With it being the Sunshine State and popular for its gorgeous beaches, it was hard to pick the best beaches in Florida for families. From Amelia Island to Clearwater, these Florida beach destinations have something for everyone in the family.
You could take your family to various world-class attractions and parks in Florida, but also make time out to spend on the beach building sandcastles, collecting shells, and just playing in the water.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet time with your family, entertainment, or fishing piers, this article covers the 11 best family-friendly beaches in Florida.
11 Family Friendly Beaches In Florida
1. Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach may just be the World’s Most Beautiful Beach cos this family-friendly beach in Florida is sunny for 320 days each year. This is a fun family beach where your kids can run around building sandcastles, exploring shipwrecks, and spotting dolphins.
You can enter this beach through any of the 100 access points and spend the day scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, or diving. If your kids are interested, you could also take them on the Shell Island Shuttle to Shell Island to collect moon snails, shells, and periwinkles while watching the dolphins play.
Apart from the kids, Panama City Beach has fun activities for everyone. When you’ve had enough sand and surf, mini golf courses, football, soccer, baseball, and tennis can be found right off the beach for some fun family bonding. For a family outdoor adventure, you could plan a camping trip to Andrews State Park for a fun time biking, boating, and snorkeling.
Though the crystal waters on this beach might be inviting, you should be careful and watch out for dangerous rip currents so always heed the lifeguard’s warnings. If you need a family-friendly beach filled with sunshine, adventure, and memories, then Panama City Beach is the one for you.
2. Cocoa Beach
With its visible rocket launches, oceanfront parks, and 40 access points, Cocoa Beach is perfect for a family vacation. This family-friendly beach in Florida is for families who want adventure, relaxing by the water, and a bit of space magic.
You can take your kids to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where they’ll see real rockets, meet astronauts, and even experience a simulated space launch. This beach offers fun and comfort with its various standard facilities, including restrooms, picnic areas, and showers.
There are various fun activities for every age here, such as swimming, kayaking, skating, golfing, and boating. Even if you want to go surfing but don’t know how to, you can take lessons from the School of Surf right here on the beach.
The grown-ups can even board the cruise ship for a casino fun day out or go on a cruise ship to the Caribbean. This family-friendly beach is also close to famous attractions like Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, making it a perfect family destination.
3. Amelia Island
For a weekend escape or a week-long retreat with your family, Amelia Island in Jacksonville is a perfect location for some of the best family beaches in Florida. Located North of Jacksonville, this Island has 13 miles of unspoiled beaches, 23 miles of dedicated bike lanes, and the oldest existing lighthouse in Florida.
Amelia Island has the Ritz Kids program, which offers educational games, creative crafts, and coastal exploration centered around water, land, environmental responsibility, and culture. The Fort Clinch State Park with its historic fort, fishing pier, playground, and hiking trails is one of the fun places you can take the kids to.
Your family will love exploring Fernandina Beach because of its easy access to shops, restaurants, and fun activities. But if you want something more private, then you should go to Omni Amelia Island Resort instead.
Even when you want a time out from the beach, you can easily explore the nearby coastal towns with their friendly locals, get ice cream, go shopping, or eat delicious meals. Since the Jacksonville Airport is nearby, getting to this family-friendly beach wouldn’t be a problem.
4. Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach is one of the best family-friendly beaches in Florida that families come back to for a yearly vacation. Spending a day with your family at this beach is a guaranteed relaxation time with several fun activities.
The gentle waves in this beach makes it ideal for activities like swimming and snorkeling. And if you want to go fishing just walk to the nearby Gulf Pier to get impressive views and even watch the dolphins play in the water.
If your kids get tired at the beach, then head to Pensacola Futuro House, for a fun photo op, mini golfing, games, and ice cream. For a bit of history, you can explore Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island with its massive brick walls and stories dating back to 1834.
During the summer, your family can even dance in the sand at the free concert usually held in this beach by the Gulfside Pavillion. At night, this paradise comes even more alive with street musicians, sidewalk artists, and delicious seafood meals.
5. St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach is one of those family beaches in Florida that is packed with outdoor excitement, from windsurfing to sunset cruises. This is a vacation destination for families with its vibrant town and beach vibes offering adventure, culture, and peace.
You can take your kids to the playgrounds or the history museum at St. Pete Pier District, while you try your luck fishing from the pier. Heading to the beach, the kids will have fun building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and even paddleboarding while watching the dolphins playing in the distance.
You can also take the kids to the Tradewinds Island Grand Beach Resort or RumFish Beach Resort to play in the floating water park and participate in other water activities. They’ll also enjoy the pirate shows, zip lining, and snorkeling in the aquarium.
A fun time at St. Pete doesn’t mean spending all your time at the beach, you could take a stroll through the hidden garden at Upham Beach or go on a pirate cruise. You can also go shopping, visit art galleries with your family, and buy unique souvenirs to take home.
6. St. Augustine Beach
St Augustine Beach is located in the nation’s oldest city, founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers, with historical landmarks down every street. You can even explore through Ponce de León’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fortress from the 1600s.
Once you’ve had your fill of cultural attractions, then it’s time to head out to this family-friendly beach in Florida. You can explore various resorts, hotels, motels, vacation rentals, a myriad of eateries and shops, and several attractions on this beach.
St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park is a must-stop to take your kids because of its splash water zone for kids, playground, volleyball courts, and picnic areas. There are various water sports to enjoy the waves at this beach such as skimboard, boogie board, surf, paddleboard, and kiteboard. And once the kids get hungry, you can offer them delicious seafood dishes from Crabby’s Beachside or Salt Life Food Shack.
Unlike other family beaches in Florida, in St. Augustine Beach you can carry your beach gear and equipment with your vehicles to designated sand areas. So if you’re here for a family bonding time or just to play with the waves, this beach has you covered.
7. Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach is one of Florida’s family beaches where you can have a relaxing and peaceful time swimming or sunbathing. This beach town has outdoor cafes, a farmers market, juice bars, ice cream shops, and family-friendly attractions for all ages.
You can participate in fun activities like surfing, skating, cycling, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and kiteboarding. Taking your younger kids to Charnow Park’s dolphin fountain playground can be a fun time out while the older ones attend concerts at Hollywood Beach.
If you want to take your family to explore the water, then rent a pontoon boat and cruise in the water or book a deep sea fishing excursion with Sea Legs Deep Sea Fishing. After spending your day at the beach, your family deserves a break, so stop and refuel with the fresh seafood, cocktails, juice, and ice cream served at any of the beachfront restaurants and tiki bars.
The Hollywood Sun Shuttle, an affordable ride, makes it easier and more affordable for your family to explore the beach and downtown during your vacation. And if you bring along your furry pets, you can get a day pass, for them to join in on the family fun.
8. Destin-Fort Walton Beach
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach with its white sand and crystal-clear waters create the perfect setting for a family vacation. From building sandcastles to playing a game of beach volleyball, this family-friendly beach offers fun activities for all ages.
You can stay at the Henderson Beach Resort and explore the Henderson Beach State Park for fun activities like swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. You can even take the kids to Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park to spend the day with its shipwreck-themed water park, miniature golf, go-karts, and adrenaline-pumping rides.
Destin is popularly called the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, so you can try out your fishing skills by catching sailfish, grouper, mackerel, cobia, or even wahoo. If you’re an experienced fisher, then you can attend the October-long Fishing Rodeo where fishermen compete for the biggest catches.
From glass-bottom boat tours to dolphin cruises, and snorkeling excursions, you may not want to ever leave this beach again. With over 100 festivals held each year, and lively seafood restaurants, it’s no wonder this beach is one of the best family-friendly beaches in Florida.
9. Marco Island
Marco Island is a secret family beach in Florida’s Paradise Coast and is perfect for families who love the great outdoors. With fun activities, natural beauty, and modern amenities, Marco Island is where your family can unwind and make memories.
If your family loves nature then you can go bird and wildlife watching on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. But if you need more beach action then go kayaking, boat touring, or spend the day in Key West.
At Marco Island, your kids can play in the open spaces and playgrounds at several parks including Frank E. Mackle Park. After a long day on the beach, you can stop at the Snook Inn to have a seafood dinner while watching the boats pass by or try a unique meal like stone crab at Oyster Society.
You can bring your pets on this trip to Marco Island since most hotels and restaurants are pet-friendly. You can also take your dogs to the Canine Cove Dog Park to let them run and play.
10. Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is a year-round family beach with lots of fun activities and a great atmosphere for a beach vacation. There are many beach resorts nearby so you can play around the area.
One of the top attractions is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where you can take the kids to see dolphins, sea turtles, and other rescued wildlife. The aquarium is also home to Winter the Dolphin from the Dolphin Tale movies so it’s a must-see for animal lovers.
For adventure, you can go on the Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise or the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center to see reptiles up close. You can also parasail, jet ski, or take a dolphin-watching boat tour.
The adults can have a date night when the area transforms into a festival with local artists, street performers, and live music. You can also take the family on a quick trip to Caladesi Island Beach or Honeymoon Island State Park for the views, clear waters, and nature trails.
11. Pompano Beach
At Pompano Beach, you can spend your day at the beach, exploring local parks, enjoying live music, or testing your luck at the casino. This family-friendly beach is popular for its fun activities, from underwater adventures and fishing to shopping, dining, and exciting entertainment.
Fun water activities to participate in include swimming, beach volleyball, deep-sea fishing, paddling, and snorkeling. Offshore, Shipwreck Park invites scuba divers to explore a collection of 19 shipwrecks which also includes stunning underwater art.
Beyond the beach, there are more than 50 parks to take the children to such as the Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby Park has an inclusive playground and the Butterfly World, where they’ll see thousands of butterflies.
Exploring the restaurants and shops at Pompano Beach Fishing Village is another fun activity and the kids can even learn how to fish by joining the Pompano Beach Kids Fishing Club. Pompano Beach is where you should take your family for an unforgettable experience.
Conclusion
Florida is a paradise coastland and that’s why it has so many family beaches. Depending on your family preferences and what you want, the family beaches in this article are perfect destinations for your family vacation.
These beaches range from traditional beaches to beaches where pets are allowed, to beaches with space centers, to beaches with casinos. Each of these beaches offers its own excitement and benefits making them the best family-friendly beaches in Florida.
