Planning a beach vacation can be a big task. And you have thousands of beautiful beaches to choose from in the state of Florida! Having lived in Florida for years, I’ll give you the inside scoop on some of the best places to enjoy a Florida vacation.
Here are the of best beaches in Southeast Florida for your next vacation!
Best Southeast Florida Beach: My Pick
Our pick is Deerfield Beach, FL because it has the best variety of things to do, in addition to more relaxed and secluded, white sandy beaches!
⭐Rating: 4. out of 5 Stars — with more than 2,000 Google reviews!
Table of Top Beaches in Southeast Florida
| Beaches | Points of Interest |
| Miami Beach, FL | Downtown Miami Close Proximity to Everglades National Park |
| Key Biscayne, FL | Top Snorkeling Location Two National Parks for Hiking and Camping |
| Key Largo, FL | Top Snorkeling Location John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park |
| West Palm Beach, FL | Bustling Art Scene |
| Boynton Beach, FL | Quiet, Sleepy Beach Town |
| Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL | Adult Atmosphere Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Great Spot for Water Sports |
| Vero Beach, FL | Great Florida Beach for Metal Detecting |
| Pompano Beach, FL | Laid-back Atmosphere Short Drive to Fort Lauderdale and Miami |
| Juno Beach, FL | Peaceful and Serene Less Crowded Beaches |
| Delray Beach, FL | Great Scene for Arts and Culture Small Town Feel |
| Deerfield Beach, FL | International Fishing Pier Multiple Nature Centers Waterparks Perfect for Kids Less Crowded Beaches |
Florida isn’t called the “Sunshine State” for nothing! This tropical state is home to some of the top-rated beaches in the entire country.
Millions of tourists visit each year to enjoy the sun, soft sand, and warm waters.
With 1,350 miles of coastline, it’s not difficult to find a beach in Florida. But, if you’re looking for the very best beaches, it’s best to turn to a local for the advice and more information!
A Lil’ More About the Best Southeast Florida Beaches
The best thing about the beaches in Florida is that each one has its own atmosphere, culture, and activities!
My list is for those who:
- want to party into the wee hours of the morning
- eat at some of the finest restaurants
- kick back and enjoy the natural beauty of the state
- or those who fall between the above!
Here’s some more information about these beaches in south-east FL. This should help you plan your next adventure!
1. Miami Beach
Miami Beach is one of the best beaches in Southeast Florida because of the diversity the city offers.
Located in Miami-Dade County, this eclectic beach town is the perfect spot for someone wanting:
- an exciting beach weekend filled with dancing, arts, and delicious food.
Miami Beach has three sections, North Beach, Mid Beach, and South Beach.
- North Beach is more family-oriented
- South Beach is the party town
- Middle Beach is a mix of both
Miami Beach offers more than beautiful beaches! It gives you all the excitement of Downtown Miami waiting just across the bridge.
Downtown Nightlife and Restaurants. In Downtown, you’re in the center hub of some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the entire state. Some of the top spots you won’t want to miss are LPM Restaurant & Bar, Club Space, and LIV Miami.
Daytime Family Activities. Miami is also home to some great daytime activities for the whole family to enjoy. Some of my favorie places are:
- Wynwood
- The Unicorn Factory
- The Museum of Discovery and Science
Wildlife. Don’t forget about the return to nature option also! Explore the wildlife and natural beauty with a quick drive to the Everglades National Park! You can spot alligators and hundreds of species of native birds.
Location: 3101 Collins Ave, Miami, FL 33140
2. Key Biscayne Beach
Key Biscayne is a great option for someone who wants the excitement of nearby Miami, but still wants that laid-back island feel.
This beach is the more secluded barrier island of Key Biscayne.
Proximity to Miami. Key Biscayne Beach is south of Miami Beach and a quick 17-minute drive from Downtown Miami!
State Parks and Wildlife. Key Biscayne Beach is between Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Parks. As such, it’s the perfect place to explore the preserved areas which include mangroves and tropical forests.
Scuba Diving. Because of the abundant wildlife, scuba diving is a popular activity on the island. Many have seen loggerhead sea turtles, dolphins, rays, and other tropical fish!
Location: 300 Ocean Dr, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
3. Key Largo
Key Largo is part of the world-famous Florida Keys. The keys stretch over the entire southern part of the state of Florida. So some islands fall on the East Coast while some land on the West Coast of Florida, like Key West.
Key Largo is the first of the keys and is as one of the best places in the world to scuba dive.
The biggest attraction on Key Largo is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This is the country’s first undersea park! You can look at some treasures like:
- the vast coral reef system
- marine life such as barracuda and parrotfish
- and artifacts from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck!
When it comes to beaches, you have plenty of options in Key Largo too! Far Beach, Cannon Beach, and my favorite – Rowell’s Waterfront Park! Rowell’s has amenities such as picnic tables and a boat launch for that day out with the family!
Location: Overseas Highway Mile Marker 107-91, Key Largo, FL 33037
4. West Palm Beach
The Palm Beaches are among the top beach towns in South Florida! This is because of their world famous white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
West Palm Beach is north of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and just west of Palm Beach within Palm Beach County.
In West Palm Beach, you can take your beach vacation to the next level with:
- exploring the exciting nightlife on Clematis Street
- immersing yourself in the arts at the Norton Museum of Art and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
To access the amazing beaches of West Palm, you just drive over the Royal Park Bridge.
Location: 305 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL 33480
5. Boynton Beach
Located south of West Palm Beach is Boynton Beach. Boynton gives a calmer, quieter atmosphere.
The city itself is a suburb of the city of Miami. And there’s plenty of fun to explore in Boynthon Beach!
- tropical lifestyle with plenty of waterfront dining, live music, and shopping
One of the best things in Boynton Beach is Oceanfront Beach Park! It’s a great spot to enjoy warm Best Southeast Florida Beaches Graphicweather, palm trees, blue waters, and miles of pristine Atlantic coastline.
Location: 6620 N Ocean Blvd, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
6. Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach is a top vacation spot and offers 7 miles of magnificent beaches!
You’ll find plenty of oceanfront for watersports like:
- kayaking
- stand-up paddleboarding
- and parasailing
Fort Lauderdale Beach provides visitors the opportunity to connect with nature at these spots:
- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
- Marti’s Meditation Garden
- and the Fort Lauderdale Dog Beach
The beach is also in close proximity to the city of Fort Lauderdale. The downtown has a sophisticated vibe. And you can find plenty of shops, dining, and cocktail lounges on Las Olas Boulevard or in The Galleria Mall.
Location: Florida A1A, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
7. Vero Beach
Vero Beach is a great place to treasure hunt!
This beach is on Treasure Coast! This stretch of beach is said to be the location of a Spanish shipwreck from hundreds of years ago.
The story states that the fleet of ships sailed into the Atlantic Ocean with gold, silver, jewelry, and coins. These treasures continue to wash ashore to this day. Metal detectors from all over the country travel to the Treasure Coast to look for pieces of history!
In addition to treasure hunting, South Beach Park offers amenities like:
- volleyball courts
- picnic area
- and some of the best fishing in the state with catches like snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon.
Location: 1702 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach, FL 32963
8. Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach is one of my favorite white sand beaches in Florida!
The city is laid-back and quiet, but it is a short drive to the excitement in Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
Some of the best things to offer besides peaceful Pompano Beach are:
The Pompano Community Park: It has sports fields, a pool, an amphitheater, and a playground.
The Hillsboro Lighthouse, which is an entrance to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Location: 600 N Ocean Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
9. Juno Beach
Juno Beach is the smallest beach town on our list! This makes it the perfect place to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy a serene, peaceful vacation.
Many visitors enjoy the Juno Dunes Natural Area. This is a 569-acre reserve with nature trails and easy access to canoe and kayak launches.
You’ll also want to stop by the nearby Loggerhead Marinelife Center. This is a rehabilitation center that offers tours and information to visitors on Florida’s turtles.
Location: 570 Florida A1A, Juno Beach, FL 33408
10. Delray Beach
Delray Beach is one of the best Florida beaches in the southeast with a big focus on art! It is between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
Delray Beach isa small beach town with a lot to offer. The Pineapple Grove Arts District is a great place to stroll galleries and admire local artists.
Another popular destination in Delray Beach is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Here, you can learn more about Japanese culture, activities, and events, including tea ceremonies.
Location: 400 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483
11. Deerfield Beach
Deerfield Beach is one of my favorite spots to enjoy everything that Florida has to offer. It has stunning beaches, exciting attractions, and captivating wildlife to see!
This city in Broward County was named for its numerous deer that once roamed the area. And its beach is perfect for those who want to skip the crowds.
Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier is a great place to rent equipment, fish, and sightsee.
Meanwhile, there are two closeby nature preserves to explore! Deerfield Island Park and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Here you can explore the native wildlife such as butterflies, turtles, deer, and wading birds.
If you want fun places to take the kids, check out local waterparks such as Quiet Waters Park and Sullivan Park!
Location: 2100 E Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Summary to Southeast Florida Beaches to Visit
Southeast Florida is home to some great beaches along the Atlantic Ocean that rival places like St. Lucia and other Caribbean Island resorts! These southeast beaches stretch from the tropical Keys to West Palm Beach.
Florida offers visitors plenty of opportunities to find their favorite beach! Whether you want to scuba dive among barracuda in crystal clear waters. Or search for treasures from a Spanish shipwreck.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the top Southeast Florida Beaches! If you’re looking for more Florida beaches to explore, check out:
