10 Best Beaches in Florida

Found where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico, the protected Fort Zachary park in Key West offers an activity-filled day out. With clear water ideal for swimming and snorkelling, as well as nature trails to explore, there’s much to see and do. Snorkelling gear is available for hire in the park, with reams of tropical marine life to see just a short swim offshore.

Stop by Fort Zachary for a guided tour to learn about its role in the Civil and Spanish-American wars. Take a lunch break at Cayo Hueso Cafe or use the park's public picnic tables and grills to prepare your own meal. Those who linger on into the evening are rewarded with spectacular sunsets.

Sanibel Island, a barrier reef island near Fort Myers, is a seashell paradise, with millions of shells washing up on its shores every year. Shellers love to come here to search for beautiful specimens like conches or sand dollars to add to their collection, especially from January through March.

Blind Pass Beach has lovely soft white sands with some of the best shelling grounds, while those looking for a more secluded escape could head to Bowman's Beach. Sanibel and Captiva Islands can be reached via a 3-mile long (4.8-km) causeway with a toll for cars. Sanibel's compact size makes it ideal for exploring by bicycle.

If you're in search of a lively Florida beach with some glitz and glam, make your way to South Beach. Many people flock to 'SoBe' to see and be seen, but there's also a ton of stuff to do including yachting, snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and kite surfing.

Wander off the beach to explore the vibrant Art Deco district or stop by the museums, art galleries and shops lining the streets. Enjoy a cocktail at an Ocean Drive bar before dashing off to party in the clubs late into the night. Nearby 12th Street Beach is an LBGT haven, while clothing-optional Haulover Beach is great for working on your full-body suntan.

With powder-soft sands and vast area of wilderness, the Grayton Beach State Park on Emerald Coast is a breathtakingly beautiful place to explore. Spend the day hiking or paddling a canoe on the dune lake. Birds and wildlife thrive here, including green sea turtles that can sometimes be seen digging nests in the sand.

Scuba divers will not want to miss the Underwater Museum of Art, an amazing sight that blends nature with human creativity. Sculptural works from artists around the world are installed in an underwater garden just offshore, attracting marine life and eventually transforming into a living reef.

Running barefoot on Siesta Beach is a joy, with its incredibly fine sands of 99% pure quartz and gentle surf rolling in from the Gulf of Mexico. Set on Siesta Key near Sarasota, it’s a fun beach for spending a day with your kids swimming, relaxing in the sun and sandcastle building.

Siesta Key Village and its boutique shops, restaurants and bars is just a short walk away, while every Sunday evening the beach comes to life with the sounds and carefree spirit of the Siesta Key Drum Circle. All are welcome to come to watch and dance on the sand.

Pensacola Beach extends along the coast of the narrow barrier island of Santa Rosa, offering a mix of lively, hotel-lined sections and tranquil stretches of sand away from the crowds. The 1,476-ft-long (450-metre-long) Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier offers a great vantage point for spotting dolphins and manatees. The pier is also perfectly located for watching the sun go down in a fiery blaze over the Gulf.

Find a good choice of open-air bars, restaurants and shops along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, or for a more secluded day at the beach, head to the Gulf Islands National Seashore and enjoy a peaceful stroll along its sugar-white sands.

Fort Lauderdale Beach, once a popular party destination for college kids on spring break, has transformed into an area focused more on chic shopping than beer chugging. The spectacular string of white-sand beaches lining greater Fort Lauderdale’s coast extends for nearly 24 miles (39 km).

Fort Lauderdale’s main beach is a thriving place with boutique shops, dining spots and a beachfront promenade to stroll while enjoying the lively atmosphere. Find quieter stretches of sand at Dania Beach or Hillsboro Beach, where there's a lighthouse and yacht-studded inlet. And there’s a fascinating underwater world for scuba divers and snorkellers to explore with 60 miles (97 km) of coral reef just offshore.

Caladesi Island State Park is a paradise of pristine beaches and mangrove forests off the coast of Clearwater, about 24 miles (39 km) west of Tampa Bay. Hike the nature trails to search for birds and majestic trees like cabbage palms, towering slash pine trees and live oaks. Paddle a kayak through the mangroves or simply relax on the soft white sands.

To get to the island, hire a kayak along Dunedin Causeway and paddle in, if you’re up for the journey. With a marina on the island, Caladesi’s also a fine spot for a private boat cruise.

Amelia Island boasts 12 miles (19 km) of soft-sand beaches, making it an exquisite destination for your whole family and those seeking a beach escape sprinkled with history and culture. Found just off the northeast Florida coast, it's the perfect place for early risers to catch inspiring sunrise views over the Atlantic before wandering the sands in search of seashells and fossilised shark teeth.

Enjoy a horseback riding session, hire a kayak to explore the clear coastal waters or ride a bike down trails shaded by ancient oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Off the beach, you'll find museums, spas, a diverse dining scene and town streets lined with historic Southern Victorian homes.

Pass-A-Grille Beach is located on the southernmost end of St. Pete's Beach, and ideal place to enjoy an easy, breezy day in the Florida sun. Stroll along the flour-soft sands, paddle a SUP board or see colourful boats at the Merry Pier.

Days at Pass-A-Grille Beach wind down with a romantic flourish, as vivid sunsets light up the sea and sky. Discover the area’s Old Florida history and charm while wandering through the town streets, including the historic 8th Avenue.