Top 9 Secluded Beaches 🏖️ in Florida

Posted May 23 2022 in Guides

Discover the nine best beaches to visit by boat in Florida. If you are not fond of crowded places - this post will help you find the best spots to get away from the bustling areas.

If you love boating and beach activities, maybe it’s time to explore Florida’s most secluded beaches! Avoid the crowds of tourists to relax and find contentment on scenic isolated shores on the East coast and the Mexican Gulf. Rent a boat with sail.me and go experience the coastal life with a twist of local adventure.

More Hidden Beaches in Miami: Top 10 Secluded Beaches in Miami

We will guide you through the most picturesque hidden beaches in Florida, locals keep a secret.

The most breathtaking hidden beaches on the Florida coastline

Imagine an endless coastline with clear water, wildlife abundance, and subtropical weather, and you will find yourself dreaming of Florida. There is one minor setback though. Almost the entire coastal area is a hot spot for visitors from all around the world. Hence finding an isolated beach tends to be a challenge. Or at least used to be.

Take this list of secluded beaches in Florida as the sign you were waiting for, to start your next on-the-water adventure:

1. Navarre Beach

Navarre beach is a merely overlooked seaside destination, perfectly located between the popular Florida hot spots of Destin and Pensacola. The isolated area is a great spot to dock your boat rental and enjoy a fun day at the beach. Navarre is locally known for its beautiful Mexican gulf coast and emerald waters, as well as for its picture-perfect pier views. Watch the sunset, spot dolphins and sea turtles, even do watersports. 

Even though it is a must-visit destination to unwind and relax, Navarre also offers a lot of adventure activities for those with untamable spirits. So whether you prefer watersports or you are simply a fan of swimming and wildlife watching, this is a top destination among the secluded beaches of Florida.

navarre beach
Navarre beach

2. St. George Island State Park

If you head on a beach hop trip with your boat rental, better put St. George Island State Park on your radar. Hidden away on the Forgotten Coast of Northwest Florida, this beach fascinates locals and explorers with its perfectly balanced simplicity. The nine-mile shore of white sand, dunes, and clear water allures visitors with its untouched nature and pristine charm. 

Rent a boat to visit this perfect hideaway for travelers with a passion for camping, fishing, and even kayaking. Safe to say - St. George Island is one of the most astounding secluded beaches in Florida. Try the local seafood cuisine, enjoy spectacular natural sights, even spot sea life up close!

St. George Island State Park
St. George Island State Park

3. Canaveral National Seashore

Get a few steps closer to nature by visiting this stunning wildlife sanctuary. Canaveral National Seashore is located on the untouched Atlantic ocean strip between the vacation hot spots of Cocoa and Daytona beach. The local seaside community is all about the preservation of sea life on this beautiful barrier island.

So if you are an environmental enthusiast, this huge seashore of sandy dunes and pristine beaches ought to be the highlight of your trip. Some of the activities you can enjoy on the island include swimming, fishing, camping, as well as bird and wildlife watching. The emerald waters are also perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and even surfing (during surf season). 

Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral National Seashore

4. Gasparilla Island

While on the topic of unique secluded beaches in Florida, we dare not miss Gasparilla Island! Located on the Gulf of Mexico coast, this beautiful island near Sanibel and Sarasota has that natural allure to it. Unwind on the quiet white sand beaches, stretching all along the coast. 

The island is known for the clearest water in the area and offers ultimate back-to-nature isolation if you seek such. You have a lot of free time and want to explore? Pay a visit to the town of Boca Grande and find yourself surrounded by wonderful pastel-colored housing, tiny markets, and seafood restaurants.

Gasparilla Island
Gasparilla Island

5. Vilano Beach

Want to escape the tourist crowds of St. Augustine? Head north to a gorgeous beachfront stretch near Matanzas Inlet that locals keep a secret. Vilano Beach is an often overlooked destination since it is considered a quiet residential area. 

Yet, this is exactly what we look for when we seek secluded beaches in Florida. Residents love their unpopular beach, as they know it is a fantastic location for seaside activities and surfing. So here you go, surf lovers, Vilano Beach is just the place for you! 

Vilano Beach
Vilano Beach

6. Sandspur Beach, Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a world-known go-to place for fisherman and vacationers. Their pebbly shallow beaches, though, are not an actual factor in the coral islands’ good reputation. Thus finding a stunning sandy beach on your own tends to be quite a challenging but not impossible task. 

There is a hidden beach that stands out with turquoise waters and charming powdery sands. Located on Big Pine Key, Sandspur Beach is the jewel of Bahia Honda State Park. Its long sandy coast is great for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and professional scuba diving.

Sandspur Beach
Sandspur Beach

7. Caladesi Island State Park

One of the most stunning secluded beaches in Florida is cozily located between Tarpon Springs and Clearwater. The Caladesi Island State Park has an endless beach strip of raw white sand and azure water for an ultimate vacation vibe. 

The best local activity is dolphin watching. Other wildlife creatures such as sea turtles are also spotted frequently in the park’s area. As an alternative, feel free to sunbathe, boat camp (rents and RVs not allowed), and go swimming. For a perfect end of the day, go watch a radiant sunset over the Mexican Gulf. 

Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island State Park

8. Lover's Key State Park

Up next, we have the best hideaway spot at the scenic Lovers Key State Park. There is a charming sandy beach on Lovers Key barrier island, tourists tend to miss. Situated on the south end of the crowded Fort Myers Beach, the hidden beach is busy with birds and rarely with people.

This isolated family-friendly beach has boardwalk access that leads to a two-mile flat sandy shore surrounded by crystal water and wild greenery. When you get to the dreamy secluded location, you would not resist the urge to go shell hunting, sunbathing, and swimming. 

Lover's Key State Park
Lover's Key State Park

9. Grayton Beach

With a striking seashore of shimmering water and incredibly soft sand, Grayton Beach deserves its place on this list of top secluded beaches in Florida. The hidden pearl of South Walton should be a go-to place for every boating enthusiast and sea-lover out there. 

The Grayton beach is great for all kinds of boating and beach activities, from swimming and snorkeling to surfing and water sports. The powdery sand looks and feels unreal and takes the sunbathing experience to a whole new level of comfort.

Grayton Beach
Grayton Beach

Excited, yet? Book a boat with sail.me and start planning your journey to your favorite secluded beaches of Florida! 

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