Beaches in Southern Florida

By VacationIdea Staff | Affiliate Disclosure

South Florida

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Why is Southern Florida known for its beaches?
- Southern Florida is famous for being home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, featuring stunning scenery and warm waters.
Are there hidden or lesser-known beaches in Southern Florida?
- Some of Southern Florida’s best beaches remain unknown to visitors outside the region, offering a secluded and peaceful beach experience.
Are there beaches in Southern Florida that require an adventure to reach?
- Many of the region’s most unique beaches are an adventure to reach, providing a rewarding experience for those who explore them.
Are there still uncrowded beaches in Southern Florida?
- Many of Southern Florida’s beaches have yet to become overcrowded, making them ideal spots for relaxation and solitude.

Best Time to Visit Beaches in Southern Florida

December to April – Dry season with warm temps, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
March & April – Popular months with spring break energy and ideal beach conditions.
May & November – Shoulder season with fewer crowds and still-great weather for beachgoing.
June to October – Hot, humid, and rainy with hurricane risk, but quieter and budget-friendly.
Late February – A sweet spot for warm, sunny beach days before spring crowds arrive.

⮕ Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park

Walk along scenic nature trails and enjoy peaceful beach vibes.

Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park

What is Barefoot Beach Preserve?
- The height of the desirable coast of Collier County is the Barefoot Beach Preserve, an area where many different species of animals call home and visitors can experience the natural surroundings of the park.
How large is Barefoot Beach Preserve?
- The preserve encompasses more than 340 acres and is one of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands along the southwest coast of Florida.
What facilities are available at the Barefoot Beach Access?
- The Barefoot Beach Access at the county park includes a parking area with just under one hundred parking spaces.
What amenities does Barefoot Beach Preserve offer?
- The preserve consists of a sugar-sand beach, a picnic area, showers, and a nature trail.
Where can I find a map of Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park?
- You can view the map here: Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park Map.

⮕ Cayo Costa State Park

Kayak through mangroves and explore unspoiled, serene beaches.

Cayo Costa State Park

What is Cayo Costa State Park?
- The Cayo Costa State Park is a park on Cayo Costa Island that offers visitors and locals a grand area of the state of Florida that has been left untouched, as well as provides protection for the Charlotte Harbor Estuary.
How can visitors access Cayo Costa State Park?
- Cayo Costa State Park can only be reached by kayak or boat and boasts nine miles of shoreline that remains undeveloped and is great for birdwatching, fishing, shelling, snorkeling, and swimming.
What activities can visitors enjoy at the park?
- Visitors can also explore the area along one of the many bicycle or walking trails throughout the interior of the island or camp in a tent or small rustic cabin.
Where can I find a map of Cayo Costa State Park?
- You can view the map of Cayo Costa State Park here.

⮕ Clam Pass Park

Take the tram to the beach and relax on soft sands.

Clam Pass Park

What is Clam Pass Park?
- The Clam Pass Park is a stunning beach access point in Collier County in the area of North Naples, Florida.
What parking options are available at Clam Pass Park?
- The park contains 175 parking spaces that visitors can utilize for free as long as they have a sticker for beach parking.
What makes Clam Pass Park a popular beach access point?
- Clam Pass Park is one of the area’s most popular beach accesses, boasting approximately thirty-five acres of coastal habitat and preserving that habitat through access to the sandy beach via a boardwalk of about three-quarters of a mile in length.
What can visitors experience on the boardwalk?
- The boardwalk itself offers a quiet nature walk for visitors as it winds through the mangrove forest.
Where can I find a map of Clam Pass Park?
- You can view the map of Clam Pass Park here.

⮕ Dania Beach, Southern Florida

Swim in clear waters and explore vibrant beachside attractions.

Dania Beach, Southern Florida

What is Dania Beach known for?
- Dania Beach’s claim to fame is its “Blue Wave Beaches” that have won awards, as well as its close proximity to the city of Fort Lauderdale and the numerous nature activities that it offers for visitors.
Why is Dania Beach a popular vacation spot?
- All of this makes Dania Beach an appealing spot for a beach vacation in Southern Florida.
What entertainment options are available in Dania Beach?
- The city of Dania Beach is home to the Dania Jai Alai, famous throughout the world and located in the heart of the city’s entertainment and dining district.
Where can visitors enjoy a sweet treat in Dania Beach?
- Also situated near the beach is Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant, which serves delicious homemade ice cream.
Where can I find a map of Dania Beach?
- You can view the map of Dania Beach here.

⮕ Deerfield Beach

Relax on sandy shores and enjoy family-friendly beach amenities.

Deerfield Beach

What makes Deerfield Beach a unique destination?
- Deerfield Beach offers visitors an opportunity to experience the beaches of Southern Florida without having to deal with large crowds.
Why did Deerfield Beach receive the “Blue Wave” award?
- The “Blue Wave” award-winning beach earned its recognition from the Clean Beach Council thanks to the excellent water quality, policies for habitat conservation, public information, safety services, and overall beach conditions.
What activities can visitors enjoy at Deerfield Beach?
- Activities visitors will find in addition to the beach itself include camping, fishing, a skate park, and one of the country’s longest courses for cable skiing, which is a hybrid of wakeboarding, skiing, and surfing.
Are there dining and shopping options in Deerfield Beach?
- There are several opportunities for dining and shopping as well.
Where can I find a map of Deerfield Beach?
- You can view the map of Deerfield Beach here.

⮕ Delray Beach, Southern Florida

Stroll along the vibrant Atlantic Avenue and enjoy lively beach fun.

Delray Beach, Southern Florida

What makes Delray Beach a special destination?
- The city of Delray Beach, Florida is one of Palm Beach County’s hidden gems and has been rated as the “Most Fun Small Town” by the Travel Channel, USA Today, and Rand McNally.
What awards and recognitions has Delray Beach received?
- Delray Beach has been named one of the top ten “Happiest Seaside Towns” by Coastal Living and has won the All-America City award three times.
What activities and attractions are available in Delray Beach?
- Delray Beach is a great destination for not only beach activities, but also nightlife, shopping, art, sports, and culture.
What kind of experience does Delray Beach offer?
- Known for being an intimate, vibrant city, Delray Beach consists of award-winning beaches, nighttime entertainment, fine restaurants, upscale shops, and more.
Where can I find a map of Delray Beach?
- You can view the map of Delray Beach here.

⮕ Fort Lauderdale Beach

Enjoy the lively promenade and explore vibrant dining and nightlife.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

What makes Fort Lauderdale Beach a great destination?
- Fort Lauderdale Beach is a romantic Southern Florida beach that is often overshadowed by some of the more popular beaches in Miami. However, Fort Lauderdale Beach is just as stunning but offers a more family-oriented and relaxing atmosphere.
What activities can visitors enjoy at Fort Lauderdale Beach?
- Locals and visitors alike can spend a day strolling along the shore or relaxing on the soft sand, while kids play, splash around, or build sandcastles.
What adventure activities are available?
- More active and adventurous fun includes renting a catamaran and honing sailing skills.
Where can visitors find great food near Fort Lauderdale Beach?
- The world-famous Primanti Brothers Restaurant offers sandwiches, while many beachside seafood restaurants are located nearby.
Where can I find a map of Fort Lauderdale Beach?
- You can view the map of Fort Lauderdale Beach here.

⮕ Hallandale Beach, Southern Florida

Relax on wide sandy shores and enjoy scenic ocean views.

Hallandale Beach, Southern Florida

Where is Hallandale Beach located?
- Hallandale Beach isn’t exactly in Miami, but not really in Broward either, and is often overshadowed by nearby Hollywood Beach.
Why is Hallandale Beach known as “the middle child” of Southern Florida beaches?
- It is often thought of as “the middle child” of the beaches in Southern Florida. While the beach isn’t flashy, it boasts a convenient location between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
What activities can visitors enjoy at Hallandale Beach?
- Along with the beautiful beach, visitors can enjoy saltwater fishing, boating, swimming, golf, and tennis.
What is the nightlife like in Hallandale Beach?
- Evenings offer both casual and fine dining, along with nighttime entertainment ranging from rock ‘n’ roll to ballroom dancing.
Are there shopping options in Hallandale Beach?
- Malls, shopping centers, and boutique shops offer all kinds of merchandise.
Where can I find a map of Hallandale Beach?
- You can view the map of Hallandale Beach here.

⮕ Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge

Spot wildlife and enjoy a peaceful coastal retreat.

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge

Where does the beachfront road on Jupiter Island lead?
- The beachfront road that travels along the coast of Jupiter Island reaches a dead end at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, which is part of the country’s National Wildlife Refuge System.
Is there a public beach at the end of the road?
- Most people wouldn’t know about the public beach at the road’s end, as there aren’t any signs indicating its presence.
How large is the beach area at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge?
- Extending north for over two miles to where the St. Lucie Preserve beach starts, the Hobe Sound beach area totals over five miles of unspoiled and wild sandy shoreline.
What amenities are available at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge?
- The only amenities visitors will find at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge are portable restrooms.
Where can I find a map of Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge?
- You can view the map of Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge here.

⮕ Hollywood Beach

Walk along the Broadwalk and admire the stunning beachfront views.

Hollywood Beach

Where is Hollywood Beach located?
- Situated between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood Beach is well known for being a beautiful stretch of sandy beach and an ideal setting for beach vacations.
What makes Hollywood Beach Broadwalk special?
- The unique Hollywood Beach Broadwalk has been ranked by Travel + Leisure as one of the “Best Beach Boardwalks” in America. It stretches for almost two and a half miles along the ocean and offers beachfront bars and restaurants, unique shopping, live music, and year-long activities.
What attractions can visitors find along the promenade?
- The promenade is also home to the Charnow Park, which features a water playground for children and the Hollywood Beach Theatre.
Is there transportation available between Hollywood Beach and Downtown Hollywood?
- A on-demand shuttle service takes visitors from Hollywood Beach into Downtown Hollywood, Florida.
Where can I find a map of Hollywood Beach?
- You can view the map of Hollywood Beach here.