Top 10 Cheapest Beach Vacations in Florida

Beaches that suit you and your interests – Cheapest Beach Vacations in Florida

Some of the best Florida beach destinations for vacationers aren’t necessarily the ones that earn national recognition as the best beaches. They may not have the best sand or the biggest waves, but what they do is cater to certain crowds who love them just the way they are.

Daytona Beach – Best beach for families

This popular family vacation spot does a little bit of kiddie play by having fun. Twenty-three miles of white sandy beaches and beautiful turquoise Atlantic waters make Daytona Beach an irresistible playground for kids of all ages. Families will find a wide range of hotels and motels to suit every budget.

While the beach is the main attraction, there are other recreational opportunities, including water sports and a family fun and water park. Of course, let’s not forget Daytona’s racing history with the Daytona International Speedway and the Experience Daytona 500.

Long Key State Park – Best beach for camping

Shallow and calm northern walks just outside your campsite at Long Key State Park. While the beach may not be as long or sandy as our other favorite beach campground ( Fort DeSoto Park ), what we like is the peace and quiet. It’s easy to spend leisurely periods bird watching, snorkeling just off the shore, drinking in a hammock or starting the day sightseeing. Just be sure to return in time to catch the beautiful sunset!

Sanibel Island – Best beach for Shelling

Shelling is a popular pastime for tourists and residents alike. Although you can find shelling on almost any beach, Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida is one of the best places in Florida to find marine treasures as they wash up on shore. It is said that the shape and location of Sanibel Island encourages bobbing, allowing the shells to slow down to reach the beach in one piece.

Whatever the reason for the shells being transported to Sanibel Island, you will find many reasons other than bombing to visit Fort Myers and Sanibel Island . Among them are the beaches and the abundance of available lodging to fit almost any budget.

Clearwater Beach – Best beach for sunsets

Clearwater Beach has long been a favorite vacation destination for those seeking sun, sand and surf. Since the mid-90s, every sunset has been a reason to celebrate Clearwater Beach. About an hour before sunset, Pier 60 and the surrounding area comes alive. The festive atmosphere is complete with live entertainment and craft vendors selling an array of local products.

Clearwater Beach continues to be one of the best municipal beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast. The exceptionally long, long, white, soft sand provides many recreational opportunities for the public and plenty of parking for easy access. Combine the beach with nearby attractions for a great vacation!

South Miami Beach – Best beach for touring

Miami’s South Beach, often referred to as America’s Riviera, is a great place to see and be seen. Multiculturalism is alive and well in South Beach and attracts more and more visitors every year, including back-packers, society types, long-legged models and muscle. Mix in the celebrities who come to make movies or just frequent the beach, nearby shops and nightclubs and you have the recipe for an extravagant vacation destination.

cocoa aralia – Best beach for surfing

It’s hip, it happens, it’s surf … And it’s only an hour from Orlando! Cocoa Beach has long been the “Surfing Capital of the World” and it’s a title it will continue to hold. Not only does this beach have the best surf and the best surf shop-Ron Jon Surf Shop, its proximity to Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral provides additional activities found nowhere else in the state.

Caladesi Island – Best beach for sunbathers

While Caladesi Island’s four miles of pristine beaches rank among the best in America, people also come for the outdoor recreational opportunities – swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, birding, picnicking and bumming. If you love the outdoors, you are sure to love Caladesi Island.

One drawback is that Caladesi Island State Park is one of the few parks in Florida’s state park system that is only accessible by boat. In fact, the only way to stay on the island overnight is to bring your own boat. Although this makes the island a bit exclusive, a boat from Honeymoon Island Park makes access available to those staying in the area.

Panama City – Best Beach for Spring Break

Panama City Beach is the hottest vacation destination in Florida, easily winning the ” Spring Break Capital” award! Panama City Beach is one of the few beach communities that welcome themselves, so come … about half a million annually. In addition to 28 miles of sugar white and brown-colored sand, college students come expecting to party hard. They are never disappointed. There always seems to be plenty of booze, plenty of wild contests and events, and MTV is usually on hand to provide plenty of entertainment.

Fort Lauderdale Beach – Best beach for LGBTQ+

Fort Lauderdale, long considered America’s gay vacation spot, is home to more than 100 gay and gay-owned hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants. The area adjacent to these businesses tends to be where gays congregate, with popular same-sex locations along Hwy. A1A is NE 18th (popular with locals), Terramar Street (popular with tourists staying at gay resorts) and Sebastian Street.

Check out these hotel listings on GayFtLauderdale.com that cater to a gay crowd.

Haulover Beach – Best beach for nudists

It is believed that Haulover was named after an early fisherman in the area – a man named Baker – who would regularly “haul” his sponge from Biscayne Bay over the thickly wooded dunes to the ocean at this point.

The controversy clinging to the area is nude sunbathing. Haulover has become very popular with the optional and gay clothing crowd, but is limited to an 800-foot stretch of 1.3 miles of beach. You are encouraged to avoid the area if the nudity or gay scene is personally offensive.