Beaches Near Tallahassee, Florida
Just a short drive from Florida's capital city, you’ll discover sandy shores, calm waters, and a perfect blend of relaxation and natural beauty, often in unique, underrated spots that feel wonderfully peaceful.
I think the best part is the variety: family-friendly beaches, quiet hidden coves, and scenic state parks. Picture lazy afternoons with sweeping Gulf views, opportunities for fishing and kayaking, and sunsets that set the water aglow. These are the details that make the beaches near Tallahassee truly special as I discovered during my four weeks there, and some of the best in Florida. Here are the ones I recommend, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Cape San Blas
Jutting out into the Gulf like a long, narrow arm, Cape San Blas is one of the most unspoiled stretches of Florida I’ve ever visited. I think it's one of the absolute best beaches near Tallahassee. Why? This peninsula offers miles of sugar-white sand, emerald-green waters, and a blissfully laid-back vibe far removed from Florida’s crowded resort towns.
We drove on the Forgotten Coast two hours southeast of Tallahassee and checked into 3-star Cape San Blas Inn for two nights. The first thing I noticed was that the beach was incredibly quiet which totally won me over!
Cape San Blas has a relaxed, old-Florida charm with beach shacks serving fresh Gulf seafood, and Cape San Blas Lighthouse.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~2.5 hours
- Map & Directions
My personal highlight was exploring T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park at the cape’s tip. Seeing the towering dunes was incredible. You can follow the hiking trails through coastal scrub, and end up on one of the most pristine beaches in the country!
2. Carrabelle Beach
Just east of Apalachicola along the Forgotten Coast (and one hour by car from Cape San Blas), I visited Carrabelle Beach, a quiet and welcoming stretch of sand that I absolutely adored. The beach is broad and flat, with soft white sand and shallow waters that make it perfect for families and anyone looking for a calm, easygoing beach day.
I think Carrabelle Beach is one of the best beaches near Tallahassee, Florida, 1 hour and 45 minutes by car. Why? What struck me most was the laid-back atmosphere without crowds, no high-rises, just a simple shoreline framed by dunes and pine trees. I spent the morning wading in the gentle surf, watching pelicans dive for fish, and enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the waves.
Right across the road is the Carrabelle Beach RV Resort, a convenient spot if you want to stay overnight just steps from the sand.
History buffs will also love that Carrabelle Beach was once used as a training ground for soldiers heading to Normandy during World War II.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~1.75 hours
- Cost: Free
- Map & Directions
A short drive away, visiting the town of Carrabelle was my personal highlight with a small marina, fishing charters, and seafood shacks serving freshly caught Gulf shrimp which was my highlight.
3. Panama City Beach
On the Florida Panhandle, I found one of the Gulf Coast’s most famous destinations, Panama City Beach (2.5 hours from Tallahassee). Known for its 27 miles of sugar-white sand and the striking emerald-green waters of the Gulf, it’s a place that offers a little of everything: lively beaches, family attractions, and natural escapes just minutes apart.
I stayed at 3-star Hyatt Place Panama City Beach for two nights. During the day, I swam in the warm Gulf waters, strolled the busy Pier Park boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants, and joined locals casting fishing lines from the Russell-Fields Pier, which extends 1,500 feet into the Gulf. All these diverse offerings are why I think Panama City Beach's one of the best beaches Near Tallahassee.
For a more natural escape, I explored St. Andrews State Park on the eastern edge of town. Its protected dunes, quiet hiking trails, and calm lagoon made it feel worlds away from the bustling strip. I also took a short boat ride out to Shell Island, a pristine, undeveloped barrier island where I found seashells scattered across miles of sand.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~2.5 hours
- Cost: Free access, paid parking lots
- Map & Directions
I could see dolphins playing offshore which was my personal highlight.
4. Dog Island - 2.5 hours from Tallahassee
If you have time for a side trip...off the coast of Carrabelle, I discovered Dog Island, one of the most remote and untouched barrier islands on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Accessible only by boat or small plane, it felt like stepping into another world—wild, secluded, and refreshingly undeveloped.
I took a small ferry across from Carrabelle, and the moment I stepped onto the shore, I was struck by the solitude. The beaches stretched for miles, covered in shells, driftwood, and dunes. Dog Island has no high-rises, no shops, and only a handful of private homes—it’s pure, raw nature that completely won me over.
Kayaking in the shallows revealed schools of fish and stingrays gliding below me. The island is also a vital stop for migratory birds.
At sunset, the sky transformed into a canvas of orange and violet, with nothing but the sound of waves and wind.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~1.75 hours to Carrabelle + boat/ferry
- Map & Directions
I think Dog Island is one of the best beaches near Tallahassee, Florida. Why? It was one of the most peaceful, unspoiled coastal experiences I’ve had in Florida.
5. Bald Point State Park
On a quiet peninsula where the Ochlockonee Bay meets Apalachee Bay, I found Bald Point State Park, one of the most peaceful and scenic corners of Florida’s Forgotten Coast. It’s a place of contrasts, salt marshes, tidal creeks, freshwater ponds, and Gulf-front beaches.
I arrived in the morning and started with a walk along the scenic boardwalks that wind through marshes, where I spotted herons and egrets stalking the shallows. We drove 1 hour and 15 minutes from Tallahassee, FL and checked into 4.5-star St. James Bay Golf & Pickleball Resort for three nights. Later, I wandered down to the beach, a long, sandy stretch that felt completely unspoiled, perfect for beachcombing and quiet reflection.
Bald Point is also famous for its wildlife. It’s a haven for bald eagles, ospreys, and even the occasional black bear.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~1.25 hours
- Map & Directions
My personal highlight was seeing thousands of monarch butterflies who stop here on their migration but you have to go in the fall to see it.
6. Grayton Beach State Park
Along Florida’s famed Scenic Highway 30A, I discovered Grayton Beach State Park, a place often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the United States, and I could see why. The drive took us 2.5 hours from Tallahassee. The sand here is unbelievably soft and white, the Gulf water a clear emerald-green, and the setting feels wild and pristine despite being so close to the lively communities of South Walton.
I stayed in one of the park’s rustic cabins nestled in the pine woods, just a short walk from the shoreline. My days started with a swim in the gentle Gulf waves and ended with sunsets that painted the horizon in pinks and golds. The mile-long beach felt wonderfully unspoiled, perfect for long barefoot walks and beachcombing.
But what makes Grayton Beach truly special are its rare coastal dune lakes, found in only a few places worldwide. I kayaked on Western Lake, where calm waters mirrored the cypress trees and I spotted herons wading along the edges.
The park also offers four miles of nature trails through pine flatwoods and scrub, giving me a chance to see deer and shorebirds in their natural habitat.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~2.5 hours
- Map & Directions
Just outside the park, the quirky village of Grayton Beach added even more charm—artsy shops, live music, and cozy cafés that embodied the laid-back spirit of 30A, my highlight.
7. Keaton Beach
On Florida’s Big Bend coastline, I found Keaton Beach, a quiet little community that perfectly embodies the charm of the “Forgotten Coast.” Unlike Florida’s polished resort towns, Keaton Beach has a salt-of-the-earth feel—simple, welcoming, and surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. We drove 1 hour and 45 minutes from Tallahassee and then I spent the day strolling along the small sandy beach. We checked into Steinhatchee River Inn and Marina for two nights.
Keaton is best known as a fishing and scalloping destination. I explored the marshes and tidal creeks by kayak, spotting herons and egrets gliding low over the water.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~2 hours
- Map & Directions
At sunset, the pier was the perfect place to be. Locals gathered with fishing poles, and I watched as the sky turned a spectacular blend of orange and violet over the Gulf—simple and unforgettable.
8. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
When I visit St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge 45 minutes from Tallahassee. it was hands down one of the wildest and most beautiful places I’ve visited along Florida’s Big Bend. That's why I think it's one of the best beaches near Tallahassee. Founded in 1931, it’s one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the country, and it protects an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and species.
I started my visit at the St. Marks Lighthouse, a historic beacon built in 1831 that still stands proudly at the edge of Apalachee Bay. From there, I explored the refuge’s scenic drives and trails.
The refuge is famous for birdwatching, especially during migrations. tens of thousands of ducks, geese, and raptors pass through in fall and spring.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~45 minutes
- Map & Directions
The solitude was incredible—it felt like Florida in its purest form.
9. St. George Island
Stretching for 28 miles along Florida’s “Forgotten Coast,” St. George Island felt like stepping into an untouched paradise. Unlike Florida’s busier beach towns, this barrier island is quiet, natural, and blissfully uncrowded. We drove 1 hour 35 minutes from our base ub Tallahassee and we stayed at St George Inn two nights.
The beaches here are soft and white, perfect for long barefoot walks, shelling, or simply lounging in the sun. One of the best experiences was exploring St. George Island State Park, located on the island’s eastern end. I hiked trails that led through dunes, marshes, and pine forests, spotting herons and osprey along the way.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~45 minutes
- Map & Directions
The park’s secluded beaches were breathtaking, stretching for miles without another person in sight.
10. Wakulla Beach
Tucked away in Wakulla County within the St. Marks National Wildlife Refug, Wakulla Beach felt like one of Florida’s last true secrets. I think it's one of the best beaches near Tallahassee, and one of the closest, just 40 minutes from the city. Unlike the wide, bustling Gulf beaches, this little shoreline is quiet, rustic, and wonderfully wild.
I drove down a winding, shaded road through the refuge, spotting deer and egrets along the way, until it suddenly opened to a small, sandy beach framed by marshes and coastal forest. The water here is shallow and calm, more suited for wading, kayaking, and wildlife viewing than for swimming. I thought this is a place for birdwatchers, photographers, and nature lovers.
There are no amenities, so you’ll want to pack a picnic and bring plenty of water. But that simplicity is exactly what makes Wakulla Beach so special: it’s Florida’s wild coast, untouched and serene.
- Drive time from Tallahassee: ~45 minutes
- Map & Directions
Conclusion
The beaches Near Tallahassee, Florida are some of the most unique in the world. You can drive just a couple of hours to access a completely different type of vibe. I've share the beaches that I've loved exploring and I hope that you find them great for you too.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
