Do Florida Beaches Have Clear Water?

Yes, Florida Beaches have clear water. One of the beaches in Florida is even named Clearwater Beach. The beaches in Florida all have water from the Atlantic Ocean that wraps around from the east coast & Florida Keys then looping through the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's Gulf Coast.

Florida Beaches

Emerald Coast Beaches & The Florida Panhandle

Florida's Emerald Coast extends from the Alabama Border in the westernmost part of Florida to the eastern side of Panama City on the east side of Panama City Beach. I lived around this area for 15 years and went scuba diving, deep sea fishing and boating there hundreds of times as I owned my own offshore boats.

Florida's Gulf Coast beaches have emerald green waters close to shore with a visibility of about 40 feet on an average day. Normally the pristine beaches will extend far enough out that wading to the second sand bar is fairly easy for an adult. If you stay on the beach you will never have a need for more clear waters on the average day.

The Gulf Stream is usually about 40 miles off shore from the Emerald Coast. That is where you will find the cobalt blue waters. Trust me, they are there but there is no need to go that far. The Emerald Coast Beaches are so clear that catching fish is often challenging.

Popular Beaches With Crystal Clear Water On The Florida Panhandle

The most popular are Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Destin Beach (and crab island) Henderson Beach State Park, Grayton Beach & Panama City Beach. All of these are white sand beaches made up of mostly quartz sand which washed down into the Florida Gulf Coast from the Appalachian Mountains.

For the best water clarity and unspoiled beaches I would visit Navarre Beach. It has fewer ways to reach it and is often overlooked. There are plenty of hotels and a great fishing pier. Expect to find clear water beaches and squeaky clean white sand just like other Emerald Coast beaches.

There is plenty of marine life, water sports and white sandy beaches just waiting on you. Just don't plan on swimming in the winter months.

The Sun Coast & Central Florida On The Florida Gulf Coast

From Honeymoon Island State Park & Dunedin southward you can usually swim year round. Some of the clearest water in Florida can be found along the coast and, the water gets no clearer than in the nearby freshwater springs and Crystal River is still fairly decent. The most pristine beaches and nature trails in Florida are usually the least visited. Do not overlook Honeymoon Island State Park in Tampa Bay.

Clearwater Beach | St Pete Beach

For a family vacation I would visit Clearwater Beach or St Pete Beach. Among Florida's beaches there are none better all things considered. Jet skiing, beach volleyball, natural beauty of the beautiful beaches and all of sun you can ever dream of. Florida is called the Sunshine State for a reason and this is the Sun Coast.

The Best Florida Beaches In All Of South Florida

Anna Maria Island, Siesta key Beach, Marco Island are all better than any Key West beaches. That is not really that bold of a claim after you visit key West. There are a wide variety of beaches and towns along the southwest Florida Gulf Coast. Venice Florida, Cape Coral and many other small towns have quite a bit to offer. The actual beaches and the water clarity is what draws people here. You will much prefer the sand to any you will find on Florida's East Coast or Northern Florida.

The Florida Keys Water Clarity & Key West

I will not even pretend to take away from the water clarity of the Keys or Key West. It is amazingly clear almost every day of the week. Key West has a dozen or so smaller beaches but you will need to plan which one you visit. You cannot see most of them from the road. Smathers Beach is decent for an Atlantic Coast beach but it is lacking the white sand you would expect in a tropical paradise.

Tortugas National Park is about a 70 mile boat ride from Key West. Not everyone is up for that. for those which are this is where you will find the clearest water in Florida and the beaches are certainly white enough to please most everyone. The same sand is on the ocean floor and of course the only tropical reef in Florida is part of this island chain.

Florida's East Coast & Cobalt Blue Clear Water Beaches

If you read very many of my Blog Posts you will notice I am no fan of Miami Beach or South Beach. Primarily that is because of the crime rate there and terrible parking. The water is however normally very clear with a gorgeous blue tint. As for clear water beaches it is exceptional and a unique experience. Not to mention available 12 months a year.

Delray Beach & Palm Beach Florida, Marine Life, Natural Beauty & Parking Spaces

Taking a beach chair to a public beach is a lot easier when you can park there. Not everyone wants to lay on a towel all day. Palm Beach and Delray Beach are really where the fun begins on a family vacation. It is also more affordable with the same clear water beaches and white sand beaches with a pink tint. from here south the marine life will include sea turtles and manatees year round.

St Augustine Beach A Beautiful Beach But One Of The Cold Water Beaches In Florida

Like the Emerald Coast or Florida Panhandle the water gets cold here in the winter months. Other than that the water is still a bluish tint and certainly the water clarity is fantastic. If you are at a beach 20 feet of water clarity is way more than you need and it is much better than that anywhere in Florida on most days.

Summary

The best beaches are on the Florida Gulf Coast. The Florida Panhandle offers emerald green waters hence it is named the Emerald Coast.

Probably the most beautiful beach in Florida is Siesta Key Beach. The best beach and beach town combo is Clearwater Beach. The clearest water in Florida is around key West and the Florida Keys.