Fun in the summer sun: that’s all we really want, right? While you can visit some incredible beaches in Florida all year round, some are just infinitely better when you visit during the summer months. In case you don’t want to get stuck visiting those super-crowded beaches, we have some hidden gems to add to your summer bucket list. Get your swimsuits on and lather on that sunscreen: these hidden beaches in Florida are where the fun is at.

  1. Usina Beach — St. Augustine, FL

Flickr Don Dearing While many locals or visitors flock to St. Augustine for the historical elements of the city, not too many come to kick back on the beach, which is why Usina Beach is a hidden gem for many. Enjoy one of the best-kept beach secrets in Florida right here. Usina Beach, FL 32082, USA

  1. Playalinda Beach — Canaveral National Seashore, FL

Flickr John Stockton Located on Florida’s East Coast, Playalinda Beach is a gem because it’s located right next to the Kennedy Space Center. Backed by grassy dunes and various plants, enjoy what has been dubbed the “longest undeveloped stretch of oceanfront on Florida’s east coast.” This top-secret beach in Florida is easily one of its best. Playalinda Beach, PLAYALINDA Beach, Florida, USA

  1. Cayo Costa State Park — Captiva, FL

Flickr Florida Fish and Wildlife While everyone has dubbed the best beach to go shelling as either Captiva or Sanibel, others argue that it is Cayo Costa State Park. Nine miles in length, Cayo Costa offers seashells along the seashore that you won’t find elsewhere. Spend the weekend camping in Florida ON the island and explore it for days. Cayo Costa State Park, Captiva, FL 33924, USA

  1. St. George Island — Franklin County, FL

Flickr Arturo Donate Located in the Florida panhandle, you’ll find St. George Island. This 22-mile barrier island in the Gulf is home to some of the quietest, most unspoiled beaches in the entire state. Enjoy visiting the state park and explore all the unfettered natural beauty this gem has to offer. This is one of the best beaches in Florida for ocean lovers. Saint George Island, St George Island, FL 32328, USA

  1. Caladesi Island State Park — Dunedin, FL

Flickr Pinellas County There are really only two quick ways to get to this stunning state park in Florida — to take the ferry known as the Caladesi Connection or to take a private boat! Since not everyone is aware of these two options, this only means that this beach remains one of those secret spots. If you’re lucky, you might just have a whole stretch of beach to yourself. This is one remote beach in Florida you can’t miss out on. Caladesi Island State Park, 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698, USA

  1. Juno Beach — Palm Beach County, FL

Flickr apasciuto Juno Beach is an actual town in Palm Beach County with just a few thousand residents. While visiting, you’ll have a truly unspoiled coastline, plus a perfect beachy vibe that will be as laidback as it gets. Head to the pier and step out onto the beautiful rolling waves. Juno Beach, FL 33408, USA

  1. Captiva Island — Fort Myers

Flickr Freebird Ahh, Captiva Island. It doesn’t get much better than this one. Not only is Captiva Island a true shelling paradise, but it also remains one of the prettiest beaches around. You don’t need much to enjoy this Florida Island, just a sense of adventure and a slower-than-usual pace. This is a beach town in Florida you’ll fall in love with pretty fast. Captiva Island, Florida 33924, USA

  1. Blowing Rocks Preserve — Hobe Sound, FL

Flickr apasciuto This protected barrier island has been appreciated for years as the largest Anastasia limestone outcropping on Florida’s east coast. While many visitors are enjoying the one-of-a-kind rock formations, others are splashing in the rolling waves and unobstructed coastline. Anyone interested even a little bit in interesting geology in Florida will find this destination fun and exciting. The Nature Conservancy Blowing Rocks Preserve, 574 S Beach Rd, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, USA

Have you ever been to these hidden beaches in Florida before? Share with us your experiences in the comments section! Or if you want to offer up your own suggestions for a few hidden gems in The Sunshine State, then make sure to shout those out, too.

Flickr Don Dearing

While many locals or visitors flock to St. Augustine for the historical elements of the city, not too many come to kick back on the beach, which is why Usina Beach is a hidden gem for many. Enjoy one of the best-kept beach secrets in Florida right here.

Usina Beach, FL 32082, USA

Flickr John Stockton

Located on Florida’s East Coast, Playalinda Beach is a gem because it’s located right next to the Kennedy Space Center. Backed by grassy dunes and various plants, enjoy what has been dubbed the “longest undeveloped stretch of oceanfront on Florida’s east coast.” This top-secret beach in Florida is easily one of its best.

Playalinda Beach, PLAYALINDA Beach, Florida, USA

Flickr Florida Fish and Wildlife

While everyone has dubbed the best beach to go shelling as either Captiva or Sanibel, others argue that it is Cayo Costa State Park. Nine miles in length, Cayo Costa offers seashells along the seashore that you won’t find elsewhere. Spend the weekend camping in Florida ON the island and explore it for days.

Cayo Costa State Park, Captiva, FL 33924, USA

Flickr Arturo Donate

Located in the Florida panhandle, you’ll find St. George Island. This 22-mile barrier island in the Gulf is home to some of the quietest, most unspoiled beaches in the entire state. Enjoy visiting the state park and explore all the unfettered natural beauty this gem has to offer. This is one of the best beaches in Florida for ocean lovers.

Saint George Island, St George Island, FL 32328, USA

Flickr Pinellas County

There are really only two quick ways to get to this stunning state park in Florida — to take the ferry known as the Caladesi Connection or to take a private boat! Since not everyone is aware of these two options, this only means that this beach remains one of those secret spots. If you’re lucky, you might just have a whole stretch of beach to yourself. This is one remote beach in Florida you can’t miss out on.

Caladesi Island State Park, 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698, USA

Flickr apasciuto

Juno Beach is an actual town in Palm Beach County with just a few thousand residents. While visiting, you’ll have a truly unspoiled coastline, plus a perfect beachy vibe that will be as laidback as it gets. Head to the pier and step out onto the beautiful rolling waves.

Juno Beach, FL 33408, USA

Flickr Freebird

Ahh, Captiva Island. It doesn’t get much better than this one. Not only is Captiva Island a true shelling paradise, but it also remains one of the prettiest beaches around. You don’t need much to enjoy this Florida Island, just a sense of adventure and a slower-than-usual pace. This is a beach town in Florida you’ll fall in love with pretty fast.

Captiva Island, Florida 33924, USA

This protected barrier island has been appreciated for years as the largest Anastasia limestone outcropping on Florida’s east coast. While many visitors are enjoying the one-of-a-kind rock formations, others are splashing in the rolling waves and unobstructed coastline. Anyone interested even a little bit in interesting geology in Florida will find this destination fun and exciting.

The Nature Conservancy Blowing Rocks Preserve, 574 S Beach Rd, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Hidden Beaches in Florida April 03, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best secret beaches in Florida?  With an incredible amount of world-famous shoreline in the state of Florida tends to come beaches that are less popular or well-known than others. Nowadays, it’s pretty much impossible to find a legitimately “secret” beach, but you can go to beaches that tend to be less crowded than the most famous ones (see the next point about those). Among our favorite “secret” beaches in Florida are Flagler Beach, which is a small town with 19 miles of beautiful sandy beaches, and best of all, State Road A1A runs alongside it, making for a great scenic drive. Then, there are the shores of St. George Island, which features 28 miles of pristine white sands and excellent birdwatching. Another one worth mentioning is Keewaydin Island, which is around Naples and a local secret. It’s got seven beautiful miles of soft, white sand; finally, check out Sunny Isles Beach, which is nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and is home to lots of resorts and natural wonders.   What are the most popular Florida beaches to visit?   Now that we got some of the lesser-known beaches in Florida on the board, you might be wondering, are there any popular beaches near me? Well, obviously, if you live in Florida the answer is yes because there are wonderful beaches everywhere around here. Some are even found along lakes and rivers instead of only the ocean! Some of the most beloved beaches in Florida are Destin Beach, a long-time family favorite in an oddly affordable little beach town, Sanibel Island, which is more famous for its excellent shell collecting opportunities than its potential as a party place, Clearwater Beach, which IS a party place and has amazing sunsets, and finally, Naples Beach, which is great for activities both on and off the water. Any lover of the outdoors is going to be a lover of the best beaches in Florida. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Hidden Beaches in Florida

April 03, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some of the best secret beaches in Florida?  With an incredible amount of world-famous shoreline in the state of Florida tends to come beaches that are less popular or well-known than others. Nowadays, it’s pretty much impossible to find a legitimately “secret” beach, but you can go to beaches that tend to be less crowded than the most famous ones (see the next point about those). Among our favorite “secret” beaches in Florida are Flagler Beach, which is a small town with 19 miles of beautiful sandy beaches, and best of all, State Road A1A runs alongside it, making for a great scenic drive. Then, there are the shores of St. George Island, which features 28 miles of pristine white sands and excellent birdwatching. Another one worth mentioning is Keewaydin Island, which is around Naples and a local secret. It’s got seven beautiful miles of soft, white sand; finally, check out Sunny Isles Beach, which is nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and is home to lots of resorts and natural wonders.   What are the most popular Florida beaches to visit?   Now that we got some of the lesser-known beaches in Florida on the board, you might be wondering, are there any popular beaches near me? Well, obviously, if you live in Florida the answer is yes because there are wonderful beaches everywhere around here. Some are even found along lakes and rivers instead of only the ocean! Some of the most beloved beaches in Florida are Destin Beach, a long-time family favorite in an oddly affordable little beach town, Sanibel Island, which is more famous for its excellent shell collecting opportunities than its potential as a party place, Clearwater Beach, which IS a party place and has amazing sunsets, and finally, Naples Beach, which is great for activities both on and off the water. Any lover of the outdoors is going to be a lover of the best beaches in Florida. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

With an incredible amount of world-famous shoreline in the state of Florida tends to come beaches that are less popular or well-known than others. Nowadays, it’s pretty much impossible to find a legitimately “secret” beach, but you can go to beaches that tend to be less crowded than the most famous ones (see the next point about those). Among our favorite “secret” beaches in Florida are Flagler Beach, which is a small town with 19 miles of beautiful sandy beaches, and best of all, State Road A1A runs alongside it, making for a great scenic drive. Then, there are the shores of St. George Island, which features 28 miles of pristine white sands and excellent birdwatching. Another one worth mentioning is Keewaydin Island, which is around Naples and a local secret. It’s got seven beautiful miles of soft, white sand; finally, check out Sunny Isles Beach, which is nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and is home to lots of resorts and natural wonders.  

What are the most popular Florida beaches to visit?  

Now that we got some of the lesser-known beaches in Florida on the board, you might be wondering, are there any popular beaches near me? Well, obviously, if you live in Florida the answer is yes because there are wonderful beaches everywhere around here. Some are even found along lakes and rivers instead of only the ocean! Some of the most beloved beaches in Florida are Destin Beach, a long-time family favorite in an oddly affordable little beach town, Sanibel Island, which is more famous for its excellent shell collecting opportunities than its potential as a party place, Clearwater Beach, which IS a party place and has amazing sunsets, and finally, Naples Beach, which is great for activities both on and off the water. Any lover of the outdoors is going to be a lover of the best beaches in Florida.