What are the best family friendly beaches in Florida?

The Sunshine State is particularly endowed with sandy coastlines stretching for several hundred miles which are ideal for family vacations. Sandy shores, comfortable sea temperature, facilities as well as things to do and explore make many of Florida’s beaches ideal for the family with kids. Below are some of the great family-friendly beaches in Florida to look at if you are planning for your next sunny break.

Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is in Florida’s Gulf Coast west of Tampa and has received accolades for being TripAdvisor’s Top Beach in the U.S. multiple times. The lifeguards are on duty throughout the year here and water is relatively safe for toddlers and kids making it a great spot for families. There are rentable boats in the marina so you can go for a ride and enjoy the ocean; the main feature of Pier 60 is the nightly sunset and street performers for everyone in the family. Yes, Clearwater Beach has many beachfront hotels and attractions, and although it is not as diverse as Miami Beach, it has enough unique places to eat and shop during the trip.

Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Beach near Sarasota is invariably listed among the top ten beaches of America and the white quartz sand and sapphire sea will surely leave a lasting impression on the tourists. It has lifesavers on patrol, swimming zones, relatively calm waters, shaded picnic tables, and barbecues, and it is very clean, with sanitation being of high priority. Considering the beach is very large, the parking space is also adequate and there are facilities nearby such as shops and restaurants and therefore very suitable for families. Remember also to relax and savor the beautiful sunsets on the island.

Fort De Soto Park
For a more ‘raw’ beach feel, complete with all the wonder of Florida’s gulf coast, there is Fort De Soto Park just outside St. Petersburg. The park has excellent locations for the family, the North Beach and East Beach (Azul Beach) both provide an extended beachfront area, powdery sand, warm water, and only a few steps away there are green grasslands and trees to escape from the sun. The fort's historical site and natural trails offer chances for education, enjoyment, and adventure for curious children and parents.

Cocoa Beach Pier
Just an hour's drive from Orlando, Cocoa Beach Pier is an original Florida attraction with its massive pier for fishing, views, and pictures. There is much surfing-related business here in the form of surf shops, restaurants, and even museums featuring surfing. The beach on the side of the pier is ideal for body surfing small waves or even just sitting idly with your toes in the sand while observing other bodysurfers handling the swells. There are many parking spaces, people are very welcoming and hospitable, and there are numerous amenities in Cocoa Beach.

Bahia Honda State Park
In the Florida Keys Bahia Honda State Park is a great spot to go snorkelling and sunbathing and has two lovely family beaches the Sandspur Beach on the Atlantic and the Calusa Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Both the islands are steep and beautiful and have gentle slopes, blue water, and white sand where people can swim and paddle. There are also fishing charters and water sports equipment for rent nearby and each beach has shades, showers, bathrooms, and picnic tables for use when one gets tired. The Florida Keys are famous, and these beautiful beaches that are friendly for families make it fun to experience them!

Honeymoon Island State Park
Dubbed as one of the best in the United States, the Honeymoon Island State Park is situated to the north of Clearwater and covers 4 miles of untouched beach. The beaches are bountiful in shells and are lined by water that is as clear as crystal and marine creatures such as starfish and pelicans. Families can visit the Nature Center to become familiar with some of the animals living in the area and Wading Bird Trail is designed for children as a short nature walk. Some of the amenities located here include the availability of most of the facilities such as; the baths, the picnic area the concession and so many other programs in environmental education that are available most of the time in the day therefore making it the best bet for families seeking to enjoy a natural and recreational feature at Honeymoon Island.

New Smyrna Beach
Praised by the readers of USA Today as one of the top beaches in Florida, New Smyrna Beach is known for flat water and numerous gorgeous sandy areas, suitable for families. New Smyrna Beach is on the east coast of Florida and 60 miles from Orlando and there are many free parking spaces for cars along with facilities for picnic and play areas at the parks near the beach. It has stable water to swim, vast sandy areas, and the laid-back Florida beach vibe that has drawn visitors for decades. It is a rather calm area throughout the weekdays and is more active on the weekends, and families here can find activities, places to eat, and attractions nearby to make them happy.

Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale has the best family-friendly beaches with blue flags award that singles them out as special; located directly on ‘the Strip’-the the hotel/shopping strip- there is dedicated swimming space, white sand, parking, amenities, resorts, and activities. The Las Olas area situated nearby will provide a picturesque array of stores and restaurants once the family is done with the beach. There is so much for tourists to do, and multiple generations can certainly find something to amuse themselves with in Fort Lauderdale.

Pensacola Beach
Famous for sugar white sands, emerald green waters, and a slice of Old Florida near the Alabama border, you can count on Pensacola Beach. This barrier island has drawn visitors since the fifties with a wooden pier, historic fort, brightly painted beach cottages, and plenty of family-oriented services. The abundance of free parking spaces, showering facilities outside, volleyball courts, and food stalls nearby make for a great simple bohemian sun, sand, and surf experience with splendid sunsets. The 3 miles of shore provide shallow beach and rolling dunes suitable for families and panoramic views of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. If you are a family seeking a place to spend your vacation, then Pensacola Beach is suitable for you because it has a small beach town where visitors can take time to explore.

It is almost always sunny in Florida with little to no rain most of the time and with lots of choices of beach vacation spots in Florida, it truly is a perfect sunny vacation for families. Tourists offer an assurance that from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, you are never far from a beautiful sandy beach; perfect for families in Florida. Therefore, choose a beach that will satisfy your family apply some lotion, and get ready to enjoy the best of Florida’s coastline for the ultimate fun. A fun-filled beach holiday with the kiddies is expected if you wish to exchange snow, sleet, and cold for surf, shells, and sunshine on holiday or when school is closed for semester break. With waves and warmth, Florida’s beaches are proactively positioning themselves to become that one-stop beach getaway for every member of the family!