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Let’s start with the big picture. Planning a trip to Florida? Here are the best beaches where you should spend the week (or the month) on the beach with your toes in the sand and a cold one close by in Florida. Because there are so many beach towns available, some are small towns while others have a bit more activity. Furthermore, some towns are on the Gulf Coast while others are situated on the Atlantic. You might even get access to a state park or two along the way!
From the Florida Keys to the High-Rise buildings in Miami, there are plenty of options from which to choose. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the best beach towns with some amazing sandy beaches in the Sunshine State!
Tampa Bay
If you’re looking for a beach vacation with a little more activity involved, Tampa Bay is the place to be. Home to white-sand beaches, calm rivers for kayaking and unique wildlife, and a bustling city full of amazing restaurants and great shopping – the city has something for everyone. Choose to visit one of the craft breweries that have been popping up all over the city, get in a round of golf, or visit an aquarium or zoo with the family – and spend some time splashing in the ocean as well! The biggest of our beach destinations in this post is definitely one to visit and experience for yourself. You can stay at a beach resort year-round, and you have access to snorkeling opportunities! Check out the plethora of amazing rentals available – you’ll be sure to find one perfect for your dream stay.
Bonita Springs
For a quieter beach community just north of Naples, Bonita Springs is an outdoor enthusiast’s wonderland. With white sand beaches, amazing golfing, and a nature conservation area close by, it’s the perfect coastal town to relax, explore, and enjoy the Southern Florida charm. Dine on fresh from the dock seafood and take boat tours on the Gulf of Mexico. You have plenty of options for your favorite beach park, and this is one of the top hidden gems available! Sounds like paradise to us! Be sure to keep your eyes open for the local wildlife refuge as well!
Naples
If you’re looking for an ‘elevated’ beach holiday, Naples is the place to visit. Famous for its excellent shopping areas and world-class dining, Naples is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of crisp white or a creamy coffee looking over the water. Browse local boutiques or high-end big-name shops, visit beach-side bars and wine lounges, and of course, spend days on the white-sand beaches (it is Florida, after all). You can even go swimming with the manatees and enjoy some delicious ice cream! For all of these reasons, it is easy to see why this is one of the best beaches in Southwest Florida.
Cape Coral
For another bigger beach destination, Cape Coral is a gorgeous choice to spend your vacation. This Gulf Coast holiday spot is a favorite for families. You can take your children to have fun on the beach or watch golf in one of the many golf courses. The amazing water parks also make for great family activities. Perfect for nature lovers, the oceanfront here is unparalleled, and you should keep your eyes open for sea turtles when you go scuba diving or snorkeling! People from various all over the world travel to this area every year to enjoy their holiday, for good reason. There are also a ton of vacation rentals with enough space to fit families (and extended families) big and small for a dream vacation. This is one of the top small beach towns available.
Destin
When it comes to beach vacation destinations in Florida, Destin is the cream of the crop. With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, world-class fishing (home of the ‘World’s Luckiest Fishing Village’), unique dining destinations, and several challenging golf courses – there’s something for everyone in this little piece of paradise. With vacation rentals in Destin being both common and gorgeous, it’s easy to see why this is the top-searched and booked vacation spot on our sites.
Sanibel Island
Another beautiful location you have to check out is Sanibel Island. It is difficult to find a spot in Florida that is quieter than this beautiful beach. Therefore, if you are looking for a quiet place to relax that keeps you away from the party that you might find in Miami and Jacksonville, this is the place to go.
There are plenty of fun activities to do on this quiet beach, but one of the most popular activities is called shelling. During this activity, you’ll collect colorful shelves along the sand and turn them into a beautiful arts and crafts project later. If you really want to find the best shells available, you may want to check out Blind Pass Beach or Bowman’s Beach. Of course, you should also swing by Lighthouse Beach Park, which is one of the best places to go fishing while enjoying a bit of history. If you are looking for a quiet beach town for your next vacation, check out Sanibel Island.
St. Petersburg, FL
There is no way around it. St. Pete is called the Sunshine City for a reason. If you are looking for a beautiful place to relax, you will certainly find it in St Petersburg. There are shorelines that appear to go on for miles, so you can find plenty of opportunities to escape the crowd and relax during your next beach vacation.
If you are looking for a beach city that has a bit more of an urban feel, you can find it in St. Petersburg as well. There is a massive urban cityscape that is perfect for those who want to go to the beach without totally disconnecting from the rest of the world. In addition, the city is aptly named. It has the record for the most consecutive days of sunny skies.
Of course, there are plenty of fun activities you can try as well. You may want to check out Shell Key Preserve, which gives you the opportunity to sunbathe while collecting from shells and mingling with some of the local wildlife. You might want to try kiteboarding, parasailing, or windsurfing as well. There is always something fun going on at Pass-a-grille beach, so be sure to check out St. Pete during your next trip.
Marco Island
Marco Island is situated close to Naples, Florida. It is known for its amazing nature opportunities. There are plenty of high-end resorts available, but you’ll also find habitats that are untouched by man. This is one of the most popular locations for those who love to go boating. You will also find some delicious, fresh seafood available at some of the local restaurants.
Even though there are plenty of reasons to visit Marco Island, its pristine beaches are certainly at the top of the list. For example, you may want to check out South Marco Beach if you are looking for some of the best condos and resorts available. There are plenty of sunbathing and swimming opportunities. You may also want to check out Tigertail Beach Park, which is ideal for those who are looking for seashells, kayaks, and long walks. There are plenty of opportunities available on Marco Island, and you can get to it easily from either of the two bridges that connect Marco Island to the mainland.
Clearwater Beach
The next place on the list is called Clearwater Beach. It is known for its relatively calm waters and white sand. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there are people who come to Clearwater from all over the country. If you want to check out some shops and restaurants, you may want to swing by the boardwalk. If you want a bit more physical activity, you can go biking or rollerblading along the Beach Walk promenade. You can also play a bit of beach volleyball! Then, you can go swimming in the warm ocean or lounge on the sand.
There is plenty to do in the evening as well. You can venture out to the pier to watch the sunset or take in some of the evening entertainment. There are lots of people who enjoy fishing at night because there are plenty of lights available as well. There are plenty of amazing accommodations at Clearwater Beach as well, so be sure to take a look at all the options you have available. This is one of the most popular locations in Florida for those looking for a beach vacation.
Siesta Key
Located just off the coast of Sarasota, the island of Siesta Key is popular among people of all ages. Even though you might have seen it on MTV, it is often overlooked among those looking for a beach vacation in Florida. Regardless, the beach has eight miles of blue water, white quartz sand, and plenty of dining opportunities. There is also lots of nighttime entertainment that takes place in this beautiful location as well. It is a barrier island that is frequently ranked as one of the best beaches in the country.
There are plenty of individual beaches you can check out. For example, you may want to visit Crescent Beach, which is known for its beautiful scenery and white sand. You may also want to swing by Turtle Beach, which is known for its miles of endless walking along with easy parking locations. If you want to get the most out of your next trip to a Florida beach, you may want to consider swinging by Siesta Key.
Amelia Island
If you are looking for a relaxing beach that has a lot of history, then you may want to check out Amelia Island. It is about a half-hour north of Jacksonville, and it is actually a chain of 13 separate beaches. It includes Amelia Island State Park, which has lots of horseback riding opportunities. If you are looking for picnic tables, the skate park, and volleyball courts, then you’ll want to check out Main Beach Park.
If you are ready to take a break from the beach, you should take a look at one of the golf courses. There are plenty of beautiful golf courses, but some of them feature plenty of shade thanks to plenty of Spanish moss in the area. It is easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with Amelia Island. It is very easy to get to, has plenty of activities available, and allows you to customize your vacation to meet your needs. There are plenty of beautiful accommodations as well, so take a look at some of the vacation rentals in the region.
Islamorada
If you find yourself passing through the Florida Keys on your way to Key West, then you’ll certainly want to check out Islamorada. This beautiful location is shortly before Marathon but after Key Largo. It is actually a chain of 6 islands, and it is a paradise that is known for its amazing fishing opportunities. There are plenty of saltwater fishing competitions, and there are opportunities to go fly fishing as well. At the same time, if you are simply looking for a quiet beach, you’ll certainly be happy here.
For example, you might be looking for Holiday Isle Beach, which offers a wide variety of amenities, including bars and hotels. You might also be interested in Anne’s Beach, which is a relatively quiet area that is ideal for dogs, children, and elderly individuals. This is a quiet location that has something for everyone. There are plenty of amazing opportunities at this beach, so be sure to add this to your list.
Fort Lauderdale
There are plenty of large beach cities as well. Fort Lauderdale is a relatively large city with a small-town feel. Therefore, this could be a great opportunity for you to enjoy some amazing activities on your next beach getaway. This is an easy city to get to, and there are plenty of opportunities available. With enormous swimming pools, there are plenty of options if you want to rinse off after a long day on the beach. At the same time, Fort Lauderdale is also known for its beaches that appear to stretch on for miles. You might find some open water swim meets, volleyball courts, and even beach soccer taking place. It is easy to see why this is one of the most popular cities in the region.
When you are done for the day, there are plenty of shops and restaurants to explore. There are beautiful hotels in the area as well, and you might be able to find some private Airbnb or vacation rentals available. Do not miss out on the opportunity to explore Fort Lauderdale.
Take Advantage of Everything the Sunshine State Has To Offer
These are just a few of the many amazing beach towns that are available in Florida. Regardless of whether you are looking to stay on the Atlantic, the Panhandle, or further down the Gulf Coast, there are plenty of opportunities available. There is always something fun going on, so make sure you plan ahead, regardless of whether you are venturing along the causeway or looking to stay beachside.
Furthermore, take a look at some of the accommodations that are available seaside. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can customize your stay to meet your needs. If you are looking for a condo, you should be able to find one. If you want to stay in a hotel, you can find plenty of luxurious suites available with awesome cafes nearby. Reach out to professionals who know where to find the best accommodations during your next Florida beach town vacation.
