Florida Beaches

Blind Pass Beach

The journey up to Blind Pass Beach is an incredibly scenic drive, where you can expect to see greenery, groups of palm trees and breathtaking country landscapes all around you. This beach certainly feels a world away from many of the popular tourist locations in Florida but still, there is plenty of sun, sea and sky to go around in Englewood.

Jet skiing is a popular activity to embark on here; you can make the most of the crystal clear water and enjoy a refreshing breeze on a sizzling hot day. All along this coast, dolphins can be seen diving in and out of the water; making a visit to this beach a fantastic family day out.

With plenty of free parking available, Blind Pass Beach is extremely convenient for families with young children. Bathrooms are also located on the beach, however, there are no cafes nearby, so make sure you pack a delicious picnic and lots of water before you head out.

Captiva Beach

Captiva Beach is an easy-going and low key beach, boasting incredible blue waters and plenty of sand for the whole family to stretch out and relax on under the summer sun. The white sands and gentle, rolling waves make this beach a scenic spot to paddle in the sea, as well as being a great place to go for a leisurely swim. So, make sure you bring a picnic along with you, as this beach is beautifully rural.

Image source: Flickr. Copyright Ray Terril.

The whole family can enjoy shelling along the beach, discovering the many multicoloured and curious shells that are washed up, including shark teeth. There are plenty of activities to try nearby, too, from the dolphin and wildlife cruise which takes you out to sea, or head out into the wilderness of the Western Everglades on an airboat tour to glimpse manatees, native birds and alligators.

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach in Tampa Bay is an award-winning beach, presenting stretches of fine white sand and blue ocean as far as the eye can see. This is a very family-friendly beach spot and the clear, shallow waters make it ideal for little ones to play in when they’re not making sandcastles close by.

Glimpse dolphins in the water from the pier, hop on a helicopter tour of this stunning coastline to get a feel of Miami from the sky, or simply make the most of the gorgeous sun, sea and sand.

Alternatively, take a walk along the boulevard, where you can find an array of things to eat in one of the many snack bars, cafes or rooftop bars offering dinner and cocktails. Then, stroll down to Pier 60, where you can watch or partake in the family activities and various events happening throughout the year.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach makes up part of the seven miles of beaches that run along the city of Fort Lauderdale. This gorgeous beach is beautiful, clean and sandy, with plenty of shallow clear water for the whole family to splash about in.

A great place to get away from the crowds, there is plenty of room to relax during the day or take part in the many water activities happening here. For those wanting a relaxing day trip to Fort Lauderdale Beach, simply hire some beach chairs and umbrellas and make the most of the glorious Florida sun. Many groups and families make the most of the sea here by renting jet skis or trying out bodyboarding on the mellow waves.

The strip along the beach has a buzzing nightlife and is fairly lively in the daytime, too, so you can visit the various restaurants and bars located just a short stroll away.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach is nestled between the Atlantic sea and the gorgeous Biscayne Bay, and is further away from the city than Miami’s South Beach, making it a little more relaxed than the bustling South Beach. Plus, there are plenty of great hotels and accommodation just a stone’s throw away, meaning you could well be staying with this glorious sandy beach on your doorstep.

The coast in Miami has beautiful turquoise water, which is incredibly clear and shallow, making for fantastic bathing spots. Miami Beach is certainly a great place to get a tan; many people like to spend hours relaxing on the sand while soaking up the gorgeous Florida weather.

There is plenty to do in the surrounding area, whether you want to take a food tour of the best eateries in the area or jump in a speedboat to see Miami from the water.

Ormond Beach

Ormond Beach, located in Volusia County - Florida, is a beautiful stretch of sand featuring pearly blue waters. As a very family-friendly destination, this beach has a relaxed, laid back and "small town" feel to it, with many activities to keep you occupied. Plus, it is the perfect spot if you want to live like the locals or see some sea turtles.

Deck chairs and parasols are dotted across the beach for visitors to use and if you want to ride the waves, don’t forget your surfboard or bodyboard. There is also a host of activities to get involved with nearby; if you’re a keen angler, there are plenty of sea fishing trips to embark on, too.

Florida is famous for its manatees, or sea cows and here, you can jump in a kayak and see these lovable creatures up-close in their natural habitat. If you’ve had enough of the beach, take the kids to the Junior Race Car Ride-Along at the nearby Speedway in Daytona and explore the arcades and shops here.

Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach can be found on the delightful and peaceful Santa Rosa Island. This sandy beach leads up to the sparkling blue ocean, where you can see dolphins gliding along and jumping out of the sea. Plus, there is plenty of space to play sports and explore this stunning area.

This beach is the perfect getaway from the city, but still has plenty of entertainment and amenities nearby for the whole family to enjoy. Flying enthusiasts can drop into the National Aviation Museum and try out the flight simulator, or settle down to a film at the IMAX cinema after a day spent in the sun.

Walk along this idyllic coastline and explore the old military fort - Fort Pickens. The little ones will love running in and out of these old ruins and through the dark tunnels used by soldiers, while adults will love strolling along the Pensacola Lighthouse.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key, also known as Siesta Beach, is a magnificent beach on the Gulf of Mexico, a favourite for both travellers and locals alike. Up and down the beach you can find clusters of palm trees and lovely soft sand that is almost pure white. Because of its fantastic location, the waters are beautifully warm for much of the year, making it a great spot for swimming, or catching the sun's rays on the sand.

On Sundays, you can find drum circles at Siesta Key, where the locals come together to play music and enjoy a drink or two. This is a great way to get to grips with beach life down in Miami and make the most of this incredible coast.

There is a car park conveniently located close by to the beach, but make sure you arrive early enough to beat the crowds on weekends.

South Beach

South Beach in Miami is the perfect place for the classic Miami beach experience, with plenty to do and see, especially if you want to have fun experiencing the exciting and vibrant nightlife here. This wide, sandy beach is extremely spacious; it is used by both locals and tourists alike, making it one of the city’s most loved and popular beaches.

This beach is the place to see, and be seen, as visitors will often see models and photoshoots happening right on the beachfront. There are also restaurants in abundance here, as well as cafes and hotels dotted up and down the beach. So, you can easily grab some tasty refreshments after spending hours sizzling away in the sun.

In the evening, enjoy a walk along South Beach when it’s cooler, where there is plenty of free gym equipment to use. Nearby you can find a lively nightlife, nightclubs and music, so you can dance until dawn - there is never a dull moment in Miami.

Treasure Island Beach

Treasure Island Beach can be found on the island it is named after (Treasure Island), which is famed for its stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the many fantastic hotels and rentals close by. The beach itself has fine white sand and runs in a long strip along the beachfront, offering plenty of room to play volleyball or kick back and relax.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons. Copyright Roman Eugeniusz

Like many beaches in this area, the blue water is warm, inviting and incredibly clear, making it perfect for swimming and paddling. The road which runs along the beachfront has a range of fabulous hotels and shops close by to get some lunch (or a snack bar on the beach if you’re feeling peckish).

When you’ve sizzled away in the sun, you can always hop on a helicopter to see stunning views of Treasure Island from the sky, or walk across the bridge at John’s Pass nearby, to enjoy the many shops and restaurants.