Travel Florida The Best Beaches in Florida By Jenna Sims Jenna Sims Jenna is a Digital Editor for Southern Living and joined the team in 2014. She writes, produces, and assigns content with a focus on email growth and commerce content. She covers a range of topics in the lifestyle space from holiday gift guides to new product launches to tips for cooking with your air fryer. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 6, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Romona Robbins Photography/Getty Images Also lovingly referred to as The Sunshine State, Florida is a welcome retreat for beach lovers year-round. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, the Southernmost state in the contiguous U.S. has no shortage of beautiful destinations. Whether you're planning a mother-daughter trip, a weekend away with your girlfriends, or a week-long family vacation, these are the beaches that belong on your Florida bucket list. 01 of 11 There's a Beach for Everyone in the Sunshine State 02 of 11 Seaside Robbie Caponetto This charming town along Florida's gulf coast is the perfect slice of paradise for a relaxing getaway. With white picket fences, bike paths, and an idyllic town square, Seaside was created with the motto "new town, old ways" in mind. Just be sure you make time to enjoy at least one sunset from the rooftop at Bud & Alley's. 03 of 11 Sanibel Island The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel If you're looking to relax and disconnect, we've found the place for you. A nature lover's paradise, Sanibel is known as the Seashell Capital of the World and is home to the 6,400-acre J.N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which offers a free nature photography program throughout the year. 04 of 11 St. Pete Beach Robbie Caponetto Historic beachfront hotels like The Don Cesar, also known as the Pink Palace, have been welcoming guests to St. Pete Beach for over 90 years. While the gorgeous beaches are the main attraction, you'll also want to check out shopping and dining in downtown St. Petersburg. 05 of 11 Anna Maria Island no_limit_pictures/Getty Images Get a taste of island life without leaving the U.S. on this barrier island where you won't find any high-rise condos, in fact they're not allowed. What you will find is local seafood dives and plenty of old Florida charm. 06 of 11 Clearwater Courtesy City of Clearwater Voted the number one beach in America in 2019, for the third time in four years, Clearwater continues to be a favorite of visitors from around the world. With two nearby airports and an average of 361 sunny days per year, planning a visit to see the crystal-clear water and breathtaking sunsets in person should be on your bucket list. 07 of 11 Pensacola Beach Visit Pensacola Pensacola's white sand beaches and turquoise waters are hard to beat. It's also home to the longest stretch of federally protected seashore, Gulf Islands National Seashore, which offers activities like snorkeling, kayaking, biking, and more. 08 of 11 Higgs Beach LUNAMARINA/Getty Images Tthe clear turquoise waters and tropical landscape will make you think you're in the Caribbean, but you can visit Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park in Key West without a passport. The Higgs Beach Pier and West Martello Tower are must-see spots in the almost 17-acre park. 09 of 11 Destin Romona Robbins Photography/Getty Images Located on the Emerald Coast, and also known as the world's luckiest fishing village, Destin is the ideal destination for seafood lovers and fishermen alike. Whether you want to enjoy the Gulf waters by land or sea, there's plenty of fun in the sun awaiting in Destin. 10 of 11 Cocoa Beach RS Pictures/Getty Images Located on the Space Coast an hour outside Orlando, Cocoa Beach is an affordable and fun vacation destination the whole family will enjoy. The Atlantic Ocean beach is known for its great surf conditions and space history. 11 of 11 Panama City Beach Visit Panama City Beach With 27 miles of coastline, Panama City Beach is an ideal destination for those who enjoy long walks up and down the beach. If you want a break from enjoying the main attraction, head to Pier Park for shopping and dining, Shipwreck Island for some waterpark fun, or take a shuttle to Shell Island to enjoy a natural coastal ecosystem. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit