The 5 Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida

Discover The Florida Beaches!

Sure, you can splurge on a bunch of plane tickets and fly to Cancun. But the reality is that you can find some of the world’s most beautiful beaches right here in our own backyard!

Thanks to Florida’s miles and miles of coastline, beaches with soft sand and crystal clear water are just a short flight away. Or even a drive, depending on where you live.

But with all that shoreline, finding the state’s best sands requires some research, and that’s where we come in!

To help, we’ve dug up some of our favorite Florida hot spots, from sprawling family-friendly stretches to tiny islands with intimate shore nooks, so you can make digging your toes into that beautiful white sand a reality. Here are 5 of the best beaches in Florida!

…Get ready to grab your sunscreen, ditch your sandals and discover some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.

Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island

Crystal-clear waters and white sand covered in seashells. These are the things that Bowman’s Beach in Sanibel Island is recognized for. The shore is cradled in a secluded area, which means it guarantees a peaceful and fantastic seaside experience.

And while it’s isolated, you can find everything you need here, from well-maintained bathrooms to facilities and picnic areas. If you’re tired of swimming, go on the hunt for some elusive, perfectly shaped shells that can remind you of Bowman’s Beach when you get home.

Seashell collectors have long flocked to this stunning island that’s southwest of Fort Myers. Seashells from the Gulf of Mexico wash ashore here, attracting collectors from all around the world.

Spend your cool mornings curating your perfect stash of shells on Bowman’s Beach before laying down a towel and doing some people-watching under the warm sun.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West

If you’re searching for sunny days and calm waters, it doesn’t get much warmer than the shores of the state’s southernmost point: Key West.

You can pass your time here at Smathers or Higgs Beach, but it’s hard to beat Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park for calm waters and vast stretches of sand.

Spend your afternoon swimming and snorkeling before taking a break to check out the park’s pre-Civil War fortress. If you can’t sit still, you’ll find nature trails and water sport rentals nearby, including a glass-bottom boat.

Approximately a half-mile long, the largest public beachfront in Florida’s Key West is Smathers Beach. The island’s south side is very much worth your time, thanks to its beauty.

Smathers Beach is the perfect location for getting a tan, and it encourages activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. It features fine sands, crystal clear water, and a friendly atmosphere.

Cocoa Beach, Brevard County

Cocoa Beach is famous for its pristine shores, clear waters, surf breaks, and much more on Florida’s Space Coast. This is one of Florida’s most sought-after seaside destinations if you want to experience a real water adventure.

Take a breather from the hustle and bustle and enjoy parasailing or even casino cruises. Or maybe, kayaking and playing with dolphins are more your thing. And if you’re a fishing aficionado, why not join a Cocoa Beach Fishing Tour?

With all these, it’s no wonder Cocoa Beach is so famous. Long known as the surf capital of the East Coast, this area has delivered several big-name surfers, including Kelly Slater, the 11-time world surf champion.

With a local, laid-back feel and lots of surf schools, you’ll be up on that board in no time. Not a surfer? Chill out at one of the shore’s waterfront bars or watch surfers from the fishing pier.

Lowdermilk Park, Naples

Naples Beach is unique because of its white sands, turquoise water, a serene atmosphere, and sunsets on the fishing pier. Situated in the Gulf of Mexico in Southern Florida, this shore is perfect for trying fantastic fishing excursions.

The coast is 7 miles long and offers plenty of amenities, from excellent outdoor restaurants to nearby golf courses and more. Naples is famous for its pearly white sand, a feature you’ll find plenty of at Lowdermilk Park.

You can focus on nature, particularly the shore’s rolling waves and sandy shores, or walk along Millionaires’ Row in the Old Naples area and pick out your dream house.

Crandon Park Beach, Key Biscayne

If you’ve packed your snorkel gear, you wouldn’t want to miss a day at Crandon Park Beach. This is a barrier island that’s across from Miami, and it has a fossilized mangrove reef, which is home to colorful sea life that has been long attracting many divers and snorkelers.

If visiting an underwater world isn’t an interest to you, just look up! —Crandon Park is one of the Miami area’s top bird-watching destinations. Herons, ospreys, hawks, and songbirds are frequently spotted here.

And if you want to learn more about them, swing by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center at the park’s northern end.

While the Sunshine State obviously has many more shorelines to explore, we tried to stick to a few of the lesser-known ones. Be sure to let us know if you live in the area and know of some more beautiful beaches, so we can include them next time!

And if you DO decide to check out one of these stunning destinations, don’t forget to pack your camera!

In the meantime, we’ve got LOTS more for you to explore! Check out: 5 Best Low-Budget Beach Vacations in the US