23 underrated Florida beach towns you should be spending more time in

New Smyrna Beach
1 hour 3 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: It’s got the expected water activities - kayaking, fishing, boating, surfing - but there’s also highlights like the Black Heritage Museum, cruises on the Indian River, and the Atlantic Center for the Arts. It’s been called one of the best surf towns in the country, but be careful: It also experiences an unusually high number of shark bites. The Beachside Tavern is a good place to hit for some grub, and when you’re wrapped up there, go take a walk down Flagler Ave.
Beaches to check out: New Smyrna Beach, Disappearing Island, Lighthouse Point Park
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Cedar Key
2 hours 16 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: There’s plenty of kayak rentals and boat tours. The Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is part of Florida’s Big Bend Estuary, and has various bird species. The Black Dog Bar & Tables is a popular place to go, but make sure to bring cash, cause they don’t take anything else.
Beaches to check out: Cedar Key Beach, Atensa Otie Key, Seahorse Key
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Sanibel Island
3 hours 32 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This island boasts white and sandy beaches as well as several water activities. The Great Calusa Bluesway is a fine trail to kayak or canoe down, and there are nature tours that let you see all kinds of species, including tarpon. It’s also got one of the first lighthouses on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Lazy Flamingo is a nice choice for food and drink (there’s a happy hour every day!). If you want some history to go with your beach adventures, there’s a diving tour at a sunken U.S. Navy ship.
Beaches to check out: Bowman’s Beach, Tarpon Beach, Lighthouse Beach,
Photo via eternel_voyageur/Instagram

Delray Beach
2 hours 45 minutes
What’s great about it: This spot was rated best small town in America in USA Today’s 2012 Best of the Road competition. There’s an art walk and free concert every Friday of the month, and Atlantic Avenue in Downtown is always a good place to check out at night. Granger’s Grill is a tasty burger and sandwich eatery you can swing by. And just so you know, parking at the municipal beach is $1.50 an hour.
Beaches to check out: Sarah Gleason Park, Sandoway Park, Anchor Park, Atlantic Dunes Park
Photo via nicolemfuentes/Instagram

Fernandina Beach
3 hours 10 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This small city on Amelia Island holds the popular Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival as a celebration of Amelia Island’s history, which was named in 1736. The Civil War Fort Clinch has been coopted into the Fort Clinch state park, which is now over 1,400 acres. Civil War reenactors show what was life during that period as well. The Crab Trap is a lesser-known seafood joint, so you can get some crab legs after a long day.
Beaches to check out: Fernandina Beach
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Cocoa Beach
One hour from Orlando
What’s great about it: This well-known beach zone has 72 miles of Atlantic shoreline, and plenty of things to do within them. Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster and Seafood Company is a low-key seafood eatery you can check out, and Cocoa’s even got a couple escape rooms to try out if you and your friends are looking to mix things up. Coconuts on the Beach is a good place to wind down the day, and there’s a extensive nightclub scene if you need to keep partying. If you need free parking, Ron Jon’s Surf Shop is a good place to hit.
Beaches to check out: Playalinda Beach, Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach, Shephard Park,
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Siesta Key
2 hours 31 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This town has three beaches on the 8 miles of sand along the Gulf of Mexico. The southern tip of Crescent Beach has the Point of Rocks, a small but popular snorkeling spot where you can occasionally catch manatees and dolphins. The Beach Club is Siesta Key’s popular music venue, with noon to 7 p.m. happy hours every day. $4 margaritas are hard to beat.
Beaches to check out: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach
Photo via luis_tamayo:Instagram

Atlantic Beach
2 hours 37 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: You can hang glide and see the entire Crystal Cove, or kayak through the Rachel Carson Wildlife reserve. The Fort Macon state park is open year-round, a prime opportunity to check out some Civil War history. Speaking of history, the Beaufort Historic site offers a chance to take a stroll and see restored homes from the 18th and 19th century. Asd if you’ve got the time, there are always sunset cruises to end the day right.
Beaches to check out: Circle Regional Beach, Tom Doe Memorial Beach, The Les and Sally Moore Public Beach access.
Photo via coty_phillips:Instagram

Juno Beach
2 hours 30 minutes
What’s great about it: It’s close to the Juno Dunes Natural area, not to mention the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. There’s a decent pier to go fishing off, though you’ll have to pay. Parts of the beach are dog friendly and when you’re finished for the day, head over to the Thirsty Turtle for some beach grub.
Beaches to check out: Juno Beach
Photo via lilvickyh:Instagram

Santa Rosa Beach
5 hours 44 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This tiny beach spot in Walton County was founded in 1910 offers a quiet getaway if you’re looking for a more low-key beach. The waters are nice, and if you’re to do something different, the Pointe Washington State Forest is great pick for a hike. The Red Bar is a favorite for food and live music, too.
Beaches to check out: Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen, Seaside Beach, Grayton Beach, Blue Allen
Photo via carolann65:Instagram

Pass-A-Grille
2 hours 9 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This quiet beachside town at the southernmost point of St. Pete Beach has local shops and artists coming out every Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the Paradise Grille being close in case you get hungry. There’s the kayak and deep-sea fishing charters as well as the dolphin and sunset tours, but make sure to check out the famous Merry Pier to try your luck with some fishing.
Beaches to check out: Pass-A-Grille Beach
Photo via cagney10:Instagram

Cape Canaveral
52 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: It’s got the Canaveral National Seashore, a 24-mile beach that is home to 1,045 plant species and 310 bird species. There’s also a Manatee Sanctuary Park if you want to see recovering Sea cows. Baja’s Chowder and Seafood is a good spot for some food (There’s all you can eat shrimp and crab legs on Fridays as well as 75 cent Oysters on Saturdays), but do try to time your trip right so you can see a rocket launch from the beach.
Beaches to check out: Canaveral National Seashore, Jetty Park, Cocoa Beach, Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area,
Photo via jayboydxo:Instagram

Madeira Beach
1 hour 58 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This beach spot is most well known for the John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, the massive boardwalk along the intercoastal that serves as a shopping and eatery hotspot. Locals say the Pass was created by a hurricane in 1848, and was first traveled through by pirate John Levique. Screwie Louie’s Restaurant and Bar is a good spot if you want to avoid the tourist-y stuff, too.
Beaches to check out: Madeira Beach, Treasure Island Beach, St. Pete’s Municipal Beach
Photo via chasekratzerbestofthesouth:Instagram

Deerfield Beach
2 hours 52 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: If water sports are your jam, the Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach has a massive cable skiing zone, as well as the Splash Adventure water park, a marina, and several lakes for fishing. The Deerfield International Fishing Pier is a good place to catch some fish, and even if you don’t, you get some Brazilian seafood cuisine at the Barracuda Bar and Grill.
Beaches to check out: Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Dania Beach
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Captiva Island
3 hours 55 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: A close neighbor to Sanibel Island, Captiva Island is one of the quaintest spots you’ll find. Turner Beach stretches five miles to the Redfish Pass, a great place to fish for snook. Make sure you get a meal at the Bubble Room: a Christmas-themed restaurant that always looks like it’s in December.
Beaches to check out: Turner Beach, Bowman’s Beach, Lighthouse Beach Park
Photo via brittanywoah:Instagram

Venice
2 hours 13 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: The Brohard Paw Park is dog-friendly, if you’re planning on bringing one of man’s best friends. There’s two paved walkways, the Venetian Waterway Trail along the intracoastal and the Legacy Trail, in the case you want to get a bike ride or jog in. Robbi’s Reef Restaurant has fresh fish specials, and live music every Friday and Saturday Night
Beaches to check out: Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach, Brohard Beach, Carperson Beach
Photo via lifeof_ki:Instagram

Vero Beach
1 hour 43 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: Vero is popular for both its theater and art shows as well as its many nature parks. The Riverside Theatre consistently has live music shows as well as theatrical productions. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Reserve as well as the Oslo Road Conservation Area have been set aside as nature refuges, so you can catch some new bird species there. As for food, the Patio Seafood Tavern has steak Mondays, lobster Tuesdays, and all-you-can-eat crab legs on Saturdays.
Beaches to check out: Vero Beach, Ambersand Beach, Round Island Beach Park, Golden Sands Beach Park, Treasure Shores Park,
Photo via micki_poll:Instagram

Destin
6 hours from Orlando
What’s great about it: Destin’s beaches off the Gulf of Mexico offer dolphin tours, deep-sea fishing expeditions, and even parasailing and helicopter trips. The Boathouse Oyster Bar is a lesser-known but beloved eatery, and you can wash down your meal at McGuire’s Irish Pub.
Beaches to check out: Calhoun Beach, Crystal Beach, O’Steen Beach, Pompano Street Beach, Tarpon Street Beach
Photo via Sonal Phatowali:Facebook

Anna Maria Island
2 hours and 32 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This 8-mile barrier island has old-Florida charm, not to mention the opportunity to go dolphin and whale watching. The Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus restaurant brings Bavarian food and German beer, while Ginny and Jane E’s bakery/cafe has espresso and baked goods. And if you want to start your day with a dolphin sighting, Rod and Reel Pier offers breakfasts foods with a view right out to the ocean. If you want a break from the sea life, they’ve also got tram tours of citrus groves a few miles from the beach in Bradenton.
Beaches to check out: Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Cortez Beach and Ana Maria Beach
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Vilano Beach
2 hours 13 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: Vilano Beach is home to Castle Otttis, the landscape sculpture impression of a thousand-year-old Irish castle. Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the U.S., is only 13 minutes away. The beach has chopper tours, and Vinny’s New York Style Pizza is a good place to grab some Big Apple style pizza.
Beaches to check out: Vilano Beach
Photo via LoriHuff:Facebook