The Best Relaxing Beaches In Florida

Take A Florida Vacation To The Perfect Beach Getaway Spots Near You

By Taylor Fuller | Published on September 12, 2022

When you think about being on vacation, what comes to mind? Is it an adrenaline-pumping activity? Or a wave of relaxation that allows you to drift off to paradise? If it's the latter, you've come to the right place. While a Florida vacation can definitely be an adventure, it's the beaches that get us. With over 360 miles of coastline, there are a number to choose from.

From Miami to Fort Myers and Vero to Sanibel Beach — as well as everywhere in between — there are so many amazing beaches to visit in the Sunshine State. Then, where are the best relaxing beaches in Florida? Depending on your vacation style travelers say the best beaches for a relaxing Florida getaway could be the famous South Beach in Miami with unique day trip ideas such as having lunch in the former Versace mansion. While others may enjoy the stunning quiet beaches of the historic Palm Beach island or the beautiful Fort Lauderdale with a visit to the vast Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. Much like a secret beach getaway, the decision for where is the most relaxing spot in Florida is yours to decide."

Walk Upon Florida's Soft Sands

Quiet Beaches In Florida

If you're interested in quiet beaches in Florida, you have to narrow down what type of beach you want to visit. One option you might look for is beaches with soft, powdery sand: The kind that you just want to sink your toes into and never move again. Florida has a few sandy spots that make walking on the beach an absolute pleasure. If you find yourself in the Gulf, up on the Florida panhandle, you'll want to head to Miramar Beach. This white sand stretch is the perfect place to spend the day relaxing in a lounge chair and taking dips in the water to cool off.

Further down the Gulf side, you can find Siesta Key, which is another one of the best beaches in Florida. It's even been named the best beach in America a few times, and there's no mistaking why. One reason is the pristine sand and the crystal clear water. Another is that it never feels too crowded thanks to its huge size. Finally, its colorful sunsets are a marvel to witness.

Another amazing beach to check out on the Gulf is Perdido Key. You'll understand why its name means "lost" in Spanish as soon as you set foot onto this secluded patch of soft white sand. It's tucked between Pensacola, Florida and Alabama, and it's so narrow that on a clear day you can get a spectacular view of the bay on one side and the Gulf on the other.

You might have already spotted a pattern here: Beaches on the east coast of Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, generally have the best sand. It's often called "sugar sand" because it's made predominantly of white quartz crystal that came from the Appalachian Mountains after the Ice Age. It's a real treat to walk on these beaches — close your eyes, and you might even think you've traveled all the way to the Caribbean.

Hunt For Treasure On Your Florida Beach Vacation

Kids searching for seashells in Vero Beach. Florida

Head to the Treasure Coast to try your hand at some treasure hunting while visiting the best beaches in Florida for families. You and your kids will spend hours trying to find some treasure in the sand. One of the prettiest beaches in the area is Vero Beach, which is located pretty close to an 18th-century Spanish shipwreck that sank in a hurricane centuries ago. Walk up and down the strand, and watch as the waves crash onto the shoreline. Dig your hands in, and see if anything washes up!

Most Secluded Beach To Visit In Florida

If it is secluded beaches you're after, one of the best secluded beaches in Florida is Stuart Beach. It's also part of the Treasure Coast and is one of the less crowded parts of the state. This is a great day out if you want peace and quiet before or after your cruise from Florida. Allow the gentle sound of the ocean waves and the light sea breeze to fill you with relaxation.

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Explore some of these amazing beaches before embarking on Icon of the Seas℠ from South Florida.

Collect Shells Along The Seashore Of Florida

Sanibel Island is one of the most picture-perfect places in Florida. You can find it just off the coast of Fort Myers. It's got some of the quietest beaches in Florida, like Bowman's Beach and Turner Beach. And if you're interested in collecting seashells, this is the place to do it.

Head there between January and March for the best shelling experience. You can find over 250 kinds of seashells from both the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, including some pretty rare mollusks. Some rules for collecting shells: Don't take too many, and make sure there is no longer a living creature inside! You can do this by flipping it over and giving it a quick rinse in the waves. A shell that closes after you touch it is definitely still alive. For sand dollars, make sure it's bleached white with no hairs. If it's still pink, brown, or fuzzy, it's probably alive!

Spot Florida's Fascinating Wildlife

Crandon Park Beach located in Key Biscayne, Miami. Florida.

Florida is home to 196 species of birds and close to a hundred different saltwater fish. It's no surprise that bird watchers, snorkelers and divers beeline to Florida to admire the wildlife. The best thing about the state is you can head to the beach for some quiet time and peacefully watch the pelicans and oystercatchers, or go for a snorkel in crystal clear water and see some beautiful fish and reefs. But where, exactly, should you go?

picnic table on the beach with a hammock and palm trees. Florida.

Head to the Florida Keys, where you can visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. There are nature trails next to the long stretch of soft sand that are great for bird watching. You can also go on some awesome dives off the coast of Key West. Or, visit one of the best beaches in Miami, Crandon Park Beach. It's a barrier island with a mangrove reef where you can spot loads of colorful sea life. Above water, look for herons, hawks, ospreys, and more! Don't forget to pack your snorkel and binoculars for the best viewing experience of the amazing Florida wildlife. Never feed wildlife, and always keep a safe distance from nesting shorebirds.

Catch Some Florida Waves

two surfers at Cocoa Beach during sunrise. Florida.

If you're looking for some great surf, head toward Daytona Beach — but keep on driving North. Instead of stopping off at the most famous beach in the world, head to Ormond Beach, which is a lot quieter and more relaxed. You can also check out Flagler Beach between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. Its laid-back vibe covers more than 6 miles of surf and uncrowded sandy beaches. Not interested in surfing, but want to watch the pros catch a wave? Visit Cocoa Beach, also on the east coast of Florida. It's the surf capital and is the hometown of a number of world surf champions. Head there early in the morning to watch some of the best catch huge waves.

Discover The Best Beaches For People-watching

Delray Beach with lifeguard tower. Florida.

Just because a beach is secluded doesn't mean it can't be a great place to people-watch. Delray Beach is one of the best beaches to spend the day watching the world go by. There are usually two shifts: the early morning crowd and the afternoon crowd. See if you can try and spot who the locals are and who the tourists are. The best time to tell? When it starts to drizzle, the tourists will run and the locals will stay, as those afternoon showers usually pass right over! If it does get too rainy, you can always go for a stroll on Atlantic Avenue and check out some of the great shops and restaurants.

Best Beach To Go To In Miami

Another great place to people-watch is Sunny Isles Beach, one of the best beaches in Miami. It's got stunning views and miles of white sand. Watch locals practice yoga or kayak in the water while you soak up the sun. Miami natives love to stay active, and you can see people kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and more throughout the day.

Have Some Family Fun On Florida Beaches

lifeguard tower on Miami Beach. Florida.

Best Beaches In Florida For Families

If you're traveling with the entire family, you can pretty much visit any of these amazing beaches and have a great time. But if you're looking for somewhere that caters to families, here are a few of the best. North Shore Beach in Miami has an adjacent park, so you can spend the morning at the quiet beach and the afternoon exploring. Or you can head to Surfside, where there is a lifeguard on duty during the day. On the west coast of Florida, try Clearwater Beach. While it can get crowded during peak times, it's large enough that you can almost always find a slice of sand to set up your beach gear and enjoy the hot days and gorgeous sunsets. It's also an ideal place to take the family parasailing, fishing or on a boat ride to spot some dolphins.

The best relaxing beaches in Florida have a lot more to offer than just the sunshine, sand and floating in the ocean. You can catch a wave, start a seashell collection, search for treasure or enjoy the rarest wonders of Florida wildlife, all while relaxing in a secluded paradise.

Written By
TAYLOR FULLER

Taylor Fuller is a travel and lifestyle writer. She has lived and traveled all over the world and loves to share her experiences. She is the author of The Rainbow Atlas and currently calls London her home.

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