Wondering about Florida and the best beaches in Florida for an upcoming trip to the state?

Florida is known as the Sunshine State, and therefore, it is a good thing that they have some of the best beaches in the United States. A vacation in Florida can have you enjoying Florida Gulf Coast beaches, Key West beaches, Fort Lauderdale beaches, secluded beaches in Florida, best beaches in the Florida Panhandle, best beaches in Florida Gulf, best beaches in Northern Florida, beast beaches in southwest Florida, quiet beaches in Florida, and even the best beaches for kids in Florida, all at once, depending on what you’re looking for in a beach vacation.

30 Best Beaches in Florida

1. Captiva Beach in Captiva

Captive Beach is a restored beach on Captiva Island, and it is an excellent place to go watch the sunset at the end of a long day. The parking is limited though, so you must arrive early if you want to partake in the beauty. This beach has been nominated as one of the best beaches in Florida by several organizations over the past few years and it’s easy to see why people love Captiva beach once you set eyes on the gorgeous beach.

Unfortunately, there are no restrooms here so you have to plan your arrival time if you’re heading out here to watch the sunset. There are however, some Port-o-Lets if you do need to use the bathroom while visiting.

2. Clearwater Beach in Clearwater

This is one of the clear water beaches in Florida and it is one of the best beaches in the US when it comes to crystal white sand. This Florida Gulf Coast beach is quite narrow, but it extends for three miles along the Pinellas Peninsula. A visit to this beach will have you doing more than swimming too. You can easily play beach volleyball, parasail, and take a dolphin watching cruise. Pier 60 can be found at Clearwater Beach and you can attend the festival of the same name  – Pier 60 Sugarland Festival –   every day of the year there. Clearwater beach in Florida is one of the best family beaches in Florida, one of the best beaches in Clearwater Florida, and one of the best beaches in Florida gulf!

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3. Miami Beach in Miami

If you love to do a little people watching when you are at the beach, you must find your way to one of the most popular beaches in the state! After a long day of playing beach volleyball and swimming, you can wander around Ocean Drive to see the Art Deco facades or grab a drink at the News Café.

If you are looking for celebrities, you will want to venture over to the pool area of the Delano South Beach Hotel for a drink and potential sightings. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, one of the best Spring Break beaches in Florida as well as one of the best party beaches in Florida.

4. Causeway Beaches in Sanibel

The Causeway Beaches in Sanibel are amazing, because you can park for free right next to the water! This means you can easily exit your vehicle and jump in the water for a swim immediately. This is also an excellent area for windsurfing and enjoying a picnic lunch at one of the picnic tables. Dogs are allowed at this Southwest Florida beach, as long as they are on a leash, which makes this one of the pet friendly beaches in Florida. The best part about this beach area though is there are restrooms you can use, so you can stay all day long! This beach is easily one of the prettiest beaches in Florida, one of the best beaches in South Florida or Southwest Florida, and a best dog-friendly beach in Florida!

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5. Naples Beach in Naples

The Naples Beach, which is the beach at Naples Pier, is the most popular beach in the city. This best beach in Florida has waves rushing in and it is common to see dolphins jumping out of the water not too far from the shoreline. If you’re looking for one of the best beaches in Southwest Florida, this is it!

A day at this beach will be spent looking out at the water, but you may be slightly distracted by all the mansions that are lined up on Millionaire’s Row behind you. We vote this beach as one of the top 10 beaches in Florida! It is also one of the best Florida beaches for kids and for families.

6. Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota

Okay, so Siesta Key Beach isn’t right in Sarasota, but it isn’t too far away from the downtown area. This nice beach in Florida is the perfect option for those who want some relaxation, as well as those who want to be active in the sand and in the water. You can choose to kayak, ride in a catamaran, or do a little shell collecting before collapsing in the sand. This is also one of the many best beaches in Florida for families, because there are multiple playgrounds, as well as picnic areas near the sand. If you are looking for top ten beaches in South Florida, or one of the top rated beaches in Florida, this is one of the best beaches to visit!

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7. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Beach in Naples

One of the best beaches in Florida for kids and families is the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Beach in Naples. You can easily spread out a few blankets to hang out for the entire day. The on-site food carts will keep everyone fed if you don’t take enough food with you and the bathhouses are excellent for those times when a restroom is needed. If you are looking for the best beaches near Naples, Florida, then this should make your list.

The best part about this best beach in Florida though is the fact that they rent out all sorts of stuff. Therefore, you will never need to worry if you left your umbrella at home or your family wants to try out kayaking for an hour or two. You can rent everything you need and never worry about lugging it all back home with you. This is one of the best family beaches in Florida as well as one of the prettiest Florida beaches.

8. R. G. Kreusler Park Beach in Palm Beach

This beach is one of the top beaches in Florida and it has both restrooms and outdoor shower facilities. This beach is also handicapped accessible, so anyone can use it to have a little fun in the sun. You must swim in the guarded swimming area and you must be outside that area if you want to try a little surfing. If you are looking for a fun beach in Florida, or one of the cleanest best swimming beaches in Florida, put this Florida beach on your list.

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9. South Beach in Miami

One of the best beaches in Miami is South Beach, and it is known for its party-like atmosphere after the sun goes down. This happens to be a manmade beach, but you wouldn’t know it when you step onto it!

When you are not in the sand, you can walk around to see the Art Deco architecture and do a little high-end shopping. Just make sure you don’t leave this beach before the action heats up at night, because it is an experience you will never forget! We rate this as one of the top party beaches in Florida. It’s also one of the best beaches in Miami Florida!

10. Delray Beach in Delray Beach

If this hasn’t made your list of best beaches in Florida yet, you’d be hard-pressed to find a much more popular Florida beach that this! At least a million people visit Delray Beach every year and it is one of the best beaches in Florida for kids. The beach is two miles long, so you and your family will have plenty of space to build a sandcastle or two. If you need a break from the heat, you can do a little shopping over on Atlantic Avenue or grab to bite to eat. This is one of the cool beaches in Florida that you would want to visit.

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11. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach in Key West

One of the best beaches in Key West is the one at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. You can walk along the vast strip of sand on one of the quiet beaches in Florida.

You can also wander up and down the pier, swim, or do a little snorkeling. If you happen to be traveling as a couple, we recommend renting a glass bottom kayak for a little romantic adventure out on the water. This one of the best public beaches in Florida.

12. Venice Beach in Venice

Looking for a best beach Florida locations, then Venice Beach is another one of Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches and it is the one you will want to choose if you like to find shark teeth in the sand. Finding shark teeth is a fun adventure for kids, which is why this is one of the best beaches in Florida for families. This is one of Florida’s Blue Wave Certified beaches too, and that designation basically means the beach is managed responsibly with a focus on the health of both the environment and people. If you must choose between this beach and nearby Siesta Key Beach, we can tell you that this one often has fewer people, so it might be the better choice.

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13. Cocoa Beach in Cocoa Beach

One of the best beaches in Florida is Cocoa Beach and you will find it over on the Atlantic side of the state. In fact, it is not too far from Cape Canaveral and you can even take a side trip to Orlando from this part of Florida. However, most of your time should be spent in the soft sand on Cocoa Beach, as well as in the water.

There is an old fishing pier at one end of this beach, but you must pay a fee to walk down it. We recommend paying close attention to the sand dunes, because they create views that will mesmerize you. Surfing is possible at this Florida beach as well, so make sure you grab your board before you head out in the morning. If you are looking for a best beach to relax in Florida, this should make your list. If you’re looking for the best beaches in Orlando, Florida, this should make your list of top beaches you can drive to from Orlando.

14. Bahia Honda in Key West

Out of all the Key West beaches, this is one that is a favorite amongst many people. Unless you are staying in the Keys, this will be quite the drive. However, it is possible to reach this beach in three hours from Miami, so it is an excellent day trip option for those who want to check out a new part of the state. This amazing beach is surrounded by lush nature, so you will always have something to look at when you get tired of looking at the water. This is one of the best beaches in Florida Keys.

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15. Vero Beach in Vero Beach

As you have probably noticed, many of the best beaches in Florida get their name from the city they are in. Vero Beach is one of those beaches and you will love your time on this sandy shoreline. You will find this beach on what is known as Florida’s Treasure Coast. You never know when you will find some type of treasure from the 1715 Treasure Fleet that was lost during a hurricane near this beach. Past visitors have discovered emeralds and an 18th century rosary.

If you are looking for a unique place to stay for your vacation, we recommend the Driftwood Resort. This is one of the oldest hotels in the area and it was constructed from natural driftwood and wooden planks that washed up on shore when the construction was taking place. This is one of the best beaches in Florida for families.

16. Main Beach Park on Amelia Island

Just to the north of the Jacksonville Florida beaches, you will find Main Beach Park on Amelia Island. This is one of the best Florida beaches for kids, because there is a playground and outdoor skate park. You will love the picnic tables for those downtimes too. We consider this one of the best east coast Florida beaches!

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17. Crandon Park Beach in Miami

There are quite a few beaches in Miami, but this one is much quieter than Miami Beach and South Beach and that makes it one of the best beaches to visit in Florida.

While you can spend an entire day at this Key Biscayne beach, you can also venture over there after a round on the nearby golf course or tennis courts. You can even walk through the nature park during your visit.

18. Smathers Beach in Key West

Everyone seems to have their favorite Florida beach, but those who have seen many of the beaches in Key West have claimed Smathers Beach as the best beach in Key West.The palm trees surrounding the sandy shoreline sway in the breeze, creating picturesque views as you relax in the sand. Since Key West has a different type of vibe, you can easily sit back and relax on this beach for your entire Key West vacation.

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19. Miramar Beach in Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach is a beach that is quite close to both Pensacola (which has one of the best beaches in North Florida) and Destin, Florida. The location makes it possible to be on the list of the best Destin Florida beaches. Not too many know about this best beach in Florida, so there is an excellent chance there won’t be too many people there during your visit. We consider this one of the best quiet beaches in Florida.

The Silver Sands Premium Outlets are nearby, as are many luxurious hotels. Most of your time will be spent at this beach though, as you participate in one water sport or activity after another.

20. Crystal Beach in Destin

One of the Destin Florida beaches is Crystal Beach, and it is the one you will want to visit if you are staying at one of the many vacation rentals or resorts near the water. You will find many thrilling activities and water sports at this best beach for families in Florida. As you are in the water, or relaxing on the sand, you may spot a few dolphins jumping around and swimming nearby.

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21. Pass-a-Grille Beach in St. Petersburg

Out of all the St. Petersburg beaches, the one you will want to make time to visit is Pass-a-Grille Beach. Yes, the name may seem strange, but you will love the sand and the water sports that are available to everyone.

When you are not sitting on the white sand, you will find yourself out on the water doing a little parasailing, windsurfing, and kite boarding. Since St. Petersburg is a city that sees multiple days of sunshine in a row, you may want to move it way up to the top of your list of best beaches in Florida when planning your next Florida beach vacation. It doesn’t hurt that it’s one of the best white sand beaches in Florida.

22. St. Andrews State Park Beach in Panama City

This Panama City beach is one of the best beaches in North Florida for snorkeling, surfing, and swimming, especially if you want to see wildlife at the same time. When you are tired of the sand, we recommend taking the Shell Island Shuttle over to Shell Island. This island contains seven hundred acres, and it is where you will see dozens of bottlenose dolphins. You can only visit Shell Island during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, so plan your trip accordingly if you want to go. This beach is one of the best beaches in Florida we recommend visiting.

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23. Honeymoon Island State Park Beach in Dunedin

As you are looking at Tampa Florida beaches, you are going to see that you have quite a few options. If you’re looking for the best beaches to go in Florida or best beaches in Central Florida, then starting from Tampa is a great idea.

However, we recommend that you drive forty minutes from the center of Tampa to spend some time on Honeymoon Island State Park Beach. This is one of the best secluded beaches in Florida and you will love every minute you spend there. It’s also one of the most quiet beaches in Florida.

24. Amelia Island State Park Beach on Amelia Island

One of the best beaches in Florida is Amelia Island State Park Beach, because you can ride horses along the shoreline. You must arrive early if you want to go horseback riding, because a lot of people show up to do this activity every day. Plus, it will allow you to ride a horse without too many other people on the beach yet.

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25. Atlantic Beach in Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach is one of the Jacksonville Florida beaches and it is not too far from the downtown area. The sand at this Florida beach is white and super soft and it leads you directly to the bright blue water. The entire beach is surrounded by a charming small town, so you may make a few new friends during your visit if you take the time to talk to the locals.

One of the best things to do after a long day at the beach is to go to the town center to wander along the cobblestone streets. There are many shops and restaurants there, as well as galleries. You may even find that your visit coincides with the many special events that are held there throughout the year. This is one of our top beaches to visit in Florida.

26. Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Fort Lauderdale

You already know that there are several best beaches in Florida, including in Fort Lauderdale. Out of all the Fort Lauderdale beaches, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park is one of the best. If you are looking for the best beach in Florida for families, this is the one you have been searching for. There are plenty of amenities at this beach including playgrounds, volleyball courts, and basketball courts. At the end of the day, you can always walk along the promenade before getting a bite to eat.

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27. Santa Rosa Beach in South Walton

If you are looking for the best beaches on the Emerald Coast, you must consider Santa Rosa Beach. This area was founded back in 1910 and more and more people arrive to spend time on the sand every year.

While this is one of the best beaches in Florida, you will also love to know that it is considered one of the best beaches in the world. This should give you every reason to visit this top beach in Florida.

28. Henderson Beach State Park in Destin

Henderson Beach State Park is another Destin Florida beach which ranks high on our list of best beaches in Florida, but one you won’t want to visit if you are looking for adventures. This beach has a laid-back vibe, so it is perfect if you are looking to get away from the crowds and simply revel in the tranquility under the Florida sun. You can still see dolphins out in the water, and you may even spot a sea turtle or two. This is one of the most quiet beaches in Florida for someone looking for some peace and quiet.

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29. Fort Myers Beach in Fort Myers

A visit to Fort Myers Beach will have you enjoying a long stretch of sand right on the Gulf of Mexico. While you have many Florida Gulf Coast beaches to choose from, this one will have you spending time on the sand in between shopping at the nearby stores.

There are also many restaurants nearby and you will have a plethora of resorts and hotels to choose from. Those resorts and hotels will have you only steps away from the beach, so you can reach the sand immediately at any time of the day. So looking for the best beaches in the Florida gulf side, or just best gulf beaches in Florida, you should consider this beach as top of your list since it’s one of the most popular Florida gulf coast beaches.

30. Caladesi Island State Park Beach on Caladesi Island

If you are looking for a secluded beach in Florida, you must head over to Caladesi Island. This island can be reached by riding a ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park. Not too many people venture over to this island to spend time on the beach. Plus, since no one can stay on the island, you will find that nature has been practically left untouched. This ensures natural beauty and gorgeous views are everywhere you look.

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These are the thirty best beaches in Florida, and we know you will love spending time at all of them. If you are having a difficult time determining which one to visit first, we recommend deciding which part of Florida you want to spend time in. Once you know that, you can easily choose one of the best beaches in Florida that are nearby you.

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