Florida's Best Waterfronts and Coastal Destinations

With 1,350 miles of coastline on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, Florida has more beachfront than any other contiguous US state. Each region has a distinct character.

Miami Beach and South Beach
The most internationally recognized stretch of Florida coastline — Art Deco architecture, Ocean Drive, and the famous white sand beach with turquoise water. South Beach is dense with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. The best beach experience in the Miami area is actually at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, which offers calm water and less crowd.

Clearwater and St. Pete Beach (Gulf Coast)
Consistently ranked among the best beaches in the US, Clearwater Beach features brilliant white sand and calm, shallow Gulf water — ideal for families. The nearby Pass-a-Grille neighborhood on St. Pete Beach is quieter, historic, and less commercial. The Pier District in downtown St. Petersburg offers a completely different waterfront experience with the Salvador Dali Museum steps away.

Pensacola Beach (Panhandle)
The Pensacola area has the finest quartz-sand beaches in the state — so white and fine it squeaks underfoot. The National Seashore protects most of the coastline from development. Fort Pickens, at the western tip of the barrier island, is one of the best-preserved 19th-century coastal forts in the country.

Naples and Marco Island (Southwest Gulf)
Naples offers an upscale Gulf Coast experience: a historic pier, shell-rich beaches, and excellent birding. Marco Island, south of Naples, is the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands and has the most dramatic shell beds in the state (clam shells, lightening whelks).

The Treasure Coast (East Coast)
The stretch from Stuart to Vero Beach along the Atlantic — named for the Spanish treasure fleets that wrecked here in 1715. Vero Beach is charming, unhurried, and has excellent surf breaks. Sebastian Inlet State Park, between Vero Beach and Melbourne, is consistently rated among the top surf spots on the East Coast.