Best places to visit in florida beaches

Do you want to stay in one of Florida’s best all inclusive resorts for families, are you looking for a beach bustling with outdoor fun, or do you prefer white, sandy beaches on a secluded island?

If you pick Florida, you can have it all.

And to help you get it right, I’ve put together a list of the best family beach vacations in Florida.

1. Clearwater Beach

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

First up on the list is Clearwater Beach, situated on the central west coast, along the Gulf of Florida.

The parents can go parasailing while the kids take in the ‘pirate’ ship rides.

The beaches are shallow and clear making it a great option for swimmers.

It has a long pier which invites you for a lovely stroll.

At sunset, celebrations begin at Pier 60 with a variety of watersports.

There are lots of family-friendly resorts making it one of the top family beaches in Florida.

Don’t forget to pop into the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet Winter, the dolphin.

It was the star of the 2011 American 3D family drama film Dolphin Tale.

Recommended Hotel: Wyndham Clearwater Beach Resort

2. Siesta Key

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Next on the list is Siesta Key in central west Florida.

Here you can go for award-winning activities any water sport of your choice or snorkeling.

The nearby village has many affordable restaurants and shops for your convenience.

You can also go kayaking at Turtle Beach at the southern end of Siesta Key.

The beaches here also have a trolley which makes it a coveted destination for a family-friendly beach vacation.

The young and old will love the concession stand.

Kids can raid the playground or get an ice-cream while mom and dad can check out the volleyball courts.

Siesta Key is particularly famous for its sugar-fine, sandy beaches, said to be the softest you’ll ever come across.

Recommended Hotel: Turtle Beach Resort

3. Amelia Island

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Amelia Island is more than just a destination with wide and quiet Atlantic beaches.

It has a history for those of you who like to nerd out.

Head to the Fort Clinch State Park for a taste of that southern charm.

But if not, 13 miles of pristine waters are waiting for your entire family with outdoor activities like kayaking and horseback riding.

When you’re not in the water, you can check out the shops and eateries around Fernandina’s Beach.

Their Fantastic Fudge is pretty popular.

If you plan your holiday in April, you can attend the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.

In this area, there are many hotels and resorts with child-friendly programs so that you and the husband can enjoy the holiday without guilt.

Recommended Hotel: Villas Of Amelia Island

4. Panama City Beach

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

The vibrant Panama City Beach in Northwest Florida is nothing but white, sandy beaches for 27 miles.

From family-friendly restaurants to eco-friendly adventures, this beach town has your whole family covered.

And if the mention of the best cheap Florida family vacations makes your ears perk up, this may be the spot for you as it is a relatively affordable area.

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ll find jet ski tours and parasailing excursions.

If you’re interested in Florida’s family beaches, well, you’ll find them here.

From volleyball to exploring the coast on a rental bike, there are many options.

Also, if you want to shop a little, there’s Pier Park sitting on a million square feet piece of land.

PCB, as it is referred to, has several family-friendly events underway depending on the time of the year you visit.

Recommended Hotel: Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach

Related: Top Places to Eat inPanama City Beach

5. Daytona Beach

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Here’s what you will like.

Daytona Beach offers some of the safest beaches for kids in the US.

With its ocean park vibe and car-free beaches, it is perfect for families.

If you’re driving, put away your gear in the trunk and head in search of the perfect spot.

You won’t be looking for long.

If you prefer a car-free beach, you can still rent bicycles, scooters, and ATVs for rent.

Take a few hours to get a surfing lesson or just indulge in boogie boarding.

If you prefer neither, just head to the snack vendors or local restaurants.

When you are done with the water, you should head out for some virtual sky tours and soundwalks.

You can also check out the Marine Science Center or the Daytona Lagoon waterpark.

Don’t miss the Daytona International Speedway and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station.

Recommended Hotel: The Shores Resort & Spa

Related: Weekend Getaways in Florida

6. St. Augustine

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

You might be a bit surprised to find St Augustine to be a beach destination.

But it is a great place with some quiet family beach options.

The 40 miles of scenic coastline is largely untouched and unspoiled.

And it has historical significance too.

It is the oldest city in the US where Spanish explorers first arrived thousands of years ago.

Toddlers will love the Pirate and Treasure Museum while you and the mister join them in admiring the Old Jail and the Alligator Farm.

St Augustine is also home to the oldest masonry fort in the US.

It has an iconic lighthouse and archeological sites that will mesmerize everyone.

And each of these spots is filled with little history nuggets.

Recommended Hotel: Hilton Saint Augustine Historic Bayfront

7. Singer Island

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Singer Island has a lot of details that will be music to your ears.

Its beaches are wide with turquoise waters and soothing breeze.

And the selection of upscale hotels and resorts is pretty wide.

The little ones will love their time at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center which hosts rescued sea turtles.

Kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving or snorkeling are all available along the two miles of picturesque and kid-friendly beaches at the John D MacArthur State Park.

If you don’t want to get into the water, explore some hiking and biking trails in the area.

Recommended Hotel: Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

8. Delray Beach

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Voted as the Most Fun Small Town in America by USA Today, Delray Beach is home to some white-sand beaches and some amazing restaurants.

It was also named as one of the top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns by Travel Channel and Coastal Living.

Those are just credentials to establish that this small town is quite the contender.

It is a lovely beach destination full of culture, sports, art, and nightlife that would surprise you.

Start walking a mile before the beach and you will find a street filled with outdoor cafés and restaurants with a variety of cuisines.

Don’t skip the unique Morakami Japanese Gardens or the Cathering Strong Splash Park with the kids.

And when you visit the Silverball Museum, make sure to point out the arcade games you played as a child.

They have them all here.

Recommended Hotel: Residence Inn by Marriott Delray Beach

9. Hollywood Beach

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

This is a great place with many toddler-friendly beaches.

Its wide beaches are great to walk around with the kids.

You can also rent a bike or rollerblades to check out the beachfront.

If you’d like a kayak tour of Whiskey Creek, and you’d love it, head south to the John U. Lloyd State Park.

Hollywood Beach boasts of a Broadwalk like no other and a promenade that stretches 2.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean.

It is home to the Hollywood Beach Theatre and a water playground for kids at Charnow Park, among other tourist hotspots.

Recommended Hotel: The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton

10. South Beach

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

South Beach has some of the most popular beaches between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.

It’s busy during the spring break but during winter, it is a great place to take your kids to.

South Beach offers many activities like sailing, yachting, swimming, surfing, fishing, scuba-diving and snorkeling.

You could also try stand-up paddleboarding, kite surfing, and jet skiing.

Once you’re all done with the beach, take the little ones to the Miami Children’s Museum or the Miami Seaquarium.

The place is rich with entertainment options like art galleries, bars, restaurants and boutiques.

You can also check out many arena events where the Miami Heat compete.

Recommended Hotel: The Setai, Miami Beach

11. Naples

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Although it is popular for its golf courses, Naples has some of the many wonderful beaches along the Gulf coast which makes it a great family vacation spot.

The waves are gentle and the sand is soft and white.

Here you can opt for shelling or kayaking or fishing off the pier.

The weather is warm throughout the year making it great to check out the city when you’re not at the beach.

Head to the Naples Zoo or Caribbean Gardens and explore the wonders of nature.

You could also take the tots to Golisano’s Children’s Museum of Naples for a fun afternoon.

Recommended Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples

12. Fort De Soto Park

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Made of five separate islands, Fort De Soto Park has a coastal habitat like none other in the state.

The sand is sugary and is a great place for kayaking or canoeing.

You could also cruise out on a jet ski or lay low fishing at the pier.

Swimming and kite surfing are two of the most popular activities here.

And searching for colorful seashells is the icing on the cake.

The diverse habitat offers a glimpse of pelicans, herons, egrets, and plovers.

If you go in the summer, you might spot some sea turtles and dolphins from the Gulf fishing pier.

Recommended Hotel: Grand Plaza Beachfront Resort Hotel & Conference Center

13. Sanibel and Captiva Islands

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

In Sanibel and Captiva Islands you will find warm and calm waters.

And you can catch a beautiful view of it from the Sanibel Lighthouse.

This place is a favorite for parents traveling with kids.

There are many private beaches on these islands outside Fort Myers.

You can rest a bike and explore the island.

If your toddlers like learning about the marine ecosystems, the Sanibel Sea School will be a pleasant surprise.

Shelling is the most popular activity at the Sanibel Stoop but a catamaran cruise is on the list too.

Recommended Hotel: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

14. New Smyrna Beach

Best places to visit in florida beaches
Best places to visit in florida beaches

Thirteen miles of beaches filled with white sand.

If that sounds perfect then New Smyrna Beach is the place for you.

It’s a well-known surfing destination and boasts of some of the finest wave action on Florida’s east coast.

But the quaint town with its local restaurants and sidewalk cafes is great for families too. 

It’s a great place to escape the white noise of a city and indulge in beachcombing, surfing or kitesurfing.

If you’re traveling with your dog, be sure to stop at the dog beach to the north of the jetty at Smyrna Dunes Park.

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Here are 14 of the best beaches in Florida..
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West. Getty Images. ... .
Miramar Beach, South Walton. ... .
Cocoa Beach, Brevard County. ... .
South Beach Park, Vero Beach. ... .
Juno Beach Park, Juno Beach. ... .
Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island. ... .
Delray Beach, Palm Beach County. ... .
Lummus Park Beach, Miami Beach..

What is the #1 beach in Florida?

South Beach, Miami Beautiful people, flashy cars, skimpy bathing suits, Art Deco architecture: It's all here on the 2.2-mile white sand stretch that makes up Florida's most famous beach.

Which beach is the best in Florida?

10 Best Beaches in Florida.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park..
Sanibel Island..
South Beach..
Grayton Beach State Park, South Walton..
Siesta Beach..
Pensacola Beach..
Fort Lauderdale Beach..
Caladesi Island State Park..

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