Best Florida Beaches
With about 1,200 miles of coastline, Florida is a year-round escape for many on the East Coast. Plus, the diversity of the shores—from family-friendly to party hardy—helps draw a variety of travelers. When making your decision about where to go, you should consider two general rules of Floridian geography: One, the farther south you head, the warmer, more tropical weather you'll encounter. And two, Gulf Coast water is usually calmer and warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. With those two tips (and our descriptions), you're ready to pick your next Florida beach vacation.
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Why Go: You'll be hard-pressed to find a place in Florida with quieter and calmer shores than Sanibel Island. Where the pastime is "shelling"—collecting assorted seashells along the sand—rather than partying, the island hosts laid-back art galleries, quaint eateries, and rental properties. Located near Fort Myers, Sanibel is enjoyable year-round thanks to its pleasant weather and consistently low room rates. Read More»
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Why Go: Midwestern and Southern families flock to "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village" for its white sands and frequent sunshine. Less tropical than other Florida hotspots, Destin sees seasonal shifts in the weather and tourist traffic. Temps, visitor volume, and room rates are at their highest in the summer. However, Destin is one of Florida's most affordable beach towns at any time of the year. Read More»
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Why Go: Usually in Miami's shadow, Fort Lauderdale has come into its own as a travel destination. And the city's less chaotic, less crowded beaches are its biggest asset, luring laid-back travelers away from the neon lights of Miami Beach. Fort Lauderdale is both family—and budget—friendly, offering significantly lower room rates than other nearby Florida beach towns. Read More»
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Why Go: Swelling with golf courses, gourmet eateries, and boutique shops, Naples is Florida's upscale Gulf-side destination. The luxury resorts and costly extracurricular activities make a Naples vacation quite expensive. But luckily, the gorgeous sandy beaches that first attracted visitors to the area are free. Read More»
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Why Go: It's Miami Beach. This statement should be enough to convince you to go. But, in case you need some mental images to draw a picture, here's a list of what you'll find in town: all-night parties, celebrity sightings, colorful neon lights, delicious food, South Beach's smooth sand, gorgeous weather, gorgeous individuals, chic boutique hotels, and insane yachts. What's not to love? Read More»
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Why Go: Palm Beach has captured the hearts of the millionaires and billionaires that maintain mansions along its coveted coastline. And if you give it a chance, this Florida city will probably steal yours too. The shores lack the crowds found farther south in Miami Beach. Plus, you can enjoy the exciting urban developments of downtown West Palm Beach and the classic luxury of Palm Beach. Read More»
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Why Go: This tiny island might be at the end of the Keys, but it might also be at the top of your list. Bursting with personality, Key West attracts visitors with its scenic shoreline and remarkable residents. Come during a festival and let this little refuge knock your socks off with loud music, jam-packed bars, and fascinating people. However, the shores themselves can also be a bit overcrowded. Read More»
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Why Go: Fort Myers can't boast the 20 miles of shoreline like Daytona, the see-and-be-seen sands of Miami Beach or the clean coast of nearby Sanibel Island. In fact, Fort Myers Beach is a 30-minute drive from downtown (and that is without traffic). But it does have a small-town feel that some vacationers really enjoy. Read More»
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