The Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation

USA’s sunshine state is known for its warm weather, delicious seafood, and beautiful beaches. Whether you want to party or have a relaxing and tranquil retreat, there’s a Florida beach for every kind of vacation vibe you're going for.

With 825 miles of shoreline, Florida’s beaches are famous for their white sand, crystal-clear waters, and lush green vegetation, making it an ultra popular vacation destination.

Parts of Florida are comparable to luxurious tropical island destination such as Fiji and the Maldives. But being that all of Florida is US territory, you can avoid passport hassles and long-haul flights. While it may feel like you’re far away in an exotic destination, you’re still safe and comfortable in our homeland America.

Best Friends Girls Trip in Florida

My bestie Casandra and I traveled to Florida for a relaxing girls trip. In preparation for this vacation, I did plenty of research on where would be the best place to go. We really wanted that quintessential beach vacation with turquoise colored waters where you could actually swim in the ocean. While doing my research, I put together this guide to over 18 amazing beaches in Florida.

Our Trip to Miami Beach

After all of our research, we ultimately decided to stay in Miami Beach. It was close to the airport, has white sandy beaches, clear swimming water, and plenty of great food options. There’s also plenty to do when you need a break from the sun and want to spend a little time indoors.

Best hotels next to the beach in Miami Beach:

Over 18 Stunning Beaches in Florida to Visit While on Vacation

Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation - Clearwater Beach — Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, Florida

Located northwest of Tampa, Clearwater Beach, Florida, is one of the most picturesque beaches in the state. The destination is filled with fine sand, beautiful boardwalks, quirky shacks, and vibrant beach festivals almost every night. The gulf presents various activities for adults and kids, such as jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and paddle boating.

This beach also has Pier 60 and Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a few of the most visited attractions in the Clearwater area.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is a 100-square-mile park with open waters and seven small islands with coral reefs and sand, hence the name Dry Tortuga. This national park caters to different people and offers both history and nature.

Some activities include birdwatching, snorkeling, diving, and camping. One of the crown jewels of this national park is the historic Fort Jefferson, which was once used as a prison during the civil war.

Siesta Key Beach

Located in the gulf coast city of Sarasota, Siesta Key Beach is one of Florida’s pristine beaches with sparkling white sand made of pure quartz crystals. This aquamarine beach is known for snorkeling, dolphin watching, charter fishing, parasailing, and jet-skiing.

Some other attractions in Siesta Key include the Sunset pier, Siesta Farmer’s market, and Siesta Key Village, which offers fantastic cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island, an island famous for over 250 different kinds of shells, is considered the prettiest beach in the sunshine state, along with Clearwater, Panama City, and Cocoa Beaches.

Located about 30 miles from Fort Meyers, Sanibel is one of the few barrier islands in the world with an east-west orientation in contrast to the usual north-south.

Sanibel and its neighboring sister, Captive island, have calm waters, making it a small paradise for families.

Pensacola Beach

Glimmering sugar-white sands and clear waters welcome visitors to Pensacola Beach. Located on the Gulf Coast barrier island in Santo Rosa, this beach offers a relaxing, sunny, and fulfilling experience no matter what the season is.

The main activities here include the boardwalk, bay, and dolphin cruises. Pensacola Beach boardwalk has wine, dining, shop, live music, and sunbathing. Additionally, the Fishing Pier and Observation Post extends 1,471 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, catering to fantastic views.

Hollywood Beach

Hollywood, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, has a beautiful mix of old Floridian and modern architecture. The most iconic experience here is the 2.5 miles’ long Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, which offers a fun ocean-side experience with cafes, distinctive shops, and restaurants. This brick-paved Broadwalk is also ideal for strolling, biking, and jogging.

Some of the beach activities include deep-sea fishing and surfing. Hollywood Beach has a dog beach and is among the best beaches for families in the sunshine state.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Located near the southern tip of Key West, Florida, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, also known as Fort Taylor, is a national historic landmark related to the civil war era. This historic state park sits by a beach famous for sunset views.

Apart from providing deep historical insights, this park offers fun activities like snorkeling, picnicking, fishing, birdwatching, and swimming.

Ranked as the favorite beach in Key West with stunning views, this place offers many short trails, cafes, and souvenirs.

Anna Maria Island

This seven-mile stretch barrier island is located on the western coast of Florida, with Fort Myers to the south, Tampa to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico on the remaining sides. Anna Maria Island has alluring white-sand beaches and fantastic sunset views.

This scenic destination has many waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood. It consists of three towns: Anna Maria to the north, Holmes Beach in the middle, and Bradenton Beach to the south. Some fun-to-do activities include zip-lining, biking, paddling, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, and many more.

Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation - Fort Walton Beach — Fort Walton Beach

Santa Rosa Beach and Grayton Beach State Park

Located along the 26-mile stretch of the North-west emerald coast of the sunshine state, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, is a part of numerous South Walton County’s beach neighborhoods. This picturesque destination offers luxurious beach houses, lavish dining, breweries, theaters, galleries, and a unique underwater museum of art.

Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach is one of the top tourist destinations in the county that offers much more than a beach. Western Lake in the state park provides fun activities like hiking. You’re free to explore the coastal forest of magnolias and scrub oaks, along with fishing, camping, and paddling.

South Beach

Nicknamed “SoBe,” South Beach is located east of Miami between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Miami Beach has been featured in many Hollywood movies, making it a top-rated tourist destination in Florida and attracting the rich and famous.

South Beach has more than renowned nightlife and restaurants; you can also indulge in boutique hotels, resorts, museums, and shopping. The best way to explore is by foot, bike, or a funky pair of skates.

Caladesi Island State Park

Located off Florida’s Gulf Coast, near Clearwater, and west of Dunedin, this state park is accessible by a short ferry ride from Honeymoon Island. Caladesi Island State Park is the best-kept secret of the Tampa Bay Area, with dunes, palm trees, shore birds, sea turtles, and a cozy coastal breeze.

Sand dollars, scallops, and gopher tortoises can be found on the beaches of this island state park. Some fun activities include fishing, picnicking, kayaking among mangrove trees, and nature walks.

Honeymoon Island State Park

A charming escape from city life, Honeymoon Island State Park is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico in Dunedin. This place has four miles of preserved white sand, tranquil waters, cafes, and kiosks to rent bikes, kayaks, umbrellas, and beach chairs.

This state park offers nature trails to explore pine forests and abundant bird life, as well as armadillos, sea turtles, and gopher tortoises. A hurricane in 1920 split the island into Honeymoon and Caladesi islands giving more privacy and blue water views.

Bahia Honda State Park

The scenic Florida Keys Bahia Honda State Park offers the state's best snorkeling and beachcombing experience. This state park is a perfect place for watching shore and wading birds.

Visitors can enjoy camping and cabin experiences with water activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The park has two nature trails, ideal for hiking and spotting several butterfly species.

Key Biscayne

A short drive from bustling Miami, between two small parks, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and Crandon Park, Key Biscayne offers a true Florida experience. This tiny island has palm trees lined up along the streets with bike paths, charming restaurants, cafes, galleries, and shops.

The Barrier islands at Cape Florida lies a 19th-century lighthouse, which is one of the most photographed sites to see. Watching turtle eggs hatch on the 2-mile-long Crandon Park beach is also one of Key Biscayne’s unique experiences.

Amelia Island

Perfect for catching sunrise and sunset, Amelia Island is located by Jacksonville on the east coast of Florida. This Island is one of the state’s oldest tourist destinations with incredible beaches, marshes, and maritime forests to explore on bikes, kayaks, or boats.

Amelia Island is a splendid holiday retreat at every price set against a backdrop of magnificent natural beauty.

Panama City Beach

Situated along the Gulf of Mexico in the northwestern state of Florida, the 8-mile-long Panama City Beach has soft sand and a beautiful pier to catch a glimpse of the sunset. These waters are popular with scuba divers and anglers who enjoy artificial coral reefs.

Some water activities here include snorkeling, stand-up boarding, and surfing. The beach park even has walking trails, small lakes, and an amphitheater.

Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation - Apalachicola, Florida — Apalachicola, Florida

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park

St. George Island State Park is a Florida state park located on the Gulf Coast of barrier islands, four miles offshore between the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay. The state park is best known for its private beaches and fantastic seafood.

Some of the best-loved activities here include kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The trails in this state park offer the best camping experience in the pine forests and coastal scrubs.

Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park has a fantastic shoreline of white dunes, a warm gulf breeze, and great waters. This beach state park is known for its sugar-white sand of sterling Appalachian quartz, which remains nice and cool during summer.

This state park preserves Destin, Florida's last remaining coastal scrub area. It also offers fun activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, windsurfing, and sunbathing.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is popular and known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. If you enjoy spending vacation time on the beach, Fort Lauderdale has miles of stunning coastline and plenty of water activities to keep you entertained, such as swimming, paddleboarding, and jet skiing. The city also offers a variety of other attractions, such as museums, parks, and shopping areas.

Additionally, Fort Lauderdale is home to a thriving nightlife scene, with numerous bars, nightclubs, and live music venues to choose from. This makes it an excellent destination for those looking to have some fun after dark.

Overall, if you're looking for a sunny vacation spot with beautiful beaches and a lively atmosphere, Fort Lauderdale can be a great choice. However, if you prefer a quieter, more laid-back vacation, it may not be the best fit for you.