South Beach in Miami Beach Florida is the most famous beach in Florida. There are many very famous beaches in Florida after all there are 189 official beaches that make up over 825 miles of beautiful white sand beaches and unbelievably clear water. Hey, this is the Sunshine State.
I lived in South Florida for a very long time. I have boated, visited every beach and dined all over Miami and South Florida including the Keys and it was a wonderful way to spend life. I personally loath Miami Beach and South Beach. Television has made its alure a lot stronger then it can deliver. Parking is a nightmare and so is the local culture. It in no way can match any gulf coast beach or their sugar white sand. It probably is not among the 25 best beaches in Florida.
Key West is more for partying and deep sea fishing and scuba diving than beach going. Still there are some beaches and of course most of the water on the east and south sides of the Keys is very clear. Bahia Honda State Park has Sandspur Beach which is a public beach with white sands. It is not what I would call one of the best Florida Beaches but it is a family friendly beach in the Florida Keys sitting right off of the road just out of sight and lined with palm trees.
The very best beaches in Florida depends on a balance of what people are looking for. For those who want that wild party scene they will enjoy Fort Lauderdale Beach all of they way south to Miami Beach and South Beach. Let them have that area. Most of the state has the appropriate blend of everything from great places to eat, amusement for families and friends and great bars and nightlife. Don't worry there are some great ones nearby and you do not have to drive to Gulf Islands National Seashore to visit one.
Just up from Fort Lauderdale along A1A (scenic highway) you pass and endless array of beaches. Deerfield Beach, Hollywood Beach, Highland Beach, Delray Beach, Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach are all great places. You can even set up a beach volleyball set without fear of people overly complaining. West Palm Beach actually has it's own airport and is a great spring break location for still being a family friendly Florida beach.
Parking is manageable and not to expensive. Boca Raton is right in this mix so you know restaurants etcetera are always nearby or just a short walk away and Delray Beach is amazing and very affluent. Florida's east coast probably has around 300 miles of beaches for visitors, tourist sea turtles and even sea turtles struggling to make it to the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time.
Amelia Island State Park is just about as far north as you can go along Atlantic Coast and still be in Florida. The Ritz Carlton is there so you can figure this is an amazing and wealthy destination. If you are traveling from the northern states check it out.
Mind the beach you plan to visit and time of year as it get cold here and not all beaches area created equal but there are several parks and lots of nature trails. If you are starting your A1A journey down the Atlantic Coast then swing by George Island State Park just to the south it too has some amazing nature trails and on this side of A1A. St Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach are a little further south.
Florida's Treasure Coast is in Central Florida on the Atlantic Ocean and extends to St Lucie in South Florida. The theme parks are a little over an hour away from beaches like Cocoa Beach, Daytona beach, Vero Beach, Melbourne Beach and believe it or not, Orlando Beach which is just below Cocoa Beach.
Back on the Gulf Coast Beach at last. For some the best beaches in Florida are on a barrier island. Thankfully there is Bradenton Florida to the Fort Myers area and Marco Island. Marco Island is the southern tip of this string of barrier islands and the entire eastern side of Marco Island is beach. To the east and south, the Florida Everglades.
The West Coast of Florida is the place to let your beach chairs do the talking. Just don't get a white beach chair of you may never be able to find it. Places like Bowman's Beach are a great option. Bowman's Beach will allow your feet to point southward all day and beach access is very simple.
Tigertail Beach Park, Siesta Beach on Siesta Key and Crescent beach are all beautiful options. Siesta Key is working on becoming a world renowned hot spot. You will find Siesta Key minutes from Sarasota Florida.
Sanibel Island is another barrier Island and a stones throw from Cape Coral. Sanibel Island has a long continuous beach along the gulf waters and a lot of undeveloped land. Sanibel Island is famous for seashells, beach combers and of course that amazing white sand.
The best beaches in Florida period. Yes, I said it these two Florida beaches are the best beaches in Florida and for many reasons. You can use them year round, the towns around them are amazing and they are just about 2 hours away from the Theme Parks. All this area lacks is a high speed train station, but that would probably ruin it at the same time.
Clearwater Beach is about 20 minutes from Tampa International Airport. Clearwater Florida which is between the two has an airport but with fewer flights. The best fishing pier/ beach pier in Florida is here, the white sand beaches are incredible, there is Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a beachfront promenade, picnic tables and more all awaiting the more nuanced beach visitor. Nearby beaches are Crystal Beach to the north and to many to list between here and St Petersburg Beach.
Panama City Beach is spring break Mecca for many beach enthusiast. Between Panama City Beach and Pensacola Beach lies some of the best beaches in Florida and I would call them the best beaches if it did not get to cold to visit South Walton County year round. You are unlikely to find sand dollars here but any main beach park will have the white sand you are craving.
Some of those famous parks include June White Decker Park in Destin Florida, Miramar Beach (not in Miami !), Henderson Beach State Park, Navarre Beach Marine Park (more private), and my favorite Grayton Beach State Park which is close to Panama City Beach. You used to be able to drive down the beach at Grayton Beach State Park. Finally, Santa Rosa Beach, Santa Rosa Beach is something you will here mentioned online. However, Santa Rosa Beach is more of an area east of Destin.
Previous Article
Next Article