Best Spring Break Beach Destinations in Florida
Spring Break and Florida go hand-in-hand. For as long as anyone can remember, going to Florida for Spring Break -which starts at the end of February and runs through mid-April with a peak in the middle of March- has been a tradition for college and university students, couples, but also for families. Finding the best destination is all about knowing what you want from the area you are visiting. To help you with your decision, find here the top 15 Spring Break beaches in Florida!
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” It has been one of the most popular destinations for spring breakers for as long as anyone can remember. What makes this place unique is that Daytona has a large beach area that allows you to drive and park on the sand. You can also walk onto the beach from many access points or from the different resorts nearby.
It is one of the favorite beaches to go to for Spring Break when the boardwalk and Main Street Pier turn into a big party scene. Moreover, the barrier island part of Daytona Beach has many shops, stores, and eateries to enjoy. If you cross over to the mainland, you will find even more places to visit, including the mall and the NASCAR racetrack.
Canaveral National Seashore
Those who look for a relaxing beach experience in Florida should visit the Canaveral National Seashore which is one of the least crowded Spring Break destinations. This pristine undeveloped shoreline features a lot of protected areas with dunes and lagoon habitats providing a home for many endangered species. It is a great place to explore nature and wildlife and also to watch rockets launch.
This spacious area has different parking sections. From 1 through 10 are the regular beach areas, while parking 12 and 13 are for naturists with access to Apollo Beach, one of the very few official clothing optional beaches in Florida. All in all, this is an excellent place to experience Florida’s wetland ecosystem and enjoy a great day at the beach!
Cape San Blas
Cape San Blas is a small barrier island located just off the coast of St. Joe in the Big Bend area of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. The white sand beach and the calm Gulf waters make this one of the best Florida beach vacation destinations especially if you want to avoid Spring Break crowds.
This secluded beach in the Florida Panhandle provides a relaxed experience making it a paradise for families with kids. You will love the quiet beach with white sand, warm water and low waves, but since there are no amenities out here make sure that you bring everything you need. If you want to visit restaurants, hotels, and attractions, they are all located on the mainland at St. Joe’s.
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is the northernmost barrier island in Florida on the Atlantic coast. I may be one of the quiet beaches in Florida during Spring Break, but it is not boring at all. If you love a wide beach area with lots of wave action, then you will love Amelia Island which offers 13 miles of shoreline.
This location is famous for its luxury resorts, golf courses, and festivals. There are many attractions to visit, including various exceptional historical sites, fun family activities, and quiet romantic venues. For a tranquil, activity-filled spring break getaway, this is a perfect choice!
SeaSpiration Tip: To make everyone feel comfortable here, Amelia Island’s Fernandina Beach is wheelchair accessible, equipped with MobiMat and offers beach wheelchairs and even floating Mobi Chairs.
Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach has become one of the top Spring Break destinations on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located between Pensacola and Panama City Beach, Fort Walton offers crystal white sugar sand beaches and lots of fun things to do off of the beach area. With multiple park tours available, this affordable Florida beach town awaits nature lovers.
Fort Walton Beach is also one of the Spring Break hot spots for families with kids because there are so many activities to enjoy. One finds here water park, museums, and many other attractions to spend the Spring Break adventure-filled.
St Pete Beach
Located on the Gulf Coast of Central Florida, St. Pete offers 35 miles of white sand beaches and is one of the nicest beaches to go during to Spring Break. Because of its size, this area is also considered one of the best Florida beaches that are not crowded during Spring Break.
St. Pete Beach is considered a resort island sprinkled with classic Old Florida hotels and inns. If you look for a resort-style vacation experience, consider visiting these destinations. It is perfect for couples to enjoy some quiet time and due to the area’s nostalgic vibes, also for older people to have some beach fun.
Those who like cultural attractions will find art galleries, museum and many cafes, restaurants and shops in the nearby Corey Avenue district. If you want to bring Fido too, we have good news for you! Located at the southernmost end of the island there is Pass a Grille Dog Beach, one of the most beautiful pet-friendly beaches in the Gulf Coast!
Marco Island
If you want to know what the best Spring Break destination in Florida that is fun, beautiful, and is great for kayaking and canoeing, you must go to Marco Island. This barrier island is located near Naples in Southwest Florida. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge and offers a great opportunity to enjoy water sports between the mainland and the island.
The white sandy beaches are just one of the benefits of visiting this area. Marco Island is close to the Florida Everglades and Collier Seminole State Park. You can enjoy going on nature walks at the beach or shelling expeditions. Marco Island is also a very popular destination for people who live in Florida and want to have a nice beach vacation but is also popular among tourists who wish to explore the area’s unique fauna and flora.
Fort Lauderdale
Ft. Lauderdale is known as one of the best Spring Break destinations in Florida for college students. The city itself loves Spring Break, and many of the festivals and events are timed for this time of year to make this period more fun.
You will find a large beach on the Atlantic Ocean and many different amenities to enjoy including restaurants, shops, and attractions close to the beach. There are hotels of all sizes and costs throughout the area and many options for camping if you go outside the city towards the Everglades. If you are looking for the best place for Spring in Florida where the activities are endless and the attractions are numerous, you need to go to Ft. Lauderdale.
Miami South Beach
Visited by millions of tourists every year, the famous Miami South Beach is considered the best of all the party beaches in Florida. You will love the tropical air and warm waters here. Bars and restaurants are just steps away from the beach area along with many clubs where the parties start in the late afternoon and continue until the early morning hours.
If you want to enjoy the finest beaches and the most vibrant nightlife of the state, then South Beach is one of the best Spring Break beaches in Florida. The period’s most famous event is the Ultra Music Festival held at Bayfront Park at the end of March. Moreover, the area is a very popular destination for famous athletes, Hollywood stars and rap stars, so while you are enjoying the beach, you can also people watch and see who is visiting when you are there!
Clearwater Beach
Gorgeous white sand and clear warm water make Clearwater Beach is the best Spring Break destination for families. Kids can walk the beach and collect beautiful shells, play beach volleyball or rollerblade down the large boardwalk. The area is also perfect for kayaking and parasailing.
When you are done with the beach for the day, come up to the pier area. Pier 60 hosts a small festival each night with street vendors and performers. You will also find some of the best seafood restaurants of the state along this beach.
Siesta Key
This beautiful barrier island located off of the coast of Sarasota in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the best places in Florida to visit on Spring Break for couples. Siesta Key has many resorts on the island that target romantic getaways and a most popular choice even for Florida beach weddings.
The sugar-white sands against the clear blue water make the coast absolutely beautiful. There are rock formations you can explore, tidal pools, and a reef area at Crescent Beach. You will also find many beautiful shells and see different sea creatures here, such as starfish, dollar fish, and horseshoe crabs.
Smathers Beach – Key West
Key West is one of the most popular Florida beach towns for Spring Break for many reasons. It has a very vivid culture, amazing food, and great nightlife so all types of beachgoers will enjoy themselves here. At this unique location, you can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and go to the other side of the island and watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. It is a city that likes to celebrate and is well worth a visit, even if it is not Spring Break.
To enjoy the sun and sea, go to the half-mile-long white sandy Smather’s Beach! It is one of the southernmost beaches in the United States and is located on the south Atlantic side of Key West at mile marker 0 (zero). It is also one of the warmest beaches in Florida in March with comfortable temperatures for swimming, so you don’t have to worry about enjoying the water.
New Smyrna Beach
Located about 20 miles south of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach is a great place to enjoy Spring Break, especially if you like late nights on the beach. New Smyrna Beach is one of the few beaches that allow bonfires in Florida. Most beach areas have outlawed this popular Spring Break event.
The beach has many shops, restaurants, and clubs for you to enjoy. If you go back to the mainland area of New Smyrna Beach, you will find a gorgeous walkable beach town filled with antique stores, art galleries, and cafes to enjoy.
Bowman’s Beach – Sanibel
If hunting for seashells is your favorite beach activity, then Bowman’s Beach is one of the best Spring Break destinations on Florida’s Gulf Coast for you to choose! The location of Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel Island makes it the perfect location for shells to wash up on the beach from the Gulf. You can find amazing shells there at any time of the day.
The beautiful white beach contrasts the shallow blue water. You can walk a long way out into the Gulf of Mexico before it starts to get deep. This makes it a nice place to take your children so that they can play in the water. If you are lucky, you can also find shark teeth here!
Perdido Key
For families with kids, Perdido Key offers the best Spring Break beaches in Florida! Located near Pensacola, this beautiful sugar sand beach is considered a hidden gem and features the Florida Panhandles’ top family-friendly beaches.
Perdido Key is a perfect choice for those who look for a relaxing, yet adventure-filled getaway. As a warm Spring Break destination, you can also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports at this beach area. Moreover, Perdido Key offers a lot of wildlife areas to explore.
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