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Best Beaches in Florida
What are the best beaches in Florida? That's a loaded question and the answer is -- "it depends". For example, do you want to stay at one of the many beach front resorts (some of which seem like their own little community)? Do you want to go where you can see and be seen? Do you want plenty of concessions and things to do? Perhaps you crave solitude -- or at least not a crowded beach. Maybe you like snorkeling and/or diving. And for some of you it's "surf's up"! So as you can tell, it's not easy to pick the best beaches in Florida. We have over 1,100 miles of shoreline, of which around 600 miles(more or less) are actual beaches. So, you could walk a mile a day for almost two years before you ran out of Florida beaches! So once again, what are the best Florida beaches? Which do you choose for your Florida beach vacation? How about I give you the top Florida beaches for each of the following categories:
Now some of these beaches fall into multiple categories, but I'll try not to repeat them too much. After all, you want plenty of options when it comes to the best beaches in Florida! (You can also check out some pictures of Florida beaches, too.) Best Beaches in Florida for Finding a Hotel/Resort Not all the beaches in Florida come equipped with oceanside accommodations. Since the top four beaches to find lots and lots of resorts are also mentioned in other categories, I'll describe them more there. But for now, if you are wanting to find the best beaches in Florida where you can stroll out the door and onto the beach, try Daytona Beach, Destin, Cocoa Beach and Ft. Lauderdale Beach. You can also check out reader reviews of the best Florida beach resorts / hotels. Best Beaches for Activities The best beaches in Florida for activities have all kinds of things going on. For example, maybe you want to parasail? Rent a jet ski? Paddle a kayak? You get the idea. Hmm, I have a hard time picking a top spot for this one, but I'll have to go with Daytona Beach as the beast beach in Florida for activities. Daytona has a boardwalk, lots of concessions where you can rent just about anything, and a big, wide beach for playing on. You can plop yourself on a beach towel and do nothing, or you can get moving on a banana boat ride or personal watercraft. Parasailing is available, too, as well as surfing lessons. Oh, you can also drive on the beach, sunrise to sunset, as long as the tides aren't too high. And before I forget, there is lots (and I do mean lots) of beach side hotels, motels, timeshares, condos...you get the picture. Next in the list of best beaches in Florida for activities are the Key West beaches . You name it, you can do it here (except maybe surf). Lots of snorkeling and diving tours. Parasailing, personal watercraft rentals. Swimming is fantastic in the crystal-clear, warm tropical waters. I'd make Key West number one, except the beaches aren't all that big, especially compared to Daytona Beach, and parking is at a premium. Another beach with lots to see and do is Ft. Lauderdale Beach. It's also relatively small, compared to Daytona, but still there's plenty to keep you busy. Let's see, you can rent: kayaks, Seadoos, kites, beach chairs and catamarans. There's a sand volleyball court, a children's playground, concessions, restrooms and showers. Parking can be a little problematic at times, though. Check out some reader reviews of best Florida beaches for activities. Best Beaches in Florida for Snorkeling and Diving
Bahia Honda State Park tops the list. Located on Bahia Honda Key, there is a wonderful lagoon with crystal clear water. If you really want some out-of-sight reef activity, take a short boat ride over to Looe Key. Don't have your own boat? Check out the regularly scheduled tours. Bahia Honda State Park has a large natural beach -- something pretty rare in the keys. I had a struggle with this next one -- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There really isn't much of a beach to speak of, but the snorkeling and diving are out of this world. And for those of you who would prefer to not get wet, how about a glass-bottom boat tour? There is a lagoon area, though, for those who would like to do a little swimming. Biscayne National Park in South Florida is a watery wonderland; in fact, 95% of the park is underwater! Snorkeling and diving is the big draw, as are glass-bottom boats and canoe/kayak rentals. Tent camping also allowed, but since you have to get to the campsites via boat...no RVs. Best Beaches for Surfing If you plan to surf (or just like playing in big waves), you will want to stay on the Atlantic coast. The best beaches in Florida for surfing are primarily in Central and North Florida, although there is some surfing to be had in South Florida. Sebastian Inlet State Park is my top pick for best beaches in Florida for surfing. Why? First, it's the most consistent for wave action. Monster Hole, offshore of the south beach, is great if you want a nice, long ride. And by the way, February through April sees a lot of surfing competitions here! Cocoa Beach, just up the coast, is next on the list of best beaches in Forida or surfing. Although not quite as consistent as the number one pick, it still has plenty of wave action. The most famous surf shop in Florida, Ron Jon's, is headquartered here. There is also a summer surf camp, if you'd like to either learn or sharpen some skills. The beach is really nice, and the beach access (as well as parking) is decent. While sometimes crowded on Summer weekends, it's a relatively quiet beach. New Smyrna Beach, just up the coast a little more, also deserves to be in the list for best Florida beaches for surfing. Because New Smyrna Beach is well-known for its swimming and other activities, the surf zones are a little broken up during the summer (in other words, you can't surf on just any part of the beach). And remember, surfing is not allowed within 300 feet of the pier. However, all other times of the year, surfing is allowed just about anywhere (except of course near the pier). Best Uncrowded Beaches Yes, there are still some relatively uncrowded beaches in Florida. The best beaches in Florida for having a quiet time are sprinkled all around the state. They are the little gems that we Florida natives tend to keep quiet about. I have to give Cape San Blas in the Florida Panhandle the top pick for best beaches in Florida that are uncrowded. Cape San Blas has 20 miles (yes, I did say miles) of white sugar sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. It's absolutely gorgeous! Now, as to why it's uncrowded -- it's a fair bit away from anything. Apalachicola is 25 miles away, but Apalachicola isn't exactly a big city. Small town is more like it. Cape San Blas is located on the part of Florida called "The Forgotten Coast". Really, it deserves to be remembered! If you are prepared to do some driving, think about Cape San Blas. Jensen Beach is my next pick for a quiet beach. All the times I've been there, I've seen just a few people here and there -- even in Summer! So, I'm not sure why this South Florida beach isn't more popular. True, there isn't much in the way of concessions, and there are some bigger beaches just north and south. Maybe that's why Jensen Beach tends to be overlooked. I also like Crescent Beach, in North Florida, for a quiet beach...except on some Summer weekends. Crescent Beach is the closest one to the University of Florida, so Summer weekends can get a little busy. But after the middle of August, the beach is quieter. You can do some surf fishing, walk along the shore, or just watch the pelicans glide by. I've been there plenty of times where it was just me and two or three other people on the beach.
Want more beaches? For some neat ones, check out reader reviews of some great Florida beaches that are quiet. Best Beaches for Families Beaches on the Gulf of Mexico tend to be the best for families. The waters are calmer and a bit more shallow. The beaches tend to be great for relaxing...and for building sand castles! So, what are my picks for best beaches in Florida for families? Clearwater Beach is my number one pick for best beaches in Florida for families. Beautiful white sand beaches; warm, clear, calm waters and plenty of concessions, restrooms and showers handy. You might want to rent one of the beach...hm, what to call them? Cabanas? Shelters? At any rate, they protect tender skins during the sunniest part of the day. Destin is also great for families, except during Spring Break (gets a little rowdy then). Still, the beach is wonderful -- clear emerald waters, white sand beaches and gentle surf. You can find hotels on the beach, so you can walk out the door and onto the beach, and not worry about crossing busy streets with children in tow. th St. Augustine Beach is great for families in two ways. First, it's a nice beach, relatively uncrowded so you can spread out and relax. Second, it's close to a lot of family-friendly attractions (maybe 15 minutes away) where you can entertain the kids if you get rained out on beach time. The relatively unknown Fernandina Beach, near the Florida-Georgia border, also rates for a family-friendly beach. In this case, though, you aren't going to find a lot of concessions or high-rise hotels, This is a beach where you spend time as a family. The beach is wonderful for playing in the surf, building sky-high sand castles, playing frisbee and having picnics. Oh, and one more to check out -- North Captiva Island. Also check out reader reviews of some other great Florida family beaches. Best Beaches for Camping There are a few beaches that still allow almost-beach camping. So what are these best public beaches in Florida that let you pitch a tent close to the water? FYI, these beaches have camping, but it's not directly on the sand. But you are close enough to hear the surf (and in some cases, roll over and look at it). Number one is Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area. What, you've never heard of it? It is one of those "best kept secrets" that we have here in Florida. The camping is just back from the beach, but a (very) short walk gets you to the ocean. Although I've never camped there, word has it that the sounds of the wind and waves make you feel like you're practically in the ocean. Tent camping and RVs up to 40 feet are welcome. Next in the list of best beaches in Florida for camping is Grayton Beach State Park. Grayton Beach is up in the Florida Panhandle, about halfway between Destin and Panama City. It's easily accessible, but in an out-of-the-way part of the state. The beach is a short walk from the campsites, and what a beautiful beach it is! One nice thing about being in the Florida Panhandle is that you almost get 4 seasons, so the spring and fall have lovely warm days and cool nights that are great for sleeping. Tent camping as well as RVs up to 40 feet are welcome. I also have to include Long Key State Park in the list, even though it doesn't have much of a beach, per se (seeing as it's in the Florida Keys). What it does have is 60 extraordinary sites along the Atlantic Ocean, each with its own gorgeous view. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent, and there are nature trails throughout the park. Tent camping and RVs up to 45 feet are welcome. Back to top of Best Beaches in Florida page Review Your Favorite Florida Beach! Pictures of Florida Beaches page
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Lots of hotels and resorts
If you want to know where the best beaches in Florida for snorkeling and diving are, I have two words for you -- Florida Keys. Hands down, they are the absolute best in the state.
I'm going to give one more beach a thumbs up for being relatively quiet -- Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle. Located east of Panama City, it's more subdued (everyone seems to want to go to Panama City instead). Yes, it can get busy at times, but for the most part, you can relax and enjoy.