We’ve got a beach for that: Vacations in Florida
With 1,350 miles of coastline, Florida certainly has a stretch of sandy shores suited for every beach passion, whether it’s hanging 10 on a surfboard, peering at underwater wonders while snorkeling, searching the low tide for the perfect seashell or enjoying a day of tranquil peace on a patch of secluded sand.
From the Florida Keys to the Panhandle, the Sunshine State certainly has a beach for everyone.
Best Surfing Beach: Palm Beach’s Reef Road
Reef Road in West Palm Beach’s glitziest neighborhood is one of the few places in the state where the surf can achieve true “big wave” status. The area has beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and warm temperatures, which make for epic conditions when cold fronts roll through.
If you go: The break is located in a residential area on the north end of the county’s priciest slab of real estate. There’s no public parking within two miles of the spot — and there is a very active police force.
Runners-up: New Smyrna Beach and Sebastian Inlet
Best Snorkeling/Scuba Diving Beach: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Whether you want to admire colorful coral reef or the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue (donated to the park in 1966) submerged in the clear waters off Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a must-see. The park covers 70 nautical square miles and, opening in 1963, was the first underwater park in the United States. Personal or group in-water guides are available upon request for $45, plus tax. Each additional snorkeler (guided) is $15, plus tax.
Park admission: $8 per vehicle, plus 50 cents per person
If you go: 102601 Overseas Highway in Key Largo; 305-451-6300; floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park
Runners-up: Bathtub Reef Park in Stuart and Point of Rocks on Siesta Key
Best Beach for Shark’s Teeth: Caspersen Beach in Venice
Beachcombers know the Gulf beaches in and around Southwest Florida are the best places to search for prehistoric shark’s teeth. Caspersen Beach in Venice is an exceptionally fine spot — and a good shelling beach too. Walk along the shoreline and look for the shiny black fossils as they roll onto the shore with the tide. Or purchase a “Venice Snow Shovel,” a screened basket fitted onto a long handle, and wade out a few feet into the water to scoop up your treasures. Most shark teeth found near the shore are 1/8-inch to 3/4-inch or even a bit larger.
If you go: 4100 Harbor Drive in Venice; visitsarasota.com/beaches/caspersen-beach
Runners-up: Casey Key in Nokomis and Fort Clinch State Park beaches on Amelia Island
Best Beach for Rocket Launch Viewing: Playalinda Beach
Playalinda Beach is located inside Canaveral National Seashore, one of Florida’s 11 national parks. It’s an undeveloped beach known for its serene environment and pristine shoreline and is a premier location from which to watch a rocket launch. Always check their website or Kennedy Space Center’s website for the most up-to-date info regarding launches. Note: The park restricts access when it reaches capacity for safety purposes.
Park admission: Park passes are valid for seven days. $20 per vehicle; $15 per motorcycle; $10 per pedestrian or cyclist
If you go: Florida State Road 406/402 in Titusville; 321-267-1110; nps.gov/cana
Runners-up: Jetty Park Beach at Port Canaveral and Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach
Best Shelling Beach: Sanibel Island beaches
Treasure washes up daily on the shores of Sanibel Island, and you can identify the seekers of the perfect shell by their bent-over posture, commonly known as the “Sanibel stoop.” The barrier island off Florida’s southwest coast is famous for its 15 miles of beaches, where more than 200 kinds of shells can be found. The island has a unique east-west orientation, which creates a long, south-facing beach that pitches gradually into the water. From there, the Gulf currents easily push their tiny treasures onto the shore. You can usually find shells anytime on Sanibel’s beaches, but the best time to go shelling is following a storm after low tide. Bring a scooper, a bucket and a net shell bag that allows water to drain.
If you go: Sanibel Island is off the coast of southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers. Parking at Sanibel’s public beaches costs $5 an hour. sanibel-captiva.org
Runners-up: Tigertail Beach on Marco Island and Shell Island near Panama City Beach
Best Party Beach: South Beach in Miami
Hear that sizzle? That’s Miami’s South Beach, where the people are pretty and the party never stops. South Beach, sometimes called the American Riviera, offers hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, boutiques and hotels. People-watching is a great pastime here, as the clear, aquamarine water and white sand beaches draw celebrities and beautiful people in skimpy swim attire. South Beach is also known for iconic, pastel-hued art deco buildings lining Ocean Drive.
If you go: SoBe is located due east of Miami, between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Runners-up: Panama City Beach and Daytona Beach
Most family-friendly beach: Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota
Siesta Key in Sarasota is known for its sugary sand beach, which is a hit with kids who want to build sandcastles. The beach offers calm, clear and shallow turquoise water for swimmers of all ages, and lifeguards are posted year-round. The Gulf Coast barrier-island beach sports a sandcastle-themed playground, volleyball and tennis courts, a huge parking lot that’s free and a concession stand — where you can take advantage of beach rentals. Tripadvisor ranked the Sarasota beach first in its 2020 list of the Top 25 beaches in the country. The site also ranked Siesta Key Beach as the No. 11 beach in the world.
If you go: 948 Beach Road in Siesta Key; 941-861-5000; visitsarasota.com/siesta-key
Runners-up: St. Augustine Beach and Dubois Park in Jupiter
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