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13 Beautiful Coastal Towns in Florida You’ll Love

The Sunshine State is a great all-year-round destination with many unique things to do. With 2172 km (1350 miles) of gorgeous coastline, Florida has stunning coastal towns all along its Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. 

Coastal towns in Florida are filled with charm, picturesque beaches and crystal clear waters. These towns stretch all the way from the Florida Keys archipelago in the south, down to the state’s border with Georgia. 

Whether you’re looking to escape to a town with a rich history like Fort Myers, or somewhere with more beachside charm like Seaside, you will definitely find it all in Florida. 

Keep reading to discover 13 of the most beautiful coastal towns in Florida. Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll be inspired to pack your bags and explore the stunning Sunshine State. 

Things to Book in Florida Before You Leave Home
Few things are more frustrating on vacation than missing out on that amazing hotel or tour because it is sold out. Here are my top things to book in Florida before your vacation.

🐊 Most Popular Tours in Florida:
1. Sunset Cruise in Key West – the best way to experience these amazing sunsets is from the water.
2. Miami Cruise of South Beach Millionaire Homes – see how the other half lives
3. Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Cruise – beautiful views and wild dolphins
4. Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami – one of my favourites

🛏️Where to Stay in Florida:
1. Esme South Beach – stylish and charming with a fantastic pool
2. Conch House Key West – Adults-only heritage property
3. Berkeley Beach Club St Petersburg – charm, style, space and a great location
4. Hotel Haya Tampa – Cuban style in historic Ybor City

13 Beautiful Coastal Towns in Florida

1. Fernandina Beach 

The quaint town of Fernandina Beach is located on Amelia Island. It is the northernmost town along Florida’s Atlantic coast and is just 53 km (33 miles) away from Jacksonville. 

Fernandina Beach is a seaport town known for its laid-back vibe and easygoing residents. While it is a stunning beach town, Fernandina has a rich history that might appeal if you enjoy stepping back in time. 

Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island

Amelia Island is known as the “Isle of 8 Flags”, due to it being conquered by eight nations who had their flags posted on the island. Prior to that Amelia Island was home to the Timucuan Native American people who lived in north-central Florida

Under British rule, Fernandina Beach was a thriving Victorian trading port and much of this can be seen in the downtown area. According to the locals, the town also served as a hiding place for pirate treasures. 

The thing that the town is perhaps best known for today is its annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, which has been held on the island since 1964. 

Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach

This three-day festival is usually held in May. The festival brings everyone in the town together to enjoy a variety of shrimp dishes, funnel cakes, lemonade and free music performances. 

While shrimp may be the highlight of the festival, there are also various vendor booths that sell artwork, crafts and antiques. If you’re in the town when the festival is not being held, you can still explore the downtown area, which has loads of great restaurants and quirky shops. 

2. Cocoa Beach 

One stop you must make on your way to Orlando is the cute town of Cocoa Beach, a mere hour away from the city. This charming town is located south of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. 

It is also the gateway to the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex, which is worth a visit, especially if you are interested in spacecraft.

Kennedy Space Centre florida
Kennedy Space Centre florida

Cocoa Beach is a great vacation destination for many people, famed for its gorgeous beaches and surf breaks. Amateur and pro surfers flock to the area, especially at the end of the hurricane season (September – December), to catch some of the greatest waves on the east coast. 

Whether you’re a keen surfer or not, you can visit the Florida Surf Museum and learn more about the history of surfing in the area. The town is also a great place to enjoy a variety of watersports such as parasailing, sea kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.

Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach

Watersports may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there are plenty of other activities that you can enjoy while in Cocoa Beach. You can discover abundant wildlife at Lori Wilson Park, or play a round of golf at one of the nearby courses. 

3. Seaside 

Looking to escape to a quiet resort town for a few days? Then look no further than the colorful town of Seaside. 

Seaside is located in northwest Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a rather small town that features a 20th-century New Urbanist design with white picket fences and pastel-coloured houses. The town has around 300 houses and was designed so that all the attractions and shops would be within walking distance from its residents and visitors. 

seaside florida
seaside florida

The town’s history does not date back centuries like some of Florida‘s other towns. In fact, Seaside is a fairly new town, only developed and built in the early 1980s. 

Seaside was the vision of one man, Robert Davis, who inherited a piece of property in what is known as Seaside today. After years of planning and development, Seaside is now a thriving town. 

seaside florida
seaside florida

The center has various restaurants, shops and cool galleries. It also has beautiful white-sand beaches and amazing hotels along its beachfront with views that are to die for. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that Seaside has been voted one of the Top 10 Best Beach Towns in Florida by USA Today. 

You might enjoy reading my article on Sarasota’s best beaches.

4. Key Biscayne 

Key Biscayne is one of Florida’s best kept secrets. This island town lies 8 km (5 miles) east of Miami and 24 km (15 miles) south of Miami Beach in the Biscayne Bay. The island is connected to the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway. 

key biscayne
key biscayne

The town is near enough to all the action of Miami, but just far away enough to feel like you’re on an island vacation. Key Biscayne itself has several attractions like the Bill Baggs Cape State Park. The park is home to the Cape Florida Lighthouse, which was built in 1825. 

The park offers some of the most incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. Key Biscayne also has some breathtaking beaches, which will make you feel like you’re on holiday in the Caribbean. 

key biscayne beach
key biscayne beach

There are a number of fantastic restaurants along the beach with stunning views of the Miami Skyline. The glamorous Ritz Carlton Resort calls Key Biscayne home, so if you’re looking for a luxurious getaway, consider staying at this opulent resort. 

5. Key Largo

Known as the self-proclaimed “Dive Capital of the World”, Key Largo is the first of the Florida Keys Islands. It is easy to reach and is a short 90 minute drive away from Miami via the Overseas Highway. 

Key Largo offers a welcomed change of pace from Miami’s bustling atmosphere. This island town is renowned for its quiet beachside hotels, quirky restaurants and the most picturesque sunsets. 

key largo
key largo

It is the perfect place for scuba diving, snorkeling and glass-bottom boating as it is home to the world’s largest artificial reef. Apart from this you can also enjoy fishing, kayaking and swimming with dolphins on the island.

Key Largo also boasts some impressive botanical scenery and one of the best ways to discover it is through the numerous hiking trails found on the island. It’s also a short distance away from the other Key Islands and the Everglades National Park. 

key largo
key largo

6. Islamorada 

Just 90 minutes away from Miami lies the beautiful Islamorada or “Purple Island”. It’s the second island after Key Largo in the northern part of the Florida Keys Islands. 

Stretching 11 km (7 miles) over five islands, Islamorada is one of the best coastal towns to visit in Florida especially if you’re taking a road trip down from Miami to Key West. It’s also one of the most unique towns as it’s surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. 

Islamorada Pier at Sunset
Islamorada

The waters around Islamorada are teeming with life and there are about 500 species of fish in the area. For that reason alone the town is considered to be the sports-fishing capital of the world. 

Apart from fishing, there are also a ton of other activities to do. Islamorada is a nature lover’s paradise with incredible hiking trails and stunning coral reefs. 

islamadora
islamadora

If you do stop by, be sure to visit the Theatre of the Sea, where you can swim with dolphins, view sea lions, or take a bottom glass boat ride. 

And of course, it also has a ton of great places to eat. Be sure to stop over at Robbie’s Marina, where you can try out their famous hogfish sandwich. Also don’t forget to stop by the Islamorada Beer Company where you can taste a variety of ales from the Florida Keys Islands. 

7. Tarpon Springs 

A visit to the coastal town of Tarpon Springs will make you feel as if you’re in a fishing village in Greece, when you are in fact, less than an hour’s drive from the cities of Tampa and St Petersburg. This charming town is also only 30 minutes away from one of the best places to watch the sunset in Florida, Clearwater Beach. 

The town has been heavily influenced by the Greek sponge divers who settled in the area in the early 1900s. 

tarpon springs
tarpon springs

Having been so heavily influenced by the Greeks, Tarpon Springs hosts an Epiphany celebration at the Greek Orthodox Church in January and an Opa’ Palooza Greek Seafood Festival in November. 

If you can’t wait that long to eat Mediterranean seafood, there are loads of Greek restaurants in the town that will make you feel as if you are on one of the Greek Isles. Tarpon Springs is also home to a number of micro craft breweries. 

tarpon springs
tarpon springs

Tarpon Springs’s downtown center is also a great place to learn more about the history of the town and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown you’ll find several galleries, shops and antique stores dating back to the late 1800s. 

8. Key West 

Key West is perhaps the most famous town in the Florida Keys Islands. Located on an island in the Florida Strait, it is 256 km (159 miles) away from Miami, and only 90 nautical miles away from Cuba

This vibrant town also happens to be the southernmost point in America. Key West has a very relaxed vibe to it, and is best known for being a popular spring break destination and boasts an exciting nightlife scene. 

key west sunset boat
key west

It is also home to America’s only living coral reef, meaning it’s a great place to scuba dive or snorkel. It also has a number of stunning white sand beaches. 

Be sure to visit Duval Street, the heart of Key West, which runs right through the town’s northern part to the southern part. It is lined with lively outdoor cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and galleries. 

fort zachary sunset key west
Fort Zachary Sunset Key West

9. Siesta Key 

Siesta Key Beach is a stunning island in the Gulf of Mexico. Its town, Siesta Key Village, is a popular vacation destination. 

Siesta Key has an array of activities to do. Beach lovers will love the beach and enjoy the tidal pools and coral reefs in deeper waters. Yogi’s will also be thrilled about the free beach yoga that takes place every morning at 9 am. 

siesta key
siesta key

The buildings in downtown Siesta Key resemble small Italian coastal villages, and are filled with great shops, cafes and bars. You can even take the free shuttle to explore the town. 

In the southern area you’ll find Turtle Beach which has boat ramps to go out into the deeper waters as well as a scenic picnic area. 

siesta key
siesta key

10. Cedar Key 

Cedar Key is one of the cutest coastal towns on Florida’s west coast. It is located along the Gulf of Mexico, just southwest of Gainesville. 

It is a true gem and also happens to be one of the oldest towns in the Sunshine State. It was founded in the early 1800s and rebuilt later in the century after being wiped out by a fierce hurricane. 

Cedar Key Sunset in florida
Cedar Key

In its early days it was a prominent port along the Gulf Coast. Today it looks like it has been frozen in time, with old buildings and quiet streets. If you’re keen to get out on the water, you can also hire a kayak and explore this quiet town’s coastline and marine life.  

cedar key
cedar key

11. Madeira Beach 

Situated just 30 minutes away from the city of St Petersburg, Madeira Beach is one of the loveliest towns along the Gulf Coast. It is best known for being the home of John Levique, a pirate who called the town home after surviving a hurricane in the 18th century. 

Madeira Beach entrance
Madeira Beach entrance

Madeira Beach is a cool, calm, and collected town. The town center was built on a 330-metre boardwalk and is home to just over 100 shops and restaurants waiting to be explored. 

It is also known for its dock area, John’s Pass, where you can take a charter boat and enjoy the day out at sea. The dock area is also the perfect place to grab dinner and drinks with a stunning view. 

St John's Pass
St John’s Pass

Don’t miss my articles on best things to do in St Petersburg Fl and the best beaches in St Petersburg Florida.

And you might enjoy reading about nearby Tampa – best beaches in the Tampa area, things to do in downtown Tampa and best Tampa activities for adults.

12. Sanibel Island

With an unlimited supply of sunshine all year round, Sanibel Island is the perfect place to escape for a relaxing vacation. This cute beach town in Florida is a short drive from Fort Myers and is best known for its incredible sunsets, and luxurious resorts.

Sanibel Island florida
Sanibel Island

The most popular activity on the island is shelling. The shores of Sanibel Island are covered with shells and conches in all shades of glorious pink. So if you’re an avid shell collector, this is the perfect place. 

sanibel island
sanibel island

After collecting your shells, you can identify their names at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Other activities that you can enjoy include fishing, kayaking or just relaxing on the beach. 

13. Naples 

Naples (no not Italy) is a quaint town perched along the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida. It’s famous for its high-end shopping and world-class golf courses. The Naples Pier was built in 1888 and has since then become a symbol of the city. It’s also one of the most popular fishing and dolphin-spotting areas in Florida. 

naples pier florida at sunset
naples pier

Downtown Naples is a historic area with cool eateries, art galleries and chic boutiques. You can lay around and work on your tan at one of Naples’ stunning beaches when you’re not hanging out there. 

naples sunset in florida coastal towns in florida
naples sunset

Final Thoughts on Florida Coastal Cities

It’s no secret that some of the cutest beach towns in Florida are along both its Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. The best part is that these coastal cities in Florida are only a short distance away from some of the major cities in the Sunshine State. 

A visit to any of these quaint beach towns in Florida will have you feeling like you’re a world away from the chaos of the city but still near enough to all the action.

No matter where you go, you’re bound to have a great time in any of these quaint Florida beach towns.

I covered all of the costs involved in putting together this article on Coastal towns in Florida. Just so you know, this post does contain some affiliate links. That means if you click through and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. I wanted to make sure you were aware of this.

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