Islands & Beaches
The most superb spots for sun and sand along the state’s over 1,300 miles of coastline
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Florida has more than 1,300 miles of coastline, and choosing its best beaches is an exercise in splitting hairs—or, more accurately, grains of sand. Along the Gulf Coast, spectacular stretches of powder-white sand meet waters that can look downright Caribbean, while the Atlantic side counters with cinnamon-hued shores, coral-fringed coves, wave-friendly breaks, and the glamorous beaches of Miami.
What makes Florida’s beaches so compelling is just how different they can be. Some stretch for miles through undeveloped state parks; others come backed by Art Deco architecture, beachfront hotels, and promenades made for people-watching. A few require a ferry or seaplane to reach. Along the way, they serve as gathering grounds for families and fishermen, surfers and sun-worshippers, wildlife lovers and, in some corners of the state, LGBTQ+ travelers looking for a welcoming patch of sand.
Whether you’re plotting a laid-back Gulf Coast escape, a road trip through the Keys, or a hotel-hopping weekend along Miami Beach, there’s a shoreline here for it. From the Panhandle to South Florida and back up the opposite coast, these are the 25 best beaches in Florida, plus our picks for where to stay nearby.
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Clearwater Beach
With its exceptionally wide swath of powdery white sand, calm Gulf waters, and seemingly endless roster of family-friendly activities, Clearwater Beach has been a Florida vacation mainstay for generations. Pier 60 remains its social center, hosting nightly sunset celebrations with street performers, artisans, and plenty of people-watching. But there’s more here than sand, sunsets, and beach town kitsch. Just across the causeway, Clearwater Marine Aquarium operates as a working marine animal hospital and rescue center, with resident bottlenose dolphins and the only rescued rough-toothed dolphins on view at any facility in North America. Back on the beach, a new generation of hotels is finally catching up with the destination itself, including Opal Sol Resort, set along the Beach Walk promenade and within easy walking distance of Pier 60.
Where to stay near Clearwater Beach:
- For a contemporary beachfront stay: Opal Sol Resort
- For a classic Gulf Coast resort: Sandpearl Resort
- For immersion in Florida beachfront history: The Don CeSar
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Shell Island, Panama City Beach
Florida’s Panhandle beaches come in all flavors, but few feel as wonderfully undeveloped as Shell Island, a seven-mile barrier island wedged between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay, and the highlight of which is its eponymous main beach. On Shell Island, there are no restaurants, hotels, or even restrooms, just patches of sugar-white sand, emerald water, coastal scrub, nesting shorebirds, sea turtles, and the wildlife that thrives without much human interference. But our favorite part of Shell Island Beach aren’t the sands but the surrounding waters, which are frequented by bottlenose dolphins. Thanks to generations of human-dolphin interaction, Shell Island presents the rare opportunity for swimming with the dolphins in the wild. Island Time Sailing runs three-hour catamaran excursions across St. Andrews Bay, stopping in the shallows off Shell Island for snorkeling before heading into the Gulf in resident pods and swimming with these charismatic marine mammals in their natural habitat, on their own terms (versus a contrived swim-with-dolphins attraction.)
Where to stay near Shell Island Beach, Panama City Beach:
- For a full-service waterfront resort: Hilton Vacation Club Bayside Resort Panama City Beach
- For direct Gulf-front access: Sterling Breeze
- For an unfussy, coastal stay: Hyatt Place Panama City Beach
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Naples Beach
Naples has long been synonymous with manicured streets, multimillion-dollar homes, and an exceptionally soft miles-long stretch of Gulf Coast sand, idyllic for ambles by the lucky few that call the town home. However, a wave of new and renewed properties is making this famed beach more accessible to travelers, namely the opening of 2026 Hot List recipient Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort and Olde Naples Hotel alongside an expansion of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. And while daytime fun-in-the-sun is always on tap, sunset is when Naples’ beachfront really comes alive. The best place to watch is Sunset Bar at the newly revived Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort, which occupies 1,000 feet of white-sand shoreline. It draws locals and hotel guests for the nightly ritual of blowing a conch shell as the sun hits the horizon. For dinner afterwards, consider heading inland to Michelin-recommended Bicyclette Cookshop for sharable eclectic global eats such as snapper ceviche with gooseberries and leche de tigre, ramp pierogies, and olive-oil crowned vanilla soft serve for dessert.
Where to stay near Naples Beach:
- For the full beachfront resort experience: Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort
- For a boutique stay in the heart of town but steps from the beach: Olde Naples Hotel
- For a longstanding classic: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
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South Beach, Miami
Beautiful people, flashy cars, skimpy bathing suits, Art Deco architecture: It’s all here on the two-mile white sand stretch that makes up Florida’s most famous beach. The most recognizable public stretch fronts Lummus Park between roughly fifth and 14th streets, where models, musclemen, volleyball players, colorful lifeguard stands, and Ocean Drive’s neon-trimmed architecture supply the Miami fantasy. Locals tend to migrate south of the hoopla below Fifth Street. Continue north and the shoreline becomes increasingly dominated by the beach clubs of South Beach’s luxury hotels, where orderly rows of chairs and umbrellas replace the anything-goes towel crowd farther south. There’s still plenty of public sand in between.
Where to stay near South Beach, Miami:
- For a sexy, luxury-at-your-fingertips stay: 1 Hotel South Beach
- For a South Beach icon, reimagined: Delano Miami Beach
- For a chic Art Deco-imbued lair: Shelborne by Proper
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Longboat Key Beach
For all the attention lavished on neighboring Siesta Key, Longboat Key remains one of Sarasota’s quieter barrier islands, with flour-soft sand, placid waters, and a decidedly residential feel. The shoreline is made for long walks, shell collecting, and lingering through the Gulf Coast’s famously colorful sunsets, while Sarasota’s restaurants, circus museum, and St. Armands Circle remain within easy reach. The arrival of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort has added a serious luxury option to the equation and optimal access to one of the planet’s finest quartz-sand beaches. Set on 18 beachfront acres, the resort pairs its private stretch of sand with multiple pools, a winding river, an adults-only pool club, and a 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon filled with tropical fish and rays. It’s the rare Florida beach resort that can compete with a Caribbean escape without requiring a passport.
Where to stay near Longboat Key Beach:
- For full-on beachfront luxury: The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
- For a taste of Old Florida: The Resort of Longboat Key Club
- For a fun circus theme a barrier island away: Cirque St. Armands Beachside
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Main Beach, Amelia Island
For a taste of old-school Florida beach vacations (think: sandcastles, ice cream, and room to roam) Amelia Island delivers. Located in the state’s northeastern corner, this barrier island offers 13 miles of wide, uncrowded shoreline and 40 public access points, making it a favorite for low-key family getaways. Set up on the sand of Main Beach with a beach chair or lounger, skip the cocktail for a cone, and let the kids roam free across dunes and tide pools. Accessibility is a priority here, too: Wheelchair users will appreciate the ADA-compliant Mobi-mat that runs from the boardwalk to the sand. Visitors can also reserve upright beach wheelchairs and a Mobi floating wheelchair in advance from the Atlantic Recreation Center—ensuring everyone can enjoy Amelia’s laid-back coastal magic.
Where to stay near Main Beach, Amelia Island:
- For a classic resort-style beach escape: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
- For beach, pool, spa, repeat: Omni Amelia Island Resort
- For a Victorian-inspired seaside escape: Elizabeth Ponte Lodge
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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo
Key Largo might be known for its kitschy roadside attractions, but just beyond the highway lies a quieter, more captivating world—one shaped by mangroves, clear shallows, and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US. That reef is the star of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, a protected marine sanctuary stretching three miles offshore and roughly 25 miles along the Atlantic coast. Whether you're a seasoned diver or just dipping your fins in for the first time, there are plenty of ways to explore. Wade at Far Beach for a glimpse of marine life in waist-deep water, or join one of the park’s five daily snorkeling excursions or twice-daily dive tours to see the reef up close. Expect to spot everything from Technicolor parrotfish to stingrays—and venture a bit farther for a glimpse of the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue, which technically lies just outside the park’s boundaries in the larger Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Where to stay near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo:
- For loads of fun in the sun: Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
- For lush nature trails and pet-friendly beach access: Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection By Hilton
- For a floating bungalow: Stay Ombi
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Sebastian Beach, Fort Lauderdale
Even in the face of America’s rising tide of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the sun still shines bright—and proudly—on Sebastian Beach, one of the most iconic and inclusive stretches of sand in Florida. Steps from Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront promenade, this unofficial gay beach is a sun-soaked celebration of queer joy, where every color of the rainbow is not just welcomed but wonderfully visible. The vibe? Come as you are. Expect towel-to-towel diversity, from longtime locals to globe-trotting couples, solo travelers, and friend groups making an annual pilgrimage.
LGBTQ+-friendly hotels line the nearby blocks. And while there’s no dedicated queer nightlife directly on the sand, it’s a quick 12-minute rideshare to Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale’s legendary “gayborhood,” home to everything from upscale cocktail lounges like Drynk to dancefloors at No Manors and Hunters. Oh, and, if you're searching for that sea of Speedo-clad, sculpted bods? Sebastian Beach is more about community over curated abs—but for that hyper-alpha aesthetic, South Beach’s 12th Street Beach has your number (just 45-minutes south).
Where to stay near Sebastian Beach, Fort Lauderdale:
- For a glamorous resort: Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
- For a sandy and stylish stay: Kimpton Shorebreak
- For foodies and wellness lovers: W Fort Lauderdale
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Alys Beach, South Walton
Along the Emerald Coast’s sugar-white shoreline, where the Gulf shimmers like a sapphire, Alys Beach rises as the most photogenic beach town in Florida—and arguably one of the most exclusive. Framed by a dazzling stretch of beach, this 158-acre planned community feels more Mediterranean than Panhandle, with its stark white masonry buildings, breezy courtyards, and palm-lined promenades. The town’s carefully curated aesthetic is part of its charm: think modernist-meets-Moroccan architecture, hidden alcoves, and limestone pathways leading to upscale boutiques, alfresco cafés, and private pools. A 20-acre nature preserve borders the back of the property, offering a contrast of coastal wildness to the town’s pristine polish. There are no hotels by design, and beach access is private, reserved for guests renting one of Alys Beach’s coveted homes, cottages, or villas (or those lucky enough to have a friend behind the gates). But if you’re looking for serene sands, turquoise water, and a scene that feels like Mykonos met Miami on a minimalist cleanse, this is the beach to book.
Where to stay near Alys Beach, South Walton:
- For poolside cabanas and chic design: The Pearl Hotel
- For outdoor activities galore: Watercolor Inn & Resort
- For a family-friendly retreat: Camp Creek Inn
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Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin
This untouched, 650-acre barrier island feels like a giant sandbar reserved for the lucky few who make the journey. It dazzles with its pristine beauty—radiantly white sand, clear cerulean waters, pastel-hued seashells, and abundant birdlife. Reach the island by ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, or, for the intrepid, arrive on foot via Clearwater Beach. (A powerful 1985 hurricane dredged up enough sand to create a link between the two, but the wade is long, unshaded, and best attempted only by the physically fit.) Either way, the reward is a beach that still feels gloriously undiscovered.
Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin:
- For a well-kept and jazzy vine: Fenway Hotel, Autograph Collection
- For direct beach access: Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
- For a four-star beachfront oasis: Sandpearl Resort
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Marco Island Beach
The western perimeter of Marco Island is marked by stunning, wide white-sand beaches idyllic for ambles and shelling. At low tide, wade out to sandbars to collect sand dollars and other sea treasures. Toward the north of this barrier island, Tigertail Beach Park is popular for its tidal lagoon, where paddleboarders can take advantage of the ultra-calm waters. Further south, the beaches are busy with families vacationing at beachfront properties; along the beach, look forward to seabird activity aplenty, as Marco Island is a preferred nesting ground for least terns and black skimmers.
Where to stay near Marco Island Beach:
- For family-friendly fun: Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa
- For an option to book adults-only: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
- For easy access to soft sand: Marriott's Crystal Shores
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Fort Lauderdale Beach
Forget what you think you know about Fort Lauderdale: The Pabst Blue Ribbon-strewn sands, Hawaiian Tropic oil slicks, and packed motels of yesteryear’s spring break capital have gone away (though the ultimate dive bar, the c. 1938 Elbo Room, is here to stay, much to our delight!) Nowadays, for the most part, Fort Lauderdale beach is characterized by uncluttered stretches of sand, sparkling blue waters, upscale resorts, and mega-yachts rewriting this beach’s story. Billions in economic development have gone into erasing the Where the Boys Are vibe, restructuring Fort Lauderdale Beach as an unfussy yet refined alternative to neighboring Miami’s beaches.
Where to stay near Fort Lauderdale Beach:
- For a high-design, oceanfront stunner: Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale
- For Art Deco and amenities alike: The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
- For a superb family-friendly stay: Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
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Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne
This state park has it all, albeit with some caveats: a mile-long beach on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, an extensive network of walking and biking trails, excellent birding, restaurants worth the visit, and the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse. While the beach is indeed nice, we feel there are better elsewhere. Our advice: couple some sand time with exploration and dining. Follow the scenic path along the park’s western perimeter for superb Miami skyline views and birding opportunities, bike to the lighthouse, then reward yourself at Boater’s Grill or the must-visit sunset bar The Cleat.
Where to stay near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne:
- For a spruced-up, standout stay: The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
- For an ultra-convenient vacation rental: Beach Haus
- For a more affordable, still-central option: Coral Reef at Key Biscayne
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Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island
Easily accessible off the main Sanibel-Captiva Road yet remarkably undeveloped, this family-friendly beach lacks the crowds of neighboring stretches but promises all the pastel-hued sunsets, excellent shelling, and gentle waves for which Sanibel Island is known. It’s also one of the best beaches in Florida for windsurfing, sailing, and even canoeing, thanks to inland waterways to the west of the beach. However, our favorite pastime here is a barefoot walk through the white sand, admiring the Gulf views, and picking up more shells than we can carry along the way. It's an ideal spot for weekend getaways in Florida.
Where to stay near Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island:
- For a group-friendly rental: Cape Coral riverfront villa
- For an amenity-forward Airbnb: Villa 510 rental
- For a dreamy vacation home: Four-bedroom gulf view Airbnb
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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Travel journalist, photographer, and content creator Paul Rubio is a Miami native (and current resident) who has lived in nine countries and traveled to 137 (and counting). After graduating Harvard with a Master of Economics and a Master of Public Administration, Paul strayed from a logical career path and embraced ... Read More
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