10 Most Beautiful Beaches In Florida, USA

beautiful beaches in florida
Richard Dean
Richard Dean 
Updated
| 4 min read

Good weather all year round, warm turquoise water, and the finest white sand on earth; it’s not surprising why plenty of tourists are lured to visit Florida, USA. Florida is one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the United States with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Known also as the “Sunshine State,” it has plenty to offer. It features outstanding local beaches, each with its own charm and character. Plenty of water escapades are just waiting in every corner, from parasailing to kayaking, from paddleboarding to surfing, and even shells and shark teeth hunting. Indeed, Florida is blessed with natural beauty that one would regret not having the chance to witness it. Our advice? Check out this article and discover the most beautiful beaches in Florida, USA.

1. Bowman's Beach

Sanibel Island, Bowman Beach
Source: Photo by user Freebird used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Crystal-clear waters and white sand covered in seashells—these are the things that Bowman’s Beach in Sanibel Island is famous for. The beach is nestled in a secluded area, which means it guarantees a peaceful and fantastic beach experience. Yes, it is isolated, but everything you need is here, from well-maintained bathrooms to facilities and picnic areas. If you’re tired of swimming, then go hunting for some elusive, perfectly shaped shell that can remind you of Bowman’s Beach when you get home.

Bowman's Beach

Address: 1700 Bowmans Beach Rd, Sanibel, FL, United States

Website: Bowman’s Beach

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

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2. Venice Beach

beautiful beaches in florida | venice beach
Source: Photo by user melanie lauren ☮ used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Venice Beach is known for its unique “sail” style pavilion (an iconic landmark) and fossil-hunting (shark teeth) activities. Laidback, clear waters, fine sand, picturesque views—that’s what you get when you visit Venice Beach. It offers plenty of opportunities for shorebird-watching and dolphin-watching, plus the spectacular view of the Venice Public Fishing Pier is also visible from here. It is also the home to many marine turtles nesting from May to October. Amenities like lifeguards, free parking, volleyball courts, picnic area, and more are available.

Venice Beach

Address: Venice, FL 34285, USA

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3. Siesta Key Beach

Snorkeling Siesta Key Beach, Florida
Source: Photo by user SNORKELINGDIVES.COM used under CC BY 2.0

What sets apart Siesta Key Beach from the rest of Florida beaches is the sand. While typical beaches’ sands are made up of powdered coral, Siesta Beach’s sand is mostly comprised of fine white quartz, thanks to the Appalachian Mountains. Its location is top-notch, which sits wonderfully in the middle of Gulf Mexico and Roberts Bay and close to downtown Sarasota. It encourages plenty of activities like kayaking, island hopping, and shell collecting.

Siesta Key Beach

Address: 948 Beach Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242, United States

Website: Siesta Key Beach

Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)

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4. Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach closeup
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marc Averette used under CC BY 3.0

Approximately a half-mile long (0.80 km), the largest public beach in Florida’s Key West is Smathers Beach. The south side of the island is very much worth your time thanks to the beauty of this beach. Smathers Beach is a perfect spot for getting a tan and it encourages activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. It features fine sands, crystal clear water, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Smathers Beach

Address: 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL, United States

Website: Smathers Beach

Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)

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5. Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach
Source: Photo by user bryansblog used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Situated on Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is popular for its pristine shores, sunny shoreline, clear waters, surf breaks, and more. Cocoa Beach is one of the most sought-after beach destinations in Florida if you want to experience a real water escapade. Take a break from the real world and enjoy parasailing or casino cruises. Perhaps, kayaking and playing with dolphins are more up your alley. And if you love fishing, why not join a Cocoa Beach Fishing Tour? With all these, it’s no wonder why Cocoa Beach is famous in Florida.

Cocoa Beach

Address: Florida 32931, USA

Website: Cocoa Beach

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6. Playalinda Beach

Heron, Playalinda Beach
Source: Photo by user Paulo O used under CC BY 2.0

A visit to Playalinda Beach gives you a unique beach experience. Nestled within the Cape Canaveral National Seashore, this beach is one of the most popular nude beaches in Florida. If you are lucky, you’ll also have the chance to witness live rocket launches because of the beach’s proximity to Kennedy Space Center. Playalinda is also a good choice for water adventures, from surfing to swimming and more.

Playalinda Beach

Address: Fla 402 (also known as Beach Road), from I-95, exit 220 east of Garden Street

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7. Caspersen Beach

Caspersen Beach, Venice, Florida
Source: Photo by user Andy Montgomery used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Caspersen Beach is one of Sarasota County’s beaches, which is a combination of sun, water, sand, and more fun. It is also considered as the longest beach in Sarasota County. This beach is popular for beachcombing for fossils like shark teeth. Unlike other beaches, Caspersen does not have a lifeguard but that does not hinder visitors from enjoying water adventure, from swimming to snorkeling and fishing. This is also a good spot for strolling as the beach has its own boardwalk.

Caspersen Beach

Address: 4100 Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34285

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8. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach
Source: Photo by user Milan Boers used under CC BY 2.0

From its name, you probably know what is the drawcard of Clearwater Beach. You’re right–Clearwater Beach features crystal clear waters. It boasts the finest white sand in America and extends 4.82 km (3 mi) along Pinellas Peninsula on the Gulf Coast. It urges you to have a once-in-a-lifetime beach adventure, as it offers tons of water sports, from parasailing to jet-skiing and paddleboarding. This venue gives you opportunities to experience dolphin-watching cruises and fishing excursions. Clearwater offers a romantic cheap thrill for lovers; just walk to the end of Pier 60 and you’ll able to witness the stunning sunsets.

Clearwater Beach

Address: Clearwater, FL, USA

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9. Naples Beach

Naples FL beach01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0

White sands, turquoise water, serene atmosphere, sunsets in the fishing pier—these make Naples Beach special. Situated in the Gulf of Mexico in Southern Florida, this beach is perfect to try outstanding fishing excursions. The beach is 11.27 km (7 mi) and offers plenty of amenities, from excellent outdoor restaurants to nearby golf courses and more.

Naples Beach

Address: Naples, FL 34102, USA

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10. North Beach

beautiful beaches in florida | north beach
Source: instagram

If you’re done with the vibrant atmosphere of South Beach, then why not try the peaceful and relaxing vibe of North Beach. Also known as NoBe, this part of Miami is much older and less crowded than its Southern counterpart. Still, it offers a wonderful beach experience, especially for families. This beach features picnic tables with a barbecue area and a playground. Dogs are also welcome here.

North Beach

Address: Miami Beach, FL 33141, USA

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One-of-a-kind beach experience in Florida

Ah, Florida–the city with good weather all year round. World-class beaches, exciting arrays, wildlife, attractions, friendly people—almost everything here can make your dream vacation come true. Florida beaches are more than your dose of vitamin sea. With their long stretches of coastline and finest white sand, it will be hard for you to leave this piece of paradise. Take a break from the real world and start your beach escapade in the Sunshine State.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Richard, a writer and traveler, is also passionate about biking. When not immersed in bike parts or computers, he can be found at the market, hunting for ingredients to fuel his love for...Read more

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