Beaches in Florida

1. Key Biscayne

A trip across the Rickenbacker Causeway across the beautiful Key Biscayne is an adventure in itself, but after a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Miami, you will find yourself in true Florida in a tiny island town between two wonderful parks – Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and Crandon Park.

Palm tree-lined streets, quaint shops, galleries, restaurants, and, of course, some of the best beaches in Florida make Key Biscayne a lovely escape destination. Go for a swim or rent a kayak at Bill Baggs Park, visit the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, go swim with dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium, play golf at the renowned Crandon Golf Course, or watch turtle eggs hatch at the two-mile long Crandon Park beach.

2. Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is home to an amazing 23 miles of dazzling soft sand beaches which offer perfect conditions for all kinds of fun under the sun.

In addition, Daytona Beach also offers a range of non-beach attractions for young and old to enjoy, including trips to the Marine Science Center, chartered fishing and sightseeing boat tours, parasailing, surfing, paddling and so much more.

When you need a break from the sun you can visit the lighthouse, enjoy hiking, golfing, go-karting or a day at the races.

3. Mexico Beach, Florida

Mexico Beach is one of the best Florida beach towns where time has stopped. Just 20 minutes from Panama City Beach, you will find no fancy resorts or enormous condo buildings blocking the spectacular view of the ocean.

Just miles and miles of fine sand, emerald waters and quaint seaside restaurants and shops where you can go barefoot like everyone else.

Mexico Beach is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. It is the perfect place to try scuba diving, go for a boat ride, watch thousands of birds or try to catch some fish.

There is also a spectacular sunset every day, so find a comfortable chair with a colorful drink in your hand and wait for the famous green flash.

If you are looking for nice beaches in Florida for families, this is a great vacation spot.

4. Naples

Naples is known for its fantastic golf and high end shopping. Located in southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, Naples is a perfect family vacation destination.

The city has miles of powder-fine golden sand beaches and many wonderful parks where kids can spend hours building sand castles, swimming, or playing ball.

This area is home to some of the best Florida beaches. Take a free tram through the lush mangroves to the Clam Pass Park, go for a stroll along historic Naples Pier built in 1888 to watch the playful dolphins or try your hand at fishing, visit lovely old downtown with all the galleries and shops, or pick a colorful bayside café for a bite to eat. Kids would love an airboat ride through the Florida Everglades with so many birds and the occasional elusive alligator.

5. Cedar Key

Cedar Key is located on one of enchanting little islands about three miles off the Florida coast about 100 miles north of Tampa and fifty miles southwest of Gainesville. Laid back and charming, many of them are uninhabited and make for a fabulous kayak destination where you can spend a day on the deserted beach.

The biggest town is Cedar Key located on Way Key. It is a place artists discovered and have taken over, and you should consider visiting in April when 120 artists come for the annual festival.

The Cedar Keys were declared a bird and wildlife sanctuary in 1929, and the park there is named the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge.

You can see rare white pelicans, majestic bald eagles, and vibrantly pink roseate spoonbills, along with many other birds that make the islands their home. Cedar Key is a beach lover’s paradise, and it is difficult to decide which of the beaches you will discover is the most beautiful. Beachcombing, hiking, fishing, boating, or canoeing are among the favorite activities. You can also do nothing but sit on the beach with your camera and wait for that perfect shot.

6. St. Petersburg

Located between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Petersburg is the city where it never rains. In fact, the city holds the world record of 768 days of sunny days in a row. No wonder all the beautiful city beaches are lined up with sun worshippers and kids playing in sand and splashing in the shallow waters. For a change in scenery, visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium, fun Fort De Soto Park, or South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium, take them fishing at the Skyway Fishing Pier park, and if you manage, convince them to visit world-famous Salvador Dali Museum and spectacular glass creations by Chihuly on Beach Drive.

For food, the best place is the enormous 20,000 square foot Locale Market, a true foodie heaven.

7. Destin Beach, Florida

Located on the Emerald Coast in northwest Florida in the Gulf of Mexico, Destin is home to some of the best white sand beaches in Florida, bright green waters, and fabulous fishing.

Waters are so rich in fish that the town is named the "world’s luckiest fishing village." Kids will be delighted with a visit to the Big Kahunas Water and Adventure Park, a snorkeling trip, or a dolphin cruise. They might even convince you to let them try parasailing. There is great golfing (this is Florida, after all) and the freshest seafood in some very nice restaurants. If you are planning a family vacation in Florida on a budget, there are many different types of accommodation options in Destin Beach.

8. Fort Myers

Located on sunny Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Fort Myers is a popular tourist destination for its long golden beaches, fabulous fishing, high-end shopping, and as much action as you can stand. Doing nothing under an umbrella on one of the county's pristine beaches is fine too, if the kids let you. If they do not, take them paddling on Hickey Creek, exploring barrier islands with an Adventures in Paradise boat tour, looking for alligators and panthers in Telegraph Cypress Swamp and Babcock Ranch, or getting to know a different side of Florida at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

9. Islamorada, Florida

While visiting one of the four islands that make Islamorada in the Florida Keys, it is very likely that you will spend most of your time under, on, or by the water. Fishing is the major pastime for tourists and a source of jobs for locals. In fact, Islamorada is best known as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World."

You can spend time in or on the water by snorkeling, diving, parasailing, kayaking, windsurfing, boat racing, and even feeding an enormous silver tarpon.

Ernest Hemingway did it, and so did Zane Grey, so feel free to indulge – you will be in a good company. If you or the family gets tired of action, stretch out on the beach and enjoy a tropical colorful drink while watching another magnificent sunset.

10. Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a large, modern city in northeast Florida, a business and cultural center of the region. But, there is another reason to visit Jacksonville: its other, more natural side. Jacksonville has 22 miles of fine sandy beaches that are never crowded where you can laze the day away or engage in any of the water activities.

You can take the kids to the Shipwreck Island Waterpark, say hello to giraffes at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens or Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, visit the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve and hike through 46,000 acres of salt marshes, coastal wetlands, and hardwood forests. History buffs should not miss a visit to historic Fort George Island.