The best Florida beach towns are cozy and quaint, reflecting an Old Florida ambience. Here are seven of our favorites, all small enclaves worth discovering.
Best Florida Beaches
Best Beaches in Florida
Florida Rambler’s full catalog of stories about our favorite Florida beaches, many of them hidden treasures where you can find solace and sun, surf and sand, or excellent fishing. Family beaches to play and hidden gems you can only reach by kayak.
Browse our beach stories below…
Unspoiled Canaveral beaches: Solace, beauty and free July 4 weekend
Canaveral National Seashore is longest undeveloped beach in Florida, 24 miles of pristine coastal sanctuary for people, birds and armadillos. Canaveral National Seashore is quiet and peaceful and you can always find your place in the sand. Admission is free July 3–5 for Independence Weekend.
Ultimate Road Trip: Driving on Florida’s coastal beaches
Driving your car on the beaches is a Florida tradition going back to horse-and-buggy days. Today, only a few beaches still allow the practice. We show you where and how on the Atlantic Coast.
Dramatic Washington Oaks beach is lined with sculpted rocks
Florida has miles of beaches, but nothing like the Washington Oaks State Park beach, lined with coquina rocks that wind and surf have turned into sculpture. It’s located in Flagler Beach, where the sand looks like it has been sprinkled with cinnamon.
Florida A1A: Best section for superb views & intriguing history
Florida A1A stretches the whole length of the state’s Atlantic coast. But the can’t-miss part is this 30 miles in Northeast Florida. Here are the best stops along that route, some you might miss without our tips.
Caladesi Island is pristine beach and cool kayak destinaton
Caladesi Island State Park is again named one of the best beaches — #3 in America. The island off Dunedin is a perfect kayak destination too.
Today’s seaweed snapshot
Massive amounts of Sargassum seaweed are washing up on Florida beaches, carried by the Gulf Stream along the coast and pushed ashore by currents and sea breezes.
Blowing Rocks Preserve: Dramatic beach in Jupiter is unique
Craggy limestone rocks form a dramatic beach-scape, far different from the usual sandy beach. At the right time, waves crash into the rocks, spurting water 50 feet into the air.
Anastasia State Park seduces. Stunning beach, shady campground.
‘Glamping’ bungalows are now being offered at this outstanding oceanfront park near St. Augustine.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples ranks #6 in nation after hurricane recovery
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has superb white sand, clear water and is ranked #6 in the US. Facilities are still recovering from damages from 2024 hurricanes, but the beach is as spectacular as ever.
11 outstanding outdoor things to do in Amelia Island
With eight state parks, a national park, scads of history and top beaches, Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach make a great base to explore northeast Florida.