Florida beach guide: Discover your perfect beach day

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Jen Lyons
August 1, 2024
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Florida has an amazing 825 miles of coastline, located both on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. You can enjoy unspoiled marshlands, coral reefs and powdery white sand beaches.Which beach you choose comes down to your interests. Here are a few favorites to explore, hand-picked for specific interests. 

Beaches for families

Florida is the ultimate family vacation destination, and it’s not only because it’s the home of everyone’s favorite cartoon mouse. The state is simply bursting with family-friendly attractions, including many popular beaches. 

Clearwater Beach

Located west of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater Beach is known for its expansive sand, gentle slope and shallow waters, making it great for families with young children. When you need a break from the sun and sand, nearby Pier 60 offers snacks, drinks, shopping, gear rentals and a huge shaded playground.  

St. Augustine Beach

With smooth, cinnamon-colored sand and gentle, rolling waves, St. Augustine’s beaches are ideal for sandcastle building, cartwheeling and wave chasing. Set up shop near St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park for easy access to a splash park, playground, picnic tables and restroom facilities. 

Beaches for watersports 

Key West

Colorful Key West is a small outpost located on the very far end of the Florida Keys. As the southernmost point in the continental United States, it boasts crystal-clear water and beautiful coral reefs. Active travelers flock to Key West for world-class snorkeling and diving, sportfishing, parasailing, kayaking and sailing. After a long day on or in the water, end your day with a stunning sunset and a slice of key lime pie. 

Cocoa Beach

A famed surfing destination near Orlando on Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is known for its consistently good waves. While surfers from far and near flock to Cocoa Beach to catch waves, there are also plenty of other watersports opportunities. Get your adrenaline fix kiteboarding or windsurfing, or head to the calm waters of the nearby Banana River Lagoon for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and canoeing. 

Beaches for relaxation 

Sanibel Island

Embrace a slower pace of life on Sanibel Island. Known for its colorful sunsets and serene ambience, Sanibel Island invites visitors to take long strolls along the shoreline, partaking in the most popular local hobby, shelling. With an abundance of seashells constantly washing up on shore, there’s even a name for the posture beachcombers take when shelling — it’s called the “Sanibel Stoop.” 

Grayton Beach State Park

Located between Miramar Beach and Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach State Park is a peaceful oasis nestled between more bustling Emerald Coast beaches. Relax on the park’s white-sand beach, and explore pristine dunes, sapphire water and four miles of beautiful trails..

Beaches for nature lovers 

Canaveral National Seashore

An undeveloped 24-mile stretch of coastline northeast of Orlando, Canaveral National Seashore boasts dunes, marshes and lagoons. It’s the ideal place for bird watching and wildlife spotting. Commonly spotted animals include sea turtles and manatees. Nature lovers are often science lovers, and if you fit that description, you’ll want to time your trip around a space launch happening at nearby Cape Canaveral — a spot on the sand gives you an Instagram-worthy vantage point.  

Dry Tortugas National Park 

Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles west of Key West and is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Intrepid travelers will be rewarded with an astonishing array of flora and fauna, including green and loggerhead turtles and nearly 300 species of birds. No trip to Dry Tortugas is complete without an underwater exploration. Spend a day snorkeling or diving to experience the abundant marine life. 

Make every day a perfect beach day

Why save beach days for an occasional vacation? When you own a second home in your favorite Florida town, you’ll have unparalleled access to your favorite beaches, giving you ample opportunities to make family memories, relax and rejuvenate, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Pacaso puts Florida vacation home ownership within reach. As a ⅛ owner of a luxury second home in the Sunshine State, you’ll have a place to call your own on every visit. Every Pacaso is professionally designed, fully furnished and expertly managed, and scheduling stays is easy and equitable. Pacaso second homes are available across Florida, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Coast to the Florida Keys. Have your eye on a home that’s not yet a Pacaso? Explore our collection of stay-ready homes or turn a third-party listing into a Pacaso.
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