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The Best Beach Vacation Destinations in Florida for Sun, Sea & Seriously Good Stays
Florida is basically a choose-your-own-adventure beach trip.
You can do high-energy ocean days and rooftop dinners in Miami, barefoot island living on the Gulf, sugar-white sand on the Emerald Coast, or a quiet “we’re not doing anything and it’s perfect” week on the Forgotten Coast.
If you’re searching for the best beach destinations in Florida, this guide breaks down the places that are actually worth building a trip around – with what each destination is best for, what to do when you get there, and the Wander homes that make your beach vacation unforgettable.
→ Browse all luxury Florida vacation rentals here
At a glance: best Florida beach spots for every vibe
Best for iconic energy + nightlife: Miami & Miami Beach
Best for laid-back Keys scenery: Marathon (Florida Keys)
Best for shelling + calm beaches: Sanibel Island
Best for a true island escape: Captiva
Best for “old Florida” charm: Anna Maria Island
Best for powdery sand + village vibes: Siesta Key
Best for polished Gulf Coast luxury: Marco Island
Best for quiet, uncrowded Atlantic beaches: Palm Coast + Flagler Beach
Best for an under-the-radar reset: Melbourne Beach + Vero Beach
Best for classic Gulf Coast fun: Fort Myers Beach
Best for postcard-perfect water: Destin
Best for beach-hopping near 30A: Panama City Beach
Best for peaceful Panhandle beauty: Mexico Beach + Port St. Joe
Best for wide-open sand + nature: Pensacola Beach
1. Miami & Miami Beach
Best for: glam beach days, art + design, nightlife, “big Florida” energy
Miami is one of the few places where you can start the day on the sand, spend the afternoon gallery-hopping, and end it with a late dinner that turns into a whole night out. In beach terms: it’s lively, stylish, and never boring.
Top things to do
Walk the Miami Beach boardwalk early (it’s the best time)
Spend a few hours in Wynwood or the Design District
Take a boat cruise through Biscayne Bay
Do a South Beach afternoon → Brickell dinner plan
Fit in a museum day if you want a break from full sun
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Miami Beach Sanctuary – A waterfront estate with a private pool, hot tub, sauna, and movie theater for the ultimate “Miami, but make it restful” stay.
Wander Brickell Bay – A 48th-floor suite with bay views and W Miami amenities, perfect if you love skyline energy as much as beach time.
Wander Miami Manor – A full entertainment home with a sauna, cold plunge, water slide, and game room — ideal for groups who want a vacation that never slows down.
2. Marathon (Florida Keys)
Best for: boat days, snorkeling, laid-back island time, sunset everything
The Keys are a mood. Marathon gives you that classic “salt air + no rush” feeling without being too remote, which makes it one of the best Florida beach spots if you want water access, easy adventure, and a relaxed pace.
Top things to do
Spend a beach day at Sombrero Beach
Book a snorkel trip or sandbar day
Take a fishing charter (Marathon is known for it)
Do a sunset dinner on the water
Plan a day trip deeper into the Keys if you want to roam
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Sombrero Oasis – A waterfront showstopper with a 75-foot dock, saltwater infinity pool, and rooftop patio views.
Wander Marathon Key – A three-story waterfront retreat with a pool, hot tub, private boat dock, wet bar, and huge balconies for ocean-view lounging (7-night minimum stay).
3. Sanibel Island
Best for: shelling, quiet beaches, nature lovers, slow mornings
Sanibel is the kind of beach destination that makes you feel calmer within 24 hours. It’s peaceful, beautifully natural, and perfect for travelers who want beach time without the “spring break” vibe.
Top things to do
Go shelling early (Sanibel is famous for it)
Bike the island paths
Visit J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Pack a beach picnic and stay all afternoon
Take a short trip to Captiva for a change of scenery
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Sanibel Views – A beachfront condo with direct sand access in a resort-style community.
Wander Sanibel Breeze – A rare beachfront home with a pool/spa setup and the kind of space that makes long stays feel effortless.
4. Captiva Island
Best for: romance, “I want to disappear for a while” energy, dreamy Gulf sunsets
Captiva is small, beautiful, and intentionally slow. It’s one of the best beach destinations in Florida if you want your days to feel simple: beach → swim → dinner → sunset → repeat.
Top things to do
Swim and lounge all day with zero schedule
Rent bikes and explore the island casually
Book a dolphin or manatee tour
Make sunset walks a nightly ritual
Take your time at dinner — Captiva rewards slow travel
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Captiva Eden – A beachfront architectural masterpiece with private beach access and a heated pool/spa (once home to artist Robert Rauschenberg).
Wander Casa Captiva – A coastal sanctuary with direct beach access, a sparkling pool, and a private hot tub for easy, elevated island living.
5. Anna Maria Island (Holmes Beach + Bean Point)
Best for: old-Florida charm, family trips, calm Gulf water, unreal sunsets
Anna Maria Island feels like the Florida people wish they could still find everywhere: small-scale, charming, and easy to love. If you want classic beach days without the chaos, this is one of the strongest Florida beach spots on the Gulf.
Top things to do
Watch sunset at Bean Point (at least once… realistically every night)
Bike the island end to end
Book a dolphin cruise or rent paddleboards
Do beach mornings + lazy afternoons + dinner out
Try a new seafood spot each night
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Holmes Beach – A Bali-inspired escape near the beach with a heated saltwater pool and fire feature.
Wander Anna Maria Shores – Rooftop fire pit sunsets, heated saltwater pool with a slide, arcade game room, and Gulf views steps from Bean Point.
Wander Serendipity Sol – A beachfront home with direct access, ocean views, pool, gym + sauna, and watersports gear for full beach immersion.
6. Siesta Key (Sarasota)
Best for: soft white sand, clear water, beach + nightlife balance
Siesta Key is iconic for a reason — it’s one of the best beach destinations in Florida if you care about the actual beach quality. The sand is famously powdery, and the vibe is equal parts relaxed and lively.
Top things to do
Spend a full day on Siesta Beach
Explore Siesta Key Village for food and casual nightlife
Take a sunset cruise
Visit Crescent Beach for a quieter afternoon
Add a Sarasota arts + dining day
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Siesta Key Sunset – Beachfront with rooftop views made for golden hour.
Wander Siesta Key Palms – A luxe stay with elevator access, pool, patio lounging, and a rooftop for sunset moments.
Wander Siesta Key Sands – Ocean views, hot tub, putting green, and wet bar — a true “we’re staying in tonight” beach house upgrade.
7. Marco Island
Best for: polished Gulf Coast luxury, boating, pool days, resort energy without crowds
Marco Island is one of the best Florida beach spots when you want that elevated, calm, “everything is easy” kind of vacation. It’s made for boating, beach afternoons, and long poolside evenings.
Top things to do
Boat through the Ten Thousand Islands
Plan a beach day + sunset cocktails after
Book a dolphin tour
Day trip to Naples for shopping + dining
Do the ideal rhythm: pool morning, beach afternoon
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Marco Crystal – A luxury home with a saltwater pool/spa and outdoor kitchen built for long sunny days.
Wander Marco Shores – A brand-new canal-front retreat with a pool/spa and modern design.
Wander Marco Pearl – A waterfront estate with bay views, pool, hot tub, and private boat dock.
8. Palm Coast + Flagler Beach
Best for: quieter Atlantic beaches, reset trips, long walks, uncrowded shoreline
If you love the idea of Florida beaches but not the crowds, Palm Coast and Flagler Beach are a win. It’s calmer, more local, and perfect for a slower pace — especially for families or anyone who just wants to breathe.
Top things to do
Take long beach walks at sunrise
Explore coastal parks and trails
Day trip to St. Augustine for history + dining
Keep evenings simple: fire pit + one more drink
Build your trip around doing less (in a good way)
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Palm Coast Waterfront – A luxury Cinnamon Beach retreat with a pool, hot tub, infrared sauna, outdoor fireplace/firepit, rooftop terrace, and resort-style amenities.
Wander Flagler Beach Modern – A beachfront home with hot tub, sauna, fire pit, elevator, and game room — perfect for a beach trip with real comfort.
9. Melbourne Beach (Space Coast)
Best for: waterfront fun, active families, kayaking + dock life
Melbourne Beach has that under-the-radar feel, with plenty of water activities and a more relaxed, local energy. It’s ideal if you want beach time and things to do that aren’t just “sit and tan.”
Top things to do
Kayak or paddleboard on the Intracoastal
Fish from docks or book a charter
Take long evening beach walks
Grill dinner at home after a day outside
Keep your itinerary loose and easy
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Melbourne Beach – A renovated waterfront home with a pool, hot tub, private dock, putting green, games, fireplace, and space to actually enjoy being together.
10. Vero Beach
Best for: peaceful beachfront luxury, quiet mornings, low-key elegance
Vero Beach is for travelers who want their beach vacation to feel calm and refined. It’s not loud. It’s not chaotic. It’s just beautiful, restful Florida coastline.
Top things to do
Do nothing — seriously, it’s perfect for that
Sunrise beach walks and long swims
Slow dinners and early nights
Explore coastal parks and local cafés
Let the trip stretch out
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Vero Beach – Sleek oceanfront luxury with direct beach access and a fireplace for cooler evenings.
11. Fort Myers Beach
Best for: classic Gulf Coast fun, boat tours, beach bars, group trips
Fort Myers Beach is lively in a very Florida way — the kind of place where you can spend all day on the water, then roll into dinner without changing out of your beach clothes.
Top things to do
Dolphin-watching or sunset cruises
Kayaking, paddleboarding, parasailing
Beach afternoons followed by casual dinners
Plan a boat day to explore nearby islands
Alternate pool days and beach days
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Fort Myers Retreat – A waterfront stay with a pool, hot tub, waterfall feature, and dreamy views.
Wander Fort Myers Bay – Ocean views plus an outdoor kitchen and dining area made for slow meals outside.
12. Destin (Emerald Coast)
Best for: sugar-white sand, emerald water, family trips, “Florida postcard” beaches
Destin is one of those places where the beach really does look unreal — bright sand, clear water, and that classic Emerald Coast glow. If you’re choosing the best beach destinations in Florida based on pure beach beauty, Destin earns its spot.
Top things to do
Visit Henderson Beach State Park
Take a dolphin cruise
Book a boat day (this is the place for it)
Do beach mornings and pool afternoons
Grill dinner and live on the balcony at night
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Destin Beach Crystal – Steps from the sand with a heated pool, game room with bar, and balconies for sunset hangs.
Wander Destin Beach – A three-story luxury home with a heated pool, spa, putting green, kids’ game room, and a free golf cart.
13. Panama City Beach (plus easy access to 30A)
Best for: beach-hopping, variety, group trips, day trips to 30A favorites
Panama City Beach is a strong base if you want to explore more than one beach town. You’re close to places like Seaside, Alys Beach, WaterColor, and Laguna Beach — so you can keep the trip feeling fresh without packing up and moving.
Top things to do
Beach mornings, then explore a nearby town in the afternoon
Take a day trip to Seaside for the “movie-set pretty” vibe
Bike and wander scenic coastal streets
Keep dinners casual and outdoors
Make it a “beach + little adventure” kind of trip
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Panama City Beachside – One block from the Gulf with a private pool and bright, easy coastal interiors.
Wander Panama Shores – A luxury Bid-A-Wee Beach estate with Gulf views, a saltwater pool, and deeded access to a quieter, undeveloped shoreline.
14. Mexico Beach + Port St. Joe (Forgotten Coast)
Best for: quiet Gulf beauty, peaceful beach days, “hidden gem” Florida
This part of Florida feels like a secret — calmer, less built-up, and perfect for travelers who want beach days without the buzz. If your ideal beach vacation includes reading, grilling, and long walks, you’ll love it here.
Top things to do
Long beach walks and slow mornings
Kayaking, fishing, boating
Explore small coastal towns nearby
Cook at home and keep evenings simple
Let the trip be restful, not packed
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Mexico Beach Sundial – A waterfront villa with a private dock, pool + hot tub, outdoor dining, and a sleek bar setup.
Wander Mexico Beach Swell – Unobstructed Gulf views, beachfront decks, private pool, fenced yard, and billiards/arcade fun.
Wander St. Joe Breeze – Steps from the beach with a private pool, sun deck, elevator, and beach gear.
Wander Port St. Joe Cottage – A beachfront retreat with a pool and outdoor kitchen for effortless coastal living.
15. Pensacola Beach
Best for: wide-open beaches, nature escapes, classic Panhandle scenery
Pensacola Beach is bright, beautiful, and a little less “built-up resort” than some other Panhandle areas. It’s a great pick if you want space, scenery, and a beach-first kind of trip.
Top things to do
Beach days where you can actually spread out
Explore Gulf Islands National Seashore nearby
Take a boat or wildlife tour
Sunset walks every night
Keep it simple: sun, water, food, repeat
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Pensacola Beach – A beachfront escape with panoramic ocean views, a pool, and a pool table for easy after-sun downtime.
Plan your Florida beach getaway with Wander
The best beach destinations in Florida aren’t just about the sand (though Florida definitely delivers there). They’re about the kind of trip you want to have — energetic or quiet, social or secluded, island-style or beach-town easy.
And the truth is: where you stay makes the whole thing feel different.
Wander’s luxury homes across Florida are designed to make beach travel feel effortless — with private pools, hot tubs, saunas, boat docks, rooftop decks, and beachfront access that turns “a few days away” into a real reset.
Explore luxury vacation rentals in Florida with Wander →
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