Beyond the incredibly gorgeous sunsets, Gulf Coast beaches provide great fishing, picturesque nature trails, clear waters, and soft sand. From Dry Tortugas to the crook of Northwest Florida, the calm Gulf Coast waters attract all kinds of visitors, including scuba divers, snorkelers, spring breakers, shell hunters, and sunbathers.
Recommended Beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast:
1. Swim at Clearwater Beach - 25 miles west of Tampa
Rating: ★★★★★
Clearwater Beach is a laid-back beach that is located on Clearwater Beach Island – a barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The beach is known for its soft, white sand, drawing in millions of visitors year-round for a little fun under the Florida sun.
The Gulf’s calm, emerald waters straight out from the beach are ideal for stand-up paddle-boarding, parasailing, and jet-skiing.
You will find the winding beachfront promenade bustling with people rollerblading, cycling, and walking. It's also lined with a number of cozy cafés and casual seafood restaurants.
When the sunset finally arrives, you will find a vibrant nightly festival that features craft vendors and street performers at Pier 60.
Cost:
Free public beach access. Parking available for a fee. Activities, rentals, and food vary in price based on vendor or season.Best time to visit:
March through May for warm, dry weather and smaller crowds than peak summer. Sunsets are beautiful year-round.Local tips:
Arrive early to secure parking near the promenade.Distance:
About 25 miles west of Tampa and easily accessible via Highway 60.How to Get to Clearwater Beach:
From Tampa, take FL-60 W across the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Clearwater Beach. Follow signs to beach parking areas near Pier 60 and the promenade. Public transit and shuttle options are also available from Tampa and nearby cities.2. Relax on sugar-white sand at Destin
Destin is a romantic Gulf Coast city that is located in northwest Florida, in an area recognized as the Panhandle. The city is known for its pristine, white sand beaches, plethora of championship golf courses, and Destin Harbor Boardwalk. Picturesque nature trails wind through the sand dunes of Henderson Beach State Park, where the sprawling coast is dotted with oak and pine trees that shelter wildlife.
The calm, emerald-hued waters invite beachgoers to take peaceful swims; float weightlessly under the Florida sun; or enjoy a little stand-up paddle-boarding. If you are looking for a little change of pace from the beach life will appreciate the shimmering pools, cascading waterfalls, and tall waterslides of Big Kahuna’s water park.
Cost:
Public beach access is free. State park entrance fees apply. Activity prices vary depending on rentals, golf courses, or water park tickets.Best time to visit:
April to June for warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and optimal beach weather.Local tips:
Arrive at Henderson Beach State Park early to enjoy the peaceful trails before they get busy. Sunset strolls on the boardwalk are a must.Distance:
Destin is about 50 miles east of Pensacola and 150 miles west of Tallahassee, accessible via US-98.How to Get to Destin:
Drive via US-98 or fly into Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS), just 30 minutes away. Public parking is available near the beaches and boardwalk areas.Romantic Beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast:
3. Watch the sunset at Pensacola Beach
Pensacola is a gorgeous, sugar-sand beach that is located on Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island in northwest Florida.
Pensacola Beach has consistently ranked among the nation’s top beaches for very good reason. The brilliant white-sand stays cool to the touch, even on the hottest days, a wonderfully-soothing delight for the eyes and toes of each visitor.
The emerald-hued waters are inviting and shallow, beckoning even the most timid of beachgoers for a relaxing swim. I love the iconic Pensacola Beach Pier, stretching an incredible 1,471 feet out over the Gulf of Mexico.
You should also check-out the Portofino Boardwalk, home to a variety of shops, casual restaurants, and open-air bars.
Cost:
Public beach access is free. Pier entry and parking fees may apply.Best time to visit:
April to October for the best beach weather. Spring and fall offer fewer crowds and beautiful conditions for walking and swimming.Local tips:
Bring water shoes for long walks along the pier and sunscreen for open sun exposure. Visit the boardwalk in the evening for live music and a lively local scene.Distance:
About 9 miles from downtown Pensacola, easily accessible via the Pensacola Bay Bridge and Fort Pickens Road.How to Get to Pensacola Beach:
From downtown Pensacola, take US-98 to the Pensacola Bay Bridge, then follow signs to Santa Rosa Island. Ample public parking is available near the pier and boardwalk.4. Admire seashells at Sanibel Island - 40 minutes from Fort Myers
Located in southwest Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel Island is rightfully famed for its magnificent sunsets, luxurious resorts, and iconic lighthouse.
The island is home to a number of wonderfully-scenic and pristine beaches, some of which include Tarpon Beach, Bowman’s Beach, Blind Pass Beach, Captiva Beach, and the Causeway Beaches.
Sanibel Island’s biggest claim to fame would be its abundance of sea-shells, winning multiple awards for regularly being among the nation’s best areas for shelling.
The island offers much more than just shelling. It’s well-equipped with sensational seafood restaurants, charming shops, and cozy cafés. I find beach days here are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, building sand castles, and enjoying many other fun water activities.
Cost:
Free public beach access at select locations. Parking fees apply at most beach lots. Prices for dining, rentals, and shops vary.Best time to visit:
November to April for mild weather, calm seas, and peak shelling. Early mornings offer the best shell-collecting opportunities.Local tips:
Bring a shelling bag and water shoes for easier walking on shell-covered beaches. Bowman’s Beach is great for solitude, while Lighthouse Beach is ideal for sunrise strolls and dolphin spotting.Distance:
About 30 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Florida, accessible via the Sanibel Causeway.How to Get to Sanibel Island:
From Fort Myers, take the Sanibel Causeway (toll bridge) west toward the island. Follow signs to public beach access points. Parking is available at most beaches with posted rates.
Family Beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast:
5. Walk on uncrowded shores at Cape San Blas
Cape San Blas is a beautiful beach that is located at the southern tip of a peninsula on Florida’s northwest Gulf Coast.
Situated along the Florida Panhandle’s Emerald Coast, Cape San Blas offers a true vacation paradise. Here, visitors will find miles of pristine, uncrowded, white sand beaches and rolling dunes.
Cap San Blas is also home to pet-friendly vacation rentals, family-owned restaurants serving the freshest local seafood, and famed Cape San Blas Lighthouse.
Cost:
Free public beach access. Entry fees may apply for state park access. Parking and accommodation rates vary by season and location.Best time to visit:
Late spring to early fall for the warmest beach days. Shoulder seasons offer quieter stays and mild temperatures for hiking and wildlife watching.Local tips:
Bring your own beach supplies as amenities are limited. Early morning walks along the dunes are great for shelling and spotting coastal wildlife. Pets must remain leashed in public areas.Distance:
Approximately 15 miles south of Port St. Joe and 90 miles southeast of Panama City, Florida.How to Get to Cape San Blas:
From Port St. Joe, head south on County Road 30A and continue onto Cape San Blas Road. Follow signage to the lighthouse, beach access, and vacation rentals. Ample parking is available near the beach and park entrances.6. Play in gentle waves at Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is a popular, sugar-sand beach that is situated along the northwest part of Estero Island, a barrier island in southwest Florida. This soft, white sand beach faces the Gulf of Mexico’s shimmering emerald waters.
Locals and visitors flock to this destination year-round to engage in a number of watersports, including kayaking, parasailing, stand-up paddle-boarding, jet-skiing, boating, and much more.
You will have a variety of fun and interesting activities to book, some of which include dolphin eco-tours and fishing charters. The nearby Sanibel and Pine islands can both be easily reached by boat, offering exciting day trips.
Cost:
Free public beach access at several points. Fees may apply for parking, rentals, tours, and boat trips. Prices vary by season and service.Local tips:
Arrive early for parking during weekends and holidays.Distance:
Approximately 16 miles southwest of Fort Myers and easily accessible via San Carlos Boulevard and the Matanzas Pass Bridge.How to Get to Fort Myers Beach:
From Fort Myers, take San Carlos Boulevard south and cross the Matanzas Pass Bridge onto Estero Island. Public beach access and parking are available near the pier and along Estero Boulevard.Unique Beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast:
7. Sunbathe on quiet sands on Anna Maria Beach
Anna Maria Beach is a stunning, white-sand beach that is located on the northern end of Anna Maria Island, Florida’s Gulf Coast. The beach wraps entirely around the tip of the island, and offers its visitors breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico’s shimmering turquoise waters.
This beach is rather quiet when compared to the other beaches on the island, making it an ideal location for a little solitude under the Florida sun, or a peaceful swim.
You may find themselves wandering the beach’s soft sands during a picturesque sunrise or sunset. If they work-up an appetite while there, the nearby Rod and Reel Pier seafood restaurant is always an excellent choice.
Cost:
Free public access. Limited parking available—early arrival is recommended. No entrance fee required.Local tips:
Bring your own shade, water, and beach gear—amenities are minimal but the peace and beauty are unmatched. Arrive early for parking, especially on weekends.Distance:
Located on the northern end of Anna Maria Island, about 25 miles west of Bradenton and roughly 55 miles south of Tampa.How to Get to Anna Maria Beach:
From Bradenton, take Manatee Avenue West (FL-64) to Anna Maria Island. Head north on Gulf Drive to Holmes Beach. Parking is available in designated beach access areas, but spaces are limited.8. See wildlife at Barefoot Beach State Preserve
Barefoot Beach State Preserve is a nature preserve that is located in North Naples, Florida. Situated along Florida’s Gulf Coast, the preserve covers 342 acres of unspoiled land, making it one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands along the southwest coast.
The beach park provides a perfect example of how shifts in the habitat can occur within a narrow parcel of land with minimal moisture and elevation changes.
Over 8,000 feet of sand dunes and pristine beach support the development of sea oats, which during the summer, provide nesting locations for sea turtles.
You will also find a tropical hardwood hammock of sabal palm, sea grape trees, and gumbo limbo trees, among many other species.
Cost:
Entry fee required (paid parking). Fees support the preservation of the natural environment.Local tips:
Wear sandals or water shoes for beach walks and dune trails.Distance:
Located in North Naples, approximately 30 minutes south of Fort Myers and about 20 minutes north of downtown Naples.How to Get to Barefoot Beach Preserve:
From I-75, take Exit 116 (Bonita Beach Road) west to Barefoot Beach Boulevard. Follow signs into the preserve entrance. Parking is located at the end of the boulevard with trail and beach access nearby.If you are a photographer, don't miss:
9. Swim with the kids at Bonita Beach - 10 miles north of Naples
Bonita Beach is a sprawling beach located on Little Hickory Island, a barrier island that is situated between Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida.
Bonita beach is also positioned just north of Naples and Vanderbilt beaches, and south of Fort Myers Beach.
Rather than seeing a seemingly endless stretch of resorts and hotels, you will find an upscale beach community that features a large number of modern beachfront homes, and a few condominiums nestled among sea grapes, coconut palms, and other tropical foliage.
The beach is easily accessible, and the perfect place to spend the day sunbathing, swimming, and sea-shelling.
Cost:
Free public access. Parking fees may apply at designated lots. No entrance fee required for beach use.Local tips:
Bring your own beach gear, food, and water—amenities are limited. Visit during the week for the most tranquil experience. Look out for dolphins swimming close to shore!Distance:
Approximately 10 miles north of Naples and 15 miles south of Fort Myers Beach, along the Gulf Coast Scenic Highway (Hickory Blvd).How to Get to Bonita Beach:
From Bonita Springs, take Bonita Beach Road (CR 865) west to Little Hickory Island. Follow signs to public beach parking and access points along the shoreline.10. Bradenton Beach - 20 miles north of Sarasota
Bradenton Beach is a small city that is located on Anna Maria Island, on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
A short drive from neighboring cities Bradenton and Sarasota, Bradenton Beach is known for its oceanfront restaurants, charming strip of shops, sugar-sand beaches, fishing piers, and plethora of family-owned businesses.
The city definitely encourages a slower pace of life, which is made evident with its ban on drive-through restaurants.
Near the northern tip of the island, visitors will find Pine Avenue, home to small art galleries, handmade clothing, specialty olive oils, and French-milled soaps.
You can head to any one of the city’s pristine beaches and enjoy a day of sunbathing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and swimming.
Cost:
Free public beach access. Parking is available but may be limited during peak times. Prices for local dining, shops, and rentals vary.Best time to visit:
November to April for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.Local tips:
Park once and walk or bike around the island—traffic is light and the views are worth it.Distance:
About 12 miles west of Bradenton and 20 miles north of Sarasota.How to Get to Bradenton Beach:
From Bradenton, take Cortez Road W (SR 684) west over the bridge to the southern end of Anna Maria Island. Follow signs to beach access points, Pine Avenue, and public parking lots.Plan Your Trip