People want to know the best beaches in Florida for families. Located along nearly 1200 miles of coastline, Florida has some of the most stunning and admired beaches in the United States. Along with wonderful scenery, these beaches offer an immersive experience. Beyond the sandy stretches, families can indulge in the best resorts, explore lively clubs, and partake in a variety of activities.
With so many options, deciding on the perfect beach destination can feel like navigating a sea of choices. To make your decision easier, we will highlight the 15 best beaches that are perfect for family vacations.
15 Best Beaches in Florida for Families and Loved Ones
To spend some quality time with your family on a Floridian beach, you should definitely check out the following options. We bet these are the best beaches in Florida for families. Without further ado, let’s start with the number one Florida beach on our list.
#1 Panama City Beach
This beach is a perennial favorite for families. It offers 27 miles of glorious white-sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. The calm waters provide the perfect setting for splashing in the shallows. This makes this beach ideal for young kids.
Families can enjoy sunset dolphin cruises and explore the undeveloped Shell Island just offshore. Plus, they can experience the idyllic stretch of sand at St. Andrews State Park. For those seeking entertainment, Pier Park boasts stores, Vacation Rentals Houses restaurants, and an IMAX movie theater.
#2 Siesta Key Beach
It is located in Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Siesta Key Beach is renowned for its soft, white sand. This beach is a welcome treat for tiny feet on a hot day. So, it consistently ranks at the top of lists for family retreats.
Families can catch glimpses of frolicking dolphins in the distance. They can take advantage of amenities like public restrooms, showers, and a playground. Nearby, Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium offers captivating exhibits on local marine wildlife. Overall, Siesta Key Beach is an ideal family destination.
#3 Manasota Key Beach
Venture to Venice, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, where Manasota Key Beach awaits. This beach offers a unique pastime for families. It is known as the shark tooth capital of the world.
Often, kids and adults can be seen hauling around the beach with sifters and buckets. Actually, they do this to uncover fossilized shark teeth through the sand. Manasota Key provides the perfect backdrop for a treasure hunt. The shoreline stretches from Venice Beach to Caspersen Beach.
#4 Vero Beach
For a family vacation, Vero Beach on the Treasure Coast is an ideal destination. The Treasure Coast is named for Spanish galleons that spilled their loot in 1715. It offers plenty of oceanfront restaurants. Moreover, there is a chance to rent a metal detector from Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum for extra family fun.
Stay at oceanfront hotels like Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa. It includes perks like beach cruiser bikes and stand-up paddle boards for the resort fee. Park the car for the week and explore the area on bikes or on foot.
#5 Cocoa Beach
This beach spot is a fantastic choice for a family beach vacation. It features rocket launches at nearby Cape Canaveral. Plus, you can watch sea turtle walks during the summer months at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Kids can enjoy surf lessons on the same beaches where world champion Kelly Slater grew up. Beach Place Guesthouses offers oceanfront accommodations along one of Florida’s most beautiful stretches of beachfront. Here, families can even meet talking African parrots.
#6 St. Pete Beach
Experience the perfect blend of city and beach at St. Pete Beach. It is located in the Tampa Bay area. The Don CeSar on the Gulf of Mexico is a good place to stay. It offers free bikes and gulf-front pools.
Enjoy building sandcastles on the powdery white sand with your family members. Don’t forget to explore downtown St. Pete. There, you can find attractions like the St. Pete Pier, which features a bay beach and a marine-themed playground. To enjoy the stunning views of downtown, visit the rooftop tiki bar restaurant.
#7 St. Augustine Beach
Discover the history and beautiful beaches of St. Augustine Beach. It is situated in America’s oldest city, which was founded in 1565. Walk through historic streets and the Castillo de San Marcos fort. The experience will create a living history lesson for the whole family.
St. Augustine Beach offers gentle waves for beginner surfers. Plus, Ocean Hammock Park has beautiful boardwalks through wetlands and an onsite playground. This can be a great place to visit with the children.
#8 Delray Beach
Delray Beach has a friendly, small-town vibe. It is situated on the Atlantic coast between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Explore shops and restaurants along Atlantic Avenue, just a short walk from the beach.
You and your family can also enjoy amenities like public restrooms and showers on the municipal beach. Don’t miss the Sandoway Discovery Center. This is a place where kids can learn about Florida’s ecology through encounters with sharks, stingrays, alligators, and fossil digs.
#9 Naples
Pretty much everyone knows that Naples is renowned for its beautiful beaches. This is a great spot for family vacations. On top of that, families love Clam Pass Park for its picturesque and calm sands.
You can reach the beach via a complimentary golf cart tram ride. Also, you can stroll along a shaded boardwalk. Explore watery trails through mangroves with rented kayaks or canoes. If you prefer, you can simply rent an umbrella and chairs for a relaxing day on the sand.
#10 Amelia Island
For active families, Amelia Island offers 23 miles of dedicated cycling lanes. This seashore is just north of Jacksonville. There is a line of restaurants and boutiques in this place.
If you want, you can also explore remote beaches at Fort Clinch State Park and the charming downtown Fernandina Beach. For luxurious accommodations, you can go to the oceanfront Ritz-Carlton. You can also consider the well-located SpringHill Suites Amelia Island, right across from the state park.
#11 Sanibel Island
Discover the Seashell Capital of the World at Sanibel Island. Spend quality family time sorting through treasures on the 20 miles of beaches between Sanibel and Captiva. These oceans are known for their abundance of seashells.
Sanibel Island is nestled on Florida’s Gulf Coast. While walking on the coast, you will feel a gentle crush of seashells underfoot. It creates a relaxing, screen-free activity for the whole family. In addition, the occasional breaks will make you want to dip into the inviting ocean.
#12 Hutchinson Island
Experience a surprising mix of family fun at Hutchinson Island. It is located along the Atlantic Coast between Vero Beach and Palm Beach. Believe it or not, it is one of the few places in Florida where you can go horseback riding on the beach.
At Hutchinson Island, you can stay at the oceanfront Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa for maximum sun and surf. Explore downtown Fort Pierce for restaurants and shops. Plus, there is a vibrant Fort Pierce Farmers Market held every Saturday along the Indian River.
#13 Key Biscayne
Escape the bustling Miami Beach scene and discover the mellower beaches of Key Biscayne. This is just across the causeway from downtown Miami and Brickell. The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne offers a lovely beach and an onsite Ritz Kids Club.
Enjoy the undeveloped stretch at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. It features a historic lighthouse dating back to 1825. Venture into Biscayne National Park for snorkeling excursions. And you can always enjoy family-friendly boat trips into Biscayne Bay.
#14 Fort Lauderdale
Despite its reputation as a spring break destination, Fort Lauderdale Beach promises family fun along 24 miles of beachfront. Stay at the boutique oceanfront Pelican Grand Beach Resort. This place features a 500-foot-long private beach, a lazy river, and a pool that kids won’t want to leave.
Explore the scenic riverfront neighborhoods with your family. Plus, you can take a water taxi past mansions along the Intracoastal Waterway. What’s more, you can stroll Las Olas Boulevard with its ice cream shops, boutiques, and cafes.
#15 Melbourne Beach
Explore almost three miles of pristine beaches within Sebastian Inlet State Park. This beach spot is known for saltwater fishing and surfing. It offers opportunities to glimpse manatees, dolphins, and stingrays. Moreover, kids will be delighted by the chance to observe marine life in their natural habitat.
The beach is not just for sunbathing; it offers various outdoor activities for families. Sebastian Inlet State Park features a short hiking trail called Hammock Trail. It provides a chance for families to explore the natural surroundings and enjoy a picnic. For a well-rounded family beach experience, you can visit the on-site restaurant and gift shops.
Conclusion
There you have it! You have been introduced to the best beaches in Florida for families. These beaches promise not just sand and surf but memories to be cherished for a lifetime. They can draw you to the tranquil shores and refresh you. Rest assured, you and your family will create joyous moments of building sandcastles, exploring marine life, and riding the waves.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your sunscreen and get ready to take a lovely family vacation along Florida’s spectacular coastline.
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