Due to its geographic location, Florida is home to many gorgeous beaches that are perfect Florida vacations for families. From the panhandle, with its white-sand beaches, to the Gulf Coast’s sugary sand beaches, to the more traditional sand on the Atlantic side, there are many options for family travel in the Sunshine State. Here are six great beaches to visit in Florida with kids.
I visited some of these Florida beaches for kids through complimentary trips and some on my own but all opinions are my own.
Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island
I wasn’t familiar with Amelia Island until I went to a conference there, but I was missing out. This island, one of the Sea Island barrier islands, is located in Nassau County along the Northeast coast of Florida. Numerous beaches are located on the island, and Fernandina Beach is one of the best family beaches in Florida. It’s an Atlantic Coast beach and is located north of Orlando.
Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton is a popular vacation destination for many Southerners, located along the Gulf Coast of the Florida panhandle. It’s adjacent to Destin, another popular beach town so that you can combine a vacation to Fort Walton with a visit to Destin. Fort Walton is convenient for many Southerners, so it’s a popular road trip beach town.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater is, in my opinion, the best family beach in Florida. It’s a busy beach community with many gift shops, beachfront hotels, and restaurants. While there, visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where animals are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild (if they can be).
Marco Island
Marco Island is a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico, a little over an hour from the South Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. After crossing over a small bridge, you’ll be in the small beach town of Marco Island. Featuring several large resorts, vacation homes, and condos, there are plenty of family-friendly places to stay.
Longboat Key
Longboat Key, one of the Gulf Coast barrier islands, is located right near Sarasota, Fl. It’s easily accessible through the Sarasota Airport, although you could also fly in through Tampa or Clearwater-St. Pete and drive a bit further. The nearby area offers lots for families, including the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. Kids will love to explore the Circus Museum, which includes a stunning mini circus that is so fun to check out. It’s part of the Ringling complex.
Key Biscayne
Miami is home to many beautiful beaches, including the world-famous South Beach. Key Biscayne is another beautiful beach spot, perfect for a family vacation. Located across from the city of Miami through the Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne is quieter than Miami Beach/South Beach, and offers a Ritz-Carlton, a state park, and a coastal barrier reef. Read more about the best beaches in Florida here.