Amelia Island
Atlantic Coast
Amelia Island stands out for 13 miles of uncrowded, pristine beaches. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.
The best beaches in Florida for surfing, bodyboarding, and catching waves. From the Atlantic swells to Gulf Coast breaks.
Florida might not be Hawaii, but the Sunshine State has a thriving surf culture and surprisingly consistent waves — especially on the Atlantic Coast. From the legendary breaks of New Smyrna Beach to the Space Coast surf scene at Cocoa Beach, here are the best spots to paddle out.
| # | Beach | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amelia Island 👨👩👧 | Quiet |
| 2 | Cocoa Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 3 | Daytona Beach 👨👩👧 | Popular |
| 4 | Delray Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 5 | Fort Lauderdale Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 6 | Grayton Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 7 | Henderson Beach State Park 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 8 | Hollywood Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 9 | Jacksonville Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 10 | Jupiter Beach 👨👩👧 | Quiet |
| 11 | Mexico Beach 👨👩👧 | Quiet |
| 12 | Navarre Beach 👨👩👧 | Quiet |
| 13 | New Smyrna Beach 👨👩👧 | Quiet |
| 14 | Pensacola Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 15 | Santa Rosa Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 16 | Seaside Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 17 | Smathers Beach 👨👩👧 | Popular |
| 18 | South Beach 👨👩👧 | Popular |
| 19 | St. Augustine Beach 👨👩👧 | Moderate |
| 20 | Vero Beach 👨👩👧 | Quiet |
Atlantic Coast
Amelia Island stands out for 13 miles of uncrowded, pristine beaches. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.
Atlantic Coast
Cocoa Beach stands out for best surfing on florida's atlantic coast. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Free parking is a bonus.
Atlantic Coast
Daytona Beach stands out for only beach in florida where you can drive on the sand. It offers a popular destination, so arrive early for the best spot. Parking runs $20 daily beach driving pass; regular parking $10-15.
Atlantic Coast
Delray Beach stands out for vibrant atlantic avenue dining and entertainment district. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Free parking is a bonus.
Atlantic Coast
Fort Lauderdale Beach stands out for wave-lined oceanfront promenade perfect for biking and rollerblading. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $2 per hour metered, garages $15-20 daily.
Panhandle
Grayton Beach stands out for grayton beach state park with untouched dunes. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $6 per vehicle at state park.
Panhandle
Henderson Beach State Park stands out for over 6,000 feet of protected gulf beachfront. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $6 per vehicle (2-8 people).
Atlantic Coast
Hollywood Beach stands out for historic 2.5-mile broadwalk promenade. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $1.50-2.50 per hour; garages $10-15 daily.
Atlantic Coast
Jacksonville Beach stands out for 22 miles of wide, sandy atlantic coastline. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $1.50-2 per hour metered; lots $5-10 daily.
Atlantic Coast
Jupiter Beach stands out for historic red jupiter lighthouse and museum. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Parking runs $2 per hour metered; park lots $15-20 daily.
Panhandle
Mexico Beach stands out for rebuilt and resilient beach community. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.
Panhandle
Navarre Beach stands out for longest fishing pier in florida (1,545 feet). It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.
Atlantic Coast
New Smyrna Beach stands out for surfing capital of florida with excellent wave conditions. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.
Panhandle
Pensacola Beach stands out for crystal-clear emerald gulf waters. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $2-5 per hour in peak season.
Panhandle
Santa Rosa Beach stands out for central location on famous highway 30a. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Free parking is a bonus.
Panhandle
Seaside Beach stands out for famous filming location for the truman show. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $10-15 per day in peak season.
Florida Keys
Smathers Beach stands out for half-mile stretch of soft imported sand. It offers a popular destination, so arrive early for the best spot. Free parking is a bonus.
Atlantic Coast
South Beach stands out for iconic art deco historic district with pastel-colored buildings. It offers a popular destination, so arrive early for the best spot. Parking runs $2-4 per hour, garages $15-30 daily.
Atlantic Coast
St. Augustine Beach stands out for excellent surfing conditions year-round. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Free parking is a bonus.
Atlantic Coast
Vero Beach stands out for 26 miles of pristine, uncrowded atlantic beaches. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.
Atlantic Coast
Amelia Island combines 13 miles of pristine beaches with Victorian charm in historic Fernandina Beach, offering an upscale yet laid-back barrier island escape. This northernmost barrier island on Florida's Atlantic coast delivers natural beauty, rich history, and Southern hospitality.
Atlantic Coast
Cocoa Beach is Florida's premier surfing destination and gateway to the Space Coast, combining excellent waves with rocket launch viewing opportunities. This laid-back beach town centers around the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop and offers authentic surf culture.
Atlantic Coast
Daytona Beach is famous for its hard-packed sand that allows cars to drive right onto the beach, combined with a rich NASCAR heritage and 23 miles of wide, beautiful shoreline. This iconic destination blends motorsports history with classic Florida beach fun.
Atlantic Coast
Delray Beach combines small-town charm with sophisticated dining and nightlife along its famous Atlantic Avenue. This award-winning 'Most Fun Small Town in America' offers two miles of pristine beach and a vibrant downtown just steps from the ocean.
Atlantic Coast
Fort Lauderdale Beach offers seven miles of golden sand along the famous beach strip, combining family-friendly amenities with vibrant dining and nightlife. Known as the 'Venice of America,' this beach destination balances spring break energy with year-round sophistication.
Panhandle
Discover the artistic soul of 30A at this bohemian beach community where Grayton Beach State Park's pristine dunes meet a charming village of galleries, local eateries, and creative spirit.
Panhandle
Discover protected pristine dunes and sugar-white sands at this award-winning state park in Destin, offering natural beauty and full amenities just minutes from resort development.
Atlantic Coast
Hollywood Beach features the iconic 2.5-mile Broadwalk, where vintage Florida charm meets modern beach resort amenities. This family-friendly destination offers a nostalgic beach town atmosphere with pristine sand and endless ocean views.
Atlantic Coast
Jacksonville Beach offers 22 miles of wide sandy beaches with a casual, surf-friendly atmosphere and vibrant pier district. This accessible beach town combines excellent waves, family amenities, and a thriving local restaurant scene just minutes from Jacksonville's urban center.
Atlantic Coast
Jupiter Beach offers pristine natural beauty with the iconic red Jupiter Lighthouse standing guard over turquoise waters and white sand beaches. This upscale yet relaxed beach community is renowned for sea turtle nesting and excellent diving opportunities.
Panhandle
Experience the resilient spirit of this rebuilt beach town offering uncrowded shores, excellent fishing, and authentic small-town charm following its remarkable recovery from Hurricane Michael.
Panhandle
Escape to "Florida's Most Relaxing Place" where pristine white sands, the longest fishing pier in Florida, and uncrowded beaches create the perfect tranquil getaway.
Atlantic Coast
New Smyrna Beach is known as the surfing capital of Florida, offering consistent waves and a charming small-town atmosphere. This artistic coastal community combines world-class surf breaks with a historic downtown and pristine 13 miles of beach.
Panhandle
Experience sugar-white sands and emerald waters on Santa Rosa Island, home to the legendary Blue Angels and family-friendly Quietwater Beach Boardwalk.
Panhandle
Explore the heart of the 30A corridor where rare coastal dune lakes meet pristine beaches, surrounded by boutique communities, farm-to-table dining, and authentic Panhandle charm.
Panhandle
Step into the iconic New Urbanist town made famous by The Truman Show, where pastel cottages, white picket fences, and pristine beaches create a picture-perfect coastal experience.
Florida Keys
Key West's largest and most popular public beach stretches along South Roosevelt Boulevard with soft sand, swaying palm trees, and endless water sports. This vibrant beach offers the quintessential tropical island experience with plenty of amenities and activities.
Atlantic Coast
Miami's world-famous South Beach combines stunning Art Deco architecture with vibrant nightlife and pristine white sand beaches. This iconic destination offers the perfect blend of culture, entertainment, and ocean paradise.
Atlantic Coast
St. Augustine Beach offers pristine Atlantic coastline just minutes from America's oldest city, combining historic charm with excellent surfing and family-friendly amenities. This laid-back beach community provides the perfect complement to exploring St. Augustine's colonial heritage.
Atlantic Coast
Vero Beach epitomizes the Treasure Coast's upscale yet relaxed character with pristine beaches, excellent shopping and dining, and a thriving arts scene. This sophisticated coastal town offers natural beauty and cultural amenities in an uncrowded, Old Florida setting.