The 15 Best Beach Towns in Florida (Because You Need a Vacation)

• Why We Recommend It: seashells, boating, fishing
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Sanibel Siesta on the Beach, Condo on the Beach

Known for its abundance of seashells, Sanibel is one of the most picture-perfect beach towns in Florida—with miles of beaches lined with pastel-colored shells waiting to be collected. Situated off Florida’s peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico, this spot is a great choice for a romantic getaway, with popular activities like snorkeling, sunset boating and adorable bed-and-breakfast accommodations.

• Why We Recommend It: quiet, family friendly, crystal-blue water
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Naples Grand Beach Resort, Charming Beach Condo

From spacious beaches to chef-driven dining to some of the most gorgeous sunsets we’ve ever seen, forget what anyone told you about Naples being just another Florida retirement town. Check out Clam Pass Park and walk through a gorgeous mangrove estuary preserve (about half a mile) until you reach the beach. (There’s also a trolley that winds by every few minutes if you’re feeling lazy.) Oh, and don’t forget to visit the Naples Pier, which offers striking views of the Gulf of Mexico. If the weather is a bit rainy, spend a few hours inside at the Baker Art Museum until it clears.

• Why We Recommend It: relaxing, wildlife preserves, fishing
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: South Seas Island Resort, Beach Condo

Approximately 15 miles of virtually untouched beaches? Check. Quaint, tropical environmental? Double check. Wildlife preserves? Yep, Captiva has that, too. Less than a 15-minute drive from Sanibel, beautiful Captiva Island offers a similar atmosphere: seashells galore, stunning sunsets and lots of water activities, from cruising and boating to watersports and even private fishing excursions.

• Why We Recommend It: best of beach and city, family friendly
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Relaxing Oceanfront Condo

Minutes from the Florida-Georgia line, Amelia Island is one of the northernmost beach towns in the Sunshine State. If you’re into golfing, make sure to bring your clubs to this beach town because Amelia Island offers almost as many golf courses as it does miles of beaches—9 and 13 respectively. If you’d rather stay by the beach, head to Fernandina Beach for date night and explore the sparkling shoreline.

• Why We Recommend It: South Beach without the crowds, best waterfront hotel in the country
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Acqualina Resort & Spa, Condo on the Beach

Just under two miles long, Sunny Isles is one of our favorite beach towns in South Florida for one simple reason: It’s home to Acqualina Resort & Spa, which was named one of the best waterfront hotels in the country for the fourth year in a row (!!!). If you’re in the market to splurge, this is the place to do it—whether you make it a weekend escape with a room at the hotel or just visit for a spa day. Otherwise, one block north of Sunny Isles, escape towering skyscrapers for empty shoreline. Bring a chair, cooler and an umbrella to Haulover Beach Park, which is one of the only areas in Miami-Dade County with a stretch of public sand and not a building in sight.

• Why We Recommend It: water activities, close to Key West, family friendly
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Key Largo Beach Cottage, Tropical Paradise Getaway

Fishing, riding jet skis, sailing, swimming: Key Largo is the place you’ll want to spend every waking minute on the water. Add in photo-worthy sunsets and next-level seafood restaurants, and this spot has everything you need for a Florida-style beachy getaway.

• Why We Recommend It: upscale, close to Miami, luxurious spas
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Oceanfront Suite, Bal Harbour Resort Condo

Don’t let its size fool you: Though Bal Harbour is barely a mile long, this neighborhood is jam-packed with some of the best restaurants, shops and hotels in the entire state. Head to the recently expanded Bal Harbour Shops and spend the afternoon window-shopping at brands like Chanel, Miu Miu, Balenciaga and Prada. Then grab a bite at chef Makoto Okuwa’s Asian hotspot Makoto, and top it off by crossing the street and watching the sunset. Or in the spirit of luxury, book an early-evening spa treatment at the Exhale spa at the Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour.

• Why We Recommend It: best of beach and city, parks, energetic beach scene
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Sandy Sunrise, Blue Breeze House

At 840 square miles, Jacksonville is one of the biggest cities in the continental U.S. It’s also home to some of the largest beaches in the Sunshine State, with 22 miles of stunning shoreline. Booming with local art, restaurants and green spaces, this beach town offers the best of sand and city, where you can start your day soaking up the sun and ocean and end it with rooftop cocktails along a backdrop of skyscrapers.

• Why We Recommend It: quaint restaurants and shops, family friendly
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Island Grand Beach Resort, Studio Apartment

If you’re looking for a beach town with variety, St. Pete is just the ticket. Feeling adventurous? Enjoy your choice of watersports at St. Pete Beach. Looking to relax? Stick to dry land and set up shop with an umbrella and floppy hat. Rather skip the beach and roam city streets or art museums? Check out the Dali Museum or the Sunken Gardens. And the best part is that the beach and city are only a 15-minute drive from each other—so you really can do it all.

• Why We Recommend It: boating, lively food and bar scene
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Duval Square, Galleon Resort

Brightly colored beach houses, fresh seafood, the Ernest Hemingway Home and the buzzy nightlife of Duval Street—we love everything about Key West. Pro tip: Right before you hit the Seven Mile Bridge on your trip home, make a stop at Bahia Honda. Covering more than 500 acres and with a view of an abandoned historic bridge, this detour is perfect for snorkeling, kayaking and boating before you visit this beach town or head home.

• Why We Recommend It: boating, lively food and bar scene
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: The Carlisle on the Ocean, Bohemian Stylish House

Luxury continues minutes from Bal Harbour in the neighboring beach town of Surfside. In fact, this is the place where one of the first-ever upscale hotels opened in South Florida, attracting celebrities and socialites like Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor. The property was recently brought back to life as the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, complete with a lavish spa and celebrity chef Thomas Keller’s Surf Club Restaurant. Otherwise, most of Surfside can be enjoyed on foot. Roam Harding Avenue, a charming downtown strip with local eateries, shops and bars, or cross the street and hang out on one of the many public beaches.

• Why We Recommend It: great beaches, quiet
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: The Westin Sarasota, Kingston Arms

If you dream of a beach getaway without the traffic jams and costs, venture to Sarasota. South of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the city even has its own app for uncovering secret beaches. Speaking of Tampa, you’re only a driving distance away, which means you can enjoy the relaxing nature of Sarasota before spending your evening in the city.

• Why We Recommend It: relaxing, quaint, epic sunrises
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, Ocean Oasis

Across two barrier islands off the coast of Martin County, Hutchinson Island offers your choice of quiet beaches, nature preserves and fresh seafood spots. The island is also home to Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, ranked among the top 30 resorts in Florida by Condé Nast.

• Why We Recommend It: buzzy area, beautiful beaches
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: Lido Beach Resort, Beach Condo

Want to pretend you’re on the cast of MTV’s Siesta Key for a weekend? Book a trip to this eight-mile beach town, replete with nightlife hangouts, lively restaurants and no shortage of beaches. And yes, the beaches here are what dreams are made of. Nothing like a 24-hour livestream to inspire some vacay withdrawals.

• Why We Recommend It: best of beach and city, Brightline station access
• Best Time to Go: Between October and May
• Where to Stay: The Ben, Autograph Collection, The Bamboo Bungalow

Unlike the non-stop bustle of South Beach, West Palm offers a mix of laid-back beach vibes with upscale activities, accommodations and restaurants. If you stay at The Ben, you can rent a free city bike and peddle 15 minutes to the beach. Speaking of, some of our favorite stretches of sand are Peanut Island and John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.