With over 1,300 miles of coastline, Florida is a dream destination for families looking to soak up the sun. From the fervor of Orlando to the regular magnificence of the Florida Keys, the Daylight State offers a mind blowing assortment of family ocean side excursions.
When planning your next family trip to Florida, consider these top beach destinations across the state. With beautiful stretches of sand, fun attractions, and plenty of accommodation options, you’re sure to create lasting memories.
Make South Florida Your Vacation Base
For many travelers, South Florida is synonymous with Miami. This cosmopolitan city offers fantastic beaches like the vibrant South Beach and laidback Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. But just north, you’ll find Fort Lauderdale, an excellent family beach destination.
The beachfront of Fort Lauderdale impresses with sparkling blue waters and plenty of space to spread out. Popular hotels here include the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale and the beachfront Hilton Fort Lauderdale.
Keep traveling up Florida’s Atlantic coastline to reach other top family beach spots like Boca Raton, Palm Beach, and the Treasure Coast. Standout beaches include South Inlet Park in Boca and Bathtub Reef Beach in Stuart.
Tampa Area With The Best .Family Beaches In Florida’s Gulf Coast
On the Gulf Coast side of Florida, the Tampa Bay area offers fabulous family vacations. For an all-inclusive tropical escape, book a stay at the TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach. Its sister property Guy Harvey Outpost resort in Tampa also provides waterfront accommodations and easy access to attractions like Busch Gardens.
Just north of downtown Tampa, Clearwater Beach is consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the U.S. for its soft, white sand and calm waters. Family-friendly resorts line the shores here, like Hyatt Regency Clearwater and Sheraton Sand Key.
Nearby towns like St. Petersburg, Anna Maria Island, Sarasota and Bradenton provide additional beach vacation options, from condo-style accommodations to full-service resorts.
Enjoy The Panhandle’s Emerald Coast
In the Florida Panhandle region, Destin is a top beach destination for families. Its beaches earn it the nickname “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” thanks to the abundant marine life found in the emerald green waters.
Popular accommodations in Destin include the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa set on 4,400 coastal acres. Holiday Inn Resort on Okaloosa Island also impresses families with its beach access, pools, and proximity to attractions like Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
Just east, Panama City Beach offers 27 miles of family fun. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf and Race City amusement park complement time spent relaxing on the snow-white sand beaches. Condo rentals and family resorts like Sheraton Bay Point provide easy beach access.
Further along the Panhandle, quiet Grayton Beach State Park and popular Rosemary Beach allow kids to build sandcastles, swim in crystal clear water, and marvel over Florida’s unique coastal dune lakes.
Settle Down In Southwest Florida
The southwest coast of Florida from Naples to Fort Myers Beach offers laid-back island vibes perfect for family vacations. On Sanibel Island, over 250 species of shells await collection along the unspoiled beaches. Resorts like Sundial Beach Resort & Spa provide amenities like kids’ camps and beachfront pools.
Nearby Captiva Island impresses with top-rated beaches and a relaxed pace of life. South Seas Island Resort spans 330 acres and offers accommodations, restaurants, a spa, marina and two pools.
The Fort Myers area also provides excellent family vacation options, like pink-sand Lovers Key State Park. Lani Kai Island Resort uniquely combines beach access with amenities like a game room, playground, and planned kids’ activities.
For families wanting an active island getaway, check out Marco Island where kayaking, fishing, dolphin tours and more await. The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort on three miles of private beach allows families to explore both the beach and Everglades wonders.
Discover Underrated Florida Beaches
In addition to its most popular beach destinations, Florida offers many underrated and undiscovered beach gems perfect for families wanting to avoid crowds.
Florida Keys
Stretching 120 miles off Florida’s southern tip, the Florida Keys offer pristine beaches and island life. Best bets for families include Sombrero Beach’s calm shallow waters in Marathon and the abundance of wildlife at Bahia Honda State Park’s beaches. Accommodations range from campgrounds to resorts like Hawks Cay on Duck Key.
Fort Lauderdale
While rowdy Fort Lauderdale Beach draws spring breakers, the calmer sands of Pompano Beach north of town are better suited for families. The Four Seasons Resort Fort Lauderdale makes an luxurious base for enjoying both city attractions and Pompano’s beach.
Orlando
Known more for its theme parks, Orlando offers surprising beach options to families needing an ocean escape. Cocoa Beach to the east boasts mellow waves, seaside parks with playgrounds, and beachfront hotels like the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront.
Luxury hotels like The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes put the beach within easy reach. Popular options on Disney property include the Yacht and Beach Club resorts and Fort Wilderness Campground. Universal Orlando resorts like Cabana Bay Beach Resort also provide shuttle transportation to nearby beaches.
Destin
In addition to its popular main beach, Destin offers untouched beach adventures along Scenic Highway 30A to the east. Grayton Beach State Park is a prime place to experience scenic dunes, crystal clear waters, and abundant wildlife.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach delivers world-class resorts directly on the beach, like The Breakers Palm Beach. But nearby Juno Beach, just over the Palm Beach County line, offers calmer waves in a laidback setting.
Settle Down In Southwest Florida
The southwest coast of Florida from Naples to Fort Myers Beach offers laid-back island vibes perfect for family vacations. On Sanibel Island, over 250 species of shells await collection along the unspoiled beaches. Resorts like Sundial Beach Resort & Spa provide amenities like kids’ camps and beachfront pools.
Nearby Captiva Island impresses with top-rated beaches and a relaxed pace of life. South Seas Island Resort spans 330 acres and offers accommodations, restaurants, a spa, marina and two pools.
The Fort Myers area also provides excellent family vacation options, like pink-sand Lovers Key State Park. Lani Kai Island Resort uniquely combines beach access with amenities like a game room, playground, and planned kids’ activities.
For families wanting an active island getaway, check out Marco Island where kayaking, fishing, dolphin tours and more await. The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort on three miles of private beach allows families to explore both the beach and Everglades wonders.
Discover Underrated Florida Beaches
In addition to its most popular beach destinations, Florida offers many underrated and undiscovered beach gems perfect for families wanting to avoid crowds.
Florida Keys
Stretching 120 miles off Florida’s southern tip, the Florida Keys offer pristine beaches and island life. Best bets for families include:
- Sombrero Beach’s calm shallow waters in Marathon
- Abundance of wildlife at Bahia Honda State Park’s beaches
- Campgrounds to luxury resorts like Hawks Cay on Duck Key
Fort Lauderdale
While rowdy Fort Lauderdale Beach draws spring breakers, the calmer sands of Pompano Beach north of town are better suited for families. Luxury options include:
- The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
- Four Seasons Resort Fort Lauderdale
Orlando
Known more for theme parks, Orlando offers surprising beach options to families needing an ocean escape:
- Cocoa Beach’s mellow waves and seaside parks with playgrounds
- Beachfront hotels like Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
- Yacht and Beach Club resorts at Walt Disney World
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort with shuttle to beaches
Destin
In addition to its popular main beach, Destin offers untouched beach adventures along Scenic Highway 30A to the east:
- Grayton Beach State Park’s scenic dunes and clear waters
- Abundant wildlife
Palm Beach
Palm Beach delivers world-class resorts directly on the beach like The Breakers. Nearby Juno Beach offers calmer waves in a laidback setting.
Top Family-Friendly Resorts in Florida
Florida offers family-friendly resorts across every popular beach destination:
Florida Keys
- Hawks Cay Resort – Dolphin education, kids’ camp, multiple pools
Fort Lauderdale
- Ritz Carlton, Fort Lauderdale – Ritz Kids program, beachfront location
Orlando
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando – Lazy river, kids’ club, golf course
- Hilton Bonnet Creek – Kid-friendly pools, mini golf, Disney shuttle
- Waldorf Astoria – Kid’s club, pool, access to Disney parks
- Grande Lakes Orlando – Multiple pools, beach access, pirate ship water slide
In Disney World:
- Deluxe Resorts – Yacht Club, Beach Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian
- Deluxe Villa Resorts – Bay Lake Tower, Boardwalk Villas
- Moderate Resorts – Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs
- Value Resorts – Art of Animation, Pop Century
- Campgrounds – Fort Wilderness Campground
In Universal Orlando:
- Premier Hotels – Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel
- Preferred Hotels – Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Prime Value Hotels – Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
- Value Hotels – Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Destin
- Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort – Kids’ camp, lazy river, beach location
Palm Beach
- The Breakers Palm Beach – Family entertainment, kids’ programs, beachfront
Florida has endless options for family beach vacations. From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels, you’re sure to find the perfect home base for making sun-soaked memories.
Top Activities for Families at Florida Beaches
In addition to sunbathing and swimming, Florida’s beaches offer abundant activities to keep the whole family entertained.
South Florida
- Miami – Parasail over South Beach, explore jungle trails in Crandon Park
- Fort Lauderdale – Ride the Jungle Queen riverboat, try a shooting range
- Palm Beach – See the zoo at Lion Country Safari, rapids at Rapids Water Park
Tampa Bay Area
- Clearwater Beach – Visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium, go dolphin watching
- Anna Maria Island – Rent bikes for the paved trail, go fishing from the pier
- St. Pete Beach – Splash at Sunken Gardens, ride rollercoasters at Busch Gardens
Panhandle
- Destin – Charter fishing trips, waterpark at Big Kahuna’s, dolphin cruises
- Panama City Beach – Amusement/water parks, mini golf courses, pier arcade
- Pensacola Beach – Tour Fort Pickens, snorkel at Gulf Islands National Seashore
Orlando Area
- Cocoa Beach -Surf lessons, play mini golf, visit Kennedy Space Center
- New Smyrna Beach – Kayak through mangroves, walk scenic nature trails
- Daytona Beach – Drive cars on the sand, walk the Ocean Walk promenade
Southwest Florida
- Naples – See Everglades wildlife, rent boats or kayaks to explore islands
- Sanibel Island – Go shelling, see animals at JN Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Marco Island – Paddle through mangrove tunnels, parasail over the Gulf
- Fort Myers Beach – Dolphin and manatee cruises, eco-tours through mangroves
Florida Keys
- Key West – Snorkel or scuba dive shipwrecks and reefs, tour Hemingway Home
- Islamorada – Hand-feed tarpon at Robbie’s Marina, fly fish in the backcountry
- Marathon – Swim with dolphins, jet ski through island channels
With endless stretches of sand, warm waters, abundance of wildlife, and family-friendly attractions, Florida beaches offer limitless options for family fun.
Fun Annual Events at Florida Beaches
Beyond the usual beach activities, Florida’s coastal towns host exciting annual events for families to enjoy.
South Florida Events
- Fort Lauderdale Air Show – Aerobatic performances along the beachfront
- Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade – Floating holiday lights display
- Delray Beach Turkey Trot – Family-friendly Thanksgiving Day race
Tampa Bay Area Events
- Clearwater Jazz Holiday – Live jazz concerts in Coachman Park
- St. Pete Beach Seafood & Music Festival – Local seafood and bands on the beach
- Anna Maria Island Pine Avenue Porch Party – Music, art, food festival
Panhandle Events
- Destin Fishing Rodeo – Month-long fishing competitions for anglers of all ages
- Seabreeze Jazz Festival – Performances right on Panama City Beach
- Pensacola Beach Air Show – Stunning aerial acrobatics over the Gulf
Orlando Area Events
- Space Coast Beach & Brew Festival in Cocoa Beach – Local beers, live music
- New Smyrna Beach Balloon and Sky Fest – Hot air balloons launch over the beach
- Daytona Beach Bike Week – One of the largest motorcycle rallies
Southwest Florida Events
- Naples Winter Wine Festival – High-end wine event benefiting children’s charities
- Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival – Boat parades, crafts, and of course, shrimp
- Sanibel Shell Fair – Exhibits, crafts, and contests celebrating seashells
Florida Keys Events
- Conch Republic Independence Days – Wacky anniversary event of “secession”
- Underwater Music Festival in Islamorada – Divers listen to music piped underwater
- Seven Mile Bridge Run over Marathon waters – Annual road race across famous bridge
Conclusion,
Florida has so many fun beaches for families to visit! You can swim and build sandcastles on pretty white sand. Florida beaches have clear, warm water with lots of colorful fish you can see while snorkeling. Families can stay at big resorts with pools and slides. Many beaches have parks or piers with games and rides.
You can also go on boat rides to see dolphins and manatees in the ocean around Florida. Some of the best family beaches are in fun places like Orlando, Miami, and Tampa Bay where there are theme parks, zoos, and museums to visit too. Kids love beach vacations in Florida because there are many exciting activities like fishing, surfing lessons, parasailing and more.
Florida’s beaches have soft sand, fun attractions and gentle waves which make for a perfect family trip. With so much to see and do, Florida beaches are great vacation spots for families with children of all ages.
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