These quiet beaches in Florida offer serenity from city life
Your cruise vacation is finally here: You're relaxing on warm sands, basking in the sunlight. It's quiet and still. Now THAT's what a Princess vacation is all about.
Many Princess cruises sail out of Florida ports, and while there are certainly beaches where you can find a party, if you're looking for serenity, we've got you covered.
There are many secluded beaches in Florida waiting to bliss you out. Even better? Some are ranked among the best Florida beaches for families.
These tranquil destinations are the perfect way to live your best beach life and fill the days before your Princess cruise from Florida. Read on to discover some of our favorite quiet and off-the-beaten-path spots.
That’s why you need to learn more about the quiet and secluded beaches in Florida, some of which are ranked among the best Florida beaches for families. These spots are where you can live out your dream on the sunny sand and relax. Consider these serene destinations the perfect way to fill the day before your cruises from Florida. Read on to discover some of the top quiet beaches and some spots off the beaten path where you can have a tranquil and relaxing vacation.
The quietude is ideal for de-stressing, spotting wildlife, enjoying natural beauty and taking time for hobbies like reading, beachcombing or meditating.
If loudspeakers and sweaty beach volleyball are your jam, we fully support you, but when you just need to unwind, these quiet beaches in Florida offer:
- Relaxation. What’s a vacation without time to relax and destress? You can sit on the sand and enjoy peace and quiet that lets you truly escape from the busyness of life. You deserve some R&R, after all, so why not let your cares melt away on a gorgeous beach, where rejuvenation is the only item on your to-do list?
- Natural beauty. Quiet beaches are also stunning. The lack of crowds helps preserve some of the natural beauty and lets you enjoy the scenery. From swaying palm trees and bright white sands to turquoise waters, these quite beaches offer a way to immerse in nature.
- Wildlife. Animals love a little peace and quiet too, which means you're more likely to spot wildlife like birds, dolphins and sea turtles at these secluded beaches.
- Time for your hobbies. A quiet beach is the perfect place to meditate, read that page-turner you’ve been eyeing, or comb the seashore for beautiful shells.
Top 5 Quiet Beaches in Florida
Convinced yet? Here are five peaceful beaches that tick all the boxes:
Canaveral National Seashore
If you blink, you might miss Port Canaveral's beach, which is sandwiched between Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach — two of Florida’s most popular beaches near Orlando. But if you opt for the right times at the Canaveral National Seashore, you can avoid all the crowds from those neighboring sands.
It features long stretches of undeveloped beach and a 140,000-acre wildlife refuge, which means excellent birdwatching. Other fun activities include surfing, horseback riding along the beach and fishing.
An important note, though, for our quiet-seekers: You can watch rocket launches along this beach (which gives "and the rocket's red glare" a whole new meaning!), so if you're determined to have a serene beach day, keep an eye on the launch schedule to avoid crowds and noise on key dates.
Caladesi Island State Park
Imagine a scenic boat ride to one of Florida's few untouched islands, where stunning beauty, pristine Gulf views and incredible adventures await. At Caladesi Island State Park, located off the west coast of Tampa, guests can live out this fantasy — relaxing on the beach, enjoying the views, collecting shells, hiking around the island, swimming, fishing, picnicking, kayaking and more.
It’s even a popular wedding spot because of how beautiful it is and how remote it is. On this island, you can lean back, relax, and enjoy turquoise water and pristine white sand.
To get there, take the $6 ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park to Caladesi Island State Park.
St. George Island State Park
Often called Florida's Forgotten Coast because so few people visit (an introvert's dream!), St. George Island State Park is the perfect remote spot for quiet-seekers. Located on an island in the north of Florida that sits in the Gulf of Mexico, the park is easily accessible by boat or car (you can even drive here from Apalachicola).
With 9 miles of untouched beaches and sand dunes, it’s a particularly great spot for wildlife If you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins diving in and out of the waves just off shore. It’s also a quiet and peaceful place to lie on the sand and enjoy the Sunshine State at its finest. If you stick around at night, you’ll enjoy some of the best stargazing in the state.
Some popular activities at St. George Island State Park includes camping, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. So if you’re adventurous, you’ll want to check out this beach.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Another remote and rarely visited spot is Dry Tortugas National Park, which makes it perfect for your secluded beach itinerary. The park is composed of seven islands located some 70 miles off the coast of Key West, nearly to Cuba.
Accessible by a ferry or seaplane, the islands offer crystal-clear blue waters, coral reefs packed with wildlife, lush greenery and the 19th-century historic Fort Jefferson. Favorite chill-out activities here include birdwatching, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking and camping.
Santa Rosa Beach
While Destin is a popular tourist location on Florida’s Emerald Coast in the northwest, nearby Santa Rosa Beach is where it's at when you want to ditch the crowds and bliss out. It's got everything you need for R&R: turquoise waters, white sands and activities like swimming, hiking and paddleboarding.
When you've had your fill of serenity, you can visit nearby local boutiques and restaurants for a different type of rejuvenation (some say shopping is their meditation, and who are we to argue?).
Lesser-Known Quiet Beaches
While the above secluded beaches in Florida are uncrowded and pristine, they are more well-known. So if you're the type of traveler seeking something much more off the beaten path — where you may never see another soul (just don't go "Castaway" on us) — here are a few more options.
Don Pedro Island State Park
Talk about a cheap date. For just $3, you can board a ferry to Don Pedro Island State Park, located on the Gulf Coast near Englewood. (Private boats are also available.) Here, you'll find world-class shelling, birding, and epic sunsets. It’s a great place for fishing, kayaking, and exploring nature trails. You can even kayak to and from the island.
It’s also a great place to see sea turtles. Every year in May, the turtles come to the beaches to lay their eggs, and you can spot these marked nests and maybe even the turtles.
Barefoot Beach Preserve
As the name implies, Barefoot Beach Preserve is the kind of place you can kick back and really relax. This spacious under-the-radar spot near Fort Myers and Naples is chock-full of sandy beaches for sunbathing and kayaking, and nature trails for hiking and exploring.
There's even a butterfly garden and a learning center, and opportunities to spot some great wildlife, like turtles.
Vero Beach
Windswept beauty, diverse natural sanctuaries and historical shipwreck treasures, oh my. Vero Beach, a city in Indian River County where the beaches are accessible from all major highways in the area, offers peak wildlife viewing, with chances to see sea turtle hatchlings and many types of birds. On top of that, you can walk up and down the shores to observe the stunning shells.
Tips for Visiting Quiet Beaches
Ready to dive into relaxation? Here's how to make the most of your beach day.
- Visit during the off-times. Consider visiting during the week instead of the weekend for peak solitude. Early morning hours also help lessen your chances of running into other peace-seekers. Bonus: You're also likely to spot more wildlife.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen. Florida can be hot, and there can be a high level of UV rays. To protect your skin and help you have a better vacation, don’t forget your sunscreen. Apply it regularly to make sure you’re well protected and able to enjoy your day at the beach.
- Respect the natural habitats. A lot of these quiet beaches are wildlife reservations or home to a wide variety of animals. Avoid harming any natural habitats, and follow any rules, signs or guidelines for interacting with the environment. Don’t go near any marked sea turtle nesting sites, avoid harassing birds, and do not feed any wildlife with your picnic food. Stay on the trails and avoid tromping through the brush.
Conclusion
Florida is one of the most beautiful places to visit, with world-class beaches that showcase the Sunshine State at its finest.
For the ultimate tranquil vacation, book a sailing with Princess Cruises and discover the beauty of Florida’s quiet beaches.