Best beaches in Southeast Florida
Southeast Florida is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world. From wide, white sandy shorelines and clear, turquoise waters to secret coves waiting to be discovered, there’s something for everyone.
From the chic of the “Best Beach to See and Be Seen” (South Beach) to the secluded paradise sands of award-winning Blue Wave Beaches, Southeast Florida offers a banquet of wildly differing beach opportunities.
Hollywood Beach offers tranquil beauty with its two-and-a-half miles of Hollywood Broadwalk – perfect for long walks along the shoreline on its expansive sand-filled pathways. It has plenty of activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, and kayaking available nearby. The boardwalk also features numerous restaurants and nightclubs that offer live entertainment all year round.
Fort Lauderdale Beach is known for its sparkling blue waters where surfers flock from far and wide to catch small waves ideal for beginners.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach day or an adventure-filled one, here are some of the best beaches in the region:
Bahia Honda State Park
With its white sandy beaches and abundant wildlife, Bahia Honda Key frequently makes the list of the most beautiful beaches in America. Part of the Lower Keys, the remote Bahia Honda is home to the Bahia Honda State Park, one of Florida’s southernmost state parks, known for beautiful beaches and various recreational opportunities including fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling excursions to the reef. The park is also home to a multitude of shorebirds and wading birds.
Carlin Park
Located in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, this oceanfront recreation area offers 3,000 feet of rocky beach, lifeguards’ picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, 20-station exercise courses, athletic fields, a bocce court, a volleyball area, and a special event amphitheater. In Jupiter itself, visitors have fun at the Jupiter Outdoor Center by pedal-powering a catamaran, speeding along a sea kayak trail, and taking a guided bird walk or an electric boat tour.
Crandon Beach
Occupying the northern part of Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County, Crandon Beach is ideal for families because of the famous offshore sandbar shielding swimmers from the surf. The beautiful two-mile beach is also a low surf impact beach, and lifeguards keep watch from elevated towers, set about 150 yards apart in the areas of heavy usage, keeping families well informed about local conditions. Making it even more ideal for families, is nearby Crandon’s Family Amusement Center.
Fort Lauderdale
The Greater Fort Lauderdale area has over 23 miles of beaches. Ft Lauderdale itself features more than seven miles of those beaches with 30 beach access points and the newly renovated, brick-lined Fort Lauderdale Beachfront promenade with its award-winning” wave wall. The area offers a huge variety of recreational activities including boating, windsurfing, jet skiing and volleyball, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and rollerblading. The Clean Beaches Council has awarded the national “Blue Wave” certification to Fort Lauderdale in recognition of its clean and eco-friendly beaches. Those beaches in particular are Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and Delray Beach.
Hollywood Beach
Rated as the Best Boardwalk Beach, Hollywood Beach is home to a 27-foot wide “Broadwalk” that extends for two and a half miles and is populated with multitudes of walkers, joggers, roller bladders, bicyclists, unicyclists, jugglers, and skateboarders. Hollywood Beach, which has been a very popular spot for beach lovers for years, is also one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s five “Blue Wave Beaches,” as certified by the Clean Beaches Council, designating it as one of the cleanest, safest, and environmentally friendly beaches in the country. The long stretch of the wide sandy beach includes the quieter North Beach, the bustling Central Beach, and the residential South Beach.
Hutchinson Island
A barrier island on Florida’s Southwest coast, and part of what is often referred to as the Treasure Coast, Hutchinson Island offers 22 miles of uncrowded sandy beaches. Bathtub Beach at the southern end of the island with its shallow waters formed by the reef offshore is ideal for families.
The island, which is named for Revolutionary War General William Hutchinson, stretches from Martin County to St. Lucie County and is famous for its unspoiled beaches, diverse wildlife habitats, and historic landmarks.
The island boasts long sandy beaches that provide an ideal setting for swimming, sunbathing, and other beach activities. It also provides access to fishing spots along the Intracoastal Waterway where anglers can catch a variety of fish species including snook, tarpon, and redfish. Boating enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the many creeks, marshes, and channels that make up this unique barrier island ecosystem.
Miami Beach
Known as the place to see and in which to be seen, the 10 miles of Miami Beach is a mix of sun, sand, and surf, and contemporary restaurants, boutiques, and trendy nightlife spots along Ocean Drive.
Hotels that put Miami Beach on the map during the swinging 60s, including the Eden Roc and Fontainebleau Hilton are still going strong, while neighborhoods like funky Surfside and a revitalized North Beach draw many with unpretentious charms, great local restaurants, and easy beach access.
South Beach
Ranked as the “Best Beach to See and Be Seen”, South Beach is located at the southern end of Miami Beach and has been anointed the “American Riviera” in a nod to the unmistakable air of casual chic that permeates the district. South Beach has earned global fame for the historically protected Art Deco District and its glorious beaches and fabled nightlife. An international symbol for Miami, this popular visitor destination is home to a mix of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, inexpensive hostels, and moderately priced national chain hotels. Ocean Drive is known worldwide for its cafes, bikini-clad in-line skaters, and beaches packed with beautiful young sun seekers, while trendy Lincoln Road has emerged as a lively magnet for culture, entertainment and shopping.
Sunny Isles Beach
This community is a favorite among French-Canadian and European tourists who are drawn to the laid-back casual vibe, seagrape-studded beaches, and affordable motel-style accommodations. The area is going more upscale with new luxurious accommodations and condos becoming part of the mix.
Sunny Isles Beach, located on a barrier island in Northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida, is one of the most beautiful oceanfront locations in the world. Famed for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and abundance of recreational activities, Sunny Isles Beach offers something for everyone. From sunbathing to swimming and snorkeling to paddleboarding, visitors can enjoy a variety of beach activities in this idyllic location. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, there are several restaurants and souvenir shops along the shoreline offering delicious meals and unique gifts. With stunning views all around, it’s no wonder why Sunny Isles Beach continues to be such a popular destination year after year.
Final Word
Southeast Florida is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From Miami to Jupiter, each beach offers something unique and special for beachgoers looking for the perfect destination. Whether you’re looking for sparkling turquoise waters, luxurious resorts, or a private spot to relax in the sun, there’s something for everyone in Southeast Florida. For those who crave adventure and exploration, take a trip down south and see what this paradise has to offer!