Discover the Simple Pleasures of Florida's Sandy Coastlines: A Family-Friendly Guide
Florida's sandy coastlines are a source of pure joy, with a serene and sunny atmosphere complemented by the rhythmic sound of waves gently lapping the shore. It's a place where families can come together and revel in the simple pleasures of picnicking, flying kites, shelling, and bodyboarding.
While Florida may be famous for its flashy theme parks and glitzy cities, the state's beaches are the perfect antidote for those seeking a slower pace and an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. For many of us who spent childhood vacations on the beach, these shores hold a special place in our hearts, filled with memories of jumping over salty waves and collecting seashells.
Now, as adults, we return with our own children or grandchildren in tow, hoping to create new traditions and share those cherished memories. To help you make the most of your beach vacation, we've handpicked some of our favourite family-tested Florida beaches that offer a perfect backdrop for creating new memories and leaving sandy footsteps for future generations to follow.
Siesta Key Beach
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| Siesta Key Beach |
Siesta Key Beach, located on Florida's Gulf Coast in Sarasota, is a family paradise with the softest white sand you'll ever feel. Despite featuring on top beach lists consistently, it's anything but overrated.
The beach's cool powder-like sand is a welcome treat for tiny feet on hot summer days. You might even spot frolicking dolphins in the distance, adding to the charm of this beach. Siesta Key Beach offers a range of family amenities, including public restrooms, showers, and a playground, ensuring you can spend a comfortable and memorable day with your loved ones.
While in the area, don't miss the opportunity to visit Sarasota's Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium, a nonprofit research centre with captivating exhibits showcasing local marine wildlife. It's an experience that is sure to delight all ages and add to the fun-filled memories of your Florida beach vacation.
Sanibel Island
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| Snibel Beach Island |
As soon as the seashells start crunching underfoot, you know you've arrived at Sanibel Island, known as the Seashell Capital of the World. Nestled on Florida's Gulf Coast, the 20 miles of beaches between Sanibel and Captiva are a treasure trove waiting to be explored.
With an irresistible temptation to spend hours combing the shoreline for shells, shelling is a favourite pastime for visitors to Sanibel Island. It's a relaxing, screen-free activity that the whole family can enjoy, with breaks to dip into the ocean and cool off from the sun.
Take the opportunity to teach your kids how to cast a net in the water, as it's a fun activity that will create lifelong memories. With its serene atmosphere and abundance of seashells, Sanibel Island is the perfect destination for families looking to slow down, relax and reconnect with nature.
St. Pete Beach
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| St Pete Beach |
The Don CeSar, with its iconic bright pink exterior, is a popular landmark and a great family-friendly hotel. It offers a children's beach play area and a weekly mermaid meet-and-greet. Don't miss a meal at the Rumfish Grill, featuring aquariums to gaze into while dining or even snorkelling inside the tanks.
With endless opportunities for fun and adventure, St. Pete/Clearwater is the perfect destination for families looking to make unforgettable memories.
Delray Beach
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| Delray Beach |
Delray Beach, a charming coastal town located on the Atlantic coast, is nestled between the vibrant cities of Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, forming a part of the famous Palm Beaches in Florida. This idyllic town offers a welcoming small-town atmosphere that boasts unique shops and restaurants, all conveniently situated along Atlantic Avenue, a mere stone's throw away from the beach.
Delray Beach is home to a well-equipped municipal beach that provides a range of amenities to visitors, including public restrooms and showers. Additionally, visitors can rent umbrellas and beach chairs to make their beach experience even more comfortable. Families with young children will find a visit to the Sandoway Discovery Center a delightful experience. Here, children can learn about Florida's diverse ecology through interactive and engaging encounters and feedings with sharks, stingrays, and alligators, as well as participate in exciting fossil digs.
Overall, Delray Beach is a perfect destination for those seeking a relaxed and peaceful beach vacation while also enjoying the convenience of a friendly town with an array of entertainment options for the whole family. Whether you want to lounge on the beach, explore local shops and restaurants, or learn about Florida's natural wonders, Delray Beach offers something for everyone
Manasota Key Beach
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| Manasota Key Beach |
Manasota Key Beach, located near Venice, Florida, is famous for its abundance of fossilized shark teeth that can be found on the sandy shorelines. Although there are no longer live sharks in the waters, visitors can use sifters and shovels to unearth the teeth buried beneath the sand. It's a great activity for families to enjoy together, and you can almost guarantee to find at least a few teeth once you know what to look for.
Amelia Beach Island
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| Amelia Beach Island |
Amelia Island is a beautiful destination on Florida's east coast, with 13 miles of Atlantic beach and plenty of family-friendly activities available. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding, sunset dolphin and shrimping river cruises, and custom luxury family picnics. Fernandina Beach offers amenities such as picnic areas and outdoor showers, and if you have aspiring surfers in your family, you can treat them to a private surf lesson.
Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie
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| Port St. Luice |
Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie are great destinations for families with young children, offering quieter surroundings than some of the busier cities to the south. Spend your day at Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park, where you can spot gopher tortoises and watch surfers in the coastal waters. Nearby, you can visit the National Navy SEAL Museum or enjoy beach horseback riding at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park.
Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key
Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key are located in Florida's Panhandle region and boast soft powder sand beaches and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Families can enjoy a fishing charter, or dolphin cruise, or visit the Gulf Breeze Zoo or Pensacola Children's Museum. The Pensacola Lighthouse is also a popular attraction, offering ghost tours during full moons.
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is a barrier island located eight miles south of Miami, offering beaches between two parks and an underwater archaeological trail along its coastal barrier reef. The family-friendly beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, known as El Farito for its lighthouse, offers a playground, guided tours of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's cottage, an on-site restaurant, and bicycle, umbrella, and beach chair rentals. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife viewing, from iguanas to friendly manatees, and calm waters that are perfect for children.
Read More: 10 Unforgettable Beaches In Istanbul
Melbourne Beach
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| Melbourne Beach |
Melbourne Beach, located at Sebastian Inlet State Park, offers three miles of beaches on Florida's east coast, known for saltwater fishing and surfing. Families can glimpse manatees, dolphins, and stingrays while enjoying picnic areas, a restaurant, and a gift shop. For gentler waves, head to "the Cove" area on the north part of Sebastian Inlet, which offers a gentler incline and peaceful swimming conditions for beginner swimmers and splashers. On the south side of the inlet, surfers can tackle Monster Hole.
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