We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. The Canaveral National Seashore offers one of the most secluded beaches in Florida, where you can watch the rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center! The remaining attacks have been composed in smaller amounts from Tiger, Spinner, Blue, Sandbar, Hammerhead, Lemon, Nurse, and Mako sharks. 1. As our name implies, we offer a suite of expert guides on a wide range of topics, including fashion, food, drink, travel, and grooming. Fred Mays is a freelance writer/photographer in Satellite Beach, FL. When you need a break from the beach, play a round of golf on one of the island's championship courses or enjoy a stroll beneath its Spanish moss-draped oak trees. Florida has a population of over 22 million people, plus millions of tourists who visit every year. It could mean heading to the Figure-8 school bus races (and/or the annual fish toss at the Flora-Bama) and peeping the innovative hairstyles. The Florida waters are home to a huge variety of sharks, 11 of which have been responsible for attacks since 1926.. Of these shark species, 20% of the attacks have been from Bull sharks, 19% from Blacktips, and 20% of attacks from Requiem sharks.. Head to Fort Walton Beach on the Gulf Coast for its laid-back beaches, deep-sea fishing, golf and attractions fit for everyone in the family, from aquariums to parks. Following a few hours of swimming or lounging, beachgoers can play volleyball or go rollerblading or biking on the adjacent Beach Walk promenade. 11 Hidden And Secluded Beaches In Florida To Avoid Crowds Summer is here head to one of the 14 most underrated beaches in the U.S. 5 off-the-beaten-path historic sites you should visit, Travel experts reveal what you should never wear on a plane, Summer travel: Airbnb reveals the most popular hot spots, These are the most popular summer travel destinations, according to Google Flights. Late fall is one of the best times to visit Universal Studios, above, or Disney World in Orlando because of comfortable temperatures. But with a little adventure in your heart, you will find the beaches in this article are your best bet for getting away from the maddening crowds. Your day at the beach can be a little costly. Could it really be as good as it was billed? Least Crowded Beaches in Florida: Best Beaches to Avoid Tourists The natural beauty of the Canaveral Seashore includes the rugged Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve. The latter is closed in the summer, though, so if youre here during the off-season, check out Eagle Grill and Millers Dockside for fresh seafood and a water view. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat. Located on the Atlantic Coast, north of Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach isnt all that remote, but few people use the beach here mainly local residents. Boating is a popular pastime here, and seafood lovers will find mouthwatering meals available at many local eateries. The best time to visit any Florida Beach would possibly be anywhere from March to May. The Essential Guide for MenThe Manual is simple we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. It's always Florida, isn't it? Only a small section of the beach is open for day use at this time. The diversity of Florida's shores from kid-friendly spots to party-focused locales helps draw all types of vacationers. The white sand beach is stunningly beautiful and the Gulf of Mexico waters are normally less wavy than beaches on the Atlantic side of the state. Amelia Island, Florida. For more elbow room, consider a stay at a top-rated resort with a private beach. The Best Time to Visit Florida for Fewer Crowds, Better - Travel You may even wonder if all the beaches in Florida are crowded. Destin: 80F (26.6C) Crowds: In Florida, October is one of the quieter months, with fewer visitors. During his career he won a Peabody Award, several Emmys, and a Dallas Press Club award. Losing Dodgertown was certainly a blow to this often-overlooked beach city about halfway between West Palm and Cocoa. 50 reviews 64 helpful votes Want to avoid red tide.which beach is best? Amelia Island sits off the coast of northeast Florida, around 30 miles from . It is used mainly by the local residents. Depending on how long you plan on traveling, the weather is best during these months. Top 10 Florida Beaches To Avoid The Crowds - Sunny 106.3 Longboat Key. Grayton Beach is not on the tourist trail, and you will have plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the peace. Travelers are advised to avoid touching or swimming near the seaweed. Its remote location on the Florida panhandle keeps crowds sparse at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Home Travel Why you should avoid Florida beaches this summer (spoiler: you might die!) Address: 948 Beach Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242. Traffic conditions in Daytona Beach, Volusia. See crashes, construction Let us bring your family to that magical Key West beach that seems to only exist in calendars and magazines. Let us take you on a boat tour that will create great memories! Even without the benefit of an exciting rocket launch, the Canaveral National Seashore has plenty to offer. With its clear turquoise waters and sugary sand beaches, Santa Rosa is one of the most stunning natural beaches in Florida. Plus, the food trucks in the neighboring town of Seaside make for a fun and easy meal option. Bring your own food and drink, as there are no services, and its a five-mile hike each way! Travelers journeying from mainland Florida through the Florida Keys will find Islamorada after Key Largo but before Marathon. Anclote Key is a small island offshore from Tarpon Springs, in the Gulf of Mexico. The Best Time to Visit Florida for Fewer Crowds, Better Weather, and Travel Deals. The lay of the land But if youre ready to do away with old stereotypes and experience the more refined side of the South, try Amelia Island on for size. Spanish explorers even made reports of fish kills in the area back in the 1700s. 9 Less-Crowded Spring Break Destinations | Going Places - OneTravel U.S. News took into account reader votes and factors like aesthetics, atmosphere and convenience to rank the best Florida beaches. There are only 193 parking spaces at the north end of the park, and 1,100 spaces at the south end. The Hutchinson Shores Resort has a pretty nice restaurant at Drift Kitchen and Bar if you dont want to go far. Camp Helen State Park is a prime spot for fishing thanks to its large coastal dune lake, while St. Andrews State Park appeals to visitors keen on snorkeling, swimming, surfing and looking for wildlife. Adventure is always around the corner. The clear, shallow water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying time away from the stress of home. First of all, Florida has the most hurricanes. Plus,Poppos Taqueria a block away is as close to a beachside taco shack as youll find in Manatee County. Amelia. This glitzy resort town, located about 70 miles north of Miami, is filled to the brim with upscale restaurants, spectacular Gilded Age mansions and sophisticated art galleries. The humidity hasn't quite kicked in and the weather is just warm enough to explore the local beaches. But whats Florida without a few days at the beach? sits right outside the park and offers a fantastic poolside Sunday brunch. But if that sounds awesome to you, too, then there are a few places to go rockhounding in New Brunswick, Canada. To get there, youll need to park your car at Sugar Hill beach and hike along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to the state park on the islands east end. for a mile or three beneath the shade of the islands mangrove forest as you spot blue herons, osprey, andif youre luckydolphins and manatees hanging out nearby. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the InterContinental Boston. It's a serene retreat, renowned for fishing and its pier, 1,545 feet long and 30 feet tall. The 20 Best Beaches in Florida - Travel + Leisure Not too hot and not too cold. A trip to Mud Keys is like taking an off-road safari in a foreign land. For something a little ritzier (pun intended), theRitz-Carlton Key Biscayne sits right outside the park and offers a fantastic poolside Sunday brunch. Veros also home to one of the coolest breweries in the state at American Icon, a brick beer palace set in an old power plant. If you're in search of a relaxing beach destination with old-world charm, consider Amelia Island. Best 10 Florida Beaches to Avoid CrowdTravel And Tour World But venture a little further south and youre smack in the middle of St. Augustine, where you can relax at the most haunted bar in the state, Scarlett OHaras, then feast on some of Floridas best barbecue atMojo. The top three are again mostly Florida beaches. Campsites are hard to find. The towering sand dunes at Santa Rosa reach up to 25 feet tall, adding to the feeling of escaping to one of Floridas hidden beaches. Located near several shops and eateries, Delray Municipal Beach is ideal for active pursuits like snorkeling and paddleboarding. Most Dangerous Beaches in the U.S. (and Where to Go Instead What are you waiting for? In fourth place, though, is that lovely New Smyrna Beach with ten surf zone fatalities. We are here to tell you that there are still plenty of state parks and secluded beaches in Florida that are off the well-worn tourist map. There are reports of grouper, tarpon rays, even dolphins and other marine mammals that have reportedly been killed by this current disastrous red tidein some places as thick as six feet deep at the waters edge. Theres a northern entrance at New Smyrna Beach and a southern entrance in Titusville. The Top 10 most dangerous beaches for surfing have a Florida location in six spots. And dont forget about Floridas spectacular springs, either, where youll never have to worry about a red tide threat, since it doesnt occur in freshwater. If youre up for a little drive, head down to spooky, haunted Port Salerno, a little fishing town where youll get insanely fresh seafood and possibly a ghost encounter at theTwisted Tuna. Top 10 Florida Beaches To Avoid The Crowds - ESPN Southwest Florida On the low end, Jensen Beach and Jacksonville Beach have had three each, and Ormond Beach saw four, putting it in the top five most dangerous beaches for shark attacks. Once you get south of Manasota and Englewood Beach on Floridas gulf coast, current water samples are showing no occurrence of the toxins that indicate red tide. This is a Miami-Dade park on Key Biscayne, the south end of Miami. The weekends get busy, but this is a big park with lots of beach for everyone. Grayton Beach State Park is 2,000 acres that offers Floridas finest outdoor recreation opportunities. (it's just 250 yards long! Hours: 7a.m. Sunset Beach is located on the south end of Treasure Island, a beach community at St. Petersburg. 11 Have Died in Rip Currents Along the Gulf Coast. Here's How to Escape Joe Winner March 2nd, 2022 Share Here we are in the midst of another Southwest Florida tourist and snowbird season. In addition to the long stretch of state park beach along the Gulf of Mexico, there are also three rare coastal dune lakes at Grayton. Meanwhile, Atlantic Dunes Park offers a quieter beach experience in a tranquil natural setting. The beach butts up against a stretch of towering sand dunes covered in lush grass and flocks of birds; new visitors will hardly believe theyre in the Sunshine State, as the combination of dark sand, deep blue water, and imposing cliffs makes it look more like the coast of Africa. It can be reached via a stunning hiking trail that will leave you sweaty, sun-kissed, and achy enough to tempt you to dive into the water. Theres lots of parking, and plenty of beach, almost 2 miles of it. But no trip to Jupiter is complete without a stop at Little Moirs Food Shack, an unassuming strip mall masterpiece with the best Caribbean food in the Palm Beaches. Second comes Cocoa Beach. A naturally occurring phytoplankton explosion of sorts, red tide can be exacerbated by manmade causes, too. Sugar white sand and towering sand dunes make for natural beauty. But, you can still pay a fee and enter the parks without a campground reservation. It's not just us. This is a great beach for small children because offshore reefs calm the waves, and the water is shallow for a good distance out from the shore. By Lauren Tjaden Stepping on a Florida stingray is about as fun as sunbathing in a hailstorm. It is protected by the Snipe Keys Wildlife Management Area with no wake zones and no motor areas. 7 Florida Beach Without Seaweed Right Now - Narcity Time seems to slow down once you arrive, one that matches the pace of life the locals enjoy. With 1136 acres of unspoiled wilderness, Fort DeSoto in St Petersburg is one of Florida's premier beach parks. No problem. This beach is so remote that you'll have to travel on a ferry and boat to get here! There are nature preserves, etc. Stinky seaweed on the way to Florida beaches - timesnews.net , a local favorite set in an old grocery store. Park rangers are on hand at the ranger office to guide visitors and answer any questions you may have. And since the area is a nature preserve, you'll also see loggerhead and leatherback turtles on your walk to the sand. I dont like beach crowds and have traveled all over Florida to find the best secluded beach spots. These docile, curious creatures aren't out to get you, and their stingers are used exclusively in self-defense. All rights reserved. Meanwhile, Turtle Beach is a great spot for a quieter atmosphere, long walks, easy parking and shell collecting. Here's yet another reason to avoid Florida beaches this year Of course, the problem with being Americas beachiest state is that most of the world is in on the secret. While this location may be a bit more difficult to get to, the rewards are well worth it. If you are a United States National Park fan, then you will love the Dry Tortugas. If you want to do a little surfing, Floridas waters have other plans. Miami locals may scoff at Bill Baggs sitting on a list of underrated beaches, as its a weekend hotspot for families and anyone else seeking a beach day away from music-blaring tourists. If theres one knock on Floridas beaches, its that their backdrops dont offer much in the way of elevation that doesnt come with a homeowners association. Sargassum seaweed on Florida beaches: Latest reports Grab a glass and stroll along the sand, then lounge in one of three beach parks that make for shady, quiet places to escape the sun if it gets too intense. Its score is 7.57. 20 Best Secluded Beaches in Florida - Roaming the USA is a stately Florida manor set on this funky little island. Hanakapiai Beach, Hawaii Kalalau Trail to Hanakapiai Beach, Kauai; Rick McCharles/Flickr In terms of do-not-enter-the-water danger, Hanakapiai Beach on Kauai 's Na Pali Coast tops the list. It is one of the best state park beaches for families, with its shallow water and mild currents. The beaches on the Gulf of Mexico are wide and white, and Ive never seen them crowded, even on a holiday weekend. Made up of six islands, this tranquil paradise is best known for its top-notch sport fishing and saltwater fly-fishing conditions. Located across the causeway from Fort Myers, Sanibel-Captiva is known for its beaches and shelling. As is the case in most state parks, theres not much right near the beach at Guana River. In many cases, just finding a place to park near the beach is a chore. And since natureand historyin Florida so often give way to condosand more condos,this underdeveloped island is a rare chance to see what the Florida of old was like. Sited east of Pensacola, this quiet destination boasts a generous white-sand beach snuggled against the emerald-hued Gulf of Mexico. Most agree the best time to go to Florida is between March and April or September and October. Families flock to Destin for its white sand beaches, gorgeous Gulf waters and frequent sunshine. Where to eat and drink nearby: Part of Hutchinson Islands charm is that its a little removed from the hustle and bustle of Port St. Lucie. Just a note of caution: These beaches are not very wide and a lot of beach disappears during high tide. Whether you want to lounge on the beach, hit the theme parks, or explore the Sunshine State's cities and small . Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. Secret Tips on the Best Time to go to the Beach in Florida Barefoot Beach is also a Florida beach where you can launch a kayak or canoe. There are a couple of access parks with parking and showers. Best Time to Visit Florida's Beaches. Cayo Costa State Park. On the low end, Jensen Beach and Jacksonville Beach have had three each, and Ormond Beach saw four, putting it in the top five most dangerous beaches for shark attacks. Its an undeveloped island with sandy beaches, a learning center, a butterfly garden, and walking trails. Malaria is circulating again in the US. This area has 26 miles of quiet beaches and public walkways with beach access. Melbourne Beach holds strong at number four with six attacks overall. However, travelers don't need to strap on a scuba tank to enjoy this island paradise. Head a little inland, and youll find creative cuisine atRusty Hook Tavern, an Intracoastal eatery that makes a solid case as the best waterfront restaurant in South Florida. The no-wake zone makes this area much quieter than some of the other sandbars. People park along the road at random and stake out their own beach front with rarely anyone else in sight. Also remember that Florida is prone to hurricanes, making cancel for any reason travel insurance a good investment if you plan to travel between May and November. But there is even more, to love about Grayton. This is when the weather is great and not too hot, it tends to be less crowded and is often cheaper. Why You Need To Go: The water clarity is reported as moderate here, and while the beach is clear of debris, keep an eye out for some jellies in the water. To contribute to next year's ranking, cast your vote below. Barefoot Beach is on Floridas Gulf Coast, about 15 miles from the crowded beaches at Fort Meyers. If you want to escape the crowds, here are a few secluded beaches near Tampa that are worth checking out. It boasts 13 miles of beaches, roads framed by oaks dripping with Spanish moss, and the best collection of Gilded Age mansions in the state. Its score is 8.14. This area is truly one of the secluded beaches in a Florida state park that is off the beaten path. Swimming World Beware: Five Florida Beaches to Avoid and Save Yourself Only Spending Time at the Beach While there's no doubt that Florida's beaches are world-class, failing to venture beyond the coast and deeper into the state's vast array of offerings is. - 6p.m. At Barefoot Beach, visitors can hang out on the quiet beaches, take a hike on the 1-Mile Walking Loop Trail and learn more about Florida beaches at the learning center. I had a weekend booked at a gulf-front property on Longboat Key for this month with my family, and the hotel manager advised me to postpone due to the red tide. Normally we dont talk about Florida beaches to avoid, but red tide changes that. It has in total 32 shark attacks, the highest in the list. There are a couple of access parks with parking and showers. + Get our tips delivered directly to your inbox. If youre driving onto the Key, be sure to stop at, , Miamis best bakery and home of the best croissants youll find outside Paris. This natural barrier island off Dunedin is all about making a lot out of a little. For a less crowded beach day, John Beasley Park, also located on Okaloosa Island, offers clean white sand, restrooms and designated picnic areas. If you arrive by ferry, then your fort ticket is included in the ferry package. Few tourists make the trek out to Boca Grande, but youll see plenty of local Floridians there hanging out and having a good time. Daytona Beach Alternative: Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral If you're thinking of hitting Daytona Beach around Spring Break time consider Merritt Island instead. At Key West Boat Trips we take your dream Florida Keys vacation and make it a reality.