The Cape Florida lighthouse, the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County, is more natural than it has been for decades. Enjoy the terrific beach, tropical hammock, tour the historic lighthouse ande dine at restaurants with great views.
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…
Hugh Taylor Birch Park in Fort Lauderdale: My favorite Florida state park
This state park holds a special place in my heart. In urban South Florida, it preserves a sliver of the natural splendor once all around. There’s a lot to do here: beach, biking, shaded picnics, Intracoastal views. When visiting, a perfect day includes a stop to nearby Bonnet House.
Oleta River State Park feels like island getaway in Miami urban sprawl
This Miami state park is a remarkable island of green where you can kayak, mountain bike, picnic and enjoy a sandy beach. It’s the largest urban park in Florida.
The best little beach town
Travel and Leisure magazine calls New Smyrna Beach “Florida’s most underrated seaside city”. We think it is “Florida’s best little beach town.”
Dunedin: Delightful biking, breweries, beaches and historic downtown
In Dunedin, we love bicycling the Pinellas Trail, but this charming Tampa Bay area town has more to offer, with eight breweries plus great restaurants and coffee shops in its walkable historic downtown. Twenty minutes away are two excellent state parks with award-winning beaches. Plus it’s a great place to catch a Spring Training game.
Ponce Inlet: A delightful outdoor oasis near Daytona Beach
Ponce Inlet is a calm ocean-front town at the tip of a barrier island. It has free parking, the tallest lighthouse in Florida (which you can tour) plus parks, a beach and places to eat fresh seafood.
Vero Beach: Just enough to do to have a blast and still relax
This laid-back beach town isn’t famous, but it charms visitors with its funky Florida history, gorgeous beaches and a cute downtown with interesting restaurants and shops.
After damage from 3 hurricanes, Sanibel/Captiva near normal
Sanibel has bounced back from a series of hurricanes in 2022-24. The latest reopening: the beachfront bar and restaurant, the Mucky Duck on Captiva.
10 things to do in Naples to experience its natural beauty
Naples has among the most beautiful beaches in the US, but there’s more to see and do there, including shady boardwalks, gardens & kayak trails.
7 favorite secluded beaches in South Florida
It’s easy to find a beach in Florida. It’s harder to find a hidden beach, a beach where you experience a sense of discovery and delicious isolation. Here, however, I share my favorites, discovered over many years.