Best Beaches in South Florida: 12 Best Beaches with Images

Best beaches in South Florida

Florida is well-known throughout the world for its plentiful and beautiful beaches. When it comes to South Florida beaches, you can’t go wrong with so many options. Whatever your reason for visiting Florida, you should make time to visit a beach or two. Read through to find out the best beaches in South Florida.

List of Beaches in South Florida

Below is a list of beaches in South Florida

#1. South Beach

Best Beaches in South Florida
Image source: Miami Beach

Undoubtedly, South Beach is one of the world’s most talked-about beaches. The eccentric Miami atmosphere, surrounded by bustling restaurants and bars, provides people with the ritzy lifestyle they seek. Likewise, the beach is well-known for its crystal-clear water, bright white sand, and excellent shopping nearby.

After spending the afternoon relaxing on the beach, you can also visit a brewery or a winery or go on a food tour with the kids. Depending on where you’re going in Florida, South Beach is worth a stop, even if it means adding a few hours to your travel time.

#2. Sanibel Island

Best Beaches in South Florida
Image source: Travel + Leisure

Sanibel Island is a barrier island on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast. It’s an ideal location for a romantic getaway or quality family time. Additionally, the island is well-known for its beautiful seashells, diverse bird life, and lack of traffic lights! The island has a truly secluded vibe, which is ideal for people who want to escape reality and forget about bustling city life for a while. Because Florida is known as the Sunshine State, the weather should be pleasant regardless of the season. Sanibel Island also offers opportunities for swimming and snorkelling.

#3. Cayo Costa State Park

Best Beaches in South Florida
Image source: Florida State Parks

Are you looking for the most beautiful beach in Southern Florida? Cayo Costa State Park is the place to go. This beautiful, heavily forested island off Florida’s Gulf Coast can only be reached by boat, with public ferries departing daily from Pine Island.

The boat ride alone is worth the trip because you’ll see manatees, dolphins swimming offshore, and shorebirds flying overhead looking for their next meal. Moreover, after docking on the remote island, you’ll be transported to a natural subtropical setting rarely seen in Florida today.

#4. Barefoot Beach Preserve

Image source: Florida’s Paradise Coast

Nature lovers visiting Southwest Florida will find solace at the Barefoot Beach County Park Preserve in Naples. But don’t be fooled by the name; you’ll want to bring your hiking shoes and other beach items as you explore the shaded boardwalk, butterfly gardens, and nature trails that wind around the undeveloped barrier island.

After that, do as its name suggests and kick off your shoes, sink your toes in the fine sugary sand, and let your cares drift away.

#5. Loggerhead Park

Image source: Wikiwand

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to sea turtle conservation, is located on this public beach. Additionally, the location is the busiest loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach in the world.

Plan to spend the entire day with your family learning about marine conservation, exploring the aquarium, and visiting with injured and ill sea turtles. Following that, the playground and picnic areas will keep everyone entertained while you gaze out at the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

#6. Siesta Beach

Image source: PlanetWare

Siesta Beach is well-known for its eight-mile stretch of beach. Swimmers flock to this beach because of its distinctive, sparkling sand made of pure quartz crystals. Because of its unique composition, the sand is always cool, even when the weather is hot, so you won’t get burned feet as you walk to the waves! If you’ve ever imagined yourself in paradise, Siesta Beach is the place to be. This location is also a dream come true for many honeymooners.

#7. Clearwater Beach

Image source: Southern Living

Clearwater Beach is located on a peninsula that connects the Gulf of Mexico to Tampa Bay. Additionally, the water is always warm from the Gulf, providing plenty of opportunities for seaside fun. Similarly, families enjoy the gentle waves and all of Clearwater’s attractions, which include street performers and a plethora of bicycle trails. The Marine Aquarium is nearby, and there are numerous restaurants to try. Whether you want fresh seafood, steakhouses, chic wine bars, or a classic pizza stand, they have it all.

#8. Marco Beach

Image source: Florida’s Paradise Gift

The majority of Marco Island appears to be one lush residential neighborhood – that is, until you discover the powder-white sands of Marco Beach, the island’s main public beach access. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the Florida sunshine while collecting sand dollars along the shore and creating some incredible sand sculpture art.

#9. Bahia Honda State Park

Image source: Florida Trippers

This iconic beach is among the best Florida beaches, set against the scenic backdrop of Henry Flagler’s railroad and the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys. Moreover, the bayside location of the beach provides wind protection and ideal conditions for water sports. Glide across the clear waters on a kayak or paddleboard, discover marine life while snorkelling the nearby coral reef, go offshore fishing, or simply relax and take in the scenery.

#10. Lovers Key State Park

Image source: Lovers Key Adventures

Lovers Key State Park is located between Fort Myers and Naples on an island. Prepare to see wildlife such as bald eagles, bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and other birds. Without a doubt, this park is ideal for stand-up paddling and fishing. Depending on the season, anglers can expect to catch tarpon, trout, and redfish. There are also nearby trails that are ideal for exploring and photographing. Equally, the pristine waters provide excellent snorkelling opportunities.

#11. Captiva Island

Image source: Florida Back Roads Travel

The captivating island of Captiva, located off the Gulf Coast of Florida near Fort Myers, is ideal for sailing, fishing, bird watching, and biking around the trails. Also, South Seas Island Resort is a great resort on the island for children who want to learn how to sail; they offer a sailing school and other pirate production classes. Similarly, the beach is ideal for unwinding, and the weather is warm and sunny all year round. The temperature is 87 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Pack your snorkelling equipment because there is no better snorkelling anywhere else.

#12. Fort Lauderdale Beach

Image source: U.S. News Travel

Many people refer to Fort Lauderdale Beach as the “springbreaker’s beach,” but this has changed over time. Also, this beach is now a fashionable destination, with high-end shopping and fine dining options. There are numerous bars and patios in Fort Lauderdale where you can enjoy craft cocktails and take advantage of happy hour. With palm trees lined up in front of beautiful mansions, the promenade is a favourite among both locals and visitors. Grab an ice cream cone and go for a stroll at sunset.

What Is the Clearest Beach in South Florida?

The Best South Florida Beaches for 2022

  • Cayo Costa State Park
  • Clam Pass Park.
  • Siesta Key Beach.
  • South Beach.
  • Hollywood Beach.
  • Fort Lauderdale Beach.

What Is the Bluest Water in Florida?

The waters are characteristically a clear blue-green, and you can almost always see straight through to the bottom.

  • Destin. Destin is commonly referred to as the Florida beach with the clearest water
  • Panama City Beach
  • Rosemary Beach.
  • Santa Rosa
  • Anna Maria Island
  • Siesta Key
  • Boca Grande

Which Is the Prettiest Beach in Florida?

These are the best beaches in Florida.

  • Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
  • Miramar Beach, South Walton
  • Cocoa Beach, Brevard County
  • South Beach Park, Vero Beach
  • Juno Beach Park, Juno Beach
  • Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island.
  • Delray Beach, Palm Beach County.

What Is the ‘Funniest’ Beach in Florida?

Top 5 Most Fun Beaches in Florida

  • Clearwater Beach
  • Jacksonville Beach
  • South Beach
  • Panama City Beach
  • Key West.

Conclusion

In conclusion, travel broadens your mind, opens your heart, and fills your life with stories to tell. Similarly, each destination you visit will leave its own unique memory, and travel makes you realize that no matter how much you know, there is always more to learn. Therefore, take out your time to travel the world and see how beautiful the world is.

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FAQs on Best Beaches in South Florida

What's the clearest beach in Florida?

Destin is commonly referred to as the Florida beach with the clearest water. Why this beach in particular? It’s because of the Choctawhatchee Bay just beyond the beach that acts as a filter, taking in the darker sediment and leaving clear waters atop Destin’s fine quartz sand.

Is there a pink sand beach in Florida?

Those interested in seeing one of the Caribbean’s most unique beaches will be happy to know it’s just a short ferry ride away. Harbour Island is perhaps one of the most well-captured pink beaches in the world and features sand in pastel hues that seem to defy all logic.

Which side of Florida has the best beaches?

Florida’s Gulf Coast, specifically the Suncoast, has the nicest beaches in Florida with its white sand beaches and crystal blue water.