Dog Friendly Beaches in Florida

dog friendly beach in florida

Although there are hundreds of miles of beaches in Florida, dog-friendly beaches are pretty rare. This map shows some dog beaches I’ve found, which are scattered around the state.  Dog Beach Rules Dog rules vary widely for beaches that allow dogs.  Some beaches allow dogs to be off-leash, while others allow only leashed dogs, usually … Read more

Bald Point State Park

Bald Point State Park in the Florida Panhandle

Bald Point State Park is a beautiful state park in the Florida Panhandle.  The state park protects more than 4,000 acres of pristine Florida nature, and a variety of wildlife and natural habitats. Bald Point State Park offers a mix outdoor activities and experiences, including beaches, boating, paddling, hiking, swimming, fishing, bird-watching, wildlife viewing and … Read more

Madeira Beach

Madeira Beach, Florida

Madeira Beach is a small beach town on Florida’s central Gulf of Mexico coast.  Madeira Beach is known for its long, beautiful sandy beaches and its most popular attraction, Johns Pass Village. Johns Pass Village is a lively waterfront boardwalk with a variety of shops, restaurants, activities, boat tours and more. It’s also the site … Read more

Longboat Key

Town of Longboat Key sign

Longboat Key is a beautiful barrier island and small beach town on Florida’s west coast.  Longboat Key is known for its uncrowded white sand beaches, resorts, and upscale beach town living. The island of Longboat Key is long and skinny, like most barrier islands in Florida. It’s about a mile wide at its widest point, … Read more

Florida Beach Guide to Red Tide

Florida Beaches with Red Tide

As of this update red tide is present in a large stretch of Florida’s west coast, including many central Gulf coast and southwest Gulf coast beaches. The most recent red tide map is included below, along with a list of beaches and locations affected by red tide. Red tide conditions are changing quickly due to … Read more

The Best Beaches in the Florida Panhandle

Aerial view of clear water and white sand beach in the Florida Panhandle at Pensacola Beach

There are about 150 miles of almost continuous beaches in the Florida panhandle.  White sand beaches and crystal clear water stretch almost continuously from Port St. Joe to Perdido Key at the Alabama state line. The beaches keep going after that, but we’re only talking about Florida’s panhandle beaches. What is the best beach in … Read more

The Best Atlantic Coast Beaches in Florida

South Beach on Florida's atlantic coast with white and and clear water

Florida’s Atlantic coast is 400 miles long, not including the Florida Keys.  There are endless sandy beaches for most of those 400 miles, which stretch from Amelia Island in the north to the Key Largo bridge in the south. Florida’s east coast beaches vary a lot.  Here are our picks for the best beaches on … Read more

Naples

Beautiful white sand beach and clear water in Naples, Florida

Note: Naples was heavily affected by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Some attractions, including the Naples Pier, may be partially closed. Naples has also been heavily affected by the 2023 red tide outbreak, affecting beaches on Florida’s Gulf coast. Naples is an upscale beach town and coastal city in Southwest Florida.  Naples is known for its … Read more

Peanut Island, Florida

A beach on Peanut Island, Florida

Peanut Island is a small island in Florida’s Lake Worth Lagoon. It’s located in a beautiful area, between Riviera Beach, Singer Island and Palm Beach. Read about other things to do in Palm Beach County Peanut Island is a county park, and is open to the public. Admission is free, although there is a cost … Read more

Treasure Island

Beach access, Treasure Island, Florida

Treasure Island is a small beach town in Pinellas County, Florida. Treasure Island is a popular tourist destination known for its retro style, long white sandy beaches and convenient location near St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater. Treasure Island is also known for having a more residential, laid-back feel than other nearby beach towns, and for … Read more

St. Pete Beach

St Pete Beach, Florida

St. Pete Beach is a small beach town on Florida’s central Gulf Coast. St. Beach Beach is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and convenient access to downtown St. Petersburg. It is also conveniently located near Clearwater Beach and many other beach destinations in Pinellas County.  Location St. Pete Beach is located on a … Read more

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Pass a Grille Beach, Florida. A wooden boardwalk gives access to the beach, one of the best beaches in Florida.

Pass-a-Grille beach is my favorite beach near St Pete! The sand is soft, white and excellent. The water is often crystal-clear. The town is super cute, and it has a perfect laid-back beach town vibe. There are some things that could be better about Pass-a-Grille, but overall it’s an excellent beach. Pass-a-Grille Beach is one … Read more

Anclote Key Preserve State Park

The Anclote Key Lighthouse in Anclote Key Preserve State Park

Anclote Key Preserve State Park is an undeveloped island, nature preserve and state park in Florida’s central Gulf of Mexico Coast. Anclote Key Preserve State Park is known for its pristine white sand beaches, excellent shelling, historical lighthouse, clear waters and diverse wildlife. The park is also known as one of the best destinations for … Read more

Grayton Beach State Park

Aerial view of beaches at Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park is a beautiful beachfront state park and campground in the Florida panhandle.  The park protects approximately 2,187 acres, including delicate dune lakes, pristine beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, and a variety of natural ecosystems. What is Grayton Beach known for? Grayton Beach State Park. is known for its: Grayton Beach … Read more

Spring Break in Florida

clearwater beach florida spring break usplsh

Spring Break in Florida is amazing. The weather is often beautiful, and it’s a perfect escape from cold northern winters. This guide covers spring break in Florida, and what you should expect. Note: Many of the most popular beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast are suffering from severe red tide outbreaks. Read more about current red … Read more

Daytona Beach

Daytona beach, Florida, aerial view

Daytona Beach is a busy beach town on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Daytona is known for its crowded beaches, party vibes, festivals and motorsports.  Note: The terms “Daytona Beach” and “Daytona” refer to the same city. Daytona Beach is also known for being one of the few beaches in Florida where you can drive … Read more

Mexico Beach

A welcome sign on the beach in Mexico Beach, Florida

Mexico Beach is a quiet beachside town in the Florida Panhandle. It is a hidden gem and a last remnant of “Old Florida” in a region known as the Emerald Coast. Mexico Beach is known for its laid-back lifestyle, white sand beaches, clear waters and abundant wildlife.  Mexico Beach has a small-town feel and a … Read more

Nokomis Beach

Nokomis Beach, Casey Key, Florida

Nokomis Beach is a quiet, peaceful public beach on Casey Key. The beaches and seashore are stunningly beautiful, but are less developed than other beaches in Sarasota County, like Siesta Key. Location Nokomis Beach is located at 115 S Casey Key Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275. <span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” … Read more

Anna Maria Island

Aerial View of Anna Maria Island, Florida

Anna Maria Island is a barrier island in southwest Florida, on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast.  Anna Maria Island is very long and narrow. It’s approximately 7 miles long, measured from north to south. The island is only about a mile wide in its widest point, and is only a few blocks wide in some … Read more