If you’re looking for the best beach on the Atlantic side of Florida, you’ll have to ask someone who’s actually been to all of them. I can tell you that the one I went to last weekend was pretty great.
My opinion is the best beach on the Atlantic side of Florida is definitely the one that’s closest to my house however you are planning a Florida beach vacation, there are many options!
Here are a few:
- St. Augustine Beach
- Cocoa Beach
- Fernandina Beach, and Destin Beach.
These beaches are great places to relax and take a walk. Each offers something different from the other.
1. St. Augustine Beach
Located just south of the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida, St. Augustine Beach offers miles of sandy shoreline. The town is surrounded by a wildlife preserve and offers activities such as surfing and kayaking.
If you are fond of water sports will enjoy the water sports offered at Anastasia State Park.
Visitors can also spend their afternoons on the beach at the nearby Ocean Hammock Park.
The green space has a nature trail and is a favorite nesting area for sea turtles. Those who want to try fishing can try the local ocean pier.
Visitors to St. Augustine can also enjoy a splash park, beach volleyball, and water sports in the area. The beach also has perfect waves for those who enjoy surfing, paddleboarding, or kiteboarding.
There are restrooms and outdoor showers available for guests. Tourists can also enjoy the city’s historic district and popular attractions.
Aside from the pristine beaches, the city also has attractions like the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier. This pier provides a beautiful backdrop for relaxing or taking pictures.
It also has a gift shop where you can pick up souvenirs and snacks. It’s located at 350 A1A Beach Boulevard, across from the Salt Life Food Shack.
Whether you’re visiting Florida for business or pleasure, St. Augustine Beach is the perfect place to spend a day.
This 68-kilometer stretch of coastline is surrounded by pristine natural beauty and plenty of light. Families and couples can enjoy beach activities and explore the city’s history and architecture.
You can also enjoy activities such as kayaking, fishing, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
2. Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida, has a variety of beaches to suit every type of beachgoer.
The town’s famous pier is a popular spot for families. There’s also a small waterpark and a lazy river right on the beach. The Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort offers a wide variety of amenities, including cabanas.
While the Atlantic Ocean is warm year-round, the beach is particularly enticing in the spring and fall, when temperatures are a little cooler.
Cocoa Beach is known for being the surfing capital of Florida.
It is also a popular destination for visitors to Disney World. It has an incredible natural landscape and is a 45-minute drive from downtown Orlando.
Cocoa Beach’s waves are world-class, and there are many opportunities for surfing lessons. It also has a famous surfing pier.
You can rent a board, take a surf lesson, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Cocoa Beach is a barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean.
The town of Cocoa is a separate city, but it’s connected to the beach via State Road A1A. The area was also home to the Glass Bank, a futuristic-looking building that opened in 1962.
The building was both a bank and office building, with a restaurant on the top floor. The Glass Bank was controversial and eventually closed down in 2015.
If you’re looking for a beach with less traffic, Cocoa Beach is the place to go. The area is just 70 miles away from Orlando. The Atlantic side of Florida has a variety of beaches, including Clearwater Beach, which has more of a tourist atmosphere.
Fernandina Beach
In Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, visitors can relax and enjoy the beauty of the beach. The water is crystal clear and perfect for snorkeling and diving.
The beach is also popular with locals because of its white sand dunes.
Fernandina Beach is miles long and offers lots of activities for everyone. The beachfront is dog-friendly, and there are many picnic areas.
This beach is a perfect destination for a summer vacation.
The beach is not overcrowded, thanks to the many access points. Families can swim and shell, while kids can enjoy the mini golf course.
You can also collect shark teeth and shells by going on a shark tooth hunt at the beach. Afterward, you can enjoy the restaurants and marinas nearby.
Aside from the beach, Fernandina Beach has a thriving African-American community. The community is so old, in fact, that residents of some of the homes refuse to sell them to developers.
Because of this, tourists might raise their eyebrows if they see white people in the neighborhood. However, this is a great place for African-Americans to visit on weekends.
Aside from the beach, there is more to explore in this area. The area is famous for its wildlife. There are more animals than people, making it the perfect place for a quiet vacation.
You can rent a kayak and explore a secluded beach by kayak. You can also watch sea turtles nesting in the area.
Whether you’re a romantic couple or a family of four, Fernandina Beach is a great destination.
Another beach on the Atlantic side of Florida is Sanibel Island. This barrier island has beautiful beaches and a bounty of shells. There are also some great beach restaurants on the island.
Destin Beach
Destin Beach on the Atlantic side of Florida is a popular tourist destination for a variety of reasons. Destin’s sugar-like sand reflects the sun so well that it is often blindingly white on sunny days.
Visitors have compared the sand to a sheet of powder, salt, or summer snow. Because it’s so pristine and powdery, many visitors opt to leave their sandals behind.
The town’s white sand and crystal-clear waters make for a picture-perfect setting. Visitors will often spot dolphins and stingrays in the clear water.
The area is also home to a large marina where fishermen can bring in their catch. There are also a number of restaurants and boutiques in the area.
If you’re traveling with kids, there are plenty of public beaches to visit in Destin. There are picnic tables and pavilions, restrooms with changing tables, and a playground.
Parasailing is another popular activity at James Lee Park, offering spectacular views of the ocean. You can even get up close to dolphins as you soar through the air.
The average temperature of the ocean in Destin is around 80 degrees. You’ll want to pack a swimsuit and wear protective clothing.
This area is also home to several islands.
The area is home to many bird species, including the endangered white pelican. Some residents also use their kayaks to explore secluded beaches.
Haulover Beach
Haulover Beach is a popular sandy-beach playground located on Haulover Park, 100 acres of parkland located just south of Fort Lauderdale. Though it can get crowded during the hot months, the sandy beach still maintains a family-friendly vibe.
Haulover Beach is one of the few clothing-optional beaches in the United States.
It’s also been featured on numerous lists of the best nude beaches in the world, so it’s definitely worth a visit. Haulover Park also has a range of amenities, including concessions, lifeguards, and washrooms.
You can relax on the pristine beach for hours, and there are plenty of hotels near the beach.
While the majority of naturist beaches in Florida are remote, Haulover Beach is one of the most accessible and popular nudist beaches in the United States.
It is one of the best beaches for families in the state of Florida, and it is the oldest publicly recognized nudist beach in the country.
Located just across the causeway from Bal Harbour, Haulover Beach gets some of Miami’s biggest swells. Despite its name, it’s also home to some aggressive locals training for the Maui surf competition.
To make a very long story short, you should watch out for the bathrooms at Haulover Beach, as there is an excellent chance you may encounter a homeless person in there.
The Atlantic side of Florida is home to some of the best beaches in the state. From secluded beaches to bustling beach towns, there is something for everyone.
