The 8 Most Insta-Worthy Beaches in Florida

When you get to Florida your top site to see is the beach. This post will have The 8 Most Insta-Worthy Beaches in Florida and it’s seemingly endless coastline. The beaches in South Florida are some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. The State of Florida has 1,197 miles of beaches, so you certainly have some serious options. All the options can be a bit overwhelming to chose the right beach for your vacation plans.

As with any trip to the beach, please make sure you use sunscreen! We have created the perfect packing list to get everything you need for your beach vacay into one lightweight personal item. Flights are getting more expensive, and carry-ons have become a charge for almost every flight. Getting everything you need into the perfect personal item is one of the best tricks to keep costs low.

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Marco Island Beach Kice Island

Hidden Marco Island Beach Kice Island can be a little difficult to get to without a boat, but with a boat this is the perfect hidden spot! There are tons of hidden islands that are perfect for shelling, and relaxing on the beaches. There are lots of options for boat tours, kayak tours, and charter options. This island is part of the 10,000 Islands and can be difficult to navigate unless you have a guide or GPS. We used EcoEndeavors for a tour to the infamous dome homes and this amazing secluded beach. They are super fun to go out boating with and will take amazing care of you!

Naples Pier Beach

Naples Pier Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, and the perfect location for your next Instagram shot. Parking costs $2.50 per hour and the machines accept quarters and credit cards. They even will text you to let you know your parking is running out, would you like to extend? How amazing is that! Do not park without paying, it is very likely you will end up paying a parking ticket, that is significantly higher than just paying to park.

The Naples Beaches do not allow glass bottles, but you can bring drinks in cans, as long as you take your trash with you. The hours are sunrise to sunset, and as these beaches are on the west coast the sunset is the best on earth. The colors and calm are amazing. The Naples Pier can be a little busier during sunset, but the views are worth it. The parking lot can fill up at the pier, try driving down a few streets, there are still parking meters and you capture the sunset through the pier like the below picture.

The Pier offers some great amenities. It is great for families, as there are bathrooms, and rinse off stations. The shop in the middle of the Pier has ice cream, water and small bites. Fishing from the Pier is legal without a license so the end of the pier is filled with tons of people fishing. If you love fishing this is a great low cost option, and they have brought in some seriously big fish off of this pier. If you are staying for the weekend there is so much to do!

Lowdermilk Park Beach

Lowdermilk Park Beach is one of the few Naples, Florida Beaches with lots of parking. Parking for visitors is $2.50 an hour and just like the Naples Pier parking you can pay with a credit card and get text notifications when your parking is about to expire. This is a park so no alcohol is officially allowed, if you know what I mean.

This beach park is super family friendly, there are multiple sand volleyball courts for those that are feeling athletic. There is also a playground and gazebo that are great options for the kids to stay entertained. There are public bathrooms and shower off stations that help get you cleaned and changed before you head home. Fair warning they can get very busy by the end of the day, bring some shoes to wear in the restrooms and shower off area.

Once on the beach there is plenty of room to spread out and find your spot. Personally I recommend taking a walk down the waters edge, if you head north you can walk to the pass where some of the personal yachts come through. Standing at the edge where the water meets the land revives and restores your energy, and just 5 mins standing there will make you feel completely renewed. This is by far the best spot for sunset, and sunsets are always worth your time.

The Green Flash is a rare phenomenom, what happens is the exact moment when the sun sets it glows bright green. I have seen the Green Flash twice in my life and both times were at Lowdermilk Beach Park. It makes this park even more special, and why this is the beach park that cannot be missed.

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Vanderbilt Beach

Vanderbilt Beach is located in North Naples, Florida and is one of the public beaches. There is a parking garage, so parking can be a little less difficult if you get there early, or later in the day. Avoid 10am- 2pm there is almost no parking to be had during those times. The parking costs $8 if you are not a resident, but if you get there early and can park on the first floor in the shade, you will thank me when you get off the beach and are hot and sandy and get the reprieve of a slightly cooler car, I said slightly cooler… it won’t be cold trust me lol.

One of the things I love most about this beach, is the proximity (just steps away) to The Ritz Hotel, which means you can walk up and get some fruity drinks from the bar on the beach. If you are feeling like a rum runner, it might be worth the extra $$ to get them to mix one up for you.

The white sands, and beautiful teal water with always be an amazing back drop for any fun shots you may want to take, walking just a bit north will lead to more empty beaches and space to get the best shot.

Bonita Beach

Bonita Beach is located in Bonita Springs, Florida. It bridges the gap between the beautiful beaches of Naples and the fun sometimes rowdy beaches of Fort Myers Florida. This beach is breathtaking, and the sunsets here are to die for. If you head to Barefoot Beach, it has a lot of shells so you may want to keep your shoes on, but if you are looking to add a shell or two to your collection this is a great spot to try.

Parking is $8 at Barefoot Beach, but if you drive a little further north you can find some spots with hourly parking options. Note these tend to fill up pretty early, so I would plan to get here before 10am or after 2pm to find parking.

Walking along this beach never gets old, and the white sand it perfect for all your gorgeous photos. When you leave the beach there is an amazing spot to get Key Lime Pie Slices dipped in chocolate, Sweet Melissa’s, or try a flight of boozy ice cream from the Tipsy Cow. I’m telling you this is the perfect end to your beach day!

Sanibel Island Beach

Sanibel Island Beach has one of the few lighthouses on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The lighthouse is a more narrow one, and you cannot climb it, but it is super cute spot to hit along the beach.

The white sand continues in Sanibel Island and there are some gorgeous spots to take in the sun. This island is not too far off the beaten path and totally worth a whole weekend visit if you can make the time. There is plenty of parking, but it can fill up quickly during high season and weekends, so put that into your planning. Most of the beaches have restrooms but not much else for amenities.

Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Key Beach is not only a gorgeous and spacious beach, but it also has such an amazing sand castle competition every November and is totally worth the time to see. The beach is just so drop darn gorgeous it is hard to explain. It is and island off the coast of Sarasota, and has been voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States so many times, and rightfully so. It has space to spread out, parking is available, but can be difficult to get a spot, and has a snack shop right there.

There is a trolley that takes you from the beach to the shopping and restaurant area, which is super helpful if you want to leave your car in its parking spot. Parking up in the shopping area can be a little difficult to come by. They have a farmers market every Saturday morning that might be worth the visit to get some local treats, prior to loading up and spending the day in the sun.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is on the Atlantic Ocean, and part of what makes this beach so insta-worthy is that you can drive your car right on the beach. It makes it so much easier to unpack if all you have to do is open the tailgate, am I right? How convenient for the beer runs. The beach has a lovely pier, and some fun classic arcades and arcade games too!

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is a beautiful beach located in Clearwater, Florida and its white sandy beaches are perfect for a day in the sun. There is Pier 60, gorgeous white sand, and the perfect temperature crystal clear Gulf Waters. This 2.5 mile stretch of beach is perfect for all your pics, as it is very clean, and the colors at sunset can be unreal.

If you are feeling adventurous you can go to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and see the dolphin that was in the movie Dolphin Tale. There is a paved bike trail by mangroves that runs parallel to the Clearwater Memorial Causeway, (bring your bug spray any time you adventure by the mangroves). You will thank me later.