Are you planning a vacation where you want to hit the best Florida beaches? In this post I’ll guide you through some of the best clear water beaches in Florida. Some really nice locations to spend some time by crystal clear water ocean.
Sandy beaches and crystal clear waters with warm sunshine can make a perfect beach day. It’s no surprise why so many people head to Florida’s 700 miles of incredible beaches every year.
Why Do We Have The Most Beautiful Water in Florida?
Florida is known for its light winds and consistent smooth sea conditions. These conditions produce crystal clear water especially when both light winds and smooth seas last for many days. This produces the bright blue seas and emerald green hues that the beaches in Florida are famous for.
What Else Makes Ocean Water Clear?
As well as the above the water clarity can also be affected by:
- Sediment
- Rain run off
- The time of year (Spring and Fall are the best times for water clarity in Florida)
- Ocean currents
- Sea life
Helpful Florida Information
- Where Exactly is Orlando in Florida
- The Best Zoos in Florida
- Things To Do in Melbourne Florida
- The Florida Keys
- Florida Hurricane Season Information
- The Best Aquariums to Visit in Florida
Which Beaches in Florida Have the Clearest Water?
Here are 21 location that offer the best sandy beaches in Florida and the clearest water too. From family friendly beach locations to spots that might just be the tropical paradise you are looking to enjoy during your vacation.
1.Panama City Beach
Florida’s Emerald Coast
Ideal for a quiet beach town experience.
Panama City Beach is a location that was famous for spring break vacations but nowadays is a more quiet beach town experience. You can expect a nice sandy beach with clear blue water.
Panama City Beach can be found east of Choctawhatchee Bay and isn’t as clear as some of our choices but still has beautiful waters and offers 27 miles of sandy beaches. Panama City Beach is definitely worth visiting if you are taking in the Emerald Coast.
2.Santa Rosa Beach
Florida’s Emerald Coast
A quiet and relaxed location.
Santa Rosa Beach is a sleepy beach town that is nice and quiet. Ideal for a quiet and relaxed beach trip where you can relax on beach chairs and enjoy the clear water. We love its white sandy beaches, blue-emerald green water color on clear days. It also has a lovely gentle surf.
Ideal for anyone looking for a quiet beach experience but with an enough amenities to not feel to remote of a location.
3. Destin
Florida’s Emerald Coast
Some of the Clearest water in Florida.
Destin is a popular beach is widely regarded as one of the beaches with the clearest water in Florida. The water clarity is so good here due to it being so close to Choctawhatchee Bay which naturally filters the darker sediment away leaving leaving the clear waters and to be enjoyed by Destin beach goers.
If you enjoy fishing then Destin is widely known as the ‘world’s luckiest fishing village’ due to its plentiful and hungry sea life population.
4. Rosemary Beach
Florida’s Emerald Coast
Family friendly white sand beaches.
Looking for a soft white sand beach that is family friendly? Consider Rosemary beach in Walton County, Florida on the Emerald Coast. This popular destination offers a beach made of clear quartz and is close to other charming beach communities.
Rosemary beach is quickly becoming the beach of choice for American families heading to Florida.
5. Siesta Key Beach
Florida’s Gulf Coast
A lively social scene.
Siesta Key Beach seems to draw a younger crowd of visitors due to its more livelier social scene and downtown area. This small 8 mile long island offers the beautiful beaches in Florida that we all want to visit and beautiful beaches of quatz sand and turquoise waters.
Siesta Key also has a nearby filtering bay that helps keeps the water very clear and blue. Expect lots of activities here such as: morning yoga, jet skiing, parasailing, and kayaking.
6. Anna Maria Island
Florida’s Gulf Coast
A beautiful beach community.
located south of Sarasota is the beautiful beach community of Anna Maria Island. This is another family friendly beach where the clarity of the water can vary a little due to the filtering bay behind the island. More often than not though the water is very clear and you can see the ocean floor below you when in the water.
Anna Maria Island is a quieter part of the Gulf Coast which is ideal for a family or romantic getaway. Expect beautiful beaches of white sand and emerald green waters.
7. Boca Grande
Florida’s Gulf Coast
A private island experience.
Boca Grande is a private island which means it is ideal if you are looking for a very quiet beach vacation that is a safe location for all the family. As well as the beautiful beaches and crystal clear water to enjoy you can also hire golf carts to explore the island.
The island is also a great location to explore by bike if you are looking for some gentle exercise during your beach getaway.
8. Longboat Key
Florida’s Gulf Coast
Emerald green waters await.
You will find less traffic and a quieter beach experience at Longboat Key. This beach is famous for its emerald green waters and white sand beach. Longboat Key is located just south of Anna Maria island, between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
As well as the beautiful beaches you will find luxury resorts, fine dining and waterfront golf too. A great beach vacation destination.
9. Honeymoon Island State Park
Florida’s Gulf Coast
Miles of beautiful beaches.
Honeymoon Island State Park is one of Florida’s most loved state parks. It has over four miles of beautiful beaches with clear water and also nature trails through pine forests. Honeymoon Island is just a short drive from Tampa and is ideally located for visitors looking to get away to a more quiet location and away from the hustle and bustle of Tampa.
One of the best beaches in Florida for a quiet getaway.
10. Palm Beach
Florida’s Space Coast
A tropical beach feel.
Guess what? You don’t have to be super rich to enjoy Palm beach in Florida. This location is famous for and associated with the super rich but anyone can enjoy the public beaches here.
With palm trees lining the streets of Palm beach along with its white sand beaches and clear waters this location really does give you that tropical getaway feeling.
11. Singer Island
Florida’s Space Coast
More good fishing.
Singer Island offers some really good fishing along with some great resorts and miles of beautiful beaches. A great resort vacation to spend time on the beach relaxing in your beach chairs, swimming and taking in the Florida sun.
Singer Island also has a large public beach called Ocean Reef park which is very popular.
12. Jupiter Beach
Florida’s Space Coast
A top spot for water sports.
Located at the confluence of the Loxahatchee River, Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean, Jupiter beach is one of the top spots for water sports with calm, clear waters that are ideal for swimming, paddle boarding, and surfing and snorkeling.
Also close by offering wonderful beaches are Ocean Cay Park, Carlin Park and Jupiter Beach Park – all of which are ideal to chill out and relax in the sun. You will find shallow coves and lagoons to explore at DuBois Park.
13. Delray Beach
Florida’s Space Coast
Florida’s village by the sea.
Known as Florida’s Village by the Sea Delray Beach offers small town vibes but more importantly has some of the clearest water in Florida. Once you are done at the beach Delray Beach has a variety of good restaurants to dine at as well as a lively and bustling night life.
14. Biscayne National Park
South of Miami
A great getaway from Miami.
Just a short distance from Miami you will find Biscayne National Park. At this national park you will find coral reefs that home many species of fish and white sand beaches. The clear blue waters are ideal for snorkeling and enjoying the coral reefs or even shipwrecks that can be found in the shallow water.
Away from the clear water beach there are also lots of other activities to enjoy such as hiking, canoeing and kayaking.
15. Key West
Florida Keys
A tourist hot spot.
The waters at Key West are never quite as clear as other beaches in Florida. This is because Key West is built on Coral which does help to keep the sediment away just not quite as effectively as other locations.
Smathers beach is the most popular beach at Key West offering the clearest waters and the best beach experience.
16. Dry Tortugas National Park
Gulf of Mexico – West of Key West
History meets wonderful beaches in Florida.
Dry Tortugas National Park has to be reached by boat rentals or plane. But once you get there you will find crystal clear water and white sand beaches. The beaches are kept in pristine condition.
Dry Tortugas National Park is definitely worth the boat ride or short flight to get to some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Located on the Gulf of Mexico away from the beaches you can enjoy the history of Fort Jefferson – the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.
17. Miami Beach
Miami
As seen on TV.
We have to mention Miami beach because it does offer the clearwater beach experience you would expect in Florida but it is also one of the most famous beaches in Florida. As seen on so many TV shows and movies over the year the beach as well as Miami is such an iconic location to visit.
18. Caladesi Island State Park
Tampa Bay
Find peace and solitude.
Caladesi Island State Park is only accessible by boat but that makes it one of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast. You will find pristine soft white sand beaches and crystal clear water to enjoy.
This is the perfect place to visit during the week when you will likely find yourself alone and in total peace. Enjoy the sounds of the water and the shore birds and most of all the solitude.
19. Madeira Beach
Pinellas County
Flat white sands and fishing trips.
This Gulf Coast gem is a city located in Pinellas County has nice flat white sand beaches with clear water with plenty of opportunities to enjoy water sports or just relax on the sand.
The beach runs for 2.5 miles and is a popular spot for fishing. If you have members of your family looking to take a fishing trip whilst you relax on the beach then Madeira beach could be the location to visit.
20. Clearwater Beach
Tampa Bay
A highly regarded beach location.
Inviting waters and beautiful beaches await you at Clearwater beach. This location was named the nations number 1 beach by Trip Advisor in 2018. Surrounded by fine restaurants and family friendly hotels and resorts this location makes a strong contender for anyone looking to book a family beach vacation that can offer lots to also do away from the ocean.
A location great for the sun dwellers in your family as well as the swimmers and the water sports enthusiasts too.
21. Fort De Soto Park
Pinellas County
Perfect for families.
Another Pinellas County location, Fort De Soto Park has some of the most stunning beaches in Florida. Described as ‘perfect for families’ by Parents Magazine the white sands and warm waters offers a great beach experience. Have fun splashing in the large tidal pool water or searching for sea shells.
There is also a pirate ship playground close to the beach for the kids to enjoy too. An ideal location for a family with young kids to enjoy a day at the beach.
21 Best Clear Water Beaches in Florida for Every Mood
So there you have our 21 best clear water beaches in Florida, a wide variety of locations to consider visiting during a trip to Florida. Whether you are into water sports, marine life or just want to relax and take in the natural beauty there is definitely plenty of options for any beach lover looking to enjoy the wonderful clear water beaches in florida.
Take a look at these other helpful articles for your Florida vacation.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
About the Author
