Are you looking for a comprehensive list for some of the most gorgeous white sand beaches in Florida? Look no further, this is the post for you!
When it comes to beaches, Florida has just about every kind of ocean-related experience you could want. Whether it’s snorkeling, scuba, camping, or just a good old beach day, there is something for everyone’s beach desires in this list!
The ‘Sunshine State’ is internationally known for having some of the best white sand beaches in the United States, after reading this list and seeing some of these crazy gorgeous photos, you’ll be powerless to stop yourself from daydreaming about the white sands of Florida in the sunshine with a drink in hand!
In addition to picking a cute bathing suit, make sure you have some sunscreen and aloe gel handy, Florida’s white sand beaches are like a mirror that reflects the sun onto your skin and you can get burned deceptively fast! Thank us later!
12 Best White Sand Beaches in Florida You Should Visit
Clearwater Beach
Dare we say this is the ultimate number one of all the white sand beaches in Florida? We do!
This incredible beach was voted number 1 beach in the nation by both Dr. Beach and Trip Advisor, and there is no shortage of reasons why! The water is a deep clear emerald, and Florida’s white sand gleams in the sunlight, making it the perfect beach experience. Don’t forget to check out our list of the best things to do in Clearwater Beach!
Not only is the white sand gorgeous to look at, it is comprised partially of quartz which makes it super easy to wipe off with a towel instead of the other kind of sticky sand you can find at other beaches!
Clearwater beach is a crown Jewel of Florida’s white sand beaches! Whether it’s food, shopping, watersports, snorkeling, or just lying in the sun, it has everything!
After all that sunshine people are usually quite hungry, so we went ahead an made a post on the Best Restaurants in Clearwater Beach for you to peruse!
Dry Tortugas National Park
If you can’t get enough of Florida’s gorgeous ocean water, and want to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean we have the perfect spot for you!
Dry Tortugas is by far one of the best white sand beaches in Florida, especially if you like history! The group of Islands is home to Fort Jefferson, which has a rich and storied past as a military base, hospital, and even a prison!
Fort Jefferson is nestled on white sands in a remote area that you can only access by seaplane or boat, so make sure you have your travel arrangements in order – it is also the main attraction of Dry Tortugas because some of the other islands are not accessible to the public in effort to protect the unique ecosystems that exist in the park.
Tours are available that bring you deeper into the history or Fort Jefferson, and there is also a national park’s artist in residence program which brings artists to come create while surrounded by the beautiful turquoise waters and Florida’s white sand.
Dry Tortugas is the third largest tropical reef on the planet, and is also the only one that occurs within the united states, it is also more of a hidden gem so it’s rarely super crowded, and truly worth the logistics that it takes to get there!
The park allows camping overnight on the island that houses Fort Jefferson, but reservations are required and fill up very fast so be on the lookout for those available dates!
If you’re enchanted by the gorgeous waters and storied past of this national park, make sure to check out our post on tips for exploring Dry Tortugas to make sure you are absolutely prepared to have the best time!
Don’t forget to check out our list of the Best Florida Keys Beaches for some more ideas of places to visit!
Navarre Beach
This beach is easily the best white sand beach in Pensacola, and overall still one of the best in Florida!
Navarre Beach has a beautiful rugged charm due to the lack of commercialization, and is also home to the longest pier in Florida, so if you’re not a fan of the hustle and bustle of a commercial pier, this is the perfect spot for you!
The lack of busy restaurants and stores, the clearest gorgeous emerald water, and Florida’s white sand come together to make a truly stunning beach experience that’s perfect for those who enjoy a more rustic beach experience!
For an unforgettable experience you can go out to the edge of the pier, which allows you to see the sea life and can also give a beautiful illusion of being out in the middle of the ocean.
Remember to bring a camera if that’s your sort of thing because there are no shortage of beautiful animals and local flora to capture in a photo.
Navarre is beloved by both tourists and locals alike due to the crystal clear waters and lovely white sand that Florida is known for!
Check out our post on the Best Beaches in Pensacola for even more amazing beaches around Navarre!
Destin Beach
If you’re looking for a well developed fun area that also has Florida’s white sand beaches, then this is a perfect spot for you!
Destin beach is one of the best white sand beaches in Florida, and one that you will not want to miss!
The quartz sand is similar to that of all the other beaches on this list – so it’s like walking on a cloud, and is super easy to wipe off with a towel! The best kind of sand!
If you’re looking for other fun besides the beach, check out our post on the Best Things to Do in Destin for even more Destin related fun!
Siesta Key
If you’re looking for an amazing place to go swimming in the Sarasota area, check out Siesta Key! It’s one of the best white sand beaches in Florida!
Siesta key is the ideal amount of developed for a beach: there are showers, facilities to rent equipment, and a great big parking lot – however that’s where it ends! The beach itself is a vast expanse of fluffy white sand and sea detritus!
If you love hunting for seashells, this is a perfect beach for you! There is an abundance of beautiful iridescent shells all throughout the beautiful white sand, and there are no laws that prohibit taking a souvenir or two!
If you’re not the swimming type, then not to worry! There are also volleyball nets on the beach available for your use!
One of the best things about siesta key is the coastal shelf of Florida’s white sand extends quite far out, so you can feel like you’re far away from the shore while still being safe and not going into waters that are too deep!
The lighthouses here are colorfully painted, which makes them easy to spot as landmarks for when you want to remember where your beach chair is!
There is so much more to Siesta Key than the gorgeous white sand beaches, so check out our post on the Best Things to do in Siesta Key to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun!
Smathers Beach
Most beaches in key west are made of coral or tiny pebbles and rocks, so this is what sets Smathers Beach apart! Smathers Beach is the only white sand beach in Florida’s Key West!
Even though the sand is not naturally occurring, and is instead imported, that won’t stop you from enjoying the gorgeous atmosphere and iconic white Florida sand!
Enjoy the fun relaxed atmosphere that Key West is known for, while not having to navigate the tiny rocks that get in every nook and cranny of your shoes and appear in your car magically after you get back from the beach!
All of the usual facilities are present at this beach: parking, showers etc. and it is one of the best white sand beaches in Key West. Well, it is really a great beach in general and one of the best in Florida!
Smathers Beach is only one of the many marvelous beaches in Key West, if you want to check even more out take a look at our post on the Best Beaches in Key West!
Bean Point Beach
Bean Point beach is one of the best white sand beaches in Florida, and is also a little bit of a local hidden gem!
The beach is not heavily advertised, and you need a car to get to it but it is WELL worth the effort! The gorgeous aquamarine water is extra vibrant against the backdrop of Florida’s white sand.
The geographical location of this beautiful beach makes it an absolutely perfect place to watch the gorgeous Florida sunsets, and is a perfect place to have an evening picnic with your special person!
Of course Bean Point is also a perfect place to enjoy all the other standard beach activities as well, especially if you like to have a long beach walk – a very sizeable portion of the coast is walk-able beach!
If you’re spending a good bit of time on Anna Maria, make sure to check out our post on Best Things to Do In Anna Maria Island because there are a ton of awesome things you don’t want to miss!
South Beach
We would be remiss to not include arguably one of the most famous white sand beaches in Florida: South Beach in Miami!
Whether its the whimsically colored art deco buildings and storefronts, the vibrant energy of the big crowds on the boardwalk, or the truly gorgeous white sand beach, Miami has something for everyone!
Not only is Miami a super fun city, the beach itself is really to die for! The clearest water, and the fluffiest quartz sand that feels like resting on a cloud!
Make sure to bring your sunscreen, somehow the sun here feels extra bright, and you’ll be burnt to a crisp if you’re not careful!
For even more Miami beach gorgeousness, check out our post on the rest of the Gorgeous Beaches in Miami to make sure you don’t miss your favorite!
There are also a TON of fun things to do in Miami as well so check out our post on that too!
Bowman’s Beach
For those desiring another white sand beach in Florida with lots of gorgeous shells, except this time in Captiva, look no further!
The gorgeous beach is not only full of beautiful shells to hunt for but is also a perfect place to go swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. There are tons of local species that you can spot for nature photography if that’s your thing!
In addition to having the iconic white Florida sand and beautiful flora and fauna, the water itself is also worth writing home about: beautifully clear and lots of interesting things to see underwater!
Parking is 5$ most places, and make sure to get there early as sometimes it can get a bit lively towards noon on the weekend days!
If you’re looking for even more fun in the area, check out our post on the Best Things to do in Sanibel and Captiva to make sure you don’t miss any of the great offerings on the island!
Honeymoon Island
For those looking for the perfect romantic getaway, what could be more appropriate than Honeymoon Island State Park!
This national park is one of the best white sand beaches in Florida, and completely worth the effort to get there!
Florida’s white sand is affectionately called “sugar sand” because of it’s smooth and silky qualities, Honeymoon island has plenty of sugar sand to go around!
The park has over 4 miles of walk-able beach, and is home to a unique endangered species known as Slash Pine! The forest of slash pine is the last remaining slash pine forest in Florida so make sure to check it out if niche/endangered species are interesting to you!
Since this is a state park, there are a ton of small details to keep track of, but not to worry! We have a whole post on Tips for Honeymoon Island to ensure your experience is as easy and fun as possible!
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is not only one of the best white sand beaches in Florida, is is also the the closest beach to the airport, in case you need to see the sand as soon as you land!
Make sure to check out our list of the Best Things To Do In Cocoa Beach for your trip.
Cocoa beach is a popular port for cruise ships, so there is all manner of fun merchandise etc on the beach if you want to do more than just get a tan!
In addition to having the gorgeous white Florida sugar sand, and absolutely gorgeous water, there are tons of other fun activities like wind sailing, party boats, and waters ports as well that beachgoers can enjoy!
There is a ton of Fun Stuff to do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks, so make sure you check out our post to find the next best destination on your Orlando trip!
Orlando has so much to offer in terms of beaches, so make sure to check out our post on the Best Orlando Area Beaches!
Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa is the last on this list but certainly not least by any means! This gorgeous beach is part of a 26-mile long stretch of coast that made totally of florida’s white sand!
This beach is for sure one of the best white sand beaches, but also provides entry to the Washington-Point State Forest which is home to an overwhelming abundance of biodiversity!
The beach is consistently ranked as number one in the nation by travel magazines, and is one of the best white sand beaches in Florida!
Florida has an absolute embarrassment of riches when it comes to State Parks, so check out our post on the Coolest State Parks in Florida for even more gorgeous Florida biodiversity!
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