The State of Florida has more than 1,300 miles of coastline so you can be sure that a number of the beaches are among the world’s best. From those on the northern Atlantic coast stretching south to the Florida Keys, and back up along the Gulf of Mexico to the Florida panhandle, there are literally hundreds of beaches to choose from.
To help you plan your next beach vacation, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best beaches in Florida. Our list includes beaches from both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, ranging from popular tourist spots to hidden gems.
So pack your sunscreen and get ready to explore some of the best beaches Florida has to offer.
The 20 Best Beaches in Florida
- Daytona Beach
- Siesta Key
- Clearwater Beach
- Pensacola Beach
- St. Pete Beach
- Panama City Beach
- South Beach Miami
- Naples Beach
- Delray Beach
- Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Juno Beach
- Sanibel Island
- Palm Beach
- Destin Beach
- Cocoa Beach
- Atlantic Beach
- Vero Beach
Why Florida Beaches?
Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and pristine coastline. From the beaches on the northern Atlantic coast stretching south to the Florida Keys, and back up along the Gulf of Mexico to the Florida panhandle, there are literally hundreds of beaches to choose from.
With so many beaches to choose from, there is always a beach within reach no matter where you are in the state. Many of Florida’s beaches are also easily accessible by car, making them a great option for a day trip or weekend getaway.
Another reason that Florida’s beaches are so popular is their diversity. From the powdery white sands of the Gulf Coast to the rugged coastline of the Atlantic, Florida’s beaches offer a wide range of landscapes and experiences. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly beach with calm waters or a surf spot with big waves, you can find it in Florida.
Overall, Florida’s beaches are a must-visit destination for anyone who loves sun, sand, and sea. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to see why Florida’s beaches are some of the best in the world.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is considered one of the world’s most famous beaches from its history as a beach for high-speed auto testing and racing due to its hard packed sand. The Daytona 500 race was actually held on the beach in the 1950’s. Even today there are a number of areas of the beach where cars are permitted alongside beachgoers. If you choose to park on the beach be sure you know where and when it will be high tide as you don’t want your car to be washed away by the waves.
With approximately 23 miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean, an amazing boardwalk and pier with restaurants, rides & games, and numerous beachfront hotels to choose from, Daytona Beach is a great family escape.
Siesta Key
Siesta Key Beach is a beautiful beach located in Sarasota County, Florida, known for its soft, white sand and clear waters. The beach has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the world, with its sand being composed of 99% pure quartz, giving it a powdery, white appearance and making it cool to the touch even on the hottest days.
The beach also has several amenities, including restrooms, showers, and picnic areas. In addition to the beach, Siesta Key has a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a popular vacation destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is home to more than two-miles of extraordinary well maintained white sandy beach that sits on the edge of Gulf of Mexico is some of the states most amazingly calm & clear waters. There are lifeguard stations throughout the area and places to rent chairs and umbrellas.
The beach features a very pedestrian friendly Beachwalk Promenade with a number of restaurants and shops as well as Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach. Pier 60 is the heart of Clearwater Beach and features a 1,000+ foot fishing pier and park that has a bait house, six covered pavilions, playgrounds and multiple telescopes.
St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach is a popular tourist destination located in Pinellas County, Florida, near St. Petersburg. It is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and warm weather year-round. The beach is approximately 4.5 miles long and offers a variety of activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and water sports.
There are also many restaurants, bars, and shops in the area, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the Florida lifestyle. St. Pete Beach is a part of the wider St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, which is a popular vacation destination for people from all over the world.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach is one of the states most beautiful beaches. With 18 miles of sugar white sand and emerald-green waters from the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach is perfect for you to relax in the sun and enjoy all the area has to offer. There is the Gulf Pier which features amazing views as well as great fishing as the pier goes out into more than 20 feet of water depth. There is a bait and tackle shop to rent your equipment so all you have to do is have good luck to bring home the big one.
One of the best annual events held in Pensacola Beach is Red, White and Blues Week featuring the Pensacola Beach Air Show. Pick a great spot on the beach and watch a number of great pilots doing amazing aeronautical displays including the world famous Blue Angels which are the US Navy’s flight demonstration squadron.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is a popular beach town located in Bay County, Florida, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere. The town has several beaches, including Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park Beach, and Shell Island Beach. These beaches are known for their white sand and emerald waters, making them popular spots for swimming and water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boating.
Panama City Beach is also known for its lively beachfront scene, with several bars, restaurants, and nightclubs offering entertainment day and night.
South Beach Miami
South Beach Miami is one of the most sizzling hot spots in the entire world and the beach is a huge part of that. Extending from South Pointe Park all the way up past the Fontainebleau Hotel to the North Beach area, there are miles and miles of white sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean for you to soak up some sun and enjoy. All beaches are free and weather you are looking for some action or just some relaxation and solitude, Miami Beach has a spot for every single desire.
South Beach with its art deco style is the most “touristy” section of Miami Beach with Ocean Drive intersecting the beach from all the swanky hotels, bars and shops. There is always plenty of things going on in this area from both the visitors to the area as well as the South Beach locals.
Naples Beach
The white sandy beaches of Naples are some of the most picturesque throughout the state of Florida. This area is known as Florida’s Paradise Coast and to go along with the clear blue/green water from the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches are often described as “sugar-sand” due to their bright white nature. Every single evening you can take in some of the most spectacular sunsets that you will ever find.
A number of the areas beaches feature playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, restrooms and showers. The Naples Municipal Beach off 12th Avenue South is home to the Naples Pier which dates back to the late 1800’s as it was originally used as a dock for passenger ferries and freight. The Pier is a great place to visit and take in the amazing sunsets.
Delray Beach
Delray Beach is located in Palm Beach County, Florida. The beach is known for its soft, white sand and clear, turquoise water. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Previously known as the “Spring Break” capital of the world, Fort Lauderdale Beach has some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. With over seven miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean with a fantastic beachfront promenade along with a number of great shops, restaurants & entertainment venues as well as great hotels right across A1A, Fort Lauderdale is perfect for both tourists and locals alike.
There is two miles of Fort Lauderdale’s beaches that are fully manned by lifeguards. This area ranges from the South Beach Picnic area up to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Additionally, there is a public park which is located just south of Las Olas Boulevard and features volleyball and basketball courts, outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic tables with grills and a children’s playground.
Juno Beach
Juno Beach is a picturesque small town that boasts some of the most pristine and unspoiled beaches in Palm Beach County. The town’s beaches are known for their gentle surf, rolling dunes and crystal-clear turquoise waters, making them a popular destination for both tourists and locals.
Juno Beach is also a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts, with opportunities for both saltwater fishing from the pier and surf fishing. The town’s beachfront park is a great spot for families with young children, as it offers a designated surfing area, guarded swimming areas, and a playground. Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach, taking in the stunning views and laid-back atmosphere.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a barrier island just off of Fort Myers that is very unique as it has an east-west orientation (most barrier islands in Florida are north-south). There is beautiful white sand and amazing emerald blue/green waters with some of the best shelling throughout Florida and the Atlantic Coast. Sanibel is perfect to grab a book and just relax, listening to the gentile Gulf waters lap along the shoreline.
In addition to the beaches, Sanibel Island has several nature preserves, including the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which offers hiking trails, birdwatching and other outdoor activities.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is an upscale town located in Palm Beach County, Florida, known for its beautiful beaches. The town is situated on a barrier island and has several beaches, including Midtown Beach, Phipps Ocean Park, and Palm Beach Municipal Beach.
These beaches are known for their white sand and crystal-clear waters, making them popular spots for swimming and water sports like surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
In addition to the beaches, Palm Beach is also known for its luxurious resorts, high-end shopping, and fine dining, making it a popular vacation destination for those looking for a luxurious beach getaway.
Destin Beach
Destin Beach is located in Destin, Florida. The beaches in Destin are some of the most beautiful in the world, with soft, powdery sand that is perfect for sunbathing, relaxing, and playing beach games. The emerald green waters are also great for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing, with a wide variety of marine life to discover.
In addition to the beaches, Destin also has a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions, making it a popular vacation destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Some of the most popular attractions in Destin include the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park, and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. The town is situated on a barrier island and has several beaches, including Cocoa Beach, Lori Wilson Park, and Alan Shepard Park. These beaches are known for their white sand and warm waters, making them popular spots for swimming, sunbathing and water sports like surfing, kiteboarding, and fishing.
Cocoa Beach is also known for its world-famous surf culture, with several surf shops and schools offering lessons and equipment rentals. In addition to the beaches, Cocoa Beach has a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a popular vacation destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach is a charming beach town located in Duval County, Florida, known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. The town is situated on a barrier island and has several beaches which are known for their soft, white sand and tranquil waters, making them popular spots for swimming, sunbathing and water sports.
Atlantic Beach is also known for its beachfront parks, including Jack Russell Park and Howell Park, which offer picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. In addition to the beaches, Atlantic Beach has a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a popular vacation destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Vero Beach
Vero Beach is a beautiful beach town located in Indian River County, Florida, known for its pristine beaches and relaxed atmosphere. The town has several beaches which are known for their clear waters making them popular spots for swimming and water sports like surfing and paddleboarding.
Vero Beach is also known for its beachfront parks and nature preserves, including Round Island Beach Park and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, which offer hiking trails, birdwatching and other outdoor activities.
More About Florida Beaches
Florida is a paradise for beach lovers and has some of the best beaches in the world. From the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast, Florida offers a wide range of beaches that cater to different preferences and lifestyles. Whether you are looking for a peaceful getaway or an action-packed vacation, you will find a beach that suits your needs.
The beaches in Florida are not only beautiful but also offer a range of amenities and activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, fishing, surfing, kayaking, and many other water sports. Many beaches also have picnic areas, playgrounds, and other facilities that make them ideal for families.
Overall, Florida’s beaches are a must-visit for anyone who loves the sun, sand, and sea. With so many options to choose from, visitors can explore different beaches and find the one that best suits their preferences. So pack your bags and head to Florida to experience some of the best beaches in the world.
