The Top Beaches in Florida—and Where to Stay

Just when you think you’ve found your favorite Florida beach, someone familiar with the state’s hidden gems introduces you to another one you’ve never heard of. This is the charm and allure of the Sunshine State’s extensive coastline, stretching from its northwest corner along the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean and down through the stunning island chain of the Florida Keys.

From beautiful beaches just steps away from lively downtown areas filled with cafés and shops to untouched islands, Florida offers a beach for every type of traveler. With over 230 sunny days each year, the chances of enjoying the ideal beach day are high—whether you visit during the hot summer months or the cooler winter season. Get ready to dive into our selections of Florida’s best beaches, where the sun, surf, and sand are magnificent, and there’s plenty to enjoy once you’ve dried off for the day.

Panama City Beach

• Location: Close to Panama City | View on Google Maps

If you’re seeking a beach getaway where sugar-fine sand meets crystal-clear waters, Panama City Beach is one of the best in northwest Florida. Take the Shell Island Shuttle, a pontoon-style ferry that runs regular daytime trips, to reach an untouched seven-mile barrier island perfect for playing castaway—enjoy beach strolls, snorkeling, or watching dolphins swim by. You might also consider a yacht charter on the Bella Vita for fishing or an overnight adventure on the water. Alternatively, relax on the mainland beaches of Panama City Beach and soak in the natural beauty of St. Andrews State Park, where you can snorkel in shallow waters or walk along 1.5 miles of pristine, undeveloped chalk-white sands kissed by beautiful emerald waters.

Spend the night

While Panama City Beach doesn’t boast any true luxury resorts, that’s part of its appeal. Instead, treat yourself to a gulf-front vacation rental from Sunset Luxury Properties, featuring a private pool that overlooks your own slice of beach.

St. Pete Beach

• Location: St. Petersburg | View on Google Maps

If you enjoy beach time combined with access to a vibrant artsy city, St. Pete Beach is the ideal choice. Spend your mornings frolicking in the gentle waves or paddleboarding on waters that are typically as calm as glass. Just south, explore the charming community of Pass-a-Grille Beach, where local Amber Brinkley recommends the jetty at the southern end as a fantastic snorkeling spot to find octopuses hiding in the shallow waters. East of the beach, the lively downtown St. Pete offers attractions like the Dalí museum, featuring an impressive collection of Salvador Dalí’s art, and the splendid new St. Pete Pier, which boasts a rooftop tiki bar and its own sandy bay beach.

Spend the night

You can’t miss the cotton candy-pink silhouette of the Don CeSar (affectionately known as the Pink Palace) on the St. Pete Beach horizon. Enjoy the gulf-front swimming pool, bar, and prime beachfront location. For a more intimate beach experience, just half a mile away, the hotel’s luxurious sister property, Beach House Suites, also offers plenty of fun in the Florida sun.

Longboat Key

• Location: Sarasota | View on Google Maps

With powdery sand that feels like walking on pixie dust and warm, shallow waters, Longboat Key evokes a Caribbean paradise. This Gulf of Mexico beach, just minutes from downtown Sarasota, tends to remain tranquil, bordered by low-rise condos, private homes, and cozy inns. “Longboat is low-key and relaxed,” shares Janet Malin from Tampa, who frequently enjoys beach days with her daughters. “It has that old Florida charm.” When you're ready for some people-watching, head a few miles south to Sarasota’s upscale Saint Armands Circle, where you'll find seafood eateries, European-style cafés, and ice cream parlors.

Stay overnight

For the ultimate beachfront resort experience, complete with a spa and a links-style golf course, The Resort at Longboat Key Club boasts a stunning barrier island beach at the southern end of Long Key, just across the bay from downtown Sarasota. It’s hard to beat for luxury, comfort, and location.

Ponte Vedra Beach

• Location: Jacksonville | View on Google Maps

Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville’s premier oceanfront community, has long been a haven for golfers due to its proximity to TPC Sawgrass, which hosts two iconic PGA tour courses. However, the coquina shell beaches here may outshine even those famed greens. The beach adjacent to Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Marine Estuarine Research Reserve features some of Florida’s most untouched sand dunes and is a favorite spot for collecting shark’s teeth and other marine fossils during low tide. Savor delectable southern-style shrimp and grits, as well as fried local fish while enjoying picturesque views of the Intracoastal Waterway at Barbara Jean’s on the Water.

If you’re looking for more to see beyond the beach, it’s less than an hour’s drive south to St. Augustine, one of the oldest cities in the U.S. This historic destination features the country’s oldest wooden schoolhouse from the early 18th century and the Castillo de San Marcos, a remarkable fort originally constructed by the Spanish in the 17th century along the Matanzas River.

Spend the night

Among the many features of the expansive Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and its sister hotel, the Lodge & Club, are a 30,000-square-foot spa, a championship golf course, and tennis courts, all situated within 10 low-rise buildings along the oceanfront.

Cocoa Beach

• Location: Cocoa Beach (city) | View on Google Maps

Just 65 miles (a little over an hour) east of Orlando’s theme parks, Cocoa Beach offers a fantastic experience along Florida’s Atlantic coast. Rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral are so frequent that you might catch one while surfing or enjoying a cold drink at popular spots like Coconuts on the Beach or Rikki Tikki Tavern at the end of Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. The expansive, golden sands here are nesting grounds for mother sea turtles from March to October. During summer, you can join nighttime turtle walks or kayak through the glowing bioluminescent waters of the Indian River Lagoon.

Spend the night

Nestled behind soft dunes in tranquil South Cocoa Beach, Beach Place Guesthouses features firepits and hammocks on a deck that overlooks the beach. The apartment-style lodgings come equipped with full kitchens, and a friendly talking parrot welcomes guests upon arrival.

Vero Beach

• Location: Vero Beach | View on Google Maps

Situated on Florida’s Treasure Coast—named for the Spanish 1715 Treasure Fleet that lost its bounty here during a storm—Vero Beach has evolved from a rustic getaway to a chic destination. The upscale town still exudes authentic Florida charm in places like Waldo’s Restaurant and Bar, where you can enjoy coconut shrimp and conch fritters while gazing at the crashing surf on the coquina shell beach. Don’t forget to try the tuna nachos at Riverside Café on the Indian River Lagoon, where playful dolphins are often spotted. For a cultural interlude from the beach, the Vero Beach Museum of Art features over 800 pieces of predominantly American art, including works by notable artists such as Reginald Marsh.

Make sure to explore Sebastian Inlet State Park, just 16 miles from downtown Vero Beach, where you'll find an expansive, tranquil stretch of stunning Florida coastline. The northern side of the inlet offers excellent snorkeling opportunities in a protected cove. For a top-notch breakfast in Vero Beach, be sure to arrive early at Lemon Tree café, famed for its lemon blueberry pancakes.

Stay the night

Located steps from the sand, the boutique Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa features an oceanfront pool, hot tub, and bar. It's a short walk to local restaurants, shops, beach bars, and the weekly Vero Beach Farmers’ Market. Families also enjoy the nearby Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, known for its expansive pool overlooking the beach and spacious suites with full kitchens and multiple bedrooms.

Palm Beach

• Location: West Palm Beach | View on Google Maps

Travel about 20 miles north of Delray Beach to find Palm Beach. This narrow barrier island town, sharing its name, is famous for being one of the wealthiest zip codes in the U.S. However, many don’t realize that the stunning beaches at the eastern end of the luxurious Worth Avenue—filled with high-end boutiques and European-style cafés—are accessible to the public and truly breathtaking.

“The water there has a radiant quality that I adore, and it's the ideal temperature for swimming nearly year-round,” shares Amy Murad, who escapes to Palm Beach from her Central Florida home for long weekends every summer. Visit Le Bilboquet for delightful French cuisine and oyster platters in a charming courtyard off Worth Avenue, or head across Lake Worth (the Intracoastal Waterway) to explore more casual dining on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. Don’t forget to rent a bike and cruise along the Lake Trail, which winds past some of Palm Beach’s most historic and stunning waterfront properties.

Stay the night

Florida’s most iconic grand oceanfront hotel is the Breakers, featuring suites and dining options that cater to both couples and families, along with a world-class spa and a prime beachfront setting. For a boutique experience just a few blocks from the beach, White Elephant Palm Beach offers 32 beautifully renovated rooms in a charming 1924 building.

Delray Beach

• Location: Delray Beach | View on Google Maps

Delray Beach is like a smaller, more approachable version of Fort Lauderdale, attracting a devoted crowd of locals and northeastern visitors who have “discovered” its charming, small-town atmosphere paired with a vibrant main street (Atlantic Avenue) lined with shops and lively restaurants. The beach is framed by sea grape trees that not only protect the sands from erosion during storms but also enhance the area’s tropical allure. Kite boarders and surfers frequently enjoy the waves here.

When you're not soaking up the sun, explore the creative Pineapple Grove Arts District, featuring incubator galleries and studios at the Arts Warehouse, along with the numerous bars, boutiques, and restaurants on bustling Atlantic Avenue (make sure to visit City Oyster & Sushi Bar and the stylish women’s boutique, Periwinkle). A short drive inland leads you to the remarkable Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, where you can wander past picturesque lakes adorned with flowering trees, explore the bonsai garden, or participate in a sadō (tea ceremony) workshop.

Stay the night

The Opal Grand Resort & Spa offers luxurious villas and oceanfront rooms with balconies that overlook the beach, just steps away from the dining and entertainment options on Atlantic Avenue.