The Best Beaches in Florida’s Panhandle, According to Locals

Florida’s panhandle is located in the northwest corner of the state and is home to several of Florida’s best beaches with the prettiest white sand. This section of Florida’s coastline is where you’ll find many charming beach towns, one of the state’s national seashores, as well as numerous state parks with beaches. Needless to say, there’s an abundance of awesome beaches in Florida’s panhandle. I don’t think there’s a bad spot to visit in the panhandle, and you really can’t go wrong with any of the beaches there. However, I’ve narrowed down a few of the best beaches in Florida’s panhandle for you to check out on your next trip. 

The 1.5-mile beach within St. Andrews State Park is stunning and relaxing. This is actually one of the most calming state parks in the country. Snorkeling and fishing are also popular here due to the rock jetty. If you don’t want to pack a lunch, there’s a place to grab food on-site. There are also stores on-site where you can get beach chairs, umbrellas, and sunscreen. You may also want to rent kayaks and paddle on the calm water. 

Local Tip: Book a night in one of the park’s glamping tents. It’s like camping, but with more amenities (like a bed and electricity.) As a bonus, you’ll also get a nice view of the water from your tent. 

This beach is positioned between St. Andrew Bay and the Gulf, and the only way you can get to this undeveloped 7-mile island is by boat. Don’t let that hold you back though—the short journey is oh so worth it. If you have your own boat (or if you’ve rented one while you’re staying in the area), you can venture to Shell Island on your own, but most people catch a ride on the ferry to Shell Island that departs from St. Andrews State Park. It’s a pretty quick ride—you can get to the island in about 15 minutes by ferry. This island is completely unspoiled and natural, which is what makes it great. You won’t find beach shops though, so make sure you bring all that you’ll need for a day of fun in the sun. 

Local Tip: Bring along a bag for your trash and take it with you. There are no trash cans on the island, so be a good steward to help keep this special place in pristine condition.  

Located in one of the best beach towns in Florida’s panhandle, Grayton Beach State Park has a mile of white sand and tranquil, emerald waters. You can bring your RV or a tent and stay for a few days, but if you prefer to have more amenities, you’ll be pleased to know that this park also has 30 cabins that can each accommodate up to six people. 

“Grayton Beach continues to be special because it’s one of the last beach towns that refuses to be polished,” says Laurie Hood, a longtime local of Santa Rosa Beach and founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge, a rescue and sanctuary just 10 minutes north of Grayton Beach. “While many Florida beaches emphasize a resort feel, Grayton Beach leans into its quirky personality and rare natural beauty.”

Local Tip: While most people pack flip flops for the beach, consider throwing a pair of hiking boots in your beach bag, too. Grayton Beach State Park has some nice trails to explore. 

At the beach at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, you’ll be amazed by the iconic tall dunes. The sparkling white sand and natural settings are big draws, but people also love swimming and snorkeling there. Further offshore, there’s also an excellent spot to scuba dive. Off the north end of the park you can find several artificial reefs and wrecks that were created by the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association.

Local Tip: This is a great beach for shelling since you’ll have access to the Gulf and St. Joseph Bay. For the best finds, try shelling when the tide is low or after storms. (And as always, practice good beach etiquette and never take live shells.) 

This beach isn’t too hard to find, as it’s close to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk on the sound side of the island. There’s also a free trolley that can drop you off at Quietwater Beach but it only runs during the summer. The water is pretty calm here, and this is a great beach in the Florida panhandle for families with children. It is also home to one of Pensacola’s most loved selfie spots: The Giant Shell. Take a picture there to remember your fun day at this awesome beach. 

Local Tip: Flounder’s Chowder House is a loved restaurant in this area and has a really diverse menu that includes fresh seafood, steaks, pasta, poke bowls, sushi, burgers, tacos, and more. This is a great option if you’re trying to find one spot that has something for everyone in your group. 

The emerald water and white sand make this beach special, but there’s also something cool underneath the water’s surface. The Navarre Beach Marine Park is made up of artificial reefs just 100 yards from the shore. Bring your snorkel gear and diving equipment, because the clear visibility and calm water makes this an excellent place to explore underwater. Many people also love fishing when visiting Navarre Beach, and the 1,545-foot pier is a great place to do that. If you didn’t travel with all of your fishing gear, no worries. There’s a tackle shop at the pier and they even rent fishing poles. 

Local Tip: Check out the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. This is a non-profit organization that provides education on the local marine life. They also have some pretty cool experiences you can add on to your visit. Have you ever had a tortoise paint a picture for you? Well, you can do that there. 

There are only two national seashores in Florida—Canaveral National Seashore, where you can see rockets launch, and Gulf Islands National Seashore, which is home to many awesome beaches in Florida’s panhandle. One of the best ones is Opal Beach—located between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach. This undeveloped piece of coastline is picturesque and you’ll love how unspoiled it is. There are bathrooms, but there aren’t any concession stands or stores. Pack lots of water and snacks, as well as sunscreen (you won’t be able to purchase anything there). 

Local Tip: Your entrance pass is good for up to seven days, so don’t throw that away. You can use that at all Gulf Islands National Seashore locations, so consider staying for a few days so you can visit other beaches within the seashore. If you’re local and going to the national seashore beaches a lot, you may even want to invest in the annual pass. 

More of the Gulf Islands National Seashore extends onto Okaloosa Island, and that’s a great one to visit if you want a quieter vibe. One of the area’s most popular beaches though is located at Newman C. Brackin Wayside Park. This beach has all of the amenities you could possibly need, as it is located at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, which is where you’ll find multiple restaurants. During the summer you also get a special treat – every Wednesday night there is a fireworks show. 

“Fort Walton Beach is special for its miles of open white-sandy beach access on Okaloosa Island, with wide, walkable shoreline and paved paths,” says Shea Cline, General Manager of The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach. “With a ResortPass, locals and day visitors can swim at our iconic Grotto pool with its swim-up bar, enjoy beach access and live music, then settle in as the sun dips low over the Gulf with cocktails at the Beach Bar or dinner at Coastal Kitchen or Cabana Cantina & Tequileria.”

Local Tip: Anglers will want to visit The Island Pier. You can get a daily fishing pass that includes your fishing license, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing that separately.  If you’re traveling and don’t want to bring all of your fishing gear along, you can rent it there. Even if you aren’t fishing, the pier is a scenic spot to hang out. 

With more than a mile of scenic coastline, Henderson Beach State Park is a great place to take a swim in the clear water or spend some time on the beach. There are campsites available in the park, and a boardwalk will easily take you from the camping area to the beach. A stay overnight will grant you the additional opportunity to sit on the beach and see one of the spectacular sunsets. It may also give you even more of a chance to spot some of the park’s abundant wildlife. It’s not uncommon to see dolphins or sea turtles. 

“Thanks to Henderson Beach being protected, the undeveloped natural beauty is a sight to behold,” says John Carns, General Manager of Henderson Beach Resort. “With the Henderson Beach Resort and Henderson Park Inn sitting right beside the Henderson Beach State Park, guests can step from our lobbies onto those sugar white sands in just a few minutes, trading a spa treatment, rooftop cocktails, or dinner on the beach for a sunset walk along untouched dunes.”

Local Tip: Outside of the state park, there is more great coastline to explore. James Lee Park is another of Destin’s best beaches that offers public beach access. There are multiple pavilions there, and you can reserve space in advance if you want to use that space. 

Positioned on a barrier island near Apalachicola Bay, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park boasts nine miles of sugary sand and sparkling water. It’s also one of the best beaches for stargazing. There’s an observation platform where you can hang out to view all of the planetary wonders. With the park’s dark skies, you can see the Milky Way and an array of constellations. Stay overnight in the campground so you can take advantage of the celestial show. 

Local Tip: Bring your binoculars, because this is a great spot for birding. According to eBird, over 300 species have been seen there. The pelicans are fun to watch by the beach, but walk over to see the bayside of the park and you may also see osprey and bald eagles.