13 of the Best Beaches in Florida
Siesta Key's white sand, Clearwater, South Beach, Cocoa Beach, the Dry Tortugas and quiet state parks – 13 of the best beaches in Florida, coast by coast.
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With more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of coastline, Florida has a beach for every mood – from wild, dune-backed state parks to glamorous city strands and powder-white Gulf sands. Here are 13 of the best, coast by coast.
Atlantic Coast
1. Ponte Vedra Beach
South of Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra is quiet and upmarket, with wide sandy beaches, golf courses and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas reserve nearby for wild dunes and birdlife.
Wide, quiet sand backed by dunes and sea oats, with pelicans flying low over the waves.
2. Cocoa Beach
On the Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is Florida's classic surf town. Watch a rocket launch from the beach, then visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, about half an hour north.
Surfers ride the Atlantic waves by the long wooden pier, and on launch days you can watch rockets rise from Cape Canaveral.
3. Vero Beach
Laid-back Vero Beach has soft sand, clear water and a pretty, low-rise oceanfront. Snorkel the reef at nearby Round Island or explore the shipwreck history of the Treasure Coast.
Calm, unspoilt beaches with clear water and a relaxed small-town atmosphere.
4. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
On a barrier island near Palm Beach, this state park protects nearly two miles (3 km) of unspoilt beach, a lagoon for kayaking and, in summer, nesting sea turtles.
A boardwalk crosses the lagoon to a wild beach where turtles nest in summer – peaceful and natural.
5. South Beach, Miami
Pastel Art Deco hotels, lifeguard towers in candy colours and a buzzing beach scene make South Beach one of the most famous strands in the world. Arrive early for a quiet swim.
Pastel lifeguard towers, Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive and a buzzing, glamorous crowd.
The Florida Keys
6. Fort Jefferson Beach, Dry Tortugas
Seventy miles west of Key West, the small beach beside Fort Jefferson has some of the clearest water in Florida, with coral and fish right off the shore. It's only reachable by ferry or seaplane.
White sand, turquoise water and the walls of a 19th-century fort in the middle of the sea.
The Panhandle
7. Panama City Beach
The "Emerald Coast" is named for its green-blue water and sugar-white quartz sand. St. Andrews State Park, at the east end, is the quieter, natural side of Panama City Beach.
Sugar-white sand and emerald water, with piers, beach bars and a lively atmosphere.
Gulf Coast
8. St. Pete Beach
A long, wide beach with calm water and a relaxed feel, St. Pete Beach is home to the pink Don CeSar hotel and has easy access to the museums of St. Petersburg.
Soft sand, calm water and the pink Don CeSar hotel rising like a castle by the beach.
9. Clearwater Beach
Clearwater regularly tops "best beach" lists for its soft white sand and gentle water. Stay for the sunset at Pier 60, where street performers and artists gather in the evening.
Dolphins in the bay, white sand and the nightly sunset festival at Pier 60.
10. Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key's sand is almost pure quartz – so fine and white it stays cool underfoot even in summer. The wide, shallow beach is perfect for families.
The quartz sand is so fine and white it squeaks and stays cool underfoot – one of the softest beaches in the world.
11. Blind Pass Beach, Sanibel and Captiva
Between Sanibel and Captiva islands, Blind Pass is one of the best places in the US to find seashells. Go at low tide, and remember that collecting live shells is not allowed.
Shell collectors bend over the sand in the 'Sanibel stoop', hunting for perfect shells washed up by the tide.
12. Naples Municipal Beach
Naples' long, peaceful beach is backed by beautiful homes and centred on the historic Naples Pier, a great spot for dolphin-watching and sunsets.
The long wooden pier, calm water and spectacular sunsets make this a favourite evening walk.
13. Lovers Key State Park
A boardwalk leads through mangroves to a quiet, shell-strewn beach. Kayak the backwaters to spot manatees, dolphins and wading birds.
Quiet beaches, manatees in the lagoons and kayaking through mangrove tunnels.
Beach safety tips
- Check the beach warning flags and swim near a lifeguard where possible.
- Rip currents are the biggest danger: if you're caught in one, swim parallel to the shore until you're out of it.
- Protect the reefs and turtles – use reef-safe sunscreen, fill in holes in the sand and keep lights off on the beach at night in nesting season.
Heading south? Add a few days in Key West, or explore the Everglades in our guide to the best national parks to visit in winter.
Heading further up the Atlantic coast? See our guide to the best happy hour spots on Hilton Head Island.
Frequently asked questions
Which coast of Florida has the best beaches?
The Gulf Coast is known for calm, warm water and powdery white sand, especially around Sarasota and Clearwater. The Atlantic coast has bigger waves, surfing and lively beach towns.
When is the best time for a Florida beach holiday?
March to May is warm and sunny with less rain. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, and June to November is hurricane season. Winter is mild in South Florida but can be cool for swimming further north.
What does the beach flag system mean?
Green means low hazard, yellow means medium hazard and red means high hazard; a double red flag means the water is closed to the public. Purple warns of dangerous marine life such as jellyfish.
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