With over a thousand miles of coastline, Florida is without question one of the best places in the world for a beach vacation. While Fort Lauderdale is a great place to start, don’t forget Miami is also a popular option. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, no problem! The barrier island of Anna Maria is a stunning place to enjoy in a more relaxing way.
Amazing weather is virtually guaranteed. But with these countless options to choose from, it can be difficult and even intimidating trying to decide which beaches to visit first. No need to worry, as we have put together a list of the fifteen best beaches to visit in Florida. All you need to do is pack your bags and book your tickets.
Daytona Beach
First on our list is Daytona Beach. These beautiful sands stretch for 23 miles and while they may be filled with Spring Break revellers at the busiest time of the year, Daytona is a stunning spot to enjoy. The surrounding area may seem a tad rough and ready however, with a lot of biker bars nearby. But that won’t get in the way of being able to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the sandy stretch. Plus, the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 race in July and January’s 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race, are among Daytona’s biggest events.
South Beach
At number two on our list of the best beaches to visit in Florida is one of its most famous beaches, South Beach. Although it may not be for everyone, it is well worth checking out as the sand is soft and the water is clear. If you’re interested in a fun nightlife, perfect. South Beach is the best spot for nightlife anywhere in America. South Beach is also popular with celebrities, so remember to keep your eyes open for famous faces.
Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is number three on our list. This spot is a world away from the celebrity paradise of South Beach. Located on the Gulf Coast, the powdery white sand makes this beach one of the most beautiful of anywhere in America. It’s a terrific place for families, with a variety of attractions including aquariums, museums and parks. A spot that has to be included in your itinerary is The Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base. If that’s not reason enough, Fort Walton Beach has a great range of restaurants to choose from and a spirited nightlife.
St Pete Beach
St Pete Beach is number four on our list. Located in central-west Florida, on the Gulf, the soft sugar sand beaches are the main attraction here. The wide choice of beachfront accommodation makes this location extremely popular with all types of people. St Pete Beach is easily accessible from St Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa. On top of that, it is not far from all the world-renowned attractions that Orlando has to offer.
Siesta Beach
At number five is the beach that claims to have the softest sand in the United States, Siesta Beach. Stunning sunsets and plenty of recreational activities make Siesta Beach a must visit for anyone in Florida. The sea is extremely calm at Siesta Beach, so while this means there is no surfing, it also means that the beach is exceptionally stunning for a more relaxing time. The beach was even named TripAdvisor’s best beach in the US in 2015.
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St George Island State Park
Want to get away from the crowds of Florida’s main cities and towns? Then St George Island State Park is perfect for you, and number six on our list. This spot is a fantastic retreat with miles and miles of unspoiled and undeveloped beaches. There is ample opportunities for hiking, swimming, canoeing and boating. The beach at St George Island State Park was ranked as the third best in America by Forbes in 2013.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach has been named in the top five of TripAdvisor’s best beaches in the US and is at number seven on our list. Located in the northwest corner of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola is filled to the brim with activity, while the beach still manages to feel remote and secluded.
Barefoot Beach
Barefoot Beach is number eight on our list and can be found on one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s south-west coast. While the area is undeveloped, the beach still has amenities such as public restrooms and showers to make your visit comfortable. This is a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts as the beach is a good place to spot dolphins, while other nearby wildlife includes the protected gopher tortoise. Barefoot Beach is truly remarkable and a must-visit spot for anyone taking a vacation in Florida.
Destin Beach
At number nine on our list of the best beaches to visit in Florida is Destin Beach. This spot is particularly popular with families due to the friendly and intimate atmosphere. It’s also helped by the fact that it is located in one of the most affordable places in the state. Nicknamed the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, Destin is a peninsula which connects to the mainland of Florida by a bridge. This certainly helps it to feel like a true holiday hideaway. Destin Beach also has some of the purest white sand in the state, although it can get quite chilly and it has probably the coldest water in Florida.
Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach is a TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Winner and is at number ten on our list. Named one of America’s Best Beach Boardwalks by Travel + Leisure magazine, The Boardwalk is a beautiful spot for a quiet walk. It’s lined with a wonderful selection of pizza places and ice cream shops, what more could you want? Hollywood Beach embraces an old Florida feel unlike many of the other beaches in this list. At the beach theatre you’ll find free nightly entertainment, and there’s also a wide range of watersports on offer at the beach.
Clearwater Beach
At number eleven on our list is a spot with the well-earned reputation as one of the best beaches in America, Clearwater Beach. A three-mile stretch on the Gulf Coast, this is one of the best places in Florida to spot dolphins. For the more active, beach volleyball is a popular sport at Clearwater. If you decide to step away from the sandy shores you’ll find museums and aquariums to enjoy. Clearwater Beach is famous for its nightly sunset celebrations, which host a wide range of enjoyable entertainment.
Key Biscayne
At number twelve on our list is Key Biscayne. One of the main landmarks of Key Biscayne is a beautiful lighthouse at the southern end of the beach. This adds to the wonderful family feel that the beach possesses. The calmness of the water means there are almost no waves here, while this means no surfers, it contributes to the lack of crowds at Key Biscayne. This allows Key Biscayne to be a calm and relaxing place to visit, where you can truly enjoy its stunning beauty. One of the best things about Key Biscayne is its close proximity to a pair of parks. It’s located in between Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to the south and Crandon Park to the north.
Bean Point Beach
If you’re looking for a laid-back paradise, there are few better places to go in the state than Bean Point Beach. At number thirteen on our list, this beach can be found on the barrier island of Anna Maria. This stunning part of Florida features a wide range of popular tourist activities, including fishing and golfing. If you want something away from the beach, you can soak up the knowledge and information at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, well worth a visit. The beach at Bean Point is right at the most northern tip of Anna Maria. The scenery is particularly beautiful here during the stunning sunsets that you will never want to miss.
St Joseph Peninsula State Park
At number fourteen on our list of the best beaches to visit in Florida is St Joseph Peninsula State Park. With many miles of perfect white sand, St Joseph Peninsula State Park is a must visit for anyone heading to Florida for the first time. The State Park is surrounded by the waters of St Joseph’s Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and covers some 2,500 acres. The tip of the peninsula is home to the massive Wilderness Preserve. St Joseph Peninsula State Park is popular all-year round due to the great climate, and the beaches rarely get busy. The park is even famous for its 35-foot-high sand dunes.
Panama City Beach
To finish our list is Panama City Beach. It’s home of some of the state’s biggest Spring Break celebrations, which earned it the dubious nickname of the Spring Break Capital of the World. Not only that, but the Florida Ironman race takes place at Panama City Beach. The beautiful beach itself is certainly one of the most stunning in Florida. Near the beach are a couple of state parks that are well worth a visit, while the excellent waterfront restaurants serve up fresh and delicious meals.
Which is your favorite beach to visit in Florida? Or is there an even better beach that we missed off our list?