Florida is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, but with so many to choose between, where is best to go?
Whether you are young and looking to party, planning a trip with kids, want to get off the beaten track, enjoy water sports or get away from the tourist crowds, there are beaches for everyone in Florida.
Each beach is unique and special in its own way, and you can be sure to find one perfect for you.
Here is my selection of the top rated beaches to go in Florida.
Best Sand – Fort Walton Beach
The sand on Fort Walton Beach in the Panhandle is white as snow, cool to the touch and just soft enough to walk on forever. It’s also a classic resort style beach town making it the perfect getaway for romance. Fort Walton Beach features a Boardwalk and Pier with nightclubs and unique beachfront dining that make it a popular vacation destination.
Best Fun Beach – Smathers Beach, Key West
Smathers Beach In Key West FL Looking for fun? Smathers Beach in Key West is the place. Not only can you rent personal watercraft and catamaran sail boats, it’s location offers a waveless beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling conditions. Its also an international gathering place for beautiful bodies looking to see and be seen.
Best Family Beach – Siesta Key
Siesta Key almost won Best Sand Beach and some people may argue the point, however it’s hard to dispute Siesta Key as a great family beach. Easy parking, lifeguards, a playground, volleyball and tennis. The best feature is still the soft white sand made of quartz that doesn’t burn your feet and the wide beaches. There is also a large variety of sea birds to keep you entertained.
Best Sunset – Clearwater Beach
Like Mallory Square, the Sunset at Pier 60 is a nightly celebration that takes place on Clearwater Beach and is simply a time when the city pauses to watch the spectacular display as the sun goes down. Clearwater is perfect for couples as well as families with plenty of water activities.
Best Surfing Beach – Sebastian Inlet
Sebastian Inlet is home to the best surfing on the East Coast and the Sebastian Inlet Pro surfing contest, the largest annual tournament on the Atlantic Seaboard. In addition to surfing, Sebastian Inlet State Park is also home to some of the best snook fishing in Florida.
With two fishing jetties, a tidal pool and camping, Sebastian Inlet is one of the most popular State Parks in Florida. The Sebastian Fishing Museum, The McLarty Treasure Museum, a boat ramp, the mile-long Hammock Trail, picnic areas, a restaurant and wildlife viewing opportunities just add the available activities.
Sebastian Inlet State Park near Melbourne, Florida has so many things to do it sometimes it’s hard to decide, luckily the park offers more than you can do in one day.
Best Shelling Beach – Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a beautiful little place located on the west coast of Florida, near Fort Myers. Sanibel is actually made up of two Islands, Captiva and Sanibel.
These two islands are the perfect place for either a romantic or family vacation. Shelling is what Sanibel Island is especially known for because of all the wonderful shells that wash up on shore there.
Sanibel Island is unique because it runs east to west, which is different from most islands which run north to south; this positioning allows it to catch the many different kinds of sea shells that the Gulf of Mexico moves to its beaches.
Best Beach in the Florida Keys – Bahia Honda Key
Bahia Honda has several beautiful white sand beaches. Calusa, the smallest beach, is located on the northwest side of the island.
On the south side is Loggerhead, the shallowest beach, with a large sand bar just a few feet offshore. Sandspur, the largest beach, is located on the southeast end of the island.
There are three pavilions here, with barbecue grills available to rent for parties and several areas for picnicking if you’re just passing through the park.
Most Romantic Beach – Lovers Key
Lovers Key is a pristine barrier island and a state park, which gives it solitary beaches and long nature trails. For years the only way to get there was by boat, which kept it remote and a great place to steal away and spend some time with your significant other. It hasn’t been developed, so there are still a lot of secluded romantic places to relax and unwind, for just the two of you.
Best Beach to Drive on – Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is one of the only beaches in Florida you can drive on. It’s also popular for bikers during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. To the south is Ponce Inlet and Ponce Lighthouse making this one of Florida’s most popular beaches.
Best Beaches to Watch a Space Shuttle Launch – Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach Pier Florida’s Space Coast is home to Cocoa Beach made famous by Major Nelson and Jeanie during the early days of the US Space Program. Being close to Cape Canaveral makes Cocoa Beach one of the best beaches to see Space Shuttle and Rocket Launches.
Best Party Beach – Panama City Beach
There is no other place like Panama City Beach for party people. The beach that MTV made famous attracts Spring Break crowds with popular party spots like Club LaVela and Coyote Ugly Saloon. But it’s not just the younger crowd in Panama City Beach that likes to have a good time, Golf Digest ranked Panama City Beach the third best golf city in America.
Florida’s Longest Beach – Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral National Seashore is a 58,000 acre park located on a barrier island you can access through New Smyrna Beach to the north and through Titusville to the south. The Canaveral National Seashore is a habitat for 14 different species of federally-listed threatened or endangered animals; it is the second largest number in the entire National Park Service.
Best Topless Beach – Lummus Beach, South Beach Miami
Lummus Beach In South Beach Miami South Beach Miami is an international destination where the desire to see and be seen has a European flare. Topless sunbathing is common along Lummus Beach, known as Glitter Beach to locals. Lummus Park and the adjacent Lummus Beach stretch from 6th street to 14th street.
