Florida is one of the most popular places in the U.S. for a beach getaway, but with 1,350 miles of coastline along the Gulf and Atlantic shores, how do you decide where to go? Well, Tripadvisor just made that a whole lot easier with three of the state’s beaches landing on its top 10 most sought-after domestic destinations for this summer: Key West, Panama City Beach, and Clearwater.
With emerald waters and pristine white sands, these are also some of the top searched in the state for a Memorial Day weekend escape. No matter when you plan to enjoy some blissful time soaking up the sand and the surf, you can’t go wrong by booking a trip to any of them.
Key West
Located at the southern tip of the Florida Keys, Key West offers a Caribbean-like vacation without the need for a passport or a long-haul flight. If you’re looking for that quintessential “Margaritaville” vibe, this is it. You’ll find many beautiful white sand beaches, including the one that adjoins Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach. This is the best place to snorkel in the area. The crystal-clear blue waters are like glass and home to a variety of soft and hard corals, along with all sorts of tropical fish.
In between your time at the sand, you might explore historic landmarks like Ernest Hemingway’s former home, a wide range of art galleries, and beachy boutiques. Key West sunsets are legendary, whether watched on a sunset catamaran cruise or from Mallaroy Square. Afterward, you can take in the famous nightlife on Duval Street.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is renowned for its 27 miles of powder sugar-like quartz sands lapped by brilliant emerald waters. A wide range of activities awaits, whether you’re looking for big thrills or more gentle pursuits. Search for treasures like seashells, paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, or dive in the “Wreck Diving Capital of the South.” If you want to avoid the crowds, take a boat excursion to undeveloped Shell Island, a 7-mile-long barrier island nearby, accessible only by boat.
There are also coastal paths to walk or pedal, and trails to hike in St. Andrews State Park. Keep an eye out for birds like snowy egrets and great blue herons along the way. After watching the sun go down from the SkyWheel or out on the water with a dolphin sunset cruise, you might head to Pier Park, an entertainment, shopping, and dining hub.
Clearwater
Clearwater is consistently awarded for its outstanding beaches and spectacular sunsets. You’ll find soft white sands and calm, shallow waters, making it especially ideal for a family outing. There are plenty of activities on water and land, from kayaking, SUP, and parasailing to pirate-themed boat tours and dolphin watching trips.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is well worth a visit. This aquarium/working marine life hospital is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and sick animals, housing bottlenose dolphins, turtles, pelicans, and more. Pier 60 is another popular Clearwater spot with a large playground, a wide range of eateries, and nightly entertainment.
