These hidden gems around Florida are beaches locals may want to keep secret
Alaska may have more miles of coastline than Florida, but with much warmer temperatures — both air and water! — Florida has "The Last Frontier" beat.
We even brag about it with our motto of "The Sunshine State."
Every time we turn around lately, there's a new list out regarding beaches. The Best of the Best Beaches. Hottest Beaches for Spring Break.
But what about beaches locals enjoy — and would like to keep secret from "outsiders"? There's a list for that, too.
Reader's Digest "explored and paddleboarded" its way around Florida to find hidden gems.
Here's the list, including what Reader's Digest had to say about it, but shhh, don't pass this one around.
St. Petersburg: Pass-a-Grille Beach best family beach in Florida
Best for: families
Description: "This laid-back island is more fishing village than luxury hideaway, which means plenty of mom-and-pop fish camps, adorable beach bungalows and a handful of quaint inns with killer water views.
"While the water is as calm and translucent as Clearwater Beach, the beach is wider here, allowing you even more room to spread out and let the kids run wild. In fact, you’ll have four miles of windswept, undeveloped beaches to explore."
Walton County: Santa Rosa Beach perfect for paddleboarding
Best for: paddleboarding
Description: "The warm, calm water is perfect for paddleboarding, as well as swimming with younger kids. You’ll want to grab a beach umbrella and hang out all day.
"When the sun goes down, explore the boutique shops and restaurants in the charming nearby villages, each with its own distinct architecture and vibe."
Dunedin: Caladesi Island State Park for those who want seclusion
Best for: secluded beach days
Description: "You’ll feel like you’ve fallen off the grid when you set foot on Caladesi Island, a barrier island reachable only by boat.
"Take the scenic 20-minute ferry ride from Dunedin, a fishing village less than an hour’s drive north of Tampa, to explore Caladesi’s three miles of natural, picture-perfect Florida beaches."
Enjoy "views of an endless horizon. The only sound is of the occasional boater whizzing past."
Titusville area: Playalinda Beach for nature lovers, beach campers
Best for: nature lovers, beach campers
Description: "On 24-mile-long Playalinda Beach in Titusville — located ... near the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — there are no buildings or motorized water sports.
"What you will find on this quiet stretch of the Cape Canaveral National Seashore is one of the best beaches in Florida and a picturesque sanctuary. The unpopulated area is also home to many of the best beach camping spots in the state."
One other thing to know, Playalinda Beach's most remote section is clothing optional, and the area of Playalinda Beach known for people shedding their clothes recently reopened after hurricanes inflicted damage to the dunes.
Sanibel Island: Bowmans Beach great spot for shelling, sunsets
Best for: shelling, sunsets
Description: "One of the most incredible shelling destinations in Florida, if not in the entire United States, Bowmans Beach, on the west end of Sanibel Island, rewards visitors with sand dollars and conch shells, and even sometimes (after a storm) the elusive and exceedingly rare Junonia shell.
"Parking is on the steep side at $5 an hour (the same as all Sanibel beaches), so make the most of your time on the sand by hitting the beach in the afternoon and staying for the breathtaking sunset."
Boca Grande Beach: Head to Gasparilla Island for tarpon fishing
Best for: tarpon fishing
Description: "Nestled between Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico sits lush, no-rush Gasparilla Island and its perfect beaches.
"It takes about an hour to reach from Fort Myers and two from Tampa, but once here, you won’t need your car. Grab a beach bag and hit the road via bicycle or golf cart. Those are just fine for zipping around this seven-mile-long paradise in Southwest Florida and checking out the dolphins in the distance."
Amelia Island offers 13 miles of beaches
Best for: beach bonfires
Description: "Just off the Northeast Florida coast, this barrier island offers 13 miles of ocean beaches, calm waters and southern hospitality.
"You’ll find fine, soft sand, the lull of the Atlantic Ocean’s waves, a cooler winter climate and one of the only areas in Florida where you’re legally allowed to make a beach bonfire (sunset to sunrise)."
Sarasota: Siesta Key Beach offers some of Florida's softest sand
Best for: softest sand
Description: "This family-favorite Florida beach has smooth, bright white sand that’s as soft as talcum powder on your feet. And here’s an interesting fact: It’s not the regular sand you’re used to — it’s 99% pure quartz, washed down from the Appalachian Mountains, which makes it silky-smooth and always cool to the touch.
"Part of a county park, the beach itself is wide, with plenty of room for building sandcastles or kicking back with a good beach read without bumping into your neighbor. It’s common to see dolphins playing just offshore."
Florida Keys: Bahia Honda State Park good for snorkeling, camping
Best for: snorkeling, camping
Description: "Named by Spanish explorers for its “Deep Bay,” Bahia Honda State Park in Marathon is actually an island nestled inside a 500-acre tropical sanctuary, where you can spot all kinds of shore birds.
"Loggerhead Beach on the south side is home to a sandbar just offshore that’s perfect for families looking for calm, shallow waters and incredible underwater visibility."
Vero Beach: Want to go treasure hunting? Try Seagrape Trail Beach
Best for: treasure hunting
Description: "This secluded stretch of sand in Vero Beach is known by locals for actual buried treasure. Back in the early 18th century, a Spanish fleet met an untimely demise off the coast here, and ever since, silver coins have been turning up in the sand and surf.
"Prefer a more relaxing day on the sand? No worries. Seagrape is small (only 20 parking spots here) and very quiet. It’s a great place to dig into a beach read without interruption."
Captiva Island: Head to Turner Beach for saltwater fishing
Best for: saltwater fishing
Description: "This beach makes one of the most perfect, crowd-free picnic and play spots on the island, with tons of shelling and incredible saltwater fishing.
"Though its beloved by anglers, you’ll see all kinds of wildlife here, from seabirds to dolphins in the oh-so-blue waters beyond. Just note that the undertow can be strong ... so save swimming for farther down the beach, away from the bridge."
Marco Island: Tigertail Beach is place to go for swimming, bird watching
Best for: swimming, bird watching
Description: "What you see from the parking lot is actually just a huge lagoon, full of birds and tidal pools. And yes, plenty of people set up camp right there.
"Walk just a few minutes past the lagoon (sometimes, depending on the tide, you’ll have to wade through), you’ll get to the real star: three miles of soft, wide sand, fiddler crabs and beautiful migratory shorebirds."
Fort Myers Beach: Lovers Key State Park for biking on the beach
Best for: biking on the beach
Description: "More than two miles of pristine, secluded beaches stretch out here, and you’ll likely spot a dolphin or a manatee swimming by. But arguably, the best reason to visit this Florida beach is to take advantage of the five miles of biking that surround it.
"With tons of scenic spots to stop and take in the view, you’ll see osprey diving for their lunch and the resident alligator sunning itself by the nearby freshwater lagoon."
Navarre: Head to Navarre Beach for both swimming and fishing
Best for: swimming, fishing
Description: "Navarre Beach ... is home to crystal-clear emerald waters, soft lapping waves and a calm, laid-back vibe.
"The real star here may be the fishing pier: It’s the longest one in the state at 1,500-plus feet, with gorgeous views looking back to the beach. Take a stroll out to the end, and peer into the water (30 feet below you) to spot schools of fish, sting rays and dolphins."
Big Pine Key: Calusa Beach good for young families
Best for: young families
Description: "With gentle or nonexistent waves, this beach in the Florida Keys is one of the best spots in the state for littles. It’s shallow, and fun snorkeling opportunities happen right off the sand, making this stretch a great way to spend a relaxing family afternoon.
"This is also one of the only beaches in the Keys that is entirely natural, which means soft sand for castle-making. Lots of clean, close amenities like changing rooms, cafes and restrooms also mean you can hang here all day."
Contributing: Michelle Spitzer, Florida Today
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Best Florida beaches locals enjoy. Reader's Digest top 15
