The Best Florida Beach Towns to Visit This Summer, According to a Local

No state is more synonymous with summer beach vacations than Florida. Even as a Floridian myself, I can attest that we love visiting all of the cool beach towns around the state, too. The biggest challenge with planning a summer beach vacation in Florida isn’t whether to go, though, it’s choosing the beach town that fits your vibe. 

With a picturesque coastline surrounding most of the state, there’s an abundance of great beach towns to choose from. From lively towns bustling with entertainment to laid-back beach towns where you can just chill in a hammock all day, there truly is a little something for everyone. Here are a few that us locals love. 

Tucked away in Florida’s northeast corner, Fernandina Beach is a great option for those driving in from the east coast down I-95 and looking for an easy spot to have a summer beach vacation in Florida. This beach town is located on Amelia Island and has beachside resorts that have everything you need for a perfect Florida beach vacation. You can also venture out to the natural public beach area at Fort Clinch State Park to see an intriguing old fort while you’re there. 

Pro Tip: Make time to visit the cute downtown area and have a drink at Florida’s oldest bar, The Palace Saloon. 

This is one of the closest beaches to Disney World, so if your summer vacation includes time at the theme parks in Orlando, a trip here can easily be added on as well. This is one of the few beaches where you can drive on the beach, making it convenient to stay close to your vehicle if afternoon summer storms roll in. This beach town is also home to Daytona International Speedway, and the NASCAR Cup Series season finale happens there each summer. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be happening there on August 29. 

Pro Tip: Download the free Volusia Beaches Mobile App for iOS or Android before you go, as this will give you great information about things such as current beach conditions and areas that have lifeguards on duty. 

Wildlife enthusiasts know that summer in Florida is special, as it’s sea turtle nesting season. Melbourne is located in Brevard County, which had the highest number of documented sea turtle nests last year (over 50,000)! If you want to see sea turtles, Melbourne is the best Florida beach town to visit this summer. You can book a nighttime turtle walk with Stella Maris Environmental Research and walk the shores of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge for a chance to see a sea turtle lay her eggs. Group size is limited, and this sells out quickly, so get tickets in advance. 

Pro Tip: Get up early in the morning to walk the beach and see all of the turtle tracks left behind from the previous night. 

This scenic beach town on Florida’s Treasure Coast is located about an hour’s drive north of Palm Beach along the Atlantic Coast. This is a great summer vacation spot for those seeking laid-back vibes. Waveland Beach is a popular pick for families, but if you’re bringing along the furry members of your family, Jensen Beach offers a spot for them to have some fun as well. Walton Rocks Beach is one of Florida’s best dog beaches and is located in this cool beach town. 

Pro Tip: If the timing of your visit allows, check out the free Jammin’ Jensen festival that happens each Thursday evening in downtown Jensen Beach. There’s live music, street vendors, and local art on display. 

Miami is perhaps Florida’s most lively beach town, and it’s a trendy place with beautiful beaches. You can shop all day and party all night, but this summer brings even more fun, as it’s one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup. You can catch a match and still squeeze in some beach time, as there are multiple beaches near Hard Rock Stadium. 

Pro Tip: Miami Spa Months happen in July-August, and this is a chance to enjoy some of the most luxurious Miami spa and wellness experiences at deeply discounted prices. 

There’s never a bad time to visit Key West, but during the summer, there are so many fun events in this quirky beach town. The Key Lime Festival takes place July 1-5, 2026, but if you’re there later in the month, and see a bunch of people running around that look like Ernest Hemingway, you’ll know you’re there in time for the annual Hemingway Days and Hemingway Look-a-Like Contest. The 45th annual event will take place July 21-26, 2026. 

Pro Tip: You can also visit Hemingway’s House and take a tour. If you do, be on the lookout for the six-toed cats running around—some of them are descendants of his cat, Snow White. 

The beach town is located in the middle of the Florida Keys, and is a great place for lobstering. Many Floridians and visitors like to visit during the mini season (also formally called the sport season), as that two-day window kicks off the season, and is only for recreational purposes. The season officially kicks off August 1, 2026, and will run through March 31, 2027. Even if you don’t find your lobster, a day in the sparkling waters surrounding Marathon is always a nice treat anyway. 

Pro Tip: Make sure you study the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s regulations for spiny lobster before you go and follow the rules. 

Englewood Beach is a great summer beach town for those looking for something off-the-beaten path. There are some cool tiki bars and waterside restaurants to check out, and you’ll often hear the sound of live music flowing out of these establishments. You won’t find tons of shops and overdevelopment in this area, but you will find one cool thing on the beach: fossilized shark teeth. Those make the best souvenirs, and the shoreline there is full of them. 

Pro Tip: Manasota Key Resort is a comfortable place to stay right on the beach, and has free bikes available for guests. It’s a very bike-friendly beach town, and is fun to explore on two wheels. 

This award-winning beach has won plenty of accolades, and deserves every one. The powdery white sand there is made almost entirely of pure quartz. The sand found on the shores of Siesta Key is especially rewarding during the summer, as it never gets hot. This beach town has a cute, walkable downtown area known as Siesta Key Village, and that’s where you’ll find shops, bars, restaurants, and ice cream. 

Pro Tip: If your schedule allows, plan your trip to allow you to be there on a Sunday so you can join in on the weekly drum circle at sunset. 

Located near Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach is a bustling beach town with plenty to keep families busy during their summer beach getaway. It’s one of the best beaches in the United States for families, so it definitely deserves a spot on this list. Dolphins are active here, and you can book a boat tour to go out and see them. However, it’s also possible to just see them from shore or from the pier. The nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 festival is another fun activity to include in your visit.  

Pro Tip: Don’t try to drive around once you’re there. Many places are walkable, but you can also easily get around via the Jolley Trolley. It offers multiple stops throughout Clearwater Beach and kids ages eight and under can ride for free. It’s much easier than searching for parking. 

This area offers a large variety of vacation homes, making it a perfect place for larger families taking a summer vacation. The Gulf water is the perfect place to take a dip and cool down during a hot summer day, too. The beaches on Cape San Blas are nearby, giving you multiple options for places to explore. Florida’s scallop season is an especially fun time to plan a trip here. Scalloping can best be compared to an aquatic Easter egg hunt. This year, the season runs from August 16-September 24 in this area. 

Pro Tip: Head downtown for coffee at The Joe in Port St. Joe and cool down with an iced coffee. 

This is an easy beach escape for road trippers driving into Florida on I-10. It is located in the western tip of Florida’s panhandle, and is close to Alabama. This beach town offers a free summer concert series at Gulfside Pavilion called Bands on the Beach, which adds some fun entertainment to your time there, without adding any cost. The Pensacola Beach Air Show is also an exciting event that will be happening July 15-18, 2026. 

Pro Tip: There are also several days throughout the summer that you can see the Blue Angels practicing and flying around the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Check out the dates ahead of time to see if it aligns with your visit, and also make time to visit the free museum.