These 10 Best Florida Beach Vacation Destinations offer the best of America’s Sunshine State to enthusiastic beach lovers.
From relaxing solo spots with serene, zen vibes and wild-adventure family vacay getaways, this list has all your recreational needs covered.
So, grab your devices. You don’t want to miss a single detail to plan that perfect trip!
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10. Clearwater Beach and Marine Aquarium
Clearwater, Florida offers a fun fiesta for the entire family. Your trip to this popular destination cannot be complete without a visit to Honeymoon Island State Park.
Famed for its white sand beaches, the relaxing haven offers the perfect backdrop for honeymooners looking to have a romantic rendezvous.
Get dazzled by the animal encounters offered by its Osprey and Pelican nature trails such as melodious birds, herons and great horned owls between October and May.
If you’re looking for an adventure, you can rent a kayak or blaze your own trail on a bike!
More family fun awaits!
You can visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium with highlights such as a Clearwater Bay boat tour and a photo op with a rare toothed Dolphin. Plus, you can lend a hand to marine Biologists in feeding marine turtles!
At a close distance are the Florida Botanical Gardens with the wonders of flora and fauna in a brilliant display.Our favorite places to stay in Clearwater are Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa which scores 4 out of 5 stars, JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa and the Coconut Cove All Suite Hotel.
9. Sanibel Island
If you want to plan a visit to this seashell paradise then the best time to do so would be between October and May.
Off season translates into lower prices!
This picturesque seaside town offers the best of everything.
Seashell buffs pay heed and put Bowman’s Beach at the top of your vacation agenda. The white sand beach is adorned with pastel-colored seashells like stars in a galaxy!
BEACH MUST HAVES: Beach Travel Essentials Kit
Add some unique beauties to your collection.
Added plus; the beach is dog friendly too!
If golden sunsets and tranquility are the soothing balm that your soul craves then head to Blind Pass Beach to witness ethereal sunsets.
J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum are two other spots that you need to visit to create magical memories.
Accommodation options include Marriott Sanibel Harbor Resort and Spa which is in proximity of Bunche Beach and Sanibel Lighthouse.
Happy sunsets and snorkeling!
8. Anna Maria Island
What sets this barrier Island located at the south of Tampa apart from all the others is the refreshing seascape sans fast food restaurants and condos.
Anna Maria Island is all about taking a deep dive or bike ride in the town’s quaint natural beauty and charm.
Inhale and exhale as you fill in your lungs with the salty air or wade through the island’s sparkling turquoise waters.
Need a rush of adrenaline? Get a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking ocean and do some parasailing.
You won’t have time to get bored. Just book a day trip to Sarasota.
7. Naples
Naples is a must visit beach destination for all vacation goers.
Florida’s Paradise Coast is a vacation top spot. From crystal clear beaches to pristine relaxing havens like Keewaydin Islands.
The Gulf Waters surrounding Naples are a snorkeling paradise- thanks to artificial reefs that are a marine-life magnet.
What beach vacay would be complete without snorkeling and scuba diving?
Tigertale Beach, Clam Pass and Delnor Wiggins Pass State Parks are the ideal jam for all you snorkelers out there.
Scuba dive shipwrecks is another fantastic adventure you can embark on near Naples and Marco Islands.
The sunken German U-boat known as the Baja is a fairly well-preserved shipwreck and home to breathtaking coral sponges as well as delightful fish!
How about plunging the depths of the Black Hole in your diving gear? Brilliantly hued coral sponges and fish await you.
Not a water fan, then head to Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South to indulge in an art fest or some serious shopping.Stay at our favorite Inn at Pelican Bay.
6. Seaside
Visiting Seaside, Florida is like stepping into the pages of a storybook. Imagine storybook cottages with colorful exteriors.
The seaside town has a mellow vibe. You can ride around town on a bike and soak up the architecture as the town dates back to 1900.
Seaside offers the ultimate seaside experience for adults and children alike.
The beaches are idyllic. You will also experience charming cabanas lining the shore along the ocean.
Plan your stay at the sole boutique hotel, The Court, in this Northwest Florida destination.
You can even rent a cottage or condo courtesy of The Cottage Rental Agency.
5. Palm Beach
Choose Palm Beach as your summer escape and you can’t go wrong. It offers the best of both worlds- urban delights as well as sunny beaches.
If you want to explore the opulent sights and sounds of this glitzy seaside destination, then hop aboard the Palm Tram.
Catch a glimpse of wandering ritzy socialites at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Spa.
You can also book a sunset cruise, visit Worth Avenue or splurge on a chartered yacht!
Staying at The Ben offers a huge plus as the beach is a mere 15 minutes away by bicycle.
It’s guaranteed that you’ll have the experience of a lifetime!
4. Siesta Key
Siesta Key is a must visit destination if a thriving and vibrant nightlife is at the top of your vacation checklist!
The fact that it is home to some of the most beautiful quartz sand beaches in the world is an understatement.
You can take your pick from postcard perfect beaches such as the Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach or the Point of Rocks.
Restaurants in this eight-mile beach town are pulsating with life! Try The Cottage for succulent seafood or the Village Cafe for a vegetarian fare.
Drop in at the Siesta Key Summer House Steak and Seafood for the best steaks in town! For accommodation we like The Capri at Siesta and Tropical Beach Resorts
3. Cocoa Beach
Located close to Orlando, Cocoa Beach offers a diverse mix of activities to keep you busy and entertained!
Do you prefer cuddly animal buddies to humans? Get ready because you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime where you can enjoy kayaking with the dolphins!
Surfing under the sun is part of the fun! Pay a visit to The Ron Jon Surf Shop that has carved a name for itself all over the world. Or take a Bioluminescence Clear Kayak Tour!
Or you can drop in at Golf n Gator and actually play with the gators in the outdoor alligator habitat.
Satisfy your hunger by making a stop at one of the many local restaurants like Cafe Surfinista known for scrumptious Acai bowls or Thai Thai 3 for outta this world sushi!
Enjoy some fun in the Florida sun!
2. Sunny Isles
South Florida has a gem of a vacation getaway in the form of Sunny Isles.
Stay at Sunny Isles’ treasure hotel which gathered votes for the best waterfront hotel four years in a row, Acqualina Resorts and Spa.
Another upside of Sunny Isles is the lack of touristy crowds. You get all of the fun of South Beach with a relatively calm view.
Those looking for alone time can relax and chill at the Haulover Beach Park. Envision a tranquil beach fantasy minus the concrete jungle of buildings.
1. Amelia Island
Now if a beach retreat with spiritual vibes floats your boat, Amelia Island might fit the bill.
It offers a picturesque experience to soothe your senses and rejuvenate your weary soul.
Known for its pristine ambience, the island offers some of the most breathtaking Appalachian quartz sand beaches that are dotted with sand dunes on their periphery.
There are over forty access points for the island’s gorgeous beaches.
The landscape offers a bedazzling variety of natural features such as the salt marshes and coastal maritime forests located at the Amelia Island State Park.
The Island has an impressive history with French, Spanish, British and American imprints and is known as the “Isle of Eight Flags.”
If you think Amelia Island is all about natural beauty, then prepare to be shocked. This serene spot boasts world class hotels, golf facilities as well as a thriving downtown district – Fernandina Beach.
Taste Amelia Island’s unique charm and visit its vibrant boutiques.
Make a quick stop to grab some ice cream at an ice cream parlor or enjoy the picturesque surroundings featuring the old-world charm of Victorian cottages.
There you have it the complete top 10 list of the hottest beach destinations that you might want to visit soon. Which destination appeals to you the most?
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