If you haven't heard, Florida has a lot of beaches. Beautiful beaches. World-famous beaches. From the Panhandle to the Keys, east coast and west coast. No matter where you are in the state, you're never too far from the beach.
Central Florida has a bunch of amazing beaches, from undeveloped natural coastal expanses in protected parks to quaint waterfront towns to bustling seaside cities. Here's a closer look at four Central Florida beach destinations every beach-loving area resident should visit. We've included two from the Gulf Coast and two from the Atlantic, and one relatively undeveloped, one developed on each coast.
Fort De Soto Park
Maintained by Pinellas County, this beach is on Mullet Key just south of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach (a glorious destination in its own right). It's a serene, private escape from the action of the Tampa Bay area and idyllic spot to enjoy a day at the beach and the gorgeous blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
There's some supervised beachfront with snack bars within this 870-acre park, as well as plenty of untouched stretches where you're unlikely to be within several hundred feet of anyone else. It's a well-known stop for migratory birds, and you can also go camping and fishing in addition to sunning and swimming on the beach.
The actual Fort De Soto, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is still there; you can check it out free of charge. If you're into military history, the site has four 12-inch M1890-M1 mortars, and they're the last ones you'll find anywhere in the world besides a few in the Phillipines.
Clearwater Beach
If you're looking for more development, activity, and people when heading to Central Florida's west coast, go to Clearwater Beach. This renowned white sand beach is frequently included on lists of the most beautiful in the US, but there's also plenty to do in the area besides soak up the sun and swim.
Clearwater Beach is on a barrier island just off the coast of the city of Clearwater. Beach Walk, the location's twist on a traditional boardwalk, runs along the beach and features restaurants, shops, hotels, public art, and more. While here, we recommend stopping at Frenchy's South Beach Cafe for a meal and a few drinks.
Any late afternoon to early evening of the year (weather permitting), check out Sunsets at Pier 60. It's a free festival that starts two hours before sunset and lasts till two hours after. Go for the music, street performers, arts and crafts, and other fun. And, of course, the city of Clearwater is just minutes away, offering lots more to see, do, eat, and drink.
Canaveral National Seashore
Moving over to Central Florida's Atlantic coast, Canaveral National Seashore offers a wonderful, quiet beach escape. The 25 miles of untouched coastline are perfect for a calm nature-oriented getaway. In fact, this is the longest undeveloped stretch of land on Florida's east coast.
There are no shops, so bring whatever you want with you. Just keep in mind that you have to park several hundred yards from the beach,so you'll be hauling it; that's part of what keeps it so perfectly peaceful here.
This national seashore park, on a barrier island between Titusville and New Smyrna Beach, actually contains a few different named beaches, including Apollo, Klondike, and Playalinda beaches. It's a particularly great stop for birding and wildlife enthusiasts.
More than 1,000 plant species and 300+ bird species call this paradise home, and it's an important nesting area for sea turtles. You can also visit the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which protects more than a dozen endangered or threatened animal species. And for space enthusiasts, the John F. Kennedy Space Center is a short drive from the beaches.
New Smyrna Beach
Just north of the Canaveral National Seashore is New Smyrna Beach, a better known destination offering pristine coastline and a quaint, quirky little town. Kick back and relax on 13 miles of white sand and watch the surfers do their thing.
There's a surprising number of excellent restaurants here. Around the beach, Third Wave Cafe is a little cafe, coffee shop, and wine bar with a great outdoor dining area; The Garlic is a recommended stop for Italian cuisine; oh, and definitely head up into the treehouse bar at Norwood's Eatery and Wine Shop.
Downtown's historic Canal Street District is a charming, artsy area to stroll, shop, and eat, too. If you're here and hungry, Yellow Dog Eats Kitchen and Bar is well worth a visit. And be sure to investigate the Turnbull Ruins. Some scholars believe they're remnants from a Spanish colony that actually predates St. Augustine, the reputed first city in the US.
