10 Best Florida Beaches to Visit in 2026

What’s the hardest job in the world? Choosing Florida’s best beaches for 2026! 

As a Florida resident, I’ve explored much of the state’s coastline and narrowed it down to my top 10 picks for a 2026 Florida getaway.  You’re sure to find the perfect Florida beach for your next vacation.

Panama City Beach is one of the panhandle’s most-visited beaches, and it also happens to be one of Florida’s beaches with the prettiest white sand. Many families enjoy this beach because of the many kid-friendly activities in the area, guaranteeing that the little ones have a great vacation, too. However, there are also fun places such as Sharky’s where adults can have grown-up time and sit by the sparkling Gulf waters and enjoy cocktails. For a totally different vibe when you’re in the area, make a point to also visit the calm, undeveloped beaches at St. Andrews State Park and take a ferry to Shell Island. 

Local Tip: Take a ride on the PCB Wheel for the best views of Panama City Beach. The ride on the enclosed gondola takes about 10-15 minutes, and is an amazing experience. 

If you’re looking for an exclusive-feeling beach experience, you’ll like Rosemary Beach. This is one of the iconic beaches that can be found along Florida’s 30A—a popular stretch of highway in Florida’s panhandle that’s made up of multiple beachfront communities. Located alongside the calm waters of the Gulf coast, this beach has a luxurious feel. Beach access is limited to residents and registered guests staying in local accommodations like The Pearl or Rosemary Beach Inn, you’ll have access to this exclusive beach. This is one of Florida’s most charming beach towns, so make sure to check out the super cute town center and its cobblestone streets. 

Local Tip: Chocolate-lovers will want to plan a visit to La Crema Tapas and Chocolate. Choose between their milk or dark chocolate fondue and get an array of fruit, cake, and marshmallows to dip and enjoy. 

I love this secluded island, and since it was closed for several months at the beginning of 2025, 2026 is your year to enjoy it!  After sustaining hurricane damage in 2024, it officially reopened in July 2025 and I recently visited after it reopened. Although work was still being done on one of the trails when I was last there, the beach is just as spectacular as I remembered it before the storm. If you don’t have your own boat, you can catch a ride on the Caladesi Island Ferry that departs from Honeymoon Island State Park. 

Local Tip: When I visited a couple of months ago, I had to try the grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I saw on the menu at the island’s concession stand. I know it sounds strange, but it was a tasty twist on one of my favorite beach-day snacks. 

Clearwater Beach has earned multiple awards, including getting accolades as one of the best beaches in the U.S. for families. The sugary white sand is one of the highlights of this beach, and they even celebrate it each spring with the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival where professional sand sculptors come to the area and create spectacular masterpieces. Pier 60 is a popular spot year-round though—that’s where the nightly sunset celebration is held. The lifeguard-patrolled stretch near the pier is a great place to relax. The Gulf water there is typically calm and shallow, which makes this a great beach for little swimmers, too. 

Local Tip: If you’re bringing a car, park it once and don’t worry about trying to find parking each time you want to get out and about. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley is a great way to get around town. 

This is another that has more than its fair share of national accolades, and it currently holds Tripadvisor’s title of best beach in the United States. They made that selection based on reviews and ratings from real travelers that have visited over the last 12 months. Is Siesta Key really that great, though? Absolutely! The sand there is some of the softest I’ve ever felt. What makes Siesta Key unique is the sand—it’s 99% pure quartz, which makes it extra white and extra powdery. It’s also cool to the touch, even on the hottest Florida days. 

Local Tip: If you’re there on a Sunday night, plan to check out the weekly drum circle. It’s a festive celebration that starts about an hour before sunset and has been a fun local tradition that’s been going on for years. 

Sanibel has to claim a spot on the list because it is the best Florida beach for collecting seashells. One of my favorite ways to get in my steps is to walk the shoreline looking for shells, and this is the best place to do it—there are over 400 different types of shells that have been found there. I’m not alone, either. You’ll find several people bent over in a position that’s called the “Sanibel Stoop.” The Gulf coast typically has calmer waters, so you’ll find many shells that wash ashore in perfect condition. Just be a good steward, and always check to make sure there aren’t any creatures still living in the shells. (If there are, leave them behind.) You can’t collect shells within the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, but that’s still a fun addition to your trip to Sanibel, too. 

Local Tip: Try to find all of the “Sanibel Six” seashells. Study up ahead of time so you can identify the Lightning Whelk, Lace Murex, Alphabet Cone, Florida Fighting Conch, Lettered Olive, and Banded Tulip. 

You’ve likely seen South Beach featured in TV shows, and perhaps you’ve even seen pictures of your favorite stars hanging out there in their free time. It’s a great place for celebrity-spotting, and has a vibrant party scene. When I want to have luxury beach vibes during the day and party all night, this is where I go. I totally love the Art Deco feel of this area too, and those with an appreciation for art and architecture will like this area. Art enthusiasts will especially enjoy Miami Beach during the annual Art Basel event that happens each December.   

Local Tip: For some of the best cocktails and nightlife, check out local hotspots like Medium Cool, LIV, and the Clevelander Beach Club.

I love the sparkling water at Vero Beach, but I also really appreciate that there are multiple places where visitors can access the beach for free. Jaycee Park is a great place to have a day on the beach and has a playground, lifeguards, and picnic shelters, but there are several other access points, each offering a unique feel. For example, Seagrape Beach doesn’t have all of the amenities, but is still one of my favorite beaches on the Treasure Coast, and is my go-to spot in Vero Beach when I want to have the entire beach to myself.  

Local Tip: If you happen to be there on a Saturday, make time for the Vero Beach Farmers Market that’s just steps away from the beach. 

New Smyrna Beach is one of the best beaches near Orlando for a quick coastal escape, and while I suggest spending at least a couple of days if you go, it’s also easy to add on a day trip over to the beach when you’re visiting the theme park capital of the world – it’s only a little over an hour away. This is a Florida beach that’s popular with surfers, and you can even learn more about the city’s surfing legacy at the New Smyrna Museum of History where they have an exhibit dedicated to East Coast surfing. Even if you’re not up for catching waves, you’ll still enjoy this beach. This is one of the Florida beaches where you can still drive on the sand, so you can park your car on the beach and easily set up for a day of fun in the sun.  

Local Tip: You can drive down Flagler Avenue to drive onto the beach, but allow some time to stroll around there as well. I love all of the cute boutiques and unique shops like Jonah’s Cat’s Art Gallery.

This historic area in Florida’s northeast corner has over 40 miles of coastline, with several beach access points that offer free parking—making it easy to get out and enjoy some fun in the sun. Most of the beach areas here are pet-friendly, too. Just make sure your beach-loving pooch is on a leash at all times. One of the factors that makes St. Augustine special is that it’s considered to be America’s oldest city, so be sure to allow some off-the-beach time to explore the area’s rich history while you’re there. 

Local Tip: Make time to visit Anastasia State Park when you’re in St. Augustine. The undeveloped beaches there are very picturesque and quiet, and birders will love the abundance of species found there.