Best beaches in Florida – From the siren song of South Beach and the unexpected surf town of New Smyrna to the natural wonders of Dry Tortugas National Park and Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, here are our picks for the 21 best beaches in Flordia—from the Panhandle to the Keys, each with its own distinct personality.
The 10 Best Florida Beaches:
Florida is world-renowned for its beaches, and quite right too. From the buzzing scene and colourful characters of South Beach in Miami, to the empty dunes and turtle nests of Grayton Beach State Park, via the beautiful shells washed up in their millions on Sanibel Island, the choice is pretty much endless. Here’s a guide to some of our favourites.
Siesta Key:
Popular among couples and families alike, this fun-filled barrier island sits off the coast of Sarasota on the Gulf of Mexico. Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Siesta Beach features 8 miles of white quartz sand and crystal-clear water, plus dining, shopping and nighttime entertainment. Crescent Beach, another Siesta Key standout, is ideal for travelers seeking soft white sand and beautiful scenery (though it can get more crowded during peak times like spring break). Meanwhile, Turtle Beach is a great spot for a quieter atmosphere, long walks, easy parking and shell collecting.
Henderson Beach State Park:
Fringed with impossibly emerald waters and packed with local wildlife, including dolphins aplenty, Henderson Beach is practically ground zero for Florida’s beach formation. The Apalachicola River is barely 100 miles east, and the entire seaboard of The Panhandle was formed by that river of tiny quartz particles flowing into the sea. The result is a string of barrier islands where pure white sand dunes pile up to create a natural wonderland of seaside charms. Henderson Beach is a majestic example of this pristine environment, a state-protected strip of green and white perfection.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park:
If you’re searching for sunny days and temperate waters, it doesn’t get much warmer than the beaches of Florida Keys, the state’s southernmost point. You can pass your time here at Smathers or Higgs Beach, but for calm waters and wide stretches of sand, it’s hard to beat Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling before taking a break to check out the park’s pre-Civil War fortress. If you can’t sit still, you’ll find nature trails and snorkel rentals on site.
Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin:
This untouched, 3.5-mile-long island feels like a giant sand bar reserved for the lucky few who visit. It dazzles with its pristine environs—vast stretches of radiantly white sands, cerulean waters, beautiful seashells, and prolific bird life. Access the island by ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park or enter on foot via neighboring Clearwater Beach from the south (a major hurricane in 1985 dredged up enough sand to create a link between Caladesi and Clearwater). Even better? The more adventurous can kayak their way to Caladesi, renting from local outfitters on Honeymoon Island.
Santa Rosa Beach:
Stretching 26 miles along Florida’s northwest coast, Santa Rosa Beach is the place to go for sugar white sand, emerald water, top-notch dining and local art galleries and boutiques. Plus, the food trucks in the neighboring town of Seaside make for a fun and easy meal option. Recent travelers recommend this beach town if you’re seeking prime shorelines with a quieter vibe than Panama City Beach or Destin. Favorite spots include Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach State Park and Blue Mountain Beach, where vacationers can swim, sunbathe, explore sand dunes, bodysurf and more.
Daytona Beach:
Arguably the most famous beach location in Florida, this is where Sir Malcolm Campbell set five land speed records between 1928 and 1935, reaching a top speed of 276mph in his supercharged Blue Bird racer. Today’s speed limit on the same stretch of sand is a mere 10mph, but the fact you can drive on the beach at all is a quirky leftover of those Blue Bird days, when there was regular racing here, too. Nowadays, the attractions are more genteel but still include surfing and paddle-boarding, as well as just chilling along this 23-mile expanse of hard-packed sands, with its iconic fishing pier.
Cocoa Beach:
Long called the surf capital of the East Coast, Cocoa Beach in Brevard County has produced several big-name surfers, including Kelly Slater, an 11-time world champion. But whether or not you’ve got the know-how, you can expect a good time at Cocoa Beach. With a local, laid-back feel and plenty of surf schools, you’ll be up on your board in no time. Not a surfer? Hole up at one of the beach’s waterfront bars or watch surfers from the fishing pier.
Clearwater Beach:
The main draw of this sun-soaked beach is its wide shoreline, small-town atmosphere, plus its inviting turquoise waters. The beach has excellent conditions for parasailing, jet skiing, and snorkeling. And after sunset, watch the street performers put up awe-inspiring acts. If you’re visiting as a family, don’t miss the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Pier 60—a brilliant sunset-watching spot. Fitness enthusiasts will also appreciate the nearby nature trails at Honeymoon Island State Park or Caladesi Island State Park.
The best way to reach Clearwater Beach is via the Jolley Trolley, which stops at Pier 60 on its South Beach route.
Miami Beach:
You simply can’t do a round-up of Florida’s sand-laden coastline without including the most photographed, the most indulgent, the most iconic stretch of sand among the state’s 825 miles of it. Miami Beach covers just over eight miles of that total but has a greater media profile than all the others put together thanks to TV programmes like Miami Vice and movies such as Scarface, The Birdcage and Bad Boys. This barrier island is one of the most identifiable locations in the world and it revels in its glossy, film star image, offering a hang-out for the beautiful people as well as Joe Tourist.
Panama City Beach:
Panama City Beach’s 27 miles of shoreline overlooking the Gulf of Mexico offer a range of pursuits for travelers of all ages. Camp Helen State Park is a prime spot for fishing thanks to its large coastal dune lake, while St. Andrews State Park appeals to visitors keen on snorkeling, swimming, surfing and looking for wildlife. The latter is also where vacationers can catch the Shell Island Shuttle – which operates during the spring, summer and fall months – to Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island that’s known for its large population of bottlenose dolphins.
Sanibel Island Beach
South Beach, Miami
Destin Beach, Emerald Coast
Palm Beach, FL
South Beach
