30 secluded beaches where you can spend a low-key summer day

Lover’s Key

Three and a half hours from Orlando
Lover’s Key beach is clean, large and beautiful with clear water and white sand beaches, making it perfect to gather shells or paddleboard into the open ocean. Nature trails and playgrounds are also found at this beach.

Photo via Maria G./Yelp

Bowditch Point Park

Three and a half hours from Orlando
Spacious boardwalks lead straight to this beach featuring gorgeous sunsets and typical beach amenities. Although parking spots are limited, the local buses stop here daily and secluded spots are frequent along the way.

Photo via Bill J./Yelp

E.G. Simmons Park

Two hours from Orlando
Boat docks, pavilions and open waters make this natural area perfect for fishing, hiking and camping. Sea life including turtles, crabs and the occasional manatee also make the area perfect for a quick "science" lesson.

Photo via Mark P./Yelp

Siesta Beach

Two and a half hours from Orlando
Although this beach is known for its beautiful sunsets, it's the unique activities like drum circles, volleyball and castle-building contests that set it apart from others. Crystal-clear water here features sandbars abundant with sand dollars.

Photo via Lydia T./Yelp

Bowman’s Beach

Four hours from Orlando
If you’re looking for a perfect spot to hunt seashells, look no further. This location features clear blue waters with shells in a multitude of sizes and colors along the sandy shores.

Photo via Andrew D./Yelp

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Hour and a half from Orlando
This boulder-strewn beach is home to one of Florida's largest coquina rock outcroppings and transitions into lush oaks and magnolia trees at the top of the landscape. Walking trails, rose gardens and gazebos can also be found across the park, making it a popular spot for weddings and other special occasions.

Photo via Amanda E./Yelp

Canaveral National Seashore

Hour and a half from Orlando
Although this beach has a small $5 entrance fee, it's worth it for the vast amounts of wildlife that patrons can spot and open beach with very limited visitors, making it the ideal spot to read a book or just chill.

Photo via Pamela S./Yelp

Caladesi Island State Park

Two and a half hours from Orlando
This secluded island is known for its turquoise waters and white sugar sand. Visitors often see dolphins frolicking in the waters. You can only reach the island by ferry, which leaves every half hour.

Photo via Hoda B./Yelp

Vilano Beach

Two hours from Orlando
Seashells and shark teeth are common souvenirs found at this St. Augustine beach. Seaside restaurants, hotels and resorts decorate the horizon, and it's an ideal location to watch the sunset.

Photo via Rachel M./Yelp

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Two and a half hours from Orlando
At the Southernmost end of St. Pete Beach rests this quaint and laid-back town right on the beach with boutiques, ice cream shops, outdoor art markets, fishing piers, restaurants and more. Tourists seem to miss this hole in the wall a bit further off the coast, which makes it a nice secluded area for locals.

Photo via Reynol A./Yelp

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Two hours from Orlando
Hiking, camping, fishing and more can be found at this hidden cove off the inlet. Shallow water gives the opportunity for all ages to relax in the cool water and the jetty keeps the water calm. Trees for shade and abundant sea life populate the waters – you can catch snook, snapper, drum, flounder, pompano, sheepshead, and even shrimp here.

Photo via Jim B./Yelp

Gasparilla Island State Park

Three hours from Orlando
At the center of Gasparilla Island lays the famous Port Boca Grande Lighthouse houses built in 1890 and now a museum open to the public. Guests can enjoy a walk down the historic island or can grab their snorkeling gear to search for colorful fish and coral nearby. The two picnic areas offer pavilions of shade and scenic views to cool off in the hot summer sun.

Photo via Gasparilla Island State Park/Trip Advisor

Longboat Key

Two and a half hours from Orlando
This nature-lover's beach with limited public access points makes finding secluded spots especially easy. Although there are a lack of public facilities, shops and restaurants can be found not too far away and sand dollars are abundant along the sandbars a few feet out from the shore.

Photo via Nhi P./Yelp

Crandon Park

Four hours from Orlando
Beautiful and spacious beaches are the highlight of this tucked-away nook safe from the South Beach tourists. Relax in the shade provided by beach palms and enjoy the views of fish, seagulls, iguanas, turtles and even the occasional manatee.

Photo via Arturo B./Yelp

Anastasia State Park

Two hours from Orlando
With close proximity to local shopping centers, but far enough away to enjoy isolated sandy spots, this location is perfect for a day filled with fun activities. Long stretches of pristine beach, a salt marsh lake for paddling and kayaking, and spots for bird-watching make the spot so much more than just a beach trip.

Photo via Candis D./Yelp

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Two and a half hours from Orlando
One of the best-kept secrets in Jacksonville, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is well-groomed and uncrowded. Nature trails provide new adventures and the area is also a popular spot for camping. However, make sure to bring your most trustworthy pair of sandals as the walk is a longer one down to the water.

Photo via btauten/Trip Advsor

Avalon State Park

Two hours from Orlando
For only $2 in parking fees a day, enjoy these isolated sandy dunes with picnic areas and cool breezes. Light waves also make this location great for wakeboarding or surfing.

Photo via Missy H./Yelp

Coral Cove Park

Two and a half hours from Orlando
Gorgeous tunnels with sea grapes, eroded rock formations and close-by coral reefs full of sea life make this location a popular zone for photography. The coral makes the spot a great location for snorkeling and diving but beware of rough edges when swimming.

Photo via MJ H./Yelp

Little Talbot Island State Park

Two and a half hours from Orlando
The flat landscape of Little Talbot Island makes it ideal for visitors to bike across and play various sports including soccer and volleyball. The beach is quite large with lots of space for parking and enough for every family to have their own secluded area. The tide pools are perfect for younger children to play in and the relaxing sound of waves and the cawing of birds overtakes the regular loud chatter and music.

Photo via Tania M./Yelp

Bean Point

Two and a half hours from Orlando
Visitors frequently compare the clear waters of Bean Point to the Caribbean, with the white sand and shades of blue ocean. The crystal-clear oasis makes this spot perfect for looking for manatees and specifies of fish, but it's sparse on seashells and dogs and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Photo via Nita H./Trip Advisor