Editor's Note: This article was written before the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this storm. We know Southwest Florida will be back better and stronger than ever, and we can't wait to write about their next chapter.
One of the most popular reasons many Baby Boomers choose to retire to Florida is that, regardless of where they choose to settle down, there is likely to be a great beach within driving distance.
With great sunrises along the east coast and spectacular sunsets along the Gulf Coast, as well as pristine white sand everywhere, beaches are one of the biggest advantages of life in Florida.
Here are some of Florida's best beaches nominated by our readers:
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is the type of place you dream about when you think of the words “peaceful Florida beach”. Everything in and around Sanibel Island promotes a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. One of the big attractions here is that Sanibel is one of the “Shell Islands”. This is one of the best spots in all of Florida to find intact seashells, so make sure you bring your bucket.
Siesta Key
Siesta Key is another Florida beach that has a relaxed island feel to it. The beaches here are known for having some of the finest white sand in anywhere in the country. Matching the atmosphere, the water here is incredibly calm. There are also some great restaurants in the area making this a great place for a day at the beach followed by a romantic sunset dinner.
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Clearwater Beach
Located along a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, Clearwater beach is also known for having incredibly fine white sand. Because of its proximity to Tampa, there are more things to do here for the active beach-goer. Activities like fishing charters, dolphin cruises, and parasailing are very popular in this area. For the best grouper sandwich you'll ever eat in your life, visit Frenchy's Rockaway Grill.
Delray Beach
Just north of Boca Raton, you will find Delray Beach. This charming little beach community that makes for a great family destination along the east coast of southern Florida. The beach is a great spot for swimming and building sand castles, and the community surrounding the beach adds to the experience with boutique stores and great restaurants.
New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is where you will find some of the best surfing in all of Florida. It is located just a bit south of Daytona Beach and is an extremely popular destination for people living all over Central Florida. If you've ever wanted to learn how to surf, this would be a great place to get started. But beware, in addition to surfing, New Smyrna Beach is also known as the shark attack capital of the world.
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Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach is one of the most popular options for those located in the northern part of Florida. Just a short drive east of Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach is yet another beautiful white sand beach that is part of a charming beach community. In addition to the beach, visitors also love the great restaurants and shopping in this little beach town.
Cape Florida
While South Beach might be the more popular beach destination in Miami, many Boomers will prefer the calm serenity of Cape Florida on Key Biscayne. The beach is part of a state park, so it is kept very clean and there are bathrooms and showers available. There is also a great restaurant and the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse to visit.
What is YOUR favorite Florida beach? Let us know in the comments below…
So many wonderful beaches….but the sand on Siesta Key squeaks like snow
LUV St Pete Beach!! Add to it’s Beauty all the amenities — Beach Bars, Food and The Don Cesar — and It’s ALL Good!
What about the Panhandle Beaches that may that are beautiful and the warm water and able to walk sometimes almost a half mile from shore.
I love Clearwater and the Gulfside, but Destin and Ft.Walton along with Crab Island are a blast!
We like Longboat Key
My favorite in all of Florida is Vanderbilt Beach. It is quiet, not a big crowd, beautiful white sand, it is located between Bonita Springs and Naples. It was always my go to beach in the tourist season when all the other beaches were packed. I loved it there. Early in the morning the gulf is very calm, almost lake like.
KEEP ALL THE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS COMING THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS BLOG. IN OUR HOUSE WE CAN NOT WAIT TO BECOME FINANCIALLY SOUND AND FOLLOW THROUGH ON BECOMING LIFETIME FLORIDIANS. WE LIVE, EAT, AND BREATHE FLORIDA!!! FLORIDA, FLORIDA, FLORIDA!!!
I live here year round and love them all !!….but you cannot ignore the GORGEOUS beaches up on the Panhandle, around Seaside, Seagrove, and Alys Beach….this area along Highway 30A, east of Destin is still relatively unknown and, therefore, less crowded….fabulous restaurants and sunsets to die for !
Don’t tell anyone but Mexico Beach is the best.
one os my favorite beaches is Fernandina Beach
I love Ormond Beach. Live there most of the year and it is really nice Joyce
I love the beach at Honeymoon Island near Dunedin, Very clean, not too wide, sea grass and shells and not crowded.
We love Navarre Beach. Recently renourished, it is smooth and squeaky clean white sand bordering crystal clear water deepening from light green to aqua to marine blue. It is known as “Florida’s Best Kept Secret,” and the beaches along the 1.5 mile stretch of border island are not so crowded that people are on top of each other, so to speak. Bordering Navarre Beach is a 7-mile stretch of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which has several public areas with long swaths of pristine coast conditions in between. It can’t be beat for natural beauty.
My favorite beach is Daytona
What area of FL is most affordable for living?? Like low taxes, houses,beaches and all around medical facilities for seniors?
We.fell in with Pensacola Beach! Soft,cool sand, the water green and the fact that the authorizes there make sure the beach is clean. We saw them use special tractors with sweepers and it picks up everything including cigarette butts. They take pride in their beaches! Also all lights are mandated to have yellow lights for sea turtles. Yep they take great pride in their beaches!
Wow! How can you not love Englewood Beach or the entire stretch from Panama City Beach to Destin to Ft. Walton Beach to Pensacola Beach.
I learned to swim (under the Gulf of Mexico waters before on top) on Tyndall Air Force & Panama City Beaches…
Destin and Panama City Beach have great beaches that are well cared for. Not a fan of shell beaches which are hard on feet; give me soft white sand.
Our favorite beach is Venice Beach. The area is ideal for families. Nearby is the Venice Pier and Sharkey’s Restaurant.
I love Casperson near Venice, shells sharks teeth and kind of wild
Hi,
I enjoy Florida very much and wanted to move down there or atleast spend the winters down there. Our winter’s here in Maine have been Horrible here and I am hoping next year I can enjoy it in Florida..
I find the Palm Coast area my favorite but then are many other places within the state I haven’t been to check out. I still think I have time to do it.
While the beaches in Sanibel are loaded with shells, which I love, the beaches in New Smyrna Beach.are my favorite! We spent 6 wks there last winter and are planning to spend 8 wks this year. We would like to retire there soon. Is there somewhere we could get information?
We love Madeira Beach; nice sand, proximity to shops at John’s Pass and good restaurants from Sand Key down to Treasure Island.
My favorite Florida Beach is the beach at Marineland. It is soft white sand, beach is rarely crowded, nice parking, and nice Rest Rooms . Which mean a lot. Nice walk way to walk or sit and relax. Flanger is too hard to get to the beach, plus sand is rough to walk on. Too many Private Places that you can’t use to get to the Beach…