24 beautiful Florida beach towns worth a weekend road trip

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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Boca Grande
2 hours 52 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: You can find this beach village on the southernmost tip of Cape Haze Peninsula on Gasparilla Island. If fishing is your style, the Boca Grande Pass is one of the deepest natural channels in Florida, and is a hotspot for tarpon to congregate. The Gasparilla Island state park is a good place to spend a day but if you’re feeling adventurous, make your way on a charter boat to the Cayo Costa state park on a nearby island. If you’ve the time, see the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum, it’s the oldest structure on the island.
Beaches to check out: Boca Grande Beach, Gasparilla Island State Park, Englewood Beach and Manasota Beach
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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, 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 and Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area
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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 and Lighthouse Beach Park
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Cocoa Beach
2 hours 48 minutes from Tampa
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 and Shepard Park
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Deerfield Beach
2 hours 52 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: If water sports are your jam, the Ski Rixen USA in Deerfield Beach has cable skiing where you can learn to wakeboard, 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 surf and turf cuisine at the JB’s on the Beach.
Beaches to check out: Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach and Dania Beach
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Delray Beach
2 hours 45 minutes
What’s great about it: This spot was rated one of Florida’s Top 10 Beaches by Travel Channel in 2015 and 2016. There’s a free art walk every first Friday of the month, and Pineapple Grove Arts District is another alternative to checking out some art and capture a selfie. Swing by Dada, no not your dad’s place, the restaurant where they’re serving up traditional American fare from their butternut ravioli to there seven cheese grilled sandwich. 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 and Atlantic Dunes Park
Photo via jessvincii/Instagram

Destin
6 hours from Orlando
What’s great about it: Right on the gulf coast with white sandy beaches and crystal emerald water Destin’s beaches offer dolphin tours, deep-sea fishing expeditions, and even ziplining and helicopter trips. While you’re in emerald city check out the Back Porch for your evening of grub with beachfront dining and seafood right from the very waters you swim in.
Beaches to check out: Calhoun Beach, Crystal Beach, O’Steen Beach, Pompano Street Beach and Tarpon Street Beach
Photo via mililaniga/Instagram

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 a beachfront restaurant Cap’s on the Water is dishing up a plethora of spirits and fare.
Beaches to check out: Vilano Beach
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Islamorada
4 hours and 54 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it:This little stop on your way to Key West is where you’ll find great fishing charters and boat tours submerging you in the laidback lifestyle the Keys is known for. Want some live entertainment? Check out Theater of the Sea, where you can swim with dolphins, or checkout the Alligator Reef Lighthouse which is a memorial for a naval ship wreckage that took place in the 19th century. Hungry? Stop by Lorelei Cabana Bar and Marina for a nice ocean view in the golden hour with seafood straight from their backyard.
Beaches to check out: Anne’s Beach, Sea Oats Beach, Islamorada Library Beach and Indian Key Beach
Photo via thescoopislamorada/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. Want to get a look into saving sea life visit Loggerhead Marinelife Center which is a sea turtle hospital that you can tour with an additional exhibit hall, research lab and gift shop. 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 junjo_rivers/Instagram

Cedar Key
2 hours 16 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This fishing village has a dash of the relaxed lifestyle of an island. 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. Check out Steamers Clam Bar and Grill for all your seafood desires with a view of the ocean in their backyard.
Beaches to check out: Cedar Key Beach, Atsena Otie Key and Seahorse Key
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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. Try out Third Wave Cafe for a menu inspired by coastal and rustic influences that are served from your choice of tapas style or full entres, and when you’re done being wrapped up there, go take a walk down Flagler Ave.
Beaches to check out: New Smyrna Beach, Disappearing Island and Lighthouse Point Park
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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 kayaking 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. Try out the newest addition to Historic 8th Avenue for some fare at Grace restaurant where it sits beach side for elegant yet laid-back feel.
Beaches to check out: Pass-A-Grille Beach
Photo via pagbeachhouse/Instagram

Sanibel Island
3 hours 32 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This island although small (has zero traffic lights) is jam packed full of fun activities for friends and family alike. Ever wanted to go parasailing, kite boarding or even get on a waverunner and shred the waters? All that is offered here and more. The Great Calusa Blueway is a fine trail to kayak or canoe down, and there are nature tours that let you see all kinds of species, including tarpon. Stop by the Fish House restaurant for some inexpensive fresh seafood from their steamed clams to their peel and eat shrimp.
Beaches to check out: Bowman’s Beach, Tarpon Beach and Lighthouse Beach
Photo via taryn_manning/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 Point Washington State Forest is great pick for a hike. The Bay is a hot spot for grub with coastal cuisine, sushi by the roll and a 12-draft beer system.
Beaches to check out: Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen, Grayton Beach and Blue Allen
Photo via lindsayhavlicekbell/Instagram

Seaside
6 hours from Orlando
What’s great about it: Nestled between Panama City Beach and Destin this quaint little town can be recalled as the location from the film “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carrey Seaside. It is a town that offers a picturesque getaway that is a reminder to slow down and relax. Whether you’re traveling by bike or foot take a load off at the Great Southern Café for a mix of southern fare with a local flare. Or get juiced up at Raw and Juicy with their cleansing organic vegan food and juice bar.
Beaches to check out: Seaside Beach
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Siesta Key

1 hour 30 minutes from Tampa
What’s great about it: Home to the MTV series "Siesta Key," this town has plenty of sandy white beaches along an 8 mile stretch of 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 see manatees and dolphins. The Beach Club is a popular Siesta Key music venue, with noon to 7 p.m. happy hours every day and the $4 margaritas are hard to beat.
Beaches to check out: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach
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Stuart
2 hours 7 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: This spot has old-Florida charm, not to mention plenty of beaches, inlets and piers for fishing. It’s also got the House of Refuge, one of the ten houses built for shipwrecked sailors and the oldest structure in Martin County. Stuart is featuring Rockn’ Riverwalk, a free concert series happening every Sunday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Beaches to check out: Stuart Beach, Santa Lucea Beach, Hobe Sound Beach, Jensen Beach and Chastain Beach
Photo via juliaa_wolff/Instagram

Jensen Beach
2 hours 10 minutes from Orlando
What’s great about it: Once known as the “Pineapple Capital of the World” for the number of the tasty fruit they shipped, Jensen Beach still honors its tropical history by holding the Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival every year. There are deep-sea fishing charters you can embark on, and Crawdaddy’s Waterside Grill and Sports Grill is a nice downtown spot to check out.
Beaches to check out: Jensen Beach, Santa Lucea Beach, Chastain Beach and Walton Rocks Beach
Photo via nancymorelandwriter/Instagram