It’s finally getting warmer, which means its time to find a spot 10 feet from the ocean where you can try to forget about the current state of the world. Whether you’re into eating, drinking or floating (all while social distancing), theres plenty to do at these 30 beaches.
Anna Maria Island
3 hours away
Despite only being 7 miles long, this beach town has quickly become a Florida-favorite. With plenty of restaurants and beach spots to watch the sun go down, Anna Maria Island is a must-visit.
Photo via ap0013/FlickrDelray Beach
2 hours and 45 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: In 2012, USA Today rated Delray Beach as the best small town in America, and for good reason. Atlantic Avenue in Downtown is full of adventures, especially at night, and parking at the municipal beach is pretty cheap at $1.50 an hour. Check out the Cornell Art Museum or the Sandoway Discovery Center for some interactive nature exhibits. If you’re down for some comfort food and a good happy hour, enjoy Latino dishes at Cabana El Rey.
Beaches to check out: Sarah Gleason Park, Sandoway Park, Anchor Park, Atlantic Dunes Park
Photo via Adobe StockCayo Costa State Park
4 hours away
Only accessible through a boat or kayak (for the brave ones), this untouched beach is the perfect spot for bird watching and bicycling trails. Visitors can take a ferry from several of the mainland locations.
Photo via Cayo Costa Ferry/WebsitePonce Inlet
1 hour away
Pay a visit to Florida’s tallest lighthouse at Ponce Inlet — the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. Visitors are just 203 steps away from a perfect ocean view.
Photo via Daniel Piraino/FlickrCocoa Beach
1 hour away
Cocoa Beach is home to four parks which all have a beach access point. The parks have plenty of picnic tables and showers to help enjoy a beach day.
Photo via Joseph Gage/FlickrNew Smyrna Beach
1 hour away
New Smyrna is known for its surfing and 17-mile white beaches, but if you happen to bring any four-legged friends, there’s a dog beach not too far.
Photo via David S. Ferry |||/FlickrBoneyard Beach
2 hours, 30 minutes
Along Boneyard Beach, visitors can find massive driftwood trees scattered along the shore. It’s the perfect spot for a picture or watching the crashing waves.
Photo via oliver.dodd/FlickrDaytona Beach
1 hour away
Enjoy a crowd-free vacation at Daytona Beach. With 23 miles of white beaches to relax on, there’s plenty of space to take a break from reality.
Photo via Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau/FacebookBlowing Rocks Preserve
2 hours, 30 minutes away
This barrier island is known for its rocky shoreline and water-gushing rocks, which can send the seawater up to 50 feet high.
Photo via apasciuto/FlickrJuno Beach
2 hours, thirty minutes away
Enjoy a walk on the beach or on the Juno Beach Pier. The pier offers 990-feet of saltwater fishing and snack bars.
Photo via apasciuto/FlickrCanaveral National Seashore
1 hour, 30 minutes away
This undeveloped shoreline is home to thousands of plants and animals. Keep in mind there’s a $20 vehicle entrance fee.
Photo via Juan Wang/FlickrClearwater Beach
4 hours away
Rated Trip Advisor’s No. 1 beach in 2018, this small beach town is known for its pristine beaches and delicious restaurants.
Photo via City of Clearwater Government/FacebookFort de Soto Park
3 hours away
This beach is the perfect spot to bring four-legged family members with its two fenced park areas near the beach. Large and small dogs are welcome!
Photo via Pinellas County/FlickrAvalon State Park
2 hours away
Endangered sea turtles call this beach their home, but snorkelers and kayakers can appreciate them from a comfortable distance.
Photo via Florida State Parks/WebsiteCoral Cove Park
2 hours, 30 minutes away
This beach features plenty of spots to grill, fish and kayak. Make sure to enjoy a colorful sunset after a long beach day.
Photo via Adam Carter/FlickrLongboat Key
3 hours away
Longboat Key’s 12-mile beaches are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the ocean breeze. Check out their kayak tours for possible dolphin or sea turtle sightings.
Photo via Town of Longboat Key/FacebookLover’s Key
4 hours away
Known for its beachside weddings, this barrier island is perfect for exploring. There’s plenty of canals, lagoons, and trails to enjoy.
Photo via Alan Phillpot/FlickrMelbourne Beach
1 hour away
Take a trip to Brevard County’s oldest beach community. Although it’s known for its great fishing, Melbourne Beach is also home to the second-largest colony of sea turtle nesting areas in the Northern hemisphere.
Photo via Michael Seeley/FlickrOrmond Beach
1 hour away
Ormond Beach’s compact white sand is perfect for walking on. After a stroll on the beach, check out their guided manatee kayaking tours.
Photo via Jason Ralston/FlickrCaladesi Island State Park
3 hours away
Although this beach is only available by boat, its scenic views are worth it. Visitors can walk along the beach, kayak through a mangrove forest, or take a nature trail hike.
Photo via Pinellas County/FlickrPass-a-Grille Beach
2 hours, 30 minutes
There’s plenty to do at this historic beach, whether it be watching dolphins, snorkeling or shelling. Make sure to stick around for the nightly sunset bell ringing.
Photo via Psyberartist/FlickrAnastasia State Park
2 hours away
Home to more than 1,600 acres of beaches, marshes, maritime hammocks and sand dunes, this state park has something for everybody.
Photo via Todd van Hoosear/FlickrSatellite Beach
1 hour away
Enjoy a beach day in Florida’s safest city. Kayaks are available for rent, but if flipping over every ten minutes isn’t your thing, take a stroll through the Joy & Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden.
Photo via R9 Studios Fl/FlickrSebastian Inlet State Park
1 hour, 45 minutes away
Surfers worldwide know Sebastian Inlet for its “First Peak” and “Monster Hole,” but the inlet’s calmer waters are perfect for watching sea turtle nests or collecting seashells.
Photo via Jeff Muceus/FlickrSiesta Key
2 hours and 31 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it:Other than gaining even more popularity because of the MTV show, Siesta Key is genuinely a prime spot to kick back and relax. There are three beaches along the city’s 8 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, equipped with snorkeling at the Point of Rocks and a local music venue at The Beach Club. Check out the Oyster Bar for happy hour specials and seafood fare, plus draft beer and more live music.
Beaches to check out: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach
Photo via Adobe StockSt. Pete Beach
2 hours, 40 minutes away
With an average of 361 days of sunshine per year, this laid-back beach town is guaranteed to be the perfect spot for a beach vacation.
Photo via Matt Wade/FlickrTreasure Island Beach
2 hours, 45 minutes away
It’s a barrier island that sure is a treasure — badum tss. Enjoy Treasure Island’s white beaches and clear waters.
Photo via Gordon Tarpley/FlickrIndialantic Beach
1 hour, 30 minutes away
Enjoy a spacious white-sand seashore during the day, and at night, check out Indialantic’s guided bioluminescence nature tour.
Photo via Marco/FlickrVero Beach
1 hour, 40 minutes away
Vero Beach is known for its nature walks and water sports. Kayak rentals, fishing charters and airboat adventures are just a walk away.
Photo via dcwriterdawn/Flickr