#1 beach escape
Located north of Miami Beach, Bay Harbor Islands offers small-town charm, beaches and plenty of parks nearby, making for the perfect winter escape.
Discover Bay Harbord Islands
A trip to Florida in the winter means beach time and Bay Harbor Islands delivers. Kick off your trip at Haulover Beach; with plenty of parking and food trucks usually parked nearby, you’ll be set for the day. For a quieter beach experience, check out Surfside Beach. For a more active experience, visit Oleta River State Park, where you can ride bikes, kayak and walk the shaded trails. Before your trip is over, catch a sunset at the beach to unplug and relax.
#2 beach escape
Located in the Florida Keys, Duck Key sits northeast of Key West and boasts phenomenal ocean views and seafood cuisine.
Discover Duck Key
For an experience to delight the entire family, visit Dolphin Connection. Guests can swim, interact with and learn about dolphins from experienced trainers, while also learning the importance of conservation. Just a 10-minute drive from Duck Key sits Long Key State Park. While small, this secluded park offers walking trails that showcase impressive views and a boardwalk.
#3 beach escape
Fort Myers Beach is located on a seven-mile-long barrier island, with impeccable white-sand beaches perfect for adventure, relaxing and everything in between.
Discover Fort Myers Beach
Kick off your beach escape at Bowditch Point Park, where you can enjoy walking trails before making your way to the beach. At the beach, take in the remarkable white sand and calming green waters. Then, visit Matanzas Pass Preserve – a 60-acre park with shaded trails where visitors can watch fishermen and often catch a glimpse of dolphins. For an interactive experience, stop by the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center. Visitors rave about the helpful, patient and knowledgeable tour guides.
#4 beach escape
Located on the Gulf of Mexico south of Fort Myers, Sanibel offers everything a beach escape should – white sand beaches, green waters and the area’s favorite pastime, shelling.
Discover Sanibel
Visitors and residents alike love discovering shells on the beaches of Sanibel – employing the ‘Sanibel Stoop’ to spot the best treasures. Bowman’s Beach offers parking, public restrooms, picnic tables, serene beach views and plenty of shells. Continue your discovery of Sanibel at J.N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The area offers paved trails, views of wildlife and bike tours. Have a little cash in hand to donate to the nonprofit’s important work.
#5 beach escape
Located in the northwest of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, Destin offers white-sand beaches and emerald-hued waters that help to define its fishing culture.
Discover Destin
For a taste of the beach, start your trip at Henderson Beach State Park – the squeaky white sand is so soft and powdery that visitors compare it to walking on flour. With your camera, capture the stunning juxtaposition between the white sand and green waters. To further understand the importance of fishing to Destin, pay a visit to the Destin History & Fishing Museum. The small museum packs a ton of information, with knowledgeable staff eager to help.
#6 beach escape
Located south of Bal Harbour, Surfside offers an escape from the busy life, with peaceful beaches, nature-driven activities and a charming downtown.
Discover Surfside
Start your trip at Surfside Beach to enjoy clean and typically uncrowded sands and water. Then, explore the three-block strip that makes up downtown. With unique mom-and-pop shops all around, you’ll be sure to find a special souvenir. Enjoy a sweet treat at a local favorite, Serendipity Creamery & Yogurt Cafe, which offers both classic and unique flavors like red velvet, orange lavender, key lime and many more.
#7 beach escape
Located along the gleaming Gulf Coast, Fort Walton Beach boasts all the Florida activities you’d expect, minus the fuss.
Discover Fort Walton Beach
Tuck your toes into the soft, white sand, and just gaze out at the calm, green waters. With more than 24 miles of beaches, there’s no better place to unwind. Make your way to the Oskaloosa Island Boardwalk to enjoy serene views, stopping leisurely in the various restaurants and shops. Then, a trip to the Emerald Coast Science Center is a great activity for the entire family to learn in an engaging way.
#8 beach escape
Located in the Florida Keys, Key Largo is just an hour away from Miami International, putting your escape to solitude and nature within easy reach.
Discover Key Largo
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, in Key Largo, was the nation’s first undersea park. From glass-bottom boats or, better yet, via scuba diving or snorkeling, visitors can enjoy brilliant coral reefs teeming marine life. To take in another aspect of Florida’s ecosystem, visit Everglades National Park, which is a 45-minute drive from Key Largo. And, of course, a visit to the beach is in order. Try quaint Cannon Beach to enjoy calm waters and some fish-spotting.
#9 beach escape
Marco Island, the largest and only developed land in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, offers a truly tropical experience.
Discover Marco Island
A visit to Marco Island is an escape to island life. Treat yourself to outstanding ocean views, irresistible white sand beaches and an entirely calming experience in nature. To learn about the natural habitat, pay a visit to Briggs Nature Center in Naples. The half-mile trail includes informational signage about the flora and fauna of Southwest Florida. Continue your educational experience with a trip to Marco Island Historical Museum to learn about the area’s history.
#10 beach escape
Located about 90-minutes south of Miami, Islamorada is named the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” No wonder — it hosts the largest fishing fleet per square mile in the world.
Discover Islamorada
Start your trip at Village of Islands Founder Park – the perfect family-friendly location with calm waters, clean beaches and plenty of activities. For an interactive learning experience, visit the History of Diving Museum – where a 16th-century treasure chest is on display. To entertain the entire family, stop by the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. The park is built around an old quarry, exposing coral and reef fossils for attentive eyes to discover.
Looking for a winter escape that won’t break the bank? These 5 Florida destinations offer savings and warmth.
Looking to unplug and relax? Check out the top Florida destinations offering more space to stretch out.
California consumers have the right to opt out of the sale* of their personal information. For more information on how we securely process personal information, please see our Privacy Policy.
Do not sell my info
* The definition of "sale" under the California Consumer Privacy Act is applicable only to California consumers.