Florida Beaches: Discover the Best Beaches in the World & Florida

From its Gulf shores and Atlantic coastlines, Florida’s beaches shine. Here you’ll find sands of all hues and textures, state and national parks, camping, accessibility, diverse marine life, and sunny scenes – bustling and secluded – that are both party and family friendly.

FAVORITE FLORIDA BEACHES
 

825 miles of beaches in every variety means Florida has a stretch of sand that’s perfect for you.

Here, you can escape to a secluded retreat by the waves; opt for a vibrant seaside city that never sleeps; or choose a family-centric beach where pirate ships and dolphin cruises beckon.
 
Check out this sandy smorgasbord of popular –and very different– Florida beaches to help you plan your Sunshine State getaway.

Northeast

Jacksonville Beach

Nestled against the Florida’s Atlantic coast, Jacksonville Beach has been a favorite vacation destination for generations of beachgoers, offering accommodations for an assortment of tastes and budgets. Nature takes center stage in this kicked-back town: you’re invited to peddle a beach cruiser on its hard-packed, latte-hued sands; enjoy a morning stroll by the waves; or explore its waterways atop a stand-up paddleboard.

The iconic Jax Beach Pier marks the center of the action, where you can fish or take in sweeping views of the ocean. Surfing is a time-honored tradition here, and you can join in the fun with surf lesson—or bring your own board to ride the swells at The Poles, Jacksonville’s signature surf spot.

Food enthusiasts will relish the diverse culinary scene, offering fresh seafood and eclectic dining options along the beachfront. A lively nightlife scene encompasses beachside bars and live music venues.

St. Augustine Beach 

In historic St. Augustine Beach, you won’t find high rises, but the ways to play are legion. The waves here lure skim boarders, boogie boarders, surfers, paddle boarders and kiteboarders, while an impressive fishing pier welcomes anglers and sightseers.  

Your gang can cool off in the splash park; play a game of sand volleyball; ride a beach cruiser bike across the hard-packed sands; or wonder at legendary attractions like the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and The St. Augustine Light Station in nearby St. Augustine.

It’s an ideal location for families and physically challenged visitors, because driving is allowed on St. Augustine Beach within designated areas, making it simple for to access the seashore.

St. Augustine Beach offers diverse dining: try local seafood at Salt Life Food Shack, Mexican cuisine at Playa Chac-Mool, and Italian at La Strada.

Places to stay include hotels, charming bed & breakfasts, historic inns, beachfront resorts, and convenient campgrounds.

Flagler Beach

For a hidden gem with nary a high rise in sight and free parking, you can’t do better than Flagler Beach. Sited between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, this relaxed village charms visitors with its offbeat, hip personality. The beaches are uncrowded and thick with cinnamon-colored sand, and the waves are a playground for surfers.

Ways to enjoy the outdoors are numerous and cater to a vast range of energy levels and tastes: You can bask in the sun by the seashore; try your luck fishing in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway; try to spot gulls, gannets and warblers on a bird-watching expedition; or mount up for a beach horseback ride with Equestrian Adventures of Florida.

Beachside eateries; one-of-a-kind shops; a brewery; and a winery that invites you to sample wines, slushies and shots on an ocean view patio add to the tropical ambience.  

Places to stay include vacation rentals; a luxe RV resort directly on the beach; and intriguing hotels like the colorful, intimate Si Como No Inn.

Central East

Daytona Beach

Exciting and active, the “World’s Most Famous Beach” is famed for its hard-packed sand, the Daytona International Speedway and automobile-friendly shores. Here, you can unwind on the pristine beach, swim, or enjoy or enjoy water sports that include fishing, boating, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and parasailing. Visiting Daytona Beach Main Street Pier and the lively Daytona Beach Boardwalk –home to Ocean Walk Shoppes, the Daytona Beach Bandshell, restaurants and a classic arcade –is a time-honored tradition, as is climbing the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, Florida’s tallest.

Daytona Beach promises to please all palates with a diverse assortment of eateries, including beachy favorites like Joe’s Crab Shack, Ocean Deck, and LandShark Bar & Grill.

Choose from diverse beachfront hotels that include The Shores Resort & Spa, offering luxury accommodations; Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, perfect for family getaways; and the highly acclaimed, budget-friendly Sun Viking Lodge.

Cocoa Beach

Infused with a strong surfing culture and a fun-loving atmosphere, this Space Coast city welcomes visitors with family-friendly attractions; the legendary Ron Jon Surf Shop; and the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, stretching 800 feet over the Atlantic and boasting a tiki hut at its end. Take a surf lesson, go fishing, shop till you drop, or snag some ‘me-time’ at a spa. Make sure to check out the launch schedule at nearby Kennedy Space Center; you might be rewarded by the unforgettable view of a rocket sizzling towards the heavens.

Cocoa Beach eateries are abundant and varied, with toes-in-the-sand restaurants like Coconuts on the Beach adding to the endless summer vibe.

Beachfront accommodations include Four Points by Sheraton, the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, and the Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort, complete with a beach concierge and water park on-site.

Southeast

Riviera Beach

Just a splash north of Palm Beach, this upscale, hidden gem offers serene shores perfect for relaxing, swimming, and hunting for seashells. Fishing and surfing are popular, as is snorkeling the unique reef, sited just offshore in shallow water. Nearby Peanut Island Park boasts stellar snorkeling and kayaking, and boating enthusiasts will be in heaven: Riveria Beach is home to multiple picturesque marinas.

Tiki bars at the Singer Island Marriott Hotel and Coconuts on the Beach invite you to soak up the tropical ambiance, while eateries like Johnny Longboats, Ocean Breeze and Two Drunken Goats will satisfy your appetite.

Stay steps from the beach at luxe resorts like the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, the Singer Oceanfront Resort, and  Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences. Or opt for the budget-friendly Super 8 Motel Riviera Beach, promising free breakfast, WiFi, and parking.

Delray Beach

Voted the ‘most fun small town in America,’ you can ditch the car keys and use your own two feet to explore this enchanting, upscale village. Expect alfresco  bistros serving up dishes guaranteed to make a foodie swoon; hip pubs and electric nightlife; a vibrant arts scene; and eclectic boutiques that tempt visitors to scoop up the latest designer fashions. On the beach, relaxing by the waves and swimming are time-honored traditions, but a wealth of watersports awaits: surfing, playing volleyball, sailing, wind surfing, snorkeling, and kite flying.

Stays include the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa, super luxe and pet friendly; Delray Breakers on the Ocean, delivering budget-friendly rooms with kitchenettes; and The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, a historic hotel situated in the heart of downtown Delray Beach.

Fort Lauderdale

Pull up the covers at luxury hotels like the W Fort Lauderdale, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale and Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach.

South Beach

Is that who I think it is? South Beach Miami is a colorful swirl of celebrities, Art Deco architecture, and notorious nightlife, set against a landscape of beautiful beaches occupied by beautiful people. Kick back on the sand by a candy-colored lifeguard station to celebrate the sunshine or watch the show roll by, with rollerbladers traversing the Miami Beach Walk, ripped men flexing in Muscle Beach, and bikini-clad women playing sand volleyball. South Beach is handicap accessible, with more than 20 wheelchair accessible beach access points, and family-friendly, too.

The area is nirvana for foodies: South Beach serves up open-air breakfast hotspots, upscale vegan concepts, and epic seafood eateries directed by celebrity chefs.

To soak up iconic Ocean Drive’s history, style and non-stop entertainment, stay at one of the legendary, historic hotels that border it, like The Betsy – South Beach, a luxurious architectural wonder at the core of the arts and culture scene.

The Florida Keys

Bahia Honda, in the Keys

A tranquil escape for nature lovers, Bahia Honda State Park promises the best natural beaches in the Florida Keys, with palm-fringed shorelines, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets. The Park delivers abundant outdoor adventures that include swimming; shelling; kayaking; bird watching; hiking; and biking— but none are more famous than the wade-in snorkeling in the shallow, turquoise water, with colorful fish as well as corals, sea turtles, and rays just a few hundred feet from shore.

Bring a picnic, or satisfy your hunger at nearby eateries like the Keys Fisheries for fresh seafood; the Square Grouper for innovative, eco-conscious dining, and Porky’s Bayside Restaurant & Marina for waterfront dining.

Convenient stays include campgrounds within the park; vacation rentals or resorts on Marathon;  or for a splurge, the notoriously posh Little Palm Island Resort.

Southwest

Captiva Island

Traffic lights. Chain restaurants and stores. High rises. Captiva Island doesn’t have any of them, and that’s the way folks here like it. Nestled on the Gulf of America, this secluded island welcomes visitors with a quiet, quirky vibe.

The beach is perfect for relaxing and swimming, and treasure hunting, too: Captiva is among the best shelling spots in North America. The area waters are a favorite with dolphins, and you can take a Captiva Island ecotour to watch the beloved mammals frolic and play.

Ditch the car keys to explore the walkable village, complete with tropical foliage and hand-painted directional signs, to discover galleries like Jungle Drums and places to eat that include The Mucky Duck, which overlooks the beach, making for epic sunset views.

Places to stay include Tween Waters Resort and Spa, South Seas Island Resort, and vacation rentals.

Siesta Key

Famous for its glistening white, 99% pure quartz sand and shallow, gin-clear waters, award-winning Siesta Beach welcomes beach aficionados. Free parking; lifeguards; typically calm surf; and amenities that include restrooms, a playground and a concession make this stunning stretch of coastline a favorite with families.

Swimming, birding, and fishing are popular, as well as adventures like kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing.
Siesta Key Village – easily accessible via the free trolley— offers diverse shops and dining options. Indulge at the Daiquiri Deck for seafood, try traditional Italian fare at Café Gabbiano, or savor eclectic fare al fresco at The Cottage.

The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down; Siesta Key nightlife beckons with live street music, tropical island bars, and dancing.

Places to stay range from swanky resorts to mom-and-pop hotels and cozy cottages.

Central West

Clearwater Beach

Colorful and energetic, award-winning Clearwater Beach is a wonder of pure white sand and shallow, emerald-hued waters. This casual family favorite celebrates fun with pirate ship rides; parasailing and dolphin cruises; and Sunsets at Pier 60; a free, year-round tradition featuring artisans, street performers, and the star of the show, Clearwater Beach’s epic sunsets.

You’ll find restaurants to satisfy all different palates and budgets, including Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, legendary for its fresh seafood and open-air beachside dining; Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, a local’s favorite that offers seafood, burgers, and live music by the Gulf of America; and Island Way Grill, known for its upscale dining experience, elegant ambiance, and waterfront views.

The beachy nightlife is vibrant and abundant, with offerings like the popular Shepherd’s Tiki Bar, promising nightly entertainment with live bands and DJs.

Area accommodations include hotels, resorts, vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts inns.

Northwest

Pensacola Beach

Nearly 500 years of history, sugar sand beaches bordered by emerald-green waters, and attractions like the free-admission National Naval Aviation Museum and Fort Pickens combine to make Pensacola Beach a compelling vacation destination.

Here, you can thrill to the Blue Angels practicing heart-stopping ariel maneuvers each March through November; enjoy the free Bands on the Beach concert series at the Gulfside Pavilion; and hike, paddle, fish or go on a dolphin cruise. The scuba diving is superb.

Fuel the fun with beachside or downtown dining; or spoil yourself with a sweet treat. The nightlife and entertainment are as good as it gets, with late-night Irish pubs, dueling pianos, nightclubs, and live music as well as cultural offerings that include the Pensacola Opera, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and Ballet Pensacola.

Places to stay include hotels, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds and rv parks.

Panama City Beach

Shimmering, white quartz sand and some of the cleanest, purest water in the world make Panama City Beach a beach lover’s paradise. You’ll find 27 miles of dreamy shoreline here, which means you’re sure to find a stretch of sand that’s made for you, whether you want to step away from the crowds, immerse yourself at the hub of the action, or find a pet-friendly spot.

Swim, relax, challenge your buddies with a game of beach volleyball, or sightsee or fish from the Pier: it’s always open. Just across from it, Pier Park encompasses restaurants, shops, entertainment and attractions, including the SkyWheel. Other things to do include kayaking, canoeing and SUP,  paddleboarding, jet skiing, diving, fishing, and an array of family attractions.

Eateries range from fine dining to casual fare, and the nightlife is epic.

Panama City Beach stays include resorts, hotels, and motels; campgrounds and RV parks; pet-friendly accommodations; and vacation rentals.