20 beautiful Florida islands you need to visit this summer

Anna Maria Island
Distance: 2 hours, 9 minutes
The sand is as white as can be and the water glimmers with a cool shade of aquamarine. Forget the fast food joints and the high-rise condos that litter most vacation spots because Anna Maria Island is a place of chill simplicity, where golfing, fishing and laying yourself down on the beach are the main draws.
Photo via pia4lastlooks/Instagram

Treasure Island
Distance: 2 hours, 4 minutes
With a name like Treasure Island, why wouldn’t you want to pay it a visit? This west coast spot is home to the cleverly named Sanding Ovations, a four-day contest held in November in which 10 contestants from around the world try and smooth out the most impressive sand sculpture possible. There’s other things a-happening throughout the year as well. You can always take off from the popular boat ramps, for instance, which get particularly crowded on the weekend.
Photo via mariamarks_/Instagram

Caladesi Island
Distance: 2 hours, 15 minutes
It’s easy to find a grimy beach, not so much a pristine one. According to the Florida State Parks’ website, the beaches at Caladesi Island are as far as grimy as they can be, having been voted America's Best Beach in 2008. Recognition came again in 2014 when it was awarded the Travelers’ Choice Best Beach by TripAdvisor. Plan your day with some wiggle room, however, for you can only get to the island by boat or ferry.
Photo via etraveltrips/Instagram

Big Talbot Island
Distance: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Bluffs aren’t the most common Floridian site, but this northeast state park is here to fill the market. The shoreline provides the best view of this and the collection or eroded oaks and pines by the water, which you can get to from one of the various trails made available. If you’re really in love with the area, you can even opt to get married here.
Photo via lizzy_green531/Instagram

St. George Island
Distance: 5 hours, 12 minutes>
The problem with most small towns is the significant lack of nightlife. Not so at St. George, a barrier island where you’re bound to find at least one band playing at one of the restaurants or clubs every night of the week. As far as the daytime goes, the calendar is jampacked with events, forming a healthy balance at this vacation spot where, yeah, you can explore as you please, but if you ever run out of ideas, the locals have you covered.
Photo via amillijay/Instagram

Peanut Island
Distance: 2 hours, 31 minutes
Just because an island is artificial doesn’t make it any less worthwhile. Created in 1918, Peanut Island is ideal for any straight edge visitors; alcohol is a no-no unless you’re in the camping permit areas. Anyone not drinking their heart out by a tent can instead go over to pier, the manmade reef and the snorkeling lagoon for a day of sober fun.
Photo via amandajolawrence/Instagram

Amelia Island
Distance: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Island life is known for bringing it back to basics, but this island is having none of that monotony. This luxury vacation spot has just about everything you could ever want. There’s museums in the historic district that’ll rush you into the age of swashbuckling pirates, restaurants that offer more than the predictable seafood platter and plenty of shops that aren’t full of tourist-y knick knacks. But hey, if you want to stay on the beach, that works too.
Photo via kendrick.disch/Instagram

Cayo Costa
Distance: 2 hours, 59 minutes
Granted, getting here is a pain in the ass given that you can only do so via a private boat or ferry, but the struggle will be the last thing on your mind once you step foot on Cayo Costa. This island/state park duo is nine miles of pure nature in the form of beaches, forests and swamps, where you can go birdwatching or keep your eye open for manatees and dolphins. Staying overnight is an option, but it’s recommended that you rent out one of the cabins in advance.
Photo via stefsea/Instagram

Dry Tortugas National Park
Distance: 6 hours, 48 minutes
It’s hard to say “no” to camping on an island with warm tropical breezes that is 70 miles away from civilization. Be sure to make a reservation before camping at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park because the popular destination tends to fill up, and the 11 campsites run on a first come, first served basis. Campsites range from $15 to $30, depending on the size of your group.
Photo via enjoy_miami_/Instagram

Pine Island
Distance: 3 hours, 14 minutes
According to Visit Florida, Pine Island is the largest island on the state’s Gulf Coast, but surprisingly enough, that’s not its defining feature. What’s really to be admired are the waterways that pass through it, making it a quintessential kayaking and canoeing destination. In between rides, pick up your rod and bait to discover why this island’s nickname is “World’s Most Fishingest.”
Photo via mariesavoielevac/Instagram

Gasparilla Island
Distance: 2 hours, 55 minutes
Right along the Gulf Coast, this Old Florida-styled island is simple, what with its lighthouses and manatee sightings being main attractions, but it’s still worth a visit. It’s also home to a state park known for snorkeling and swimming opportunities. Anyone looking to take in the silent months of Gasparilla should avoid visiting in the spring, which is when anglers visit the Boca Grande Pass in droves for weeks and weeks of tarpon fishing.
Photo via rx7lover/Instagram

Lido Key
Distance: 2 hours, 23 minutes
If there’s one thing to check out here, it’s the sunset cruises that float you around for stunning sights of shades of red and orange as the sun settles down to the horizon. When you’re back on shore, St. Armands Circle is worth a visit for some of the more upscale shopping and dining opportunities on the island.
Photo via whitewater_2/Instagram

Longboat Key
Distance: 2 hours, 28 minutes
Many threatened and endangered species populate Longboat Key; during your stay, you might catch a glimpse at red knots, snowy plovers and sea turtles. These aren’t the only animals that are welcome, however. The island itself is pet friendly, but keep in mind that your companion always has to be on a leash and isn’t allowed on the beach.
Photo via my_sarasota_florida/Instagram

Marco Island
Distance: 3 hours and 48 minutes
This west coast barrier island is the largest of “Florida's Ten Thousand Islands,” according to the official site, meaning that there’s plenty of searching to do once you arrive. Spend your day appreciating the wildlife, be it on a kayak, which you can rent, or through one of the many boat tours. You’re sure to spot some dolphins and manatees along the way.
Photo via tigertailbeach/Instagram

North Captiva Island
Distance: 3 hours, 4 minutes
Sometimes getting away from the typical tourist crowd is a necessity. North Captiva is a privately owned - prepare your wallet - southwest island where you can rent million-dollar homes on the weekly. There’s no paved roads. No cars. No drunken groups asking you where the nearest Margaritaville is. Save up and pretend to be rich for a day on these costly shores.
Photo via jamielea_ls3

Palm Island
Distance: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Hiding right under St. Pete is stellar Palm Island. Choose from one of 100 private, throwback-styled villas right by the beach for the getaway of a lifetime. There’s no hustle and bustle to worry about, making it ideal for anyone wishing to trade the noisy city life of O-Town for a chill weekend of champagne and some water aerobics.
Photo via richiestackin/Instagram

Sanibel Island
Distance: 3 hours, 39 minutes
There’s not a stoplight in sight or even a chain eatery for that matter. Yeah, it’s one of those islands, much like the tranquil ones you see in moving pictures. There’s 15 miles of beach to explore, where you can dig around for one of 250 kinds of seashells on Sanibel, but if you tire of seeing the waves crashing down in front of you, there’s also a 25-mile biking path you can peddle on.
Photo via trstno1md/Instagram

St. Vincent Island
Distance: 5 hours, 22 minutes
Most of these locations serve as their own weekend getaway, but St. Vincent is more of a daytrip to experience if you’re in the area. You could hike your way through 12,300 acres of undeveloped wildlife or spend your time fishing and hunting. Although it isn’t car accessible, you can reach it by boat, either on your own or through a small-fee ride.
Photo via pirategirl4211/Instagram

Cedar Key
Distance: 2 hours, 23 minutes
The island’s official website hails itself as “Florida without the Mouse,” a rather accurate name when it comes down to it. Not one for tourist traps, Cedar Key is all about the nature that makes Florida beautiful, be it the sunset or the thousands of birds that fly about. Those who are looking for more than just a day in the sun should hold off on their trip until April, the month of the annual Fine Arts Festival.
Photo via everymilesamemory/Instagram

Merritt Island
Distance: 1 hour, 3 minutes
Okay, so Merritt Island isn’t technically an island, but it is on the largest one in the state, so there’s that. Bird watching is the main attraction, but there’s more to do than spot red-shouldered hawks and bald eagles on this 40,000 acres patch of pure nature. You can also appreciate the various endangered species or be a stereotypical Floridian and gaze at the gators or even Kennedy Space Center.
Photo via thatsugarappletree/Instagram