Condé Nast Traveler has recently come out with their "Best Beaches" in Florida, list. Not surprising but southwest Florida and the Florida Keys are well represented! Are you picturing yourself soaking in the sunshine, while basking in the wake of pristine turquoise waters? Well, here you go!
This family-friendly beach is easily accessible yet surprisingly uncrowded, making it one of Sanibel Island's best-kept secrets. It delivers everything the island is famous for: breathtaking sunsets, fantastic shelling, and gentle surf. In addition, its location makes it one of the best beaches in Florida for active water sports, including windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing via the western inland waterways. Our favorite way to enjoy it? A simple, barefoot walk across the white sand to admire the Gulf and fill our pockets with seashells and other treasures. It’s a perfect spot for your next Florida getaway.
Marco Island's western edge is defined by stunning, wide, white-sand beaches perfect for long walks and collecting shells.
At low tide, you can wade out to the exposed sandbars to hunt for sand dollars and other sea treasures. The north end of the island features Tigertail Beach Park, known for its calm tidal lagoon—an ideal spot for paddleboarding.
Traveling a littler farther south, you'll discover more stunning sandy shores complemented by iconic resorts as the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa and the impressive JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.
Nature lovers will appreciate the abundant seabird activity, as Marco Island is a crucial nesting ground for species like least terns and black skimmers.
Beyond the kitschy roadside attractions, Key Largo holds a stunning natural secret: a quieter world of mangroves, clear shallows, and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US. While the reef isn't a beach, strictly speaking. The park does in fact have a number of beaches. If you venture to Canon Beach, you can swim/snorkel out to the remains of Spanish shipwreck about 100 feet out.
This reef is the main draw at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This marine sanctuary stretches three miles offshore and runs for about 25 miles along the Atlantic coast, making it a perfect spot for exploration.
Whether you're an experienced diver or a first-time snorkeler, the park offers plenty of ways to get into the water. You can wade into the waist-deep waters at Far Beach for a simple look at the marine life, or join one of the park's daily snorkeling trips or dive tours to see the reef up close. Expect to spot everything from technicolor parrotfish to stingrays. If you venture a bit farther, you'll also find the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue, located just outside the park's boundary in the larger Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
While the Florida Keys are famous for their shimmering waters, truly great beaches are surprisingly hard to find. That's why Bahia Honda State Park is such a revelation—it's easily one of the best beaches in the US.
Located at mile marker 37, about 35 miles north of Key West, on the Overseas Highway, this 524-acre park sits where the Atlantic meets the Gulf, giving it some of the finest stretches of sand in the Keys. Offering everything from lively and secluded beach areas to top-notch opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
Don’t leave without seeing the dramatic, elevated remains of Henry Flagler’s overseas railroad towering above the landscape. Bahia Honda proves the point: yes, a world-class beach exists in the Florida Keys.
To reach the incredible Dry Tortugas National Park, you must commit to an exclusive journey by either seaplane or ferry. Once there, you'll find the impressive, circa-1846 Fort Jefferson, a historical coastal fortress that dominates the main island.
However, the warm waters surrounding this isolated park are the star attraction. The park offers superb snorkeling among a vibrant population of seahorses, sea turtles, and tropical fish. Adventurous visitors should head toward the west moat wall, a prime spot for viewing moray eels and nurse sharks.
Given the remote location, be sure to bring your own water and sunscreen, as the park has very limited shade and services.
Whether you're visiting the SW Florida coast or planning a trip to the Southernmost Island oasis of Key West, Key West Express is the picture perfect start to your Staycation / Vacation!
Hero Image Photo Credit: Giuseppe Milo, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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