10 Best Beaches in Florida

Updated On October 4, 2023
Florida

It is important to get away from everyday jobs and responsibilities once in a while.

These chances to get away are known as vacations.

Vacations can include road trips, camping trips, or visiting a beach.

There are beaches in many places across the United States and the world.

If you choose to go to Florida, there are a variety of beaches that are considered to be better than others.

Here are the top 10 beaches in the state of Florida:

10 Best Beaches in Florida

Below is a list of the 10 best beaches in the state of Florida.

Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Key Beach

Not only is Siesta Beach the number one beach in Florida, but it has also been named the number one beach in the United States.

Siesta Beach is known for its turquoise waters, white quartz sand, and beachside amenities.

While Florida has many beaches, Siesta Beach is one of the most popular ones.

There are things to do for all ages of the family, including swimming in the water, relaxing on the sand, looking for seashells, and much more.

You can also visit some of the attractions, such as the marine park and the local museums.

Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach is known for its turquoise waters, sugar-sand beaches, and overall beauty.

At Santa Rosa Beach, you can enjoy the many amenities and activities they have to offer.

You can find several entrances to the Point Washington State Forest, which is a wildlife preserve.

There are many options for food to choose from, including Fish Out of Water, Cafe Tango, and Blue Mountain Beach Creamery.

You can visit art galleries, swim in the water, or just relax on the beach.

The opportunities are great for single people, couples, and families.

Marco Island
Marco Island

Marco Island

Marco Island is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, dolphins, whales, and many other land and sea animals.

There are many adventures to explore on Marco Island.

You can visit Collier Seminole State Park, where you can fish, camp, boat, go canoeing, go on a nature walk, and go on a picnic.

Another option is Briggs Nature Center, where you can watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

Marco Island is the biggest and most developed of the famous Ten Thousand Islands of Florida.

You can explore the island through regular tours or by yourself.

You can even visit the Everglades National Park located next to Marco Island.

Delray Beach
Delray Beach

Delray Beach

Delray Beach is home to a variety of arts and cultural sites and activities.

At Delray Beach, you can visit the Delray Beach Art Trail to catch a view of the area’s rich, diverse culture through its murals and art collections.

You can also visit the many restaurants, sights, and events that they have.

Delray Beach is well-known for the events they hold, including Savor the Avenue, Delray Beach Fashion Week, and the Delray Affair.

If you happen to visit around the time of one of these events, you can participate in them.

Destin
Destin

Destin

Destin has a variety of activities for visitors to take part in.

You can go on a dolphin cruise, visit an aquarium, explore a theme park, take part in parasailing and water sports, and much more.

Destin is known for its delicious seafood restaurants, variety of fish, and its fantastic views.

If some of the activities aren’t your style, you can visit the many shops that are available and check out the things they have to offer.

You can also visit some of the attractions, including Crab Island, Baytowne Wharf, and Harborwalk Village.

Destin, Florida is located on the panhandle next to the Gulf of Mexico.

It is referred to by many as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”.

Palm Beach
Palm Beach

Palm Beach

At Palm Beach, there are many beaches and activities that you can enjoy either by yourself, with a friend, or with your family.

Palm Beach has clean white sand, few crowds, and warm water, as well as historical sites and cultural diversity.

In the Antique Row Art and Design district, you can visit more than 50 antique and specialty shops.

You can visit and explore the Norton Museum of Art, home to a variety of sculptures and paintings by artists from Europe and America.

It was founded by Ralph and Elizabeth Norton, who decided to share their collection of pieces with the world.

Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach is home to a variety of events, sites, and activities for the family to explore.

You can visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, where you can see shows involving dolphins and sea lions, as well as exhibits with birds, fish, marine reptiles, dolphins, seals, penguins, and other marine mammals.

If you don’t want to explore the marine park, you can try their theme parks, visit the historical sites, or just relax on the beach.

Fort Walton Beach is known for its aquariums, marine park, museums, and family resorts, as well as the cool white sand and calm green waters.

St. George Island
St. George Island

George Island

St. George Island has a variety of places, events, and activities that can include the whole family, including pets.

A large majority of hotels, vacation homes, stores, and restaurants welcome your furry members of the family without batting an eye.

This is a refreshing change from most stores and restaurants in the United States.

If you have a family pet, this might be a place worth thinking about for your vacation.

You can take your pet with you, and they can even participate in a variety of activities right along with the family.

Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach

At Clearwater Beach, you can enjoy the beach and water or some of the attractions that Clearwater has to offer.

You can visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where you can see dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and many more marine animals.

You can explore the many museums, including the Museum of the Arts and Crafts Movement, The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, and the Florida Holocaust Museum, to name a few.

Other activities and attractions include Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise and the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center.

Islamorada
Islamorada

Islamorada

Islamorada is known by many as the “sport fishing capital of the world”, where it is host to the largest fishing fleet in the world per square mile.

Islamorada is home to a total of six islands with a variety of things to do for the whole family.

You can visit the Theater of the Sea, where you watch dolphins perform, or you can explore the exhibits at the History of Diving Museum.

You can also visit a variety of state parks, including Windly Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, and Indian Key Historical State Park.

Florida Safety Overview

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  • OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
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  • PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
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  • MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
  • TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
  • SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What beaches have the clearest water in Florida?

When and how often the water is clear depends on many factors, including the temperature, the amount of sunlight, and the movement of sediment from storms and waves.

With that said, some beaches are clearest more often than others.

Some of the beaches with the clearest water in Florida include Siesta Key, Destin, Panama City Beach, Pensacola, and Fort Walton.

Is the water warm enough to swim in Florida?

Depending on the time of year, most of the beaches are pretty warm to swim in.

If you are going to one of the beaches in the northern parts of Florida, the best times to swim are between April and October.

The beaches in the southern parts of Florida are comfortably warm to swim in at almost anytime during the year.

Where can I find dog-friendly beaches and hotels in Florida?

There are a variety of beaches and hotels in Florida that offer dog-friendly options.

Some of these beaches include:

  • St. George Island
  • Pensacola Beach
  • Gulf County
  • Jupiter Beach
  • Key West Dog Beach
  • Sanibel Island and Captiva
  • Palm Coast
  • Rickenbacker Causeway Beach
  • Miami Beach’s Bark Beach
  • Davis Island’s Dog Beach
  • Some dog-friendly hotels include:
  • ‘Tween Waters Inn
  • Bayfront Marin House Bed and Breakfast
  • Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel and Convention Center
  • Casa Playa Resort
  • Don Cesar
  • Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa
  • Hilton Melbourne Rialto
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa-Port Richey
  • Hyatt Regency Sarasota
  • Innisbrook Resort
  • Naples Bay Resort and Marina
  • Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
  • Lotus Boutique Inn and Suites
  • Quality Inn Zephyrhills
  • Radisson Resort at the Port
  • Ramada Venice Resort
  • Riverside Hotel
  • Seaside Amelia Inn
  • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
  • St. Francis Inn
  • The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort
  • Waterstone Resort and Marina Boca Raton
  • Wisteria Inn

What beach in Florida is the most crowded?

The most popular and crowded beach in Florida is South Beach, located in Miami Beach, Florida.

What beach in Florida is the least crowded?

The most secluded and least crowded beach in Florida is Cayo Costa.

Although it only takes an hour to get to by boat, it is considered to be the most remote and secluded beach in the state of Florida.

1 Comment on 10 Best Beaches in Florida

  1. Vacations are essential for our mental and emotional well-being, and exploring different beaches is a great way to relax and recharge.

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