Best Beach Towns in Florida
Usually, the best beaches in each region are listed/ranked, but the website, Stacker, and Travel and Leisure Magazine (in separate studies) took a more interesting and probably wiser track by ranking instead not the best beaches, but, rather, the best beach towns. This approach would be especially pertinent for folks who want to live near the beach.
Rather than just considering sand quality and sunsets, Stacker focused more on median home price, number of beaches, miles of shoreline, and average temperature. Additionally, Stacker included in its analysis access to the beach, indoor and outdoor activities for adults and kids, warm weather, and a long beach season. While Stacker’s list consists of the 25 best beach towns, in the interest of brevity, I cut it down to the top ten. Travel and Leisure lists the top nine in their view.
So, without further ado, here is Stacker’s list of the top ten:
10. Panacea
- Number of beaches: 2
- Miles of shoreline: 13.9
- Average swim season length: 244 days
- Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
- Median home price: $365,863
9. Vero Beach
- Number of beaches: 9
- Miles of shoreline: 6.9
- Average swim season length: 364 days
- Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
- Median home price: $369,768
8. Hollywood
- Number of beaches: 4
- Miles of shoreline: 15.0
- Average swim season length: 364 days
- Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
- Median home price: $432,034
7. Panama City Beach
- Number of beaches: 5
- Miles of shoreline: 14.0
- Average swim season length: 244 days
- Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
- Median home price: $491,863
6. Jensen Beach
- Number of beaches: 3
- Miles of shoreline: 11.1
- Average swim season length: 364 days
- Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
- Median home price: $400,028
5. Daytona Beach
- Number of beaches: 6
- Miles of shoreline: 7.9
- Average swim season length: 364 days
- Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
- Median home price: $264,681
4. Naples
- Number of beaches: 7
- Miles of shoreline: 9.5
- Average swim season length: 364 days
- Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
- Median home price: $581,150
Let’s take a moment to mention that in 2018, Smithsonian Magazine reported that for the third year in a row, Naples was voted the “Happiest Town in America.” And the website Mediterra in June 2022 voted Naples, “The Happiest City in America,” as well. And if that’s not enough, the renowned polling firm, Gallup, reported that the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index also reported that Naples is the happiest city in America.
3. Fort Walton Beach
- Number of beaches: 6
- Miles of shoreline: 9.3
- Average swim season length: 244 days
- Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
- Median home price: $335,295
2. Stuart
- Number of beaches: 5
- Miles of shoreline: 7.7
- Average swim season length: 364 days
- Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
- Median home price: $385,022
1. Panama City
- Number of beaches: 6
- Miles of shoreline: 22.7
- Average swim season length: 244 days
- Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
- Median home price: $268,370
Travel and Leisure magazine had a similar approach to that of Stacker. Considered, are picture perfect views, lively nightlife scene, affordability, and family friendly vibes. Here are the magazine’s top nine:
- Seaside, a small town located in northwest Florida, offers picture perfect views, a relaxed pace of life, bike friendly streets. Pastel homes line the streets behind white picket fences.
- If money is not an issue, Palm Beach is a great choice. This eight square mile barrier island is home to thirty billionaires. With gorgeous beaches, upscale shopping and dining on Worth Avenue, and the Flagler Museum, Palm Beach is also home to the world-famous Breakers Hotel.
- Captiva Island, a drive of less than 1.5 hours from Naples. Known as a shell collectors paradise and getting back to nature, the town has a charming downtown village. But walking the beach, golfing, tennis, fishing, and boating are all on offer.
- If nightlife combined with beach life are your thing, South Beach, Miami might be a good choice. Additionally, its renowned art-deco architecture is a feast for the senses. The town is also famed for its great shopping.
- Cocoa Beach is famed for its views and the nearby Kennedy Space Center. If you’re seeking a great beach town with a side of “space,” what could be better than while taking a swim, witnessing a rocket liftoff.
- Although Clearwater Beach has a population of over 100,000, locals confirm that this town has a small-town feel. Although teeming with beachfront restaurants, Clearwater is most renowned for its awe-inspiring white-sand beaches and calm waters. Throw in jet skiing, parasailing, and paddle boarding – it adds up to quite a package.
- Ensconced on Florida’s gulf coast, Anna Marie Island exudes charm. This barrier island has wide beaches, bike trails, and a main street lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
- Located in northeast Florida, Amelia Island is also a barrier island. If what you’re seeking is relaxation and serenity, this town is for you. With 13 miles of beautiful beaches, pristine waters, and abundant wildlife, this town offers a slow pace of life and natural beauty which is hard to match by any other Florida beach town.
- Siesta Key, about a 1 and ¾ hour drive from Naples, boasts extra fine, white, powdery sand along its eight miles of beaches with its stunning blue-green waters. Add in fine shopping, dining, and nightlife.