The best beaches near Disney World are not next door, but you do have some fabulous options an hour away.
Best Florida Beaches
Anastasia State Park is a stone’s throw from historic St. Augustine and offers a broad hard-packed four-mile-long beach that shimmers in the Florida sun. There are 139 cozy campsites too.
This offbeat historic hotel is the classic place to stay in Vero, a laid-back beach town that charms visitors with its funky Florida history, gorgeous beaches and cute downtown.
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.
Both beaches are on Florida’s Gulf Coast and are perennial favorites of “Dr. Beach,” whose annual Best Beaches in America list is highly regarded.
This sandy campground near Jacksonville is a beach lover’s dream.
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.
Snorkeling in Florida doesn’t require a boat. Here are some great places where you can snorkel and see fish and other sea creatures right from the beach.
Discover a less well-known string of islands — Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Manasota Key. Each holds a spectacular state park with top beaches.
Named the fourth-best beach in America, Caladesi Island State Park off Dunedin is a pristine white-powder beach with clear water. It’s a perfect kayak destination too.