Imagine you're on vacation and have just settled on your lounge chair for a quiet, relaxing day at the beach. Suddenly, a large family appears and sets up an elaborate camp in front of you, blocking your view of the calm waves with tarps, tents and chairs as children run in circles around you. Other beachgoers have turned up the volume on your least favorite music genre. Florida is home to many great beaches that can be quite popular and this is not the quiet Florida beach you saw on Instagram.
Overcrowded beaches aren't ideal for relaxation. Instead, it's better to travel to less crowded beaches in Florida. Among the more than 800 miles of sandy shoreline, there are also lots of places to go that are less likely to be crowded. Below, we detail the five best less-crowded beaches in Florida:
1. Canaveral National Seashore
- Address: Canaveral National Seashore, 212 S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796
- Parking: Multiple parking lots available at beach access points within the park, included with entrance fee
Off the Atlantic coast, Central Florida offers several well-known beaches, including Daytona Beach, which bills itself as “The World’s Most Famous Beach,” and New Smyrna Beach and Cocoa Beach, both popular beach towns. Between New Smyrna and Cocoa is the long, peaceful stretch of shoreline that is part of Canaveral National Seashore. Part of the national park system, Canaveral National Seashore encompasses 58,000 acres of not only secluded beach but also lagoon, coastal hammock and pine forest, with recreational activities including hiking, canoeing and kayaking, boating and birdwatching. Just want a day at the beach? Two are available within the park: Apollo Beach and Playalinda Beach.
Know before you go: You can watch rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center from the beach if they happen during park operating hours. Be aware, however, that this can affect the crowd factor and park officials may restrict incoming traffic.
2. Ormond Beach
- Address: Ormond Beach, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
- Parking: Free and paid public parking lots available near beach access points, as well as limited street parking
Also on the east coast, farther north, are Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. While only 5 miles north of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach offers a more relaxed vibe than the busy Daytona Beach Boardwalk area. As you drive north on A1A, you enter the more residential Ormond-by-the-Sea, where the lack of large hotels and a traffic-free beach offer a more peaceful beach experience. The beaches at Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea also differ from Daytona Beach in color; here the golden sand is mixed with crushed coquina shell, giving it a reddish-orange tint. Its central location in the state makes it one of the best quiet beaches in Florida in terms of travel time.
Know before you go: A different type of Florida outdoor experience is available across the Granada Bridge in Ormond Beach. Tomoka State Park is a lush hardwood hammock on the Halifax River that offers kayak and canoe rentals, sport fishing, picnic areas and wildlife viewing. A half-mile nature trail passes through the site of an ancient Timucuan Indian village.
3. Fort De Soto Park
- Address: Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
- Parking: Large paid parking areas available throughout the park with daily fees; parking is close to beach access, picnic areas, and trails
Florida’s central Gulf coast has no shortage of popular beaches, including Clearwater and St. Pete Beach, both of which are perennial top vote-getters in various “best of” lists. However, just south of these is another jewel of a beach that’s less well known. Fort De Soto Park comprises 1,136-acres set amid five keys: Fortune, Madelaine, Mullet, St. Christopher and St. Jean. Along with a lovely white sand beach, the park features several miles of multi-use trails, a dog beach, boat docks, fishing piers, picnic areas and a 2.25-mile kayak and canoe trail.
Know before you go: The park gets its name from a Spanish-American War-era fort that sits at the southwest tip of Mullet Key. Grab a self-guiding tour map and explore a path through the site’s many historic buildings and other structures.
4. Santa Rosa Beach
- Address: Santa Rosa Beach, 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
- Parking: Limited public parking available near beach access points along Scenic Highway 30A; some areas provide small lots or roadside spaces, but they can fill quickly during peak times
Between the popular Panhandle destinations of Pensacola and Panama City is Santa Rosa Beach, a quieter stretch of sugar-white sand along the Gulf of Mexico’s Emerald Coast. It's one of the least crowded beaches in Florida. When you’re ready to escape to a shady spot, head to nearby Point Washington State Forest, which offers picnic spots and miles of trails to explore. You can also stroll through Eden Gardens State Park and Wesley House, where live oaks and ornamental gardens surround a restored 1897 mansion. Here you can wander nature trails, picnic, fish and tour the antique-filled mansion.
Know before you go: This stretch of coastline is dotted with rare coastal dune lakes, which are both freshwater and saltwater and have their own unique ecosystems. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is a great place to see them, with more than 15 miles of hiking trails through the dunes.
5. Sanibel Island
- Address: Sanibel Island, Sanibel, FL 33957
- Parking: Public beach access points across the island offer parking, typically in paid lots; spaces can be limited and fill quickly during peak seasons, so early arrival is recommended
Off Florida’s southwest Gulf coast near Fort Myers is Sanibel Island, known as one of the world’s best beaches for collecting seashells. The island’s shape and orientation create a sort of scoop for seashells traveling through the Gulf, resulting in an amazing variety of shells washing ashore. There are several beautiful beaches here, each offering different experiences and amenities. Blind Pass Beach is great for shelling and fishing (and seeing nests of baby sea turtles), but not swimming because of fast currents. Bowman’s Beach is quiet and secluded with lots of amenities including changing rooms and showers, picnic tables and nature and fitness trails. Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier features the Sanibel Lighthouse, a fishing pier and nature trails through the wetlands.
Know before you go: Take a break from the beach and hop on the Take the Tram Wildlife Drive through the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where you can spot wildlife amid the mangroves while learning about the island’s history, folklore, archeology and more. Reservations are recommended.
6. St. George Island State Park
- Address: St. George Island State Park, 1900 E Gulf Beach Dr, St George Island, FL 32328
- Parking: Multiple parking areas are available near beach access points, picnic areas, and trailheads; parking is included with the park entrance fee and generally plentiful except on busy weekends and holidays
Another great Florida beach to avoid the crowds at is St. George Island State Park, located in the Florida Panhandle. Tucked away on a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico, this quiet escape is often overlooked in favor of more developed Gulf Coast destinations like Panama City or Destin. St. George Island State Park offers miles of undeveloped white sand beach and crystal-clear water backed by dunes and coastal marshes. The park is ideal for those looking to relax in peace with opportunities for swimming, shelling, hiking and wildlife watching. Its remote location and protected status help maintain a laid-back natural atmosphere that feels worlds away from busier tourist hubs.
Know before you go: The park is located on the eastern end of St. George Island and requires a small entrance fee. There are limited amenities, so plan ahead and bring your own food, water and beach gear. Cell service can be spotty, adding to the feeling of escape.
Book Your Next Beach Trip with AAA
If you're ready for some time at the beach, let AAA Travel help you plan a memorable getaway to Florida’s stunning coastlines. Whether you’re seeking quiet sands or lively shores, our experts are here to make your trip seamless and special.
Join over a million AAA members and start planning your trip to Orlando today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your AAA membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.