Florida does not lack beaches! The state boasts nearly 1,200 miles of coastline and of that, 663 miles are gorgeous beaches. Several of the beautiful white sandy beaches in the country are heralded as the best in the world, and you’ll find a bustling nightlife surrounding the most popular of these.
Also, consider some of the quieter options, though? Many of the most family-friendly seashores are located in the State Parks all of my personal favourites happen to be inside our national park system!
Favourite Beaches of the Florida Keys If you love beaches, the Florida Keys is a fantastic vacation destination for anyone looking for a warm, tropical paradise. Here are ten favourite beaches in the Keys. Whether you are taking a family vacation, a romantic vacation, or would like to explore the history of the Florida Keys, there are several fantastic beaches to choose from to fit the mood!
List of Beaches:
1. Sandspur Beach – This gorgeous white sandy beach and turquoise water run a mile long. Sandspur Beach is located just to the north of the Honda Bahia State Park entrance. This is considered to be one of the beautiful beaches in all of Florida. Offshore reefs keep the water calm and shallow perfect for swimming or just getting your feet wet. There are kayak rentals, bike paths, picnic areas, a snack bar, and restrooms at the beach.
2. South Beach: (Miami) Would any list be complete without South Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Florida? This spot has a substantial international nightlife scene, and the Cuban and Latin American culture spices up this beach considerably. The water is clean and clear here, and you’ll find the beach surprisingly busy in the morning hours with joggers and topless sunbathers. Get all contact information for all the airlines Gethuman.
3. Anne’s Beach – This small, but the gorgeous beach is set on a beautiful stretch of sparkling sand at the southern tip of Lower Matecumbe Key. Mangrove trees surround the magnificent landscape. Wake up early to enjoy a stroll down the boardwalk and watch the sunrise. Shifting sands mean high tide leaves the little beach, but the sidewalk offers picnic pavilions, too.
4. Smathers Beach – Smathers Beach is known as Key West’s longest beach with a stretch of 3,000 feet. This lively beach is bustling with activity making it a perfect beach to spend a day. It features a variety of water sport rentals, bike paths, volleyball nets, picnic areas, concession stands, and restrooms. Make sure you catch a sunrise or two at Smathers Beach – Florida Keys sunrises are as spectacular as its sunsets.
5. Sombrero Beach – This long beautiful beach is located in the heart of Marathon. The pristine blue waters of this beach are more profound than most beaches in this area. This beach features picnic tables, a playground, restrooms, concession stands, and a protected cove for children to play.
6. Higgs Beach – Higgs Beach in Old Town Key is a favourite among locals for its old school charm and laid back Key West feel. There is a bar and restaurant on the beach, along with volleyball courts, tennis courts, barbeques, and bike paths. Conveniently, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, umbrellas, and chairs. The beach also has a playground for children and has a dog park separating big dogs from little ones.
7. Key West Dog Beach – This is a great beach if you want to spend some time swimming with your dog. The dogs on this beach are free to run, splash and play fetch until they are all tired out! Key West Dog Beach is a sliver of sand and coconut palms trees at the foot of Vernon and Waddell Streets, next door to Louie’s Backyard, a popular upscale restaurant.
8. Panama City Beach: (Panhandle, Panama City) I hesitate to list this here because Panama Beach has become the spring break capital of the United States. The beach itself is pretty and used to be gorgeous before all of the development. If you’re looking for a beach pulsing with life, this is the spot and enjoy your nightlife at the largest nightclub in the U.S. just nearby.
9. Naples Beach: (West Coast, Naples) Naples is a trendy Florida city, and this beach is the reason. Stop here and enjoy views over the Gulf of Mexico as well as the city’s famous Millionaires’ Row. It’s a wealthy city, but window shopping is free, and the beach is kept impeccably clean, and the sunset from the Naples Pier is stunning.
10. Clearwater Beach: (West Coast, Tampa Bay) Immaculate and soft, fine white sand have made this beach popular. There are points in the year when it’s relatively healthy here, but Spring Break is a time to avoid. There is a good-but-not-overpowering nightlife right on the beach as well.
Less Touristy Beaches
1. Fort DeSoto State Park: (West Coast, near St. Petersburg) This State Park sits on the West Coast Florida and is an easy driving distance from anywhere in St. Petersburg and the touristy beaches in that area. The park is usually filled with families from the field, making a great day trip or weekend trip out of the experience. Though Fort DeSoto may not have the prettiest beaches in the state, the shallow wading waters, wildlife, and laid-back vibe make this an attractive beach option…and one of my favourite Florida experiences to boot!
2. Bahia Honda State Park: (South, Bahia Honda Key, The Keys) You’ll find not only some pretty and secluded beaches, but the State Park also features 635 acres of nature trails in addition to highlighting a portion of Henry Flagler’s railroad. Know all things about Delta Airlines Reservations
3. Caladesi Island State Park (West Coast, Clearwater Beach): Escape from Clearwater Beach itself with a trip to the 3.5-mile-long strip of land that constitutes Caladesi Island. It’s relatively secluded and quiet, especially considering the beach’s proximity to Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg. As a double bonus (and I do love bonuses) you can enjoy the nature trail for sightings of raccoons, armadillos, rabbits, and a rattlesnake on a good day. Getting there means ferrying from the Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area.
4. Key West National Wildlife Refuge – The island beaches located in this wildlife refuge would be any photographer’s heaven! Theodore Roosevelt established this watery domain as a refuge in 1908, making this one of the first wildlife refuges in the country. The waters around the refuge islands and flats contain coral reef and seagrass habitats – and are accessible playgrounds for dolphins. And knowing this, you can understand how it is used in online games. The beaches are lined with mangrove trees and have abundant wildlife to observe. To reach the fantastic beaches in the backcountry waters of the Keys, you need to arrange a private charter or rent a boat. And while this is a protected area, you can also arrange to charter a flats guide to fish the backcountry waters for tarpon, permit bonefish, and other shallow-water species.
5. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park – Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park beach combines culture and beach in one visit. This is the perfect place where you can learn about the Civil War and the history of the keys. This beach is located at the most southern tip of the United States, where you will be witness to some of the most breathtaking sunset views. There are nature trails, guided fishing tours, picnic areas, showers, scuba diving, food and drink kiosks, and restrooms.
With this list, you can always have an amazing experience when in Florida. To make it memorable, you can learn some few tips on beach photography that will help you capture the best moments while on the beach.
