Thanks to a blend of year-round sunshine, pristine beaches and diverse coastal experiences, Florida stands out as one of the top beach destinations in the USA with some beaches even ranking amongst the best in the world. From the sugar-white and powder-soft sands of the Gulf Coast to cool surf towns on the Atlantic Coast, and the ever-popular and vibrant beaches in the South, Florida is a beach lover’s dream.
With so many different beaches to choose from, it’s impossible to pick a favourite, but here are some of VISIT FLORIDA’s highlights that you may not have heard of:
Discover a rare coastal dune lake
Grayton Beach State Park, Walton County, Northwest Florida
Consistently ranking as one of the most beautiful beaches in the USA, Grayton Beach State Park in Northwest Florida is home to a rare coastal dune lake, Western Lake - a natural feature found in only a few locations in the world. The beach itself is perfect for swimming and sunbathing, whilst the lake is best explored by kayak or SUP, where visitors can get a closer look at the salt marsh ecosystem.
Snorkel Florida’s most remote beach
Dry Tortugas National Park, Monroe County, approx. 70 miles west of Key West
The Dry Tortugas National Park is a tropical solace only accessible by boat or seaplane and is home to some of the most vibrant coral reefs in the USA. Visitors can spot a diverse range of sea life, such as various fish, lobsters and turtles, as they explore the nearby reefs and shipwrecks. Beyond the water, visitors can spot more than 300 species of birds, including the only known colony of frigate birds in the USA.
Catch some waves in Florida’s best surf spot
Cocoa Beach, Brevard County, East Coast
Celebrating its centenary this year, Cocoa Beach is a famed surfing spot. Once home to 11-time World Surf League Champion and all-round surfing legend, Kelly Slater, and home to the largest Ron Jon Surf Shop in the world, it is the perfect place for surfers to catch a wave. Visitors of all abilities can book a surf lesson, rent a surf board or even bring their own.
Hunt for Fossilised Shark Teeth
Venice Beach, Sarasota County, West Coast
Venice Beach, nicknamed “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” is a family friendly beach ideal for little marine biologists and palaeontologists, with troves of fossilized shark teeth that can be found by a simple stroll along the shore. Those looking to build up a collection may want to rent or buy a “Venice Snow Shovel” – a screened basket fitted onto a handle to help sift through the sand and find this prehistoric treasure.
Saddle up and take a horseback ride on the beach
Amelia Island, Nassau County, Northeast Florida
With miles of pristine coastline to explore, riders can enjoy the gentle coastal breeze as they walk (or trot) along the picturesque shoreline of Amelia Island - one of the only places in the USA that allows beach horse riding, making it a unique and memorable experience. Both beginners and seasoned riders can enjoy either daytime or sunset guided outings lead by local professionals
Build the perfect sandcastle
Panama City Beach, Bay County, Northwest Florida
A beach day would be incomplete without a sandcastle, and the powder-soft sand in Panama City Beach is perfect for sandcastle building. With the beautiful Gulf Coast as a backdrop and with a professional sand-sculptor by their side, families can book sandcastle building lessons for an afternoon of creative fun, as they build photo-worthy masterpieces.
Visit the “Shell Capital of the World”
Sanibel Island, Lee County, West Coast
Known as the “Shell Capital of the World”, Sanibel Island is a popular shelling spot for locals and visitors alike, who roam the beaches in search of a wide variety of shells – such as conchs, scallops and sand dollars - that wash ashore from the Gulf Coast. After a day of shelling, visitors can stop by the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, to learn all about the science and significance of molluscs.
ENDS
For more information, including high-res images, please contact:
Hannah Mulvey: Hannah@goshpr.co.uk
Itziar Urra: Itzi@goshpr.co.uk
David Gray: David@goshpr.co.uk
About VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA is the Sunshine State’s official tourism marketing corporation and travel planning resource for visitors across the globe. As Florida's No. 1 industry, tourism was responsible for welcoming a record-setting 142.9 million visitors in 2024, an increase of 1.6% from 2023. In 2023, the Florida tourism industry generated $127.7 billion in economic impact and supported 2.1 million Florida jobs, making tourism a key economic engine benefiting Florida families. The Florida Legislature’s independent Office of Economic and Demographic Research calculates VISIT FLORIDA’s ROI as delivering $3.3 in return to the state for every public dollar invested, making VISIT FLORIDA one of the best performing economic development programs in state history. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations and visitor services programs, and works with travel industry partners throughout the state. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, follow @FloridaTourism on X, connect on LinkedIn, or go to visitflorida.org. For inspiration in the Sunshine State follow @VISITFLORIDA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.visitflorida.com. For media resources, visit www.visitfloridamedia.com.