You can spend a lot of money on flights to Bermuda or Cancun, but the truth is that the United States is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches. A short flight (or even a short drive) will take you to beaches with fine sand and beautiful water thanks to Florida’s extensive coastline. With so much coastline, though, it takes some investigation to identify the top beach vacation spots in the state of Florida. So you can make sinking your toes into sugar-white sand a reality, we’ve compiled some of our favorite Florida hot spots, from large family-friendly lengths to tiny islands with intimate beach corners.
Here are 14 top beach vacation spots in Florida.
#1. Juno Beach Park, Juno Beach
This is the spot to go if you want to spend a leisurely afternoon by the seaside. Spend the morning swimming and enjoying the sun on Juno’s gorgeous coastlines by packing a picnic. Next, grab a shaded picnic table and start eating. A 15-minute stroll down the beach will bring you to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, while a 10-15-minute drive will bring you to the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.
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#2. South Beach Park, Vero Beach
One of the beach vacation spots in Florida is this. With its immaculate coastline, the city of Vero Beach truly offers something for everyone. The region draws treasure seekers who come to try their luck at locating the wealth lost when early 18th-century Spanish ships sank in a hurricane since it is a part of Florida’s Treasure Coast. Before participating in a pickup volleyball match, look around the beautiful South Beach Park. Furthermore, get in your car and head north to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge if you need to escape the heat.
#3. Cocoa Beach, Brevard County
Numerous well-known surfers, including Kelly Slater, an 11-time world champion, were born in Cocoa Beach, which has long been renowned as the surf capital of the East Coast. But Cocoa Beach is a fantastic spot to come no matter your level of experience. You’ll also get up on your board quickly because of the welcoming local vibe and the number of surf schools. Do you not surf? Sip a beverage at one of the relaxed beachfront cafés or see surfers from the fishing pier.
#4. Miramar Beach, South Walton
If you happen to be in the Florida Panhandle, don’t skip out on spending a day (or days) at Miramar Beach. It’s also one of the beach vacation spots in Florida. Join a game of beach volleyball or pull up a lounge chair and dip your fingers into the soft, white sand. If beach life becomes too monotonous for you, Miramar’s South Walton area has a wealth of picturesque beach roads as well as antique stores just waiting to be explored.
#5. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West
The beaches of Key West, the southernmost tip of the state, are the warmest place to go if you’re looking for clear skies and calm waters. Smathers or Higgs Beach are nearby places to pass the time, but Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park offers calm seas and expansive lengths of beach that are hard to surpass. Before stopping for a break to see the park’s pre-Civil War stronghold, spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling. Nature walks and snorkeling equipment rentals are also available if you can’t stay idle.
#6. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key
To see white-sand beaches, you don’t need to take a plane to the Caribbean. You can find yourself sipping a cocktail while gazing out over the glistening Gulf of Mexico on Siesta Key, which is only a short drive from downtown Sarasota. Talk about unwinding. Rent a kayak and explore the calm, azure seas, or spend the day strolling the beach and collecting shells.
#7. Lowdermilk Park, Naples
Lowdermilk Park has a lot of the pearly white sand that is so characteristic of Naples. You can concentrate on nature, particularly the sand and rolling waves of the beach, or you can stroll along Millionaires’ Row in Old Naples and choose your ideal home.
#8. Lummus Park Beach
Look no further if you want to engage in next-level people-watching. A true urban beach, this location frequently hosts toned residents enjoying volleyball or tanning beneath the relentless heat. You also have the option of lounging in the sand or setting up camp in the park’s sheltered grassy area, owing to a 1980s remodeling. When you begin to get restless, go along the walkway that separates the grass from the beach while keeping an eye out for actors or production personnel.
#9. Delray Beach, Palm Beach County
Delray Beach is the ideal location for switching between naps, ocean swimming, and people-watching. You’ll have lots of room to spread out on the broad, sandy expanse that is bordered by grass and palm trees. Visit the stores on Atlantic Avenue or the public artwork in the Pineapple Grove Arts District when you need a break from the sun.
#10. Bowman’s Sanibel Island
This breathtaking island, which is located southwest of Fort Myers, has long been renowned among shell collectors. It’s no wonder Bowman’s Beach made this list of the greatest beaches in Florida since seashells from the Gulf of Mexico wash ashore here, attracting collectors from all over the world. On Bowman’s Beach, spend the chilly mornings selecting the ideal collection of shells before reclining on a blanket in the hot sun.
#11. Deerfield Beach
If you have young children, they might not share your desire for a day of inactivity. If so, go to Deerfield Beach, a well-known clean, and welcoming beach that formerly drew herds of local deer to its beaches. The beach, which is unquestionably among Florida’s best, is a lovely place for both kids and adults to hang out, but if the youngsters become bored, the neighboring Quiet Waters Park is a nice alternative. In addition, there are mountain biking routes, cable skiing, and a sizable water park inside the park.
#12. Crandon Park Beach, Key Biscayne
If you brought your snorkeling supplies, a day at Crandon Park Beach is something you won’t want to miss. A fossilized mangrove reef on the barrier island across from Miami is home to colorful marine life that has long drawn divers and snorkelers. If exploring an underwater world isn’t your thing, look above instead; Crandon Park is one of the best places in the Miami region to observe birds (herons, hawks, ospreys, and songbirds are frequently seen here). You can also visit the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center at the park’s northern edge if you want to learn more.
#13. Clearwater Beach, ClearWater
Clearwater Beach raises expectations with a name that conjures up pictures of brilliantly pure water lapping across a silken beach. But this length of sand doesn’t let down, as any fan of Florida beaches is aware. Visitors from Tampa (and all of Florida) travel to the region to take advantage of the calm Gulf waters and its white-sand beaches or to participate in one of the numerous activities offered there, such as parasailing or fishing.
#14. South Beach, Miami Beach
Miami Beach’s South Beach district is home to stylish beachgoers, rollerbladers, and a scattering of young, attractive (and flawlessly tanned) people. Visit the area’s iconic Art Deco buildings, stroll around South Pointe Park, or stop by Joe’s Stone Crab for a memorable lunch.
Which Florida Town Has One of the Best Beaches?
There is no denying why Clearwater Beach is frequently rated as one of Florida’s top beaches. Visitors can enjoy the ideal balance of scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and cultural events in this award-winning town. Soft, white sand and blue seas are hallmarks of the family-friendly Clearwater Beach.
Which Island in Florida Has the Best Beaches?
The beaches on Marco Island, which are among the best in the world and provide miles of stunning ocean vistas, are kid- and family-friendly. It is one of Florida’s 10,000 islands and is situated in the Gulf of Mexico. Two bridges are needed to get there.
Which beach has the clearest water in Florida?
The beaches of South Walton finish at Panama City Beach, which is located just east of Destin on Highway 98. Many people agree that these beaches are the cleanest and purest in the nation. In this location, there is hardly any river drainage, and St. Andrew Bay largely removes the silt.