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Looking for a relaxing Florida island escape for your next family vacation or weekend getaway? The best Florida beaches for families are the places where you can really slow down and soak up the family time in a serene setting. They’re the unspoiled beaches with laid-back island vibes that transport you to simpler times.
I’ve been exploring Florida beaches for nearly 20 years as a Tampa resident and 12 years as a mom. My favorite Florida beaches for families are the off-the-beaten-path uncrowded beaches that locals love, not the places where everyone from up north vacations.
The best Florida beaches for families are quiet and relaxing island destinations where families can really enjoy the simple pleasures of a beach vacation. They’re the places where you can make priceless family memories as you play in the waves, search for seashell souvenirs and get ice cream after dinner before hitting the beach again for a sunset walk in the sand.
Best Florida Beaches for Families on the East Coast
Hutchinson Island – Hidden Gem Florida Beaches for Families
Living in the rapidly growing Tampa Bay area, we’ve grown accustomed to crowded beaches, especially during spring break, summer vacation season and holidays. When our local beaches get extra crowded, we love to escape to the opposite side of the Sunshine State where quieter Florida east coast beaches offer a truly relaxing beach getaway.
One of our favorite hidden gem areas for a peaceful beach stay is the Florida Treasure Coast, which has the quietest, most uncrowded beaches we’ve ever experienced in Florida. The Treasure Coast is located on the southeastern coast of Florida an encompasses three counties – Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin.
Named for a treasure-carrying fleet of Spanish ships that wrecked off the coast of this area in the 1700s, the Treasure Coast is a true treasure offering an abundance of unspoiled, natural areas, fascinating historical sites and charming beach towns to enjoy.
The Treasure Coast’s Hutchinson Island barrier islands (North Hutchinson Island and South Hutchinson Island) boast some of the best Florida beaches for families, and for treasure hunting.
Waking up for a sunrise walk on the beach is a must when you visit Florida’s east coast beaches and the serenity of Hutchinson Island at sunrise is unmatched.
Best Places to Stay on Hutchinson Island for a Family Vacation
Where is the best place to stay on Hutchison Island for a family vacation? We’ve enjoyed relaxing getaways at both hotels and private beach condos during our visits to Hutchinson Island.
Hutchinson Shores Resort is our pick for the best Hutchinson Island hotel for families. We also enjoy staying at Hutchinson Island beach condos with private beach access.
If you’re looking for things to do on Hutchinson Island during your family vacation, check out these Treasure Coast activities and family adventure tours.
Vilano Beach – The Best Beach for Families Near St. Augustine
North of the Treasure Coast, St. Augustine is another Florida destination we love for a relaxing family getaway on the east coast of Florida. Just off the coast of the historic Florida city is quiet Vilano Beach, a laid-back beach town that has the best views of the downtown historic district and stunning St. Augustine lighthouse.
A sunrise walk on Vilano Beach is my favorite way to start a day of sightseeing in St. Augustine. And after a day of adventuring around Florida’s oldest city, the Vilano Beach Pier is the perfect spot to watch the sunset over Castillo de San Marcos and downtown St. Augustine.
Best Places to Stay in Vilano Beach for a Family Vacation
Vilano Beach offers some cool art deco-inspired beachside hotel options like the fun Magic Beach Motel and a new Hyatt Place Vilano Beach, as well as Vilano vacation rental homes perfect for Florida family vacations.
Looking for things to do in St. Augustine during a Vilano Beach getaway? Check out these top St. Augustine experiences and adventure tours or our St. Augustine weekend getaway itinerary that’s perfect for couples.
Best Florida Beaches for Families on the Gulf Coast
Anna Maria Island – Best Florida Beaches for Family Vacations Around Tampa Bay
A long-time favorite Florida beach vacation spot for our family, Anna Maria Island was once a Florida hidden gem. The secret has gotten out about this picture-perfect Florida beach town south of Tampa featuring pristine beaches and tons of Old Florida charm, but we still love it for a laid-back Florida beach getaway.
Located on a Florida Gulf Coast barrier island off the coast of Bradenton, Anna Maria Island is a quaint, family-friendly beach town with miles of white sand beaches and calm water that’s Caribbean like in warmer months.
Local protections have kept Anna Maria Island from becoming overdeveloped. You won’t find high-rise buildings and the restaurants and shops are mostly smaller, mom-and-pop style operations.
Best Places to Stay on Anna Maria Island for a Family Vacation
The best way to enjoy a family vacation on Anna Maria Island is to book an island vacation rental home and rent a golf cart to get around the island. If you’re looking for a resort experience on Anna Maria Island, check out Anna Maria Island Beach Resort or Bali Hai Beachfront Resort and Spa.
For a deeper dive into things to do in Anna Maria Island and more laid-back Tampa Bay beach towns, check out our guide to Tampa Bay beach towns with Old Florida charm.
Gasparilla Island (Boca Grande) – Best Florida Island for an Upscale, Old Florida Feel
South of Sarasota and just north of Fort Myers, Gasparilla Island is another tranquil Florida barrier island on the Florida Gulf Coast with even more Old Florida charm. It’s one of the most pristine Florida islands and it has some of the best Florida beaches for families.
Gasparilla Island and its beach town of Boca Grande have no traffic lights and once you reach your Gasparilla Island vacation rental home, you can park your car for the rest of your stay. Most families use golf carts to get around this small, residential Florida island community.
Boca Grande is a popular destination for fishing adventures and is a relaxed, but upscale hideaway with beautiful beachfront properties. With two beautiful lighthouses, walking and biking trails, a three-block-long downtown area and a lovely historic inn, Gasparilla Island is also one of the best relaxing destinations for a Florida girls’ trip.
Sanibel Island – The Best Florida Beaches for Families Who Love Shelling
Slightly further south on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sanibel Island is home to the best Florida beaches for families who want to find lots of seashells during their beach vacation. This southwest Florida island off the coast of Fort Myers is busier than Boca Grande but still relaxing, especially on the quieter north end.
Sanibel Island has about 15 miles of beaches and they’re covered in seashells. You can find more than 250 different kinds of seashells on Sanibel. The island is also home to the only accredited museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to shells and mollusks, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.
Bird lovers also flock to Sanibel Island for its J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge that’s home to more than 245 species of birds. Part of the largest mangrove ecosystem in the U.S., the wildlife refuge is an ideal place for birds to feed, nest, and roost. The refuge features a scenic four-mile wildlife drive that costs $10 per vehicle.
For a fun way to experience Sanibel’s wildlife drive, rent a vintage yet electric Moke vehicle and make it a day of adventure exploring both Sanibel and Captiva Island to its north.
Best Places to Stay on Sanibel Island for a Family Vacation
Where is the best place to stay on Sanibel for a family vacation? For a family-friendly beachfront hotel option, check out the Island Inn. Sanibel Island also offers a variety of island vacation rental homes that are perfect for families.
More Florida Beaches, Plus Shelling Tips and Adventure Guides
No matter where you’re planning to visit for a Florida beach vacation, check out Adventure-Seeking Mom’s Florida shelling tips to help you find success in your beach treasure hunting endeavors.
For more beautiful beaches, outdoor adventures and hidden gem places to visit in Florida, check out our Florida family adventure guides.
If you’re looking for the best Florida adventure tours and things to do during a Florida vacation, check out Adventure-Seeking Mom approved Florida travel experiences on Viator.
Follow along on Instagram for even more Florida adventure inspiration.
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