Best Family Beaches in Florida
Family vacations are a delight for everyone. Nothing compares to the feeling of an adult couple and their young children having fun together at the beach or by the poolside.
But choosing a family beach with engaging activities for all ages is one of the best ways to make your vacation memorable.
The good news is that Florida features some of the best beaches in the United States. They are so numerous and diverse that you will never be bored. They have the most beautiful places to take your family. The weather and terrain are both lovely, and there are so many activities to do with the family! They are an excellent choice for a family vacation destination.
Whether you want to relax in a large resort or camp out at one, there are options for you.
Some beaches have amusement parks, arcades, or are just calm places where families gather all summer long. Choosing the ideal beach for your family may be challenging with so many excellent beaches available.
That is why we've chosen the 18 Best Family Beaches in Florida. These listings include both state parks that are adjacent to resorts and seaside communities that provide a wide range of family facilities as well as those that are more secluded and ideal for a picnic or family seclusion.
Read also: 30 Clear Water Beaches in USA
18 Best Family Beaches In Florida
Choose among the 18 best family beaches in Florida for an unforgettable beach trip with your kids!
1. Clearwater Beach
This is one of the most popular family beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast, owing in large part to its proximity to Disney World and Orlando. Its lovely, silky beach sand will appeal to you.
Clearwater Beach is broad enough to accommodate the people, so even though it is quite popular, you should be able to find some room for yourself and your family.
Its calm, shallow seas also make it one of Florida's top beaches for children. From Pier 60, older kids may try their hand at fishing and paragliding. Clearwater Beach also has several local family attractions.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, for example, is a great place for kids to meet Winter the dolphin, who has a prosthetic tail.
The drive from Orlando to Clearwater is quite straightforward, making it one of the most popular routes for theme park day trippers.
Read also: 14 Best Clear Water Beaches In Florida
2. DuBois Park, Jupiter
This beach park is located on Jupiter's intercoastal waterway. With its tranquil waves and a variety of outdoor activities suitable for both children and adults, it has established itself as one of the top Florida family beaches on the east coast. Your kids will have a great time partaking in aquatic sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing.
A charming playground area is situated back from the beach, so younger children may play securely away from the ocean. DuBois Park features a large picnic area with grill pits, outdoor showers, and bathrooms. This stunning beach, which is part of the Palm Beaches, is also dog-friendly, so bring your furry children along.
3. St Augustine’s Beach
Known as the oldest town in America, St. Augustine is a fantastic family beach in Florida.
Right before sunset, a wooden boardwalk leads to the sand beach at the Atlantic Ocean in Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Florida, with a beautiful hazy sky above the crashing waves.
For aspiring swimmers and bodyboarders, this location's soft, beautiful sand and the tranquil seas of the surrounding region are great for splashing around in and trying bodyboarding.
In addition to extended beach days, Saint Augustine has a ton of family-friendly attractions and kid-friendly activities.
The best activities for people of all ages include going to an alligator farm; exploring St. Augustine's colonial district; seeing Fort Castillo de San Marcos; going on a boat ride; and going to a pirate museum!
Due to St. Augustine's flat terrain, cycling is a great way to get some exercise before visiting one of the town's numerous family-friendly restaurants and dining establishments.
Read also: 13 Best Beaches in St. Petersburg
4. Deerfield Beach
Deerfield Beach is one of the finest beaches in Florida for families, thanks to its private beach sections and beautiful surf. It has big boulders that divide areas of the beach area and provide some seclusion for family to rest and play. Deerfield Beach also features a pier and boardwalk, which are ideal for lengthy walks and dawn viewing.
Quiet Waters Park will be a hit with your kids. They will have access to a ski cable and will be able to spend the entire day water skiing on the tranquil lake. It's worth noting that Deerfield Beach is a surf town, so if your kids are old enough, this is one of the best family beaches in Florida for them to learn how to surf.
5. Madeira Beach
Madeira Beach, one of the top Florida beaches for families with children, has much more to offer than simply lovely white sand. Although it is most known for dolphin viewing, Madeira Beach also features boat excursions, snorkeling tours, sunset cruises, deep fishing trips, and fun beach festivals.
If you're searching for a lively family beach with loads of activities and kid-friendly events, this is a terrific choice.
There are several tiki bars and cabana rentals on Madeira Beach. Adults may also have fun and enjoy a lively beach experience. There are also wave runners, paddleboats, and kayaks for hire, so prepare for some adrenaline-pumping aquatic adventure.
Read also: 16 Best Swimming Beaches In Costa Rica
6. Captiva Beach
If your family wants to disconnect and relax at one of the finest family beaches on Florida's Gulf coast, Captiva Beach is a good choice. This beach on Captiva Island is one of the most beautifully repaired in Florida.
This beach is well-known for its distinctive shells and is a popular destination for shell collectors. Bring a bucket and enjoy sifting among conch shells and sand dollars on Captiva's stunning white sands. Captiva Beach also has the most captivating sunsets, so make preparations to watch the sunset with your family and capture plenty of great photos.
7. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach on Florida's east coast has become one of the best family-friendly Florida beaches, thanks to its broad, bubbling shoreline and picnic spaces. Aside from the various attractions in and around Daytona Beach, families with children will find a variety of fun activities to participate in.
For older children, the piers of Daytona Beach are a wonderful place to begin. They may swim in the sea or explore the thrilling world of countless arcades along the pier. You and your children may also hire scooters and jet skis. If you want to go away from the beach, you may visit the Daytona Lagoon Waterpark or the Daytona International Speedway.
8. Siesta Key Sarasota
Sarasota is located on Florida's Gulf Coast and is one of the best family beaches in Florida for families seeking the classic white-sand Florida beach experience.
The beach at Siesta Key is built of granulated quartz, which makes it very light in color, incredibly soft, and a touch colder on the skin—in other words, it's a fantastic beach for babies and their cherub feet!
The area is perfectly supplied with everything you could possibly need, including an ice cream shop, volleyball courts, and a playground, and it is a great beach holiday place for both kids and adults.
9. Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, located in the heart of the Space Coast, is the East Coast surfing center of the United States. This tranquil beach is only about an hour's drive from Disney World and Universal Orlando and is one of the greatest family beaches on Florida's East Coast.
Families with kids are regularly observed flocking to this region for a fun-filled weekend experience, thanks to its large lengths of beach and closeness to Kennedy Space Center.
Your kids will love swimming in shallow seas and learning about boogie boarding and surfing. Surfing instruction and equipment rentals are provided on the beach. You may also take your family on a manatee kayaking excursion to observe some aquatic animals up close.
10. Playalinda Beach (Titusville)
Playalinda Beach, located west of Titusville, is one of Florida's best family-friendly beaches. It is particularly suitable for families because of its soft sand and good surf. It is one of three beaches on the Canaveral National Seashore, a United States National Park.
Playalinda Beach is on Merritt Island's northeastern coast. This stunning coastline runs for 24 miles and is entirely unspoiled, with no condominiums, stores, or restaurants.
The drive to Playalinda Beach from downtown Titusville takes around 25 minutes. There is a park entrance charge, but an America The Beautiful National Park Pass includes admission to Canaveral National Seashore.
It features 13 parking spaces along a 4-mile route, with bathrooms at each. However, there are no showers or concession stands. Make sure everyone has enough of water and food.
The Playalinda Beach is perfect for surfers of all ages.
11. Venice Beach
Venice Beach is well known as the “shark tooth capital of the world.” This lovely beach, with its white beaches, spectacular sunsets, and diverse animals, was once fully submerged and teeming with sharks.
The water level dropped over time, reducing shark habitat. Millions of shark teeth sunk off the shore bear witness to this past.
Shark teeth wash ashore in Venice Beach on a daily basis. Share this history with your children and get them ready to go shark tooth hunting! On Venice Beach, the greatest places to discover shark teeth are along the Venice Jetty.
In addition to shark tooth hunting, your family will enjoy dolphin rides and playing with marine turtles. Venice Beach is also a great place to go bird watching and fishing.
12. Naples Beach
Naples is a fantastic beach holiday location for families in Florida, a distinctive spot that consistently rates high as not just one of the top East Coast beaches for families, but one of the greatest beach vacations in the whole United States!
It is difficult to stress how family-friendly the beaches of Naples are.
The magnificent, clear waters of Florida, soft, clean, gorgeous beaches, and a plethora of family activities for toddlers and older children are all available here.
Naples' Sun-n-Fun Lagoon waterpark, kids' museum, swamp sanctuary, and fun mini-golf courses are some of the family-friendly activities there.
Naples is a great destination if your kids enjoy the ocean and boats since you can hire kayaks and canoes here and go on boat trips to nearby places, such the amazing Everglades, which is just a short drive away.
13. Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is another of the best family-friendly Florida beaches, famed for its creamy white sand and crystal clear waters. This is the place to go for a fantastic, fun-filled family beach holiday.
Panama City Beach, which stretches for 27 miles, is one of the most popular Florida beaches on the Gulf Coast. Its shallow waters are ideal for younger kids to swim in and paddle in.
If you're looking for more daring water activities, we recommend taking a dolphin cruise or visiting Gulf World Marine Park. Older children will appreciate fishing trips, snorkeling, and jet skiing.
Throughout the year, there are several family-friendly off-beach activities such as amusement arcades, water parks, and festivals.
14. Fort Lauderdale Beach
When seeking for family-friendly beaches in Florida where you can enjoy an urban beach experience, Fort Lauderdale is the finest choice. This lovely urban beach is seven miles long and is protected by lifeguards. It is one of the top Florida family beaches due to its large size and abundance of fun activities.
Aside from snorkeling and swimming, there are a variety of other fun water activities that you and your family may participate in. For a more immersive beach experience, hire a kayak and explore the inland rivers and canals, or enjoy a river tour.
The Fort Lauderdale boardwalk has various eateries and offers concerts and festivals on a regular basis. Rollerblading on the boardwalk is popular among guests, so feel free to unleash your inner explorer.
Read also : 30 Clear Water Beaches in USA
15. Fort Myers Beach
The ideal place to spend quiet family time away from the hustle and bustle of city life is Fort Myers Beach, which is situated on Estero Island just south of Fort Myers. Families may enjoy seven miles of beautiful, fluffy sand at Fort Myers Beach, which exudes the calm beach vibe of a small town.
There are many enjoyable water activities available at Fort Myers Beach, one of Fort Myers' greatest beaches, for both children and adults.
As one of the best family beaches in Florida, there is always something exciting to do, from swimming, diving, and snorkeling to viewing dolphins and fishing on the pier. Please be aware, though, that it is best to register in advance and book your seat for any dolphin-watching cruise, especially during the busiest times of year.
16. Fort DeSoto State Park
This park in the Gulf Coast's St Pete's region boasts a magnificent stretch of pure white sand and is an ideal place for nature enthusiasts. Fort DeSoto's 1,100 acres of land, which include mangrove swamps and wide beaches, have become home to a diversity of animal species.
This is one of Florida's top beaches for kids that love birds. With over 300 bird species residing on the islands, your kids will have a great time attempting to identify herons, pelicans, egrets, and other birds—bring your binoculars!
To engage in some energetic outdoor adventures with your family, be sure to check out the playgrounds and hiking trails. We advise renting bikes so you may tour the park's historic fort if your family still needs additional outdoor experiences.
17. Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, located south of Pensacola, is one of the best panhandle beaches for families seeking a peaceful vacation.
Pensacola Beach is well-known for its white sand beaches and clear waters, as well as a delightful boardwalk for a family stroll.
It is simple to book a dolphin-watching trip from here, and you may also go water fishing, surfing, or sailing. A nature-loving family will also like the Footprints in the Sand eco-trail, which is a great area to see turtles, birds, and crabs!
18. Juno Beach Park
Juno Beach Park is unquestionably one of Florida's top beaches for families. This beach is almost never crowded if you go away from the pier and locate your ideal position on the sand. Additionally, lifeguards are present, which is great for beginner swimmers.
Parking is also free!
The restrooms are spotless and convenient, which makes them ideal for washing sand off wiggling kids. Oh, and when they've been cleaned, be sure to visit the nearby playground.
The fantastic shell hunting at Juno Beach Park is another benefit! It's not the softest sand, so you'll want to bring water shoes for this beach, but that's to be expected when the shelling is so good. You should wear water shoes because the sand is really hot in this area.
Paddleboards and fishing gear can be rented by older children and teenagers. You could be fortunate enough to encounter nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles on the beach! Keep your distance and treat nature with respect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Family Beaches in Florida
Which beach in Florida has the best boardwalk?
- Daytona Beach BoardWalk
- John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
- Hollywood Beach BroadWalk.
- Times Square BoardWalk
- Disney's BoardWalk.
What is the busiest beach in Florida?
Miami Beach, Florida, receives more than 13 million tourists each year as a result of being the entry point to the Caribbean and a short flight from the chilly northeast. The sand is crowded during the sultry, scorching summers. Without a doubt, South Beach is the tourist hotspot.
Is Cocoa Beach good for Families?
Cocoa Beach is an excellent stop for kids of all ages.
Is Key-West Family Friendly?
Absolutely! There are lots of kid-friendly activities for families to enjoy!
Is Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach better?
Generally speaking, Cocoa Beach is better suited for beachgoers seeking a laid-back, family-friendly experience with great surfing and fluffy white sand. On the other hand, Daytona Beach is perfect for those who don't mind the hard-packed sand and who are interested in the thrilling NASCAR racing or the vibrant nightlife.
What is the closest nicest beach to Orlando?
Cocoa Beach is the one nearest to Orlando. Due to its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the charming location on the breathtaking Space Coast may be reached by taking a one-hour drive to the east. As a result of the huge waves, this place is well-liked for surfing.
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