The best beaches in Florida with kids

If there’s one thing that Florida is famous for (apart from the mouse), it’s the gorgeous coastline – including plenty of family-friendly options if you’re searching for the best beaches in Florida with kids.

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But with around 1,200 miles of Florida coast and over 800 miles of accessible beaches, it’s hard to know where to start – although a bucket list goal of visiting them all sounds pretty tempting!

If you don’t have a lifetime to work through all of Florida’s best beaches with kids, I’ve picked some of the top ones to start you off, including one which has been named America’s best beach, options on the Gulf Coast, the east coast, the Florida Keys and more.

Amelia Island

Less crowded than some of parts of Florida, you might even spot dolphins from Amelia Island‘s beaches and there are rare sightings of whales if you’re really lucky.

Around 30 miles outside Jacksonville, on Florida’s northeast coast near the border with Georgia, it’s a good beach option to team with St Augustine – and if your kids are early risers (or you’re still battling jet lag), you can also enjoy some dazzling sunrises from Amelia Island’s 13 miles of beach.

Visit in the daytime and there’s kayak rental here, as well as sunbathing, swimming and searching for seashells and shark’s teeth on the sands, plus plenty of chances to get active with bike hire and horse riding, plus some historic Victorian homes lining the streets of Fernandina Beach.

Anna Maria Island

This lovely barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast is a great spot for families, and like the neighbouring islands, you’ll find some of Florida’s best beaches for kids on Anna Maria Island.

Anna Maria Beach on the northern tip of the island is one of the quietest, although if you’re looking for more family-friendly facilities, Manatee Beach has lifeguards, a cafe, playground and changing cabanas, plus you can rent chairs and beach umbrellas if you don’t have your own. Coquina Beach has similar facilities but can be a little less crowded for another alternative.

Check out what we thought of Anna Maria Island, including a dolphin spotting tour and visit to Bradenton’s museum back on the mainland

Caladesi Island State Park

Less than a 25-mile drive west of Tampa Bay and just off the coast of Clearwater is the beach
paradise of Caladesi Island State Park, with its turquoise blue waters and soft white sandy beaches.

This one is a perfect spot if your kids love wildlife, with a string of nature trails through the state park which provide a diverse habitat for all kinds of different plants, tropical trees, and bird
species. As well as enjoying the peaceful beachfront, you can also kayak among the mangroves.

The island is only accessible by a 20-minute car ferry that departs from Honeymoon
Island State Park but don’t let that deter you, it’s worth the trip!

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is another great beach to visit if you’re visiting Florida with kids. The water here is calm, as well as looking gorgeous, and it’s easy to while away hours on the soft white sand, which stretches for 2.5 miles – so there’s plenty of space to spread out.

Clearwater itself is home to an aquarium and museums, as well as a string of restaurants and cafes, so this an ideal choice if you’re looking for Florida beaches with plenty to do nearby.

There’s also family-friendly entertainment including pirate cruises from Pier 60 plus street performers and musicians at Sunsets at Pier 60, not to mention a fun play area.

It’s only around 30 minutes from Tampa, so it’s an easy one to combine with time in the city.

For more ideas of the best things to do in Tampa with kids, check out my top picks.

Cocoa Beach

One of the biggest attractions at Cocoa Beach for families is its location – not that it’s not a great Florida beach with kids in its own right – and its surfing.

Just a short drive from Cape Canaveral, it’s close to the Orlando and Walt Disney World if you’re mixing beach and theme parks.

It’s also the perfect spot for beginner surfers, thanks to consistent and calm waves, so kids (and adults!) can get a taste. You’ll find plenty of the top Florida beach experiences here as well, including watersports and the chance to see manatees on kayaking tours, plus shallow waters for swimming.

Destin

If you’ve ever idled away a rainy afternoon looking at photos of the best beaches in Florida (it’s not just me, right?), you’ll almost certainly have come across one of Destin‘s white sand beaches.

The emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, on the Florida Panhandle near Alabama, put Destin’s beaches firmly among the best in the country. So you won’t be disappointed, whichever stretch you pick.

James Lee Beach (also called Crab Trap beach) is where a lot of locals go, and with its quieter, laid-back atmosphere, it’s one of the best with kids.

But one of the loveliest is found in Henderson Beach State Park, where you could sit and spend hours gazing out to the water – keep an eye out for dolphins and stingrays too. If your kids want more activity, there are 30-foot sand dunes at the back of the beach, plus a three-quarter mile hiking trail.

If you’re looking for unspoiled sands, don’t miss Princess Beach – there are no facilities here, but that’s part of the charm. If you’re looking for watersports, including parasailing for teens, you’ll find more choices elsewhere in Destin.

Fort Lauderdale

Once known as a big spring break party destination for college students, these days, Fort Lauderdale has more to tempt families with younger kids – including its own great beaches.

Whether you’re spending a bit of extra time before or after a cruise, or visiting Fort Lauderdale for longer, there’s around 25 miles of beach along the coast here – including seven miles in Fort Lauderdale itself.

Head to Fort Lauderdale Beach and you’ll find lifeguards at regular intervals along the sand, for some extra peace of mind as your kids swim. The central stretches are a great place for watersports too.

Or for something a bit more secluded, Hillsboro Beach and Dania Beach are not too far from cetnral Fort Lauderdale, plus there’s great snorkeling at Pompano Beach.

Florida Keys

You can’t have a list of the best beaches in Florida with kids without mentioning the Florida Keys. You won’t find the long sweeping white sands of other parts of the Sunshine State (and do watch out for seagrass), but you won’t come away disappointed either.

For a six-day Florida Keys itinerary with kids, check out what we did on our Florida Keys family road trip

Key West

If you’re heading all the way down to Key West, the southernmost point in the United States, spare some time to head to Smathers Beach – one of the most popular with families for a good reason. For something a bit different, there’s fascinating Civil War history at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, including some lovely snorkeling after you’ve explored.

For more ideas of things to do in Key West with kids, check out my top picks

Dry Tortugas National Park

For an added adventure, the beautiful Dry Tortugas National Park is around 70 miles from Key West – you need to travel by boat or seaplane to this archipelago of seven small islands, where the coral reef and shipwrecks of the national park are perfect for snorkeling and diving. Seaplane Beach, North Swim Beach and South Swim Beach are some of the best beaches.

Key Largo

If you’re sticking to the northern end of the Keys, perhaps as a day trip from Miami with kids, you’ll find some lovely spots in Key Largo as well – Harry Harris is easily the best with younger kids. A jetty protects the soft sand beach from the strongest currents, so the water is calmer and there are lots of facilities for families.

Islamorada

Another contender for the title of most beautiful beach in the Florida Keys, Anne’s Beach is ideal for families as the shallow water is perfect for kids. Stroll along the boardwalk, and save some time for the History of Diving Museum, home to a genuine 16th century treasure chest!

Bahia Honda State Park

Another great option if you’re heading off the beaten track in Florida with kids. The small island in the Florida Keys that’s home to Bahia Honda State Park includes palm-lined beaches – Calusa Beach is especially gorgeous – plus there’s snorkeling, beach combing, as well as kayaks and paddleboards to rent.

Miami

If you’re someone that enjoys people-watching and a buzzing beach atmosphere, you can’t miss a stop on South Beach – check out the vibrant lifeguard huts, the amazing Art Deco buildings just off the sands, and stroll along the boardwalk soaking up the vibes.

But for a great beach in Miami with kids, you need to look beyond South Beach where the waves can be rough and there’s little shade to be found.

Instead, Matheson Hammock Park Beach in Coral Gables is unbeatable with younger kids – the sheltered atoll has very calm waters and the little lagoon is ideal for little ones to splash safely in the water.

There’s plenty of shade from the palm trees above the fine white sands too, plus lifeguards here. And if you’ve got older kids too, there are watersports for them to enjoy here as well.

Or head to Key Biscayne and Crandon Park Beach, easily one of the best beaches in Miami for families. There’s more natural shade and soft sand here, plus calm waters to swim – keep an eye out for peacocks as you wander down to the beach.

It’s also a good one for watersports, including paddleboarding and canoeing, plus there are plenty of amenities.

For more ideas of the best things to do in Miami with kids, check out my top picks

Naples

There’s over 30 miles of sandy shoreline with incredibly gentle waters at Naples, thanks to its great location on the Gulf Coast, with some lovely shells to find and watersports including kayaking.

As ever, you’ll find a choice of beaches – Lowdermilk Beach has a lovely beachfront park, plus there are some gazebos to rent for families.

Or Clam Pass Park is a great one for nature lovers, with more than just its powdery white sand. There’s a 3,000-foot boardwalk which leads you past mangrove forests, under the trees, to tidal areas and through clouds of butterflies if you visit at the right time of year.

If Naples is your base for your trip to Florida with kids, there’s plenty to discover here including Naples Zoo and the nearby Everglades National Park.

Check out my guide to Everglades National Park with kids

Panama City

While the Florida Panhandle often gets overlooked when it comes to planning beach break, there are 27 miles of beaches along the northwest coast of the Sunshine State – and plenty of family-friendly beaches among them.

Panama City Beach has some gorgeous white sands and super-clear waters, but best of all, it’s known for visiting sea turtles if you’re planning to swim and snorkel here.

Hidden Florida with kids – Falling Waters State Park

If you’re visiting Panama City Beach, you’re only around an hour from one of Florida’s hidden gems – Falling Waters State Park. Home to the state’s tallest waterfall, Falling Water Falls stands 74 feet tall and falls an impressive 100 feet into a cave – follow the Wire Grass Trail to see it.

Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island is a tiny piece of paradise just a short drive from Fort Myers, that’s known for its amazing shells – plus it’s fine to take a few as souvenirs (as long as you don’t walk off with any live ones).

With 250 different kinds of shells on the island, hunting down each one is a fun way to keep the kids occupied while you relax too. Sanibel Island is also home to beautiful mangroves, wetlands and protected habitats, so you can visit the wildlife sanctuary as well as checking out the historic lighthouse while you’re there (although only from the outside).

Lighthouse Beach Park is the first one you’ll come to once you cross from Fort Myers, and it’s an easy one to visit with kids (although there’s more competition for the most unusual shells), plus you’ll also find nature trails here.

But with multiple beaches to choose from, the best beaches on Sanibel Island are on the western side: Bowman’s Beach is quieter and unspoiled, plus you have more chance of great shell finds – there’s little in the way of amenities though.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key has been repeatedly voted America’s number one beach and for good reason. The white quartz sand positively gleams but feels like fine powder beneath your feet, and there are so many shades of blue in the water that you’ll be all but mesmerized.

Just south of Sarasota, on the Gulf Coast, this eight-mile beach is easy to reach if you’re exploring south from Tampa or on a Florida road trip – plus there’s plenty to do in Sarasota with kids as well.

There’s a lovely play area near the beach too, as well as bathroom facilities, tennis courts, volleyball nets and the restaurants of Siesta Key Village nearby.

St George Island

If you’re looking for a Florida family beach retreat, St George Island should definitely be on the list. This barrier island 75 miles southwest of Tallahassee has plenty of places to stay, while there are both activities and peaceful spots on the 22-mile island.

As well as kayaking, biking and boating on the Gulf of Mexico, you can spot crabs, pelicans, sea turtles and dolphins from the beaches too. The state park alone has nine miles of beaches. Bliss!

St Pete

Fort DeSoto Park, at the southern end of St Petersburg – better known as St Pete – has almost three miles of stunning white sand beach, including some of the best in the whole United States.

The park itself covers more than 1,100 acres across five interconnected keys along the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.

And as well as the family-friendly trails where you can spot some of the 300+ bird species to be found here, plus a Spanish-America War era fort, you’re spoiled for choice when you’re looking for the best beaches in Florida with kids.

North Beach has its own pirate ship playground, as well as a large tidal pool that’s great for kids. Keep an eye out for sand dollars as well as shells if you feel like beachcombing too.

Like Clearwater, it’s easy to combine with a stay in Tampa – for more ideas of the best things to do in Tampa with kids, check out this post.

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Images courtesy of Depositphotos

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