida?
These are some of the Beaches of Florida with Clearer water:
- Beaches in northwest Florida around Panama City Beach
- Fort Walton Beach
- in Pensacola; beaches in southwest Florida near Anna Maria Island
- Destin
- Siesta Key
- Longboat Key
- Southeast Florida beaches around Fort Lauderdale and Miami
- Florida Keys Beaches
Which beaches in Florida offer the best snorkeling?
Cannon Beach, Bahia Honda State Park, Sombrero Beach, Phil Foster Park, Peanut Island, Red Reef Park, Coral Cove Park, Biscayne National Park are some of the best beaches snorkeling.
What about beaches for people with disabilities?
You can check these resources to know about the beaches that allow people with disabilities:
- Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality,
- Able Trust
- Florida Disabled Outdoors Association
Wind up
Visit these must-watch beaches with family, partner, or friends, see the hatching sea turtles, and look for dolphins playing offshore. Hope, after scrolling the list, you have decided on your next vacation spot because we have done it already! 😉
What’s your favorite one?
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