From culture to climate, Florida’s quality of life is absolutely unparalleled. The Atlantic Coastlines and the Gulf shores surrounding this heavenly retreat expect tourists all year round. But do you know what’s even more alluring?
The best beaches in Florida!
Also known as The Sunshine State, Florida never fails to amaze its visitors. Boasting a temperature of 16-27° C, it is a comfortable destination to bask in the sun.
If you want to know more about the sandy retreats, waterways, and hidden jewels in this U.S. state, let’s dive deeper.
12 Best Beaches In Florida You Must Visit Now!
It doesn’t matter whether you are a beach or a mountain person. Florida beaches will surely bring out the traveler inside you. So, if you are ready to immerse in a surreal experience, check out the following pristine beaches in the Floridan peninsula.
1. Alys Beach
Let’s begin the list with the beauty of South Walton, the infamous Alys Beach. It has everything the eye needs to see- emerald water, white-washed buildings, and a picture-perfect sandy coast.
What’s even more impressive in this exceptionally manicured town is that you’ll find dreamy courtyards and stunning residences. There’s a primary thoroughfare with restaurants and boutiques.
Alys Beach has intentionally not constructed any hotel. So, if you want to stay in this wondrous location, you have to rent a villa, a home, or a cottage. All are pocket-friendly, by the way!
2. Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast is every kid’s favorite since they find sand everywhere. But parents are no less fond of this beach. As the name implies, the water here is crystal clear and is encompassed with pillow-soft sand granules.
If you head over on a sunny day, take some moments of relaxation in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This fantabulous dolphin complex is home to rescued dolphins, river otters, nurse sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles.
Spend a night in this pristine, watery location and enjoy the festival-style sunset celebration. At Pier 60, one gets to watch street performers entertain after the sunset.
3. Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach has been regarded as the surf capital of the entire East Coast for a very long time. Nestled in Brevard County, the beach is home to many sportspeople, including Kelly Slater.
The calm and consistent waves make this beach so popular among its tourists. It’s also not too crowded like other Floridan beaches since the water is shallow, and one can easily indulge in a subtle dive.
With numerous surf schools and a laid-back emotion, Cocoa Beach is sure to blow your mind. In most of the resorts, you get a hand of paid parking. Hence, there’s no reason to say no!
4. Juno Beach
This one has been listed under the best beaches in Florida several times, and we aren’t surprised. Juno Beach is an ideal retreat for tourists looking for a leisurely day by the ocean.
Plan a day trip with your kids and family and spend the entire day lounging on the calming shores. The infamous Loggerhead Marinelife Center is just 20 minutes away, where you get to snorkel as much as you want.
If you are a wildlife lover, head over to the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, where you get to see a wide diversity of flora and fauna. It’s just 15 minutes away from the pristine Juno Beach.
5. Miami’s South Beach
Skimpy bathing suits, lavish cars, and exciting people are what South Beach in Miami is all about. The two-mile stretch of sand is a major tourist spot in Florida, and you can always expect people to visit.
One finds section surfaces expanding between 5th to 14th Streets with a backdrop of crystal clear waters. The South Beach is the home to Lummus Park which boasts 18 volleyball courts as well as fitness gyms.
So, it’s not just about visiting the beach for tranquility but also getting to do endless activities. Hotel beach clubs encompass the entire shoreline, and people can easily sit and spend time wherever they like.
6. Marco Island Beach
Being one of the best beaches in Florida, Marco Island is encompassed by white sand. Moreover, the sand quality found here is ideal for shelling and ambles. When low tide occurs, tourists love to wade out and collect sand dollars.
There’s Tigertail Beach Park to the south of this rocky coast, which is equally famous for its tidal lagoon. Here, paddleboarders can make the most of the ultra-silent waters.
Going deeper south, these beaches are mostly known for offering great accommodations. From JW Mariott Marco Island Beach Resort to Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, there are a number of astounding stays.
7. Fort Lauderdale Beach
You can never know enough about Fort Lauderdale; this place comes with so many surprises. There’s a Hawaiian vibe packed in the Pabst Blue Ribbon sands. At present, the beach is most popular for its uncluttered sand stretches.
At first, you might think that the Fort Lauderdale beach is like any other beach. But once you reach this destination and find the sparkling blue waters on the side of upscale resorts, you are going to fall for it.
This is a relatively less crowded beach, and you can spend a cozy time with your partner. Hence, do visit it once!
8. Bowman’s Beach
Not a lot of tourists know about Sanibel Island’s Bowman Beach. It is easily accessible from the primary Sanibel-Captiva Road, which is a bit underdeveloped. However, one gets great accommodation here at affordable prices.
What’s striking about these beaches in Florida is that they come with pastel-hued sunsets, gentle waves, and remarkable shelling. Sanibel Island, in general, is quite popular for sailing, canoeing, and even windsurfing.
Most people love to walk barefoot over the white sand and take pleasure in the Gulf views. Don’t be surprised carrying shells on your way back home. This is why the best beaches in Florida are loved by tourists.
9. Miami’s Haulover Naturist Beach
While talking about Florida, Miami’s mention is sure to happen more than just once. As you go further north of Miami Beach, you find this mind-blowing beach covered by undeveloped parklands.
As a matter of fact, it is the oldest public beach that officially allows nudity. People from all walks of life, ages, and shapes can have a great time here. Haulover Naturist Beach is also a gay nude beach.
Hence, if you belong to the LGBTQ+ community and are searching for a friendly beach community, Haulover is the one to go! Be prepared to spend some time with tan-live avoiders.
10. Siesta Beach
Siesta Beach is one of the widest beaches in Florida, stretching across the Gulf of Mexico. From the whitest sand to a massive space, this beach is loved by tourists.
The 8-mile-long island of Siesta comes with popular hippies and sculpture artists. There’s not much to do here, but you can bask in the sun for a very long time.
If you want to visit Sarasota, you need to cross the Siesta Key bridge. For your information, Sarasota is among the hottest cities in Florida. Thus, you must definitely add this to your itinerary.
11. Palm Beach or Jupiter Dog Beach
Are you a dog lover and want to take your furry friend everywhere you go? Comes Palm Beach into the scene. Also known as Jupiter Dog Beach, you can expect to see some paw prints and a lot of cute visuals.
Palm Beach is the largest dog-friendly waterside, stretching across two and a half miles long. From overwhelming joys of splashes to belly rubs, there’s just pure fun and love existing on this beach.
Multiple points at the beach offer doggie bags. Hence, four-legged furry beachgoers must abide by the social conduct at the beach. Pet parents must ensure that their dog remains obedient, well-socialized, and well-behaved.
12. New Smyrna Beach
Last but not least, we have the New Smyrna beach on our list of the best beaches in Florida. New Smyrna is best for surfing across the Hawaiian and California coastlines.
The East Coast is a paradise for surfers as it boasts prolific breaks. Moreover, the number of little cafes and shops here wouldn’t allow you to come back to your mundane routine.
If you are a seafood lover who is willing to have some intriguing outdoor exploration, make sure to visit New Smyrna Beach. Also, spot some native flora and fauna here which are not found elsewhere.
Stay at Florida Beaches
Exclusive 30A: Featuring a collection of high-end vacation homes along 30A’s beautiful coastline. These rentals offer convenient access to the beaches of WaterColor, Rosemary Beach, and Seaside. Each home is designed for comfort, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing getaway.
For the best stay along Florida’s beautiful beaches, consider these top vacation rentals:
- Anna Maria Island Beach Rentals: Offering a variety of beachfront properties, this rental service provides stunning views and easy access to the pristine sands of Anna Maria Island. Perfect for families and couples alike, each rental is fully equipped to make your stay comfortable.
- Element Vacation Homes: Located in prime beach locations, Element Vacation Homes offers modern and stylish accommodations. With a focus on luxury and convenience, you’ll find everything you need for a relaxing getaway.
- Naples Florida Vacation Homes: Enjoy the charm of Naples with these well-appointed vacation homes. Each property is close to the beach, shopping, and dining, making it an ideal spot for a well-rounded vacation experience.
- Vacation Homes of Key West: For those seeking a tropical paradise, Vacation Homes of Key West provides luxurious homes and suites. With lush gardens and private pools, these rentals offer a serene retreat in the heart of Key West.
Concluding Words
Floridan beaches have warm waters that make it ideal for people to swim here. And the best time to visit is between April and October. In the cooler months, you can choose to dive deeper into the south.
After all, who wouldn’t love to explore the best beaches in Florida? The crystal-clear water will take you to a different mood altogether.
With that, we reach the end of this guide. But I believe you’ll have visited some of these surreal beaches. Do not forget to tell us more about them by commenting below.
Keep reading Dream & Travel for more such travel-inspired articles!