The state of Florida is known for having some of the best beaches in the United States. Surrounded by ocean on three sides, Florida has many different types of beaches, ranging from quaint undeveloped stretches of coastline to commercialized and often times crowded city beaches. The best beaches of Florida for your family vacation depend on your lifestyle and whether you're seeking a beach vacation full of fun and nonstop excitement or a relatively quiet experience. The top Florida beaches are mainly located in South Florida near cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale although there are many beaches near Orlando and Jacksonville. One of the best Florida beaches is South Beach, which is one of the beaches on Miami Beach. Even though South Beach can get quite crowded during the winter months, South Beach remains clean and well-maintained and is suitable for swimming, playing a game of volleyball, or relaxing on the beach. One of the main reasons people go to South Beach is because of the town's upscale nightclubs and upscale shopping centers. South Beach's glamorous style attracts celebrities, musicians, and a host of people who like to party. There is almost always something going on at South Beach, whether it's a Gay Pride parade or a large concert. Some of the luxurious Florida hotels can be found in South Beach, just steps from the beach.

The Venice Beaches are considered by many to be the top Florida beaches. There are many different beaches in the Venice area, each with its own unique atmosphere. Venice Municipal Beach has the liveliest atmosphere of the beaches and is one of the best beaches in Florida for scuba diving due to a large coral reef located just a half mile from the shore. There are many marinas in Venice Beach that offer scuba diving lessons and the rental of scuba and snorkeling gear. The surrounding area also has some of the best Florida golf courses available.

Caspersen Beach is considered to be one of the best Florida beaches for finding fossils of shark teeth. This undeveloped stretch of coast hosts an annual festival each year where fossil hunters from Florida and elsewhere display their finds. The beach also has an area set up for local artists to display and sell their paintings, photographs, and sculptures. The quiet atmosphere of the beach makes it an ideal setting for Florida beach weddings. The many things to do at the Venice beaches combined with ideal swimming conditions puts it near the top of the list for top Florida beaches.

Florida Map

The best Florida beach for free spirited people is Haulover Nude Beach. This one-and-a-half-mile stretch of beach contains a half-mile section of beach where clothing is optional. Although there is much fascination about the Florida beach, it prevents gawkers and by employing security guards to monitor the beach. The nudist section of the beach remains separated from the rest of the beach by a large partition. Many people spend their entire Florida vacations enjoying the atmosphere of Haulover Beach, which hosts several nudist events throughout the year.

Finding the best Florida beach for you may be as simple as picking up a map of Florida or visiting the community that the beach is located in. Many of the beach communities in Florida have tourist information centers that will give you information on the best Florida beaches. The front desks of Florida hotels are also good resources for travel information. Or you could always go on a personal tour to find the best Florida beach and decide for yourself which one you like the most.