Florida, the Sunshine State, is known for many things, but most people know it for its sunny beaches. With magnificent waves and sandy coves, surfing and boating, fishing and sightseeing, these scenic Florida beach towns are some of the best you’ll find. Whether you’re looking to relocate to Florida or are one of the many Floridians looking for a beachside property, you have plenty of towns to choose from.
But if you’re not sure where to start on your hunt for the best Florida beach town, we’re here to help. To help you find the right coastal area, Redfin has put together a list of 11 best beach towns in Florida from Destin to Naples. Let’s dive into some of Florida’s top beach cities, listed in alphabetical order, so you can find the right place for you.
#1: Captiva Island
Median home price: $789,000
Captiva Island, FL homes for sale
Captiva Island, FL apartments for rent
First up on our list is Captiva Island, which only has about 170 residents. This tiny island has plenty of beaches to explore such as Captiva Beach and Turner Beach. If you’re considering moving to this beach town, make sure to take a boat cruise or fishing charter out on the water for a day of exploring.
#2: Cocoa Beach
Median home price: $400,000
Cocoa Beach, FL homes for sale
Cocoa Beach, FL apartments for rent
Another one of Florida’s great coastal towns to consider buying a home in is Cocoa Beach, home to 11,300 people. There are plenty of beaches to visit, like Cocoa Beach, 4th St. S. Beach, S 6th St. Beach, and S 8th St. Beach. Make sure to check out one of the many beachfront restaurants, take a bioluminescence tour, or rent a boat with friends.
#3: Delray Beach
Median home price: $455,000
Delray Beach, FL homes for sale
Delray Beach, FL apartments for rent
Delray Beach is home to about 66,600 residents. There are plenty of beaches to explore on a warm Florida day – Anchor Park, Atlantic Dunes Park, and Delray Beach. Make sure to check out a beachfront park, golf at one of the many courses, or grab a bite at a local restaurant if you move to Delray Beach.
#4: Destin
Median home price: $580,750
Destin, FL homes for sale
Destin, FL apartments for rent
Home to beautiful beaches like Crab Island, Henderson Beach State Park, James Lee Beach, and Norriego Point, there are countless places to spend a beach day in Destin. A popular spot for vacations, there are only about 14,000 permanent residents in Destin. Other than a beach day, you can visit the Destin History & Fishing Museum, golf at one of the courses, or have a meal at an oceanfront restaurant.
#5: Fernandina Beach
Median home price: $675,500
Fernandina Beach, FL homes for sale
Fernandina Beach, FL apartments for rent
The charming coastal town of Fernandina Beach has about 13,200 residents, making it another great option to consider. You’ll find stunning beaches such as Main Beach Park, Seaside Park, and Peter’s Point Beach Park. Living in Fernandina Beach, you can hike along Egan’s Creek Greenway Trail, visit the Amelia Island Lighthouse, and explore Fort Clinch State Park if you’re looking to take in some of the natural sights.
#6: Key West
Median home price: $1,424,700
Key West, FL homes for sale
Key West, FL apartments for rent
Key West has about 26,500 residents and is a great beach town to consider renting or buying a house in. Some beaches you can visit include Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach, Higgs Beach, Rest Beach, and Smathers Beach. Make sure to have some authentic key lime pie, stop by the Southernmost Point of the Continental US, visit one of many museums, or take a seaplane while in Key West.
#7: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Median home price: $680,000
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL homes for sale
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL apartments for rent
With a population of close to 6,100, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a charming coastal area to live in. There are plenty of beaches to explore, specifically Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach. If you’re going to call this area home, plan time to check out the local cafes and restaurants and visit the Turtle Nesting Area.
#8: Naples
Median home price: $720,000
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,962
Naples, FL homes for sale
Naples, FL apartments for rent
Naples has stunning beaches such as Lowdermilk Beach, Naples Beach, Park Shore Beach Park, Port Royal “Last Chance” Beach, and Via Miramar Beach, great for enjoying a sunny Florida day. If you decide to move to Naples you’ll want to explore the shops in downtown Naples, and visit the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, among many other local favorites.
#9: Siesta Key
Median home price: $880,500
Siesta Key, FL homes for sale
Siesta Key, FL apartments for rent
Just about 5,600 people live in this city where you’ll find beaches like Crescent Beach, Sarasota Beach, and Siesta Key Beach. Other popular things to do in Siesta Key include stopping by one of the many waterfront restaurants.
#10: St. Petersburg
Median home price: $418,000
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,103
St. Petersburg, FL homes for sale
St. Petersburg, FL apartments for rent
This seaside town has a population of 258,200 and there are numerous beaches to enjoy a picnic at. In St. Petersburg, you can visit Gandy Beach, North Beach, Playa Saint Petersburg, Spa Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Upham Beach Park. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend, like exploring the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, checking out one of the many museums, and strolling along St. Pete Pier.
#11: Vero Beach
Median home price: $356,250
Vero Beach, FL homes for sale
Vero Beach, FL apartments for rent
To close out our list is Vero Beach. There are lots of waterfront spots you’ll want to spend time at if you decide to move to this cozy beachfront paradise. Some of the popular beaches include Sexton Plaza Beach, South Beach Park, Wabasso Beach Park, and Vero Beach. This town is home to 16,700 people, and you’ll find countless other activities to do, such as visiting the Vero Beach Museum of Art, checking out one of the waterfront parks, and seeing a show at Riverside Theatre.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in Florida. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This article is for informational purposes only.