Best Florida beaches, including Miami Beach, St Petes Beach, and Destin. No coincidence they’re on the Gulf of Mexico. What else do they have in common? With white sandy beaches, warm waves washing over your feet, the sound of surf in your ears. Does it get any better than that?
Find out our other recommendations for the best Florida beaches.
Where are our favorite Florida beach destinations?
Our favorite beach spots are Daytona/Cocoa Beach/Space Coast, Fort Lauderdale/Miami South Beach, the Florida Keys, St Petes Beach/Clearwater Beach, and Destin. I had to bring in the big guns for this one. Yes, Papa Joe and I have our favorite Florida beach destinations, but does that mean they are the best?
Shocked the crap out of me when a simple Google search for Top 5 Florida Beaches, Top 10 Florida Beach Destinations, etc – agreed! Yes, there are other beaches and beach destinations that are listed in those search results, and I have no problem making it my life’s work to compare them all!
Shocked me, even more, when I updated this story on February 25, 2020 (yes, the date is important), and I found February 14, 2020, HGTV episode with Florida’s Best Beaches. AND WE AGREED with HGTV!!! Seriously – these beaches have been our favorites for years. Yep, Papa Joe and I know what we are talking about!
Before we get into each of these destinations, TripAdvisor (otherwise known as Viator) may be able to help you with planning your Florida beach vacation. Save up to 50% off tours and activities on Viator.
What do all these great Florida beaches have in common?
Easy access – each is large enough to have air transportation close. The areas have other attractions to provide other activities. Most are located in the Gulf of Mexico except for Daytona and Miami Beach (Miami Beach is an animal all its own). Also, every one of these destinations actively welcomes the tourism industry. Lastly and maybe most importantly, each area maintains its own individual personality.
First – why Florida?
That’s easy for a lot of people.
Miami has a large metropolitan area with diverse cultures, entertainment, and sun and sand galore.
The Keys – Key West, Key Largo, pretty much any of the “Keys”. Each island has its own flavor and personality, each has a very distinct history.
Starting to see a theme here? Go up Florida along the Gulf of Mexico, through Ft. Myers, up to St Petes Beach, and Clearwater – which are nothing to sneeze at by the way – to Destin. Each of these areas has a distinct personality and… you got it, white sandy beaches, seashells, warm breezes. To put it in simple terms – Paradise.
This video may help convince you about testing out a Florida beach for your next vacation.
The Space Coast – Cocoa Beach / Daytona Beach / Melbourne
Titusville, I could really go on and on. Who has heard of Ron Jon’s Surf Shop? If you have, you know the Space Coast is home. The area is totally touristy, but an experience all on its own. Close to Kennedy Space Center and Orlando’s Walt Disney and Universal Studios theme parks.
Check out some of the local restaurants for local flavor. We have been able to stay here on a pretty tight budget. Try flying into Melbourne Airport, this cuts down on your transit time to Cocoa Beach and is much less expensive for rental cars.
The Space Coast is within an hour of Orlando, which has tons of activities on its own. Here is a resource for Orlando’s activities.
Daytona Beach – Nascar racing and Daytona Bike Week. February is the prime time to visit Daytona – not on a budget, but beyond exciting.
I could write page after page about Miami South Beach.
And I have. Miami South Beach (SOBE) – South Beach Wine and Food Festival, year-round activities on Ocean Drive and its numerous art galleries.
True cultural diversity is the name of the game for this destination. It is a toss-up between SOBE and Key West which is more expensive to visit. Here is a resource for Miami activities.
St Petes Beach / Clearwater Beach.
Actually, I should just say the Tampa region. This is an incredible area, home to a long band of barrier islands and beaches that stretch through several cities. Home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Busch Gardens, there is definitely plenty to do. I haven’t written quite as much about the St Petes Beach area – not because it is lacking anything, it is only because we haven’t visited as often.
Here is a resource for St. Pete’s activities, and photos to help you out.
Key West.
This is the only place in the US guaranteed to be warm all year round… just be careful what you ask for because warm becomes downright hot in the summer months.
Key West is the Southernmost tip of the US and is shaped like a finger pulling the Gulf of Mexico closer to Florida’s coastline. Fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale and be prepared to drive several hours to reach your destination Key. There are a few airlines that fly into Key West International Airport.
Ah, Key West holds a special place in my heart. I have not had the privilege to visit since it was hit by the hurricane a couple of years ago, but there are some basic things for visits to know. First, it is iconic.
Key West (along with many of the other keys) are destinations. Period. All you have to say is Key West and everyone knows where you are talking about.
Now, with that being said, Key West does not have any natural beaches. There are small areas of the beach, but the areas are all man-made. No less spectacular, but they do feel a little different because of that. Regardless, the Travel Channel lists Key West as #1 of the top 10 beaches in Florida.
Key West’s siren call is based on all the other activities. Snorkeling, sailing, scuba, visiting the Dry Tortugas, strolling the famed streets, and sunsets. Oh yeah, those are the things of Key West.
Last but not least Destin, otherwise known as the Emerald Coast. One of the most beautiful Florida beaches.
Sportfishing is key in Destin, as well as world-class golfing. Destin and the Fort Walton Beach area have earned the Emerald Coast title. Destin is located along the Gulf of Mexico in the armpit of Florida’s panhandle.
This destination in no way resembles an armpit.
Home to great seafood, Destin’s Boardwalk, Dolphin Cruises, and many other activities, this has been a favorite for family vacations.
Can you go wrong with choosing one of these Florida beaches?
I would lie if I said no. Decide what experience you want – laid back or full of activity. Economical or flashy. Historical or modern?
These beach destinations are all great and each has its own local flavor. As the photos show, each beach has fine powdery sand and its own special flair. Do your research, match the destination’s personality with your personality.
Check out my other stories and any other resources that will help you.
What would we do differently next time?
Great question – try another new diner in Cocoa Beach? Check out a new entertainment venue in SOBE? Stay on a different section of St. Pete’s Beach/Clearwater? Yep, they all sound like things we will do differently – just for a new experience. Each destination has its local charm and delivers, delivers, delivers!
