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Florida is truly the best state to visit at any time of the year. From beaches and water parks in spring to hanging at bars and beaches at night in summer, to white sand beaches at any time of the year, Florida is a dream place for travelers of all kinds. Every region of Florida has something unique to offer, and if we are talking about beaches, every family should visit at least one or two of these beautiful beaches.
While most people focus on city beaches like Miami or Orlando when planning their vacations, most people don’t realize that there are numerous beach towns scattered throughout the state of Florida. These towns are great places to relax and enjoy nature with your family. Here is a list of the best family beaches in Florida that will ensure you have an amazing beach day with your loved ones.
1. Panama City Beach
Conveniently located in the panhandle of Florida, Panama City Beach is a perfect destination for beach lovers. This beach features 27 miles of white sand beaches, making it a perfect place to go surfing, swimming, fishing, and snorkeling. It is also home to dozens of artificial coral reefs, which makes scuba diving at this beach an interesting activity.
Vacationers can take the Shell Island Shuttle to explore the barrier island, which is known for its large population of bottlenose dolphins. Besides these activities, you can also enjoy numerous water sports at the beach. Panama City Beach has something for everyone and is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a fun-filled vacation.
2. Amelia Island
Amelia Island is a beautiful destination in Florida perfect for family vacations. The island features 13 miles of beaches, perfect for beachgoers of all ages to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy beaches that are calm and clear, perfect for swimming and boating, as well as beaches with white sand beaches and sandy beaches.
The island has beaches to suit everyone’s taste, from family-friendly beaches with playgrounds, volleyball courts, and fishing piers to horseback riding trails and surfers’ beach areas. Little Talbot State Park is another favorite family beach on the island. The park features two miles of beach, perfect for kayaking or surfing, as well as picnic areas with grills. Families shouldn’t miss out on the many recreational options available on the island.
3. Cape San Blas
If you’re looking for a beach that’s perfect for families with young children, consider Cape San Blas, a 17-mile peninsula situated between St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s Forgotten Coast. This beach is best known for its white sand beaches, clear water, and panoramic views of the ocean and beaches of nearby barrier islands. It’s an ideal place for surfing, fishing, kayaking or paddling, scuba diving, or beach walks.
In addition to the recreational activities, the beach at Cape San Blas is home to various picnic facilities such as beach shelters and pavilions. Horseback riding is available at the beach’s Equestrian Center. Kayak or paddleboard rentals are also available.
4. Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida is a beach town on the state’s Atlantic coast. It’s located an hour away from the state’s theme park capital of Orlando, making it a popular day trip destination for families. Cocoa Beach is known for its excellent surfing and beach activities like kiteboarding, surfing, and parasailing. The beach also features white sand beaches and calm water perfect for swimmers and beachgoers of all ages.
This beach is safe and has beautiful sand beaches with clear water perfect for swimming, surfing, or beachgoing of all ages. The beach is also home to a 10-acre oceanfront park with shaded picnic pavilions, showers, playgrounds, and restrooms. Cocoa Beach offers visitors many things to do including surfing, kiteboarding, and parasailing lessons at surf schools or beaches.
5. Bowman’s Beach: Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a beautiful beach paradise known for its white sand beaches and clear waters. It is also known for its abundance of shells, making it a popular destination for families. To experience the best beaches of Sanibel Island, Bowman’s Beach is an excellent family-friendly beach with warm, calm waters, pastel-hued sunsets, and excellent shelling.
Besides beaches, Sanibel Island is also famous for windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing. These water activities make it a perfect place for all types of travelers. You can visit the Sanibel Historical Village or some of the island’s many shops and restaurants. It’s an ideal beach getaway that anyone can enjoy.
6. Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is a stunning beach park in the Florida Keys near Marathon, offering visitors plenty of space to enjoy water sports and nature. The park features three beach areas—Sandspur, Loggerhead, and Calusa—each with its own natural beauty and character. There are plenty of picnic areas, fishing platforms, and playgrounds for families to enjoy.
With its clear waters and white sand beaches, Bahia Honda State Park is a popular destination for water enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you prefer surfing or swimming, beach walking or water sports, there’s something for everyone at Bahia Honda State Park!
7. Marco Island
Marco Island is a popular beach destination for families in Florida. Situated on the coast of Southwest Florida, it’s just a short ride from Naples and the Florida Everglades. The island’s beaches offer an array of activities for families, such as exploring lovely sand beaches and collecting shells, visiting Briggs Nature Center with a half-mile-long boardwalk, and taking a boat tour of Ten Thousand Islands to see dolphins, turtles, and manatees.
There are resorts, beaches, beautiful parks, picnic spots, paths, and wildlife to visit for vacationers of all ages. Besides beaches with calm water and water park facilities for the kids to play at, the island has kiddie pools and entertainment centers perfect for family outings.
8. Fort Zachary State Park: Key West
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is located at the southern tip of Key West, Florida. This park features wide beach space and plenty of shaded spots for visitors, making it a great place to snorkel or swim. The park is home to clear water beaches with white sand and coral reefs, which are perfect for snorkeling.
Visitors can enjoy swimming and snorkeling, or take a break to explore the park’s pre-Civil War fort. Adorning the fort is a beautiful courtyard of palm trees, bromeliads, hibiscus, and tropical flowers. There are nature trails, snorkel rentals, and picnic areas available at the park for visitors to enjoy.
9. Siesta Key Beaches
Siesta Key is perfect for families seeking a quiet atmosphere, with plenty of parking and space to spread out. Coquina Beach offers surfers and beachgoers a beautiful and serene beach with soft white sand, clear water, and plenty of areas to relax.
Siesta Key is a popular family-oriented beach with cookout areas and picnic spots, plus volleyball and beach soccer courts. Crescent Beach is a secluded spot on Siesta Key with soft white sand and beautiful scenery.
Last but not least, Turtle Beach is the perfect spot for families seeking a quieter atmosphere, with room for long walks and easy parking. It’s an excellent option for anyone looking to spend time at the beach without the crowds or noise of other beaches in Florida.
Fishing is also available at the nearby Blind Pass Lagoon and visitors can enjoy live music at night in Siesta Key Village.
10. Clearwater Beach
If you’re looking for a beach that’s perfect for families, then the Clearwater beach is the place to go. With a wide range of things to do and see, there’s something for everyone at this beach. Whether you want to rent bikes and take a leisurely stroll along the half-mile Beach Walk or find yourself at one of the many shops and restaurants, there’s no shortage of things to do at clearwater beach.
Families can also enjoy free outdoor movies at Pier 60 and take part in the nightly sunset celebration. The beaches are also perfect for fishing, surfing, or shelling. There are various activities for kids of all ages, so you won’t run out of things to do at clearwater beach.
11. Saint Augustine Beach
The beach at Saint Augustine is a popular destination for families of all ages. Situated an hour’s drive from Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, the beach is lined with soft white sand and beautiful scenery making it an ideal spot for couples and families alike. The beach has a splash pad, kayaking and fishing facilities, as well as playgrounds and picnic areas, making it a great place for young children to spend their time on.
Families with young children can enjoy the beach’s splash pad, calm waters, and beaches of shells, while surfers and fishers can also utilize various pier facilities at the beach. Those seeking a more adventurous experience can surf or fish off the beach pier or explore nearby Vilano Beach.
12. Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach is a popular beach destination for beachgoers of all ages. The beach is home to a boardwalk lined with hotels and restaurants, as well as seven miles of beaches staffed by lifeguards. Families can enjoy a variety of activities at Fort Lauderdale Beach, from strolling along the boardwalk to scuba diving, snorkeling, and jet-skiing.
The beach is a mecca for surfers and water enthusiasts of all ages, with miles of white sand beaches perfect for sunbathing or surfing. The warm clear waters of Fort Lauderdale Beach are best suited for swimming and beach volleyball. Besides beaches and water sports, families can also visit historical sites nearby such as the Coral Reef Hotel or Eau Gallie Historical Society Museum.
13. Gasparilla Island
Gasparilla Island has a beautiful family-friendly beach just off the coast of Florida. The beach known for its soft white sand beaches and crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming and shell collecting.
Enjoy the blue, pristine water while possibly catching a glimpse of dolphins, manatees, or other sea creatures.
Visitors to the island can enjoy local art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants as some of the best things to do in the island’s largest town, Boca Grande.
14. Ft. Walton Beach: Pensacola Beach
This spot is the epicenter of Florida’s Gulf Coast and is one of the best beaches in the Panhandle. It’s known for its beautiful white sand beaches, public beach, and Gulf Pier stretching 1,471 feet into the Gulf of Mexico.
Located between Pensacola and Panama City on North Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Walton Beach offers visitors powdery white beaches, green waterways, golf courses, family-friendly resorts, and miles of sandy beaches. This beach is perfect for surfing, fishing, swimming, and beach walks.
15. Anne’s Beach: Islamorada
If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach in the Florida Keys, Islamorada is a prime choice. This small village is known for its secluded beaches and white sand beaches. It is a great option for families with kids, as it has a shallow swimming area with calm water. Visitors can also enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and beach walks.
Besides, there are only a few public beaches here so visitors should consider staying at an oceanfront resort for beach access. With these activities in mind, Islamorada is an ideal destination for adventure seekers. They can take a boat or kayak trip to the sandbar for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxation.