16 Best Beaches in Florida with Clear Water
Looking for the best Florida beaches with clear water? 😍🌊
Nothing beats a day spent lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun and listening to the waves lap against the shore. And who does it better in the US than Florida?! We’ll wait…
From long stretches of white sand lined by palm trees in Key West to crystal-clear waters that offer stunning views of colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Florida’s beautiful coastline won’t disappoint. Add one of these incredible beaches to your next vacation – we promise it’ll be a vacation you’ll never forget.
🏆 Don’t have time to read the entire list? Here’s our favorites:
🥇 Gulf Coast: Siesta Key
🥇 Emerald Coast: Rosemary Beach
🥇Space Coast: Delray Beach
🥇 Key West: Smathers Beach
The Best Florida Beaches with Clear Water – Gulf Coast
From the white-sand beaches of Panama City to the emerald waters near St. Petersburg, Florida’s Gulf Coast boasts some of the clearest, bluest water in the Sunshine State.
1. Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a barrier island found on the Gulf Coast of Florida near Sarasota, about an hour south of Tampa. This island has some of the most beautiful, postcard worthy beaches in Florida and tops the list of clear water beaches.
Most popular beaches on the island include Manatee Beach (super clear water!), Coquina Beach, and Bradenton Beach. All offer miles of white sand beaches perfect for sunning and swimming in clear, blue water.
There’s also plenty to do while you’re there including kayaking, fishing, boats & cruises, and shopping at boutique stores (or antique stores).
Grab a drink at Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at sunset for a perfect ending to the beach day.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Waterline Villas & Marina
✈️ Nearest Airport: Sarasota
2. Marco Island
At the western end of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands and just south of Naples, Marco Island is a popular destination for beachgoers from around the world. Experience the timeless charm of Old Florida with an atmosphere perfect for both relaxation and adventure.
The most popular beach to is Tigertail Beach, which offers a tidal pool popular for paddleboarding and kayaking. The best part? It’s known for its crystal clear waters that make it a great beach for swimming or snorkeling too (and even shelling).
The perfect destination for nature lovers, Marco Island has plenty of things to do. Kayaking through Ten Thousand Islands is a great activity where you’ll find mangrove-lined estuaries and tons of wildlife.
And just a stone’s throw away from Marco Island lies the breathtaking Everglades National Park; be sure to take some time out of your itinerary for this incredible natural wonder!
🏖 Recommended Stay: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
✈️ Nearest Airport: Fort Myers Airport
3. Caladesi Island State Park
Voted one of the top beaches in the US, Caladesi Island State Park is a quiet, secluded island with beautiful white sandy clear water beaches.
This undeveloped island is one of the best kept secrets on the Gulf Coast of Florida, a short distance from Clearwater Beach. You’ll need to take the ferry to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island State Park, about a 20 minute ride.
There are about 4 miles worth of beaches to explore on Caladesi Island. Whether you’re interested in taking long nature walks on the trails, discovering wildlife (lots of birds!), and of course relaxing by the water. Don’t forget to grab a snorkel, you can see tons of marine life in the crystal clear waters.
Nearby destinations include Honeymoon Island State Park and Clearwater Beach, which offer more beach activities and entertainment.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
✈️ Nearest Airport: Tampa International Airport
4. Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a barrier island located off the Southwest coast of Florida, just south of Fort Myers. It’s known for its stunning white-sand beaches, tranquil waters and abundant wildlife.
It’s also a quiet spot so you’ll have plenty of time to unwind (also makes a great family friendly spot).
Once on the island, visitors can explore over 25 miles of beaches, bike paths or nature trails as well as rent kayaks and paddleboards to enjoy the crystal clear waters around Sanibel Island. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants to visit when you need a break from soaking up all that sunshine!
Sanibel Island is also known for being one of the best places in Florida for shelling. Make sure you snatch up some of these shells while you’re here. Check out Bowman’s Beach or Blind Pass Beach, some of the best beaches on the island!
🏖 Recommended Stay: Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
✈️ Nearest Airport: Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers)
5. Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Beach is a stunning barrier island located off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. It’s known for its white quartz sand and turquoise waters that make it one of the best beaches in all of Florida. It’s oftentimes people’s favorite beach in Florida.
To get to Siesta Key Beach, you’ll need to take a short drive from downtown Sarasota. The trip will be worth it when you arrive at this paradise with soft powdery sand and unbelievably clear water that makes swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking an unforgettable experience!
There’s plenty to see and do nearby, including the popular beaches – Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach (great for shelling). And don’t forget to check out the famous Point of Rocks destination just south of Crescent Beach for the best place to snorkel, and some incredible limestone outcroppings.
Visitors often love taking the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley (free!) to explore the best of Siesta Key, from shopping and dining in Siesta Key Village to enjoying fun beachside amenities. It’s all here for you to enjoy!
🏖 Recommended Stay: Siesta Palms by the Beach
✈️ Nearest Airport: Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
6. North Beach At Fort DeSoto Park
A true Tampa Bay treasure, Fort DeSoto Park is a stunning beach destination located off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida, and a quick drive from downtown Tampa. It’s the best place to visit if you’re looking for beaches with clear water in Florida along with an exciting history behind the destination.
Located on a chain of islands (five islands) at the entrance to Tampa Bay, Fort DeSoto Park offers miles of pristine white-sand beaches, fishing piers, kayaking trails, camping sites, and more! You’ll potentially spot manatees, turtles, cormorants, leaping mullets, and a boatload of other types of wildlife.
The most popular beach on Fort DeSoto Park is North Beach, which is an incredible spot for clear water, a giant parking lot and tons of picnic shelters for a beach side picnic.
Don’t forget to visit Fort DeSoto, a Spanish-American War-era fort. Make your way to the top of the Fort for sweeping views of Tampa Bay and the surrounding islands. Tiny cannons, pointing towards the vast Tampa Bay, remind us of Florida’s military history that is deeply embedded in its culture.
The Park also offers 7 miles worth of paved trails for runners, cyclists, walkers, and more! Not a bad way to explore the area either. There’s even a dog-friendly beach where you can let your dog run around off-leash as you kick back and take in the incredible views.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Residence Inn St. Petersburg Tierra Verde
✈️ Nearest Airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA)
The Best Florida Beaches with Clear Water – Emerald Coast
Florida’s Emerald Coast is a stunning panhandle region known for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal clear water, and abundance of wildlife. From Destin to Panama City Beach, the Emerald Coast offers some of the best-known beaches along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
7. Destin
Destin, located in the northwest Florida panhandle, is best known for its emerald-hued waters and beautiful white sandy beaches. It has even been coined “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” because of the wide variety of fish catches available in the Gulf.
Popular beaches include Henderson Beach State Park and Crab Island, both of which offer something a little different but are both home to beautiful clear waters. Henderson Beach State Parks offers 30-foot coastal dunes and sugar white sand with plenty of wildlife (dolphins, tropical fish, and more!), and endless nature trails to explore.
A giant sand bar situated south of Marler Bridge, Crab Island can only be accessed by boat and is the perfect spot for a fun-filled day with friends or family. It’s popular amongst boaters because of its shallow waters and is a top destination for paddleboarding, water volleyball, sunbathing and much more.
Destin offers plenty to do such as visiting the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, a popular place where you can explore the shops or find a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. You can even take a boat tour at the boardwalk or a dolphin boat tour!
Destin even has a waterpark! Big Kahuna’s Water Park offers over 40 attractions including a lazy river. No wonder Destin is such a popular spot and beach destination in Florida.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Henderson Beach Resort
✈️ Nearest Airport: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
8. Rosemary Beach
Located on the Emerald Coast of Florida, Rosemary Beach is one of the best places to visit for crystal clear water beaches. Rosemary Beach has been named one of America’s most romantic towns. This small-town feel offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle party scenes of other beach towns nearby.
With no high-rise buildings, this charming town features boardwalks, cobblestone streets, fountains, and gas lamps that make it truly an architectural wonder. It’s also walkable and bikeable with lots of bike paths so you don’t even need a car to get around!
The area is filled with beautiful beaches (Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach) made up of clear quartz sand as well as plenty of sand dunes – making it perfect for couples or families looking for some peace and quiet away from the party scene.
For fun and local activities check out scenic highway 30A which is a huge two-lane road that runs along much of the coastline or nearby Deer Lake State Park with incredible wildlife sightings like bobcats or coyotes if you’re feeling adventurous.
🏖 Recommended Stay: The Pearl Hotel
✈️ Nearest Airport: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
9. Panama City
Situated in Northwest Florida, Panama City is nestled close to the beloved beach towns of Rosemary Beach and Destin. It’s known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and abundance of wildlife. With 27 miles of shoreline along the Gulf Coast, Panama City is a local paradise for beachgoers.
For the best beaches, we recommend Camp Helen State Park Beach, located closeby to PCB and a great isolated spot for white sand and clear water beaches. It’s also a great place to kayak or watch the sunset and has plenty of well-maintained walking trails to explore.
St. Andrews State Park also has some of the best beaches in Panama City. If you’re eager to explore the local wildlife, this is the perfect destination. You’ll see birds, alligators, herons, egrets, and more. The beaches are home to tropical fish, barracuda, and even baby sand sharks. The shallow waters make it a great spot to snorkel.
Head to Pier Park, a hub for shopping, restaurants, and all kinds of events in Panama City as well as one of the longest piers on the Gulf. Then, wrap up a perfect day spent discovering or soaking in the sunshine with a beautiful sunset and an unforgettable moment- the daily cannon fired at Schooner’s Last Local Beach Club.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Marriott’s Legends Edge at Bay Point
✈️ Nearest Airport: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
10. Pensacola
Pensacola is located in the westernmost part of Florida’s panhandle, with 50 miles of coastline and incredible turquoise water, and white sand beaches.
Pensacola Beach (also known as Casino Beach) is one of the best spots for clear water beaches in Florida. It has a wide and long shoreline with warm, shallow waters that make it perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Try your hand at fishing on the 1471 ft. Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier nearby.
Another popular beach with clear water is Perdido Key Beach which is the epitome of southern coastal charm and beauty. It’s also home to wildlife, sand dunes, and is considered a slice of heaven with some of the softest sand in Florida.
We can’t get away without mentioning the beautiful Navarre Beach on this list. It has see-through clear waters and plenty of room for picnics, biking or jogging near the beach. This beach is far less crowded than others nearby and is a (mostly) hidden gem where you might even spot sea turtles.
In addition to its beautiful beachfront, Pensacola also has several other attractions such as Fort Pickens which features tunnels and cannons from the 1800s. Pensacola is also quite famous for being the home of the Blue Angels, the US Navy’s elite Flight Demonstration Squad. If you’re lucky, you can catch a practice show at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Margaritaville Beach Hotel
✈️ Nearest Airport: Pensacola International Airport
The Best Florida Beaches with Clear Water – Space Coast
The Space Coast of Florida isn’t always known for its clearest water (in the upper or central areas of Florida). However, the further south you travel down the coast, you’ll find some of best beaches with crystal clear waters.
12. Miami
Perhaps nowhere in Florida is quite as famous as the Miami Beach area in southeast Florida, where the Atlantic Ocean starts to look a lot more like the Caribbean. We’re talking white sands, clear and almost blue like waters ready to be explored.
Miami Beach alone is home to about a dozen beaches and best of all, it’s connected to the mainland!
The best beaches in the Miami area include South Beach and Crandon Park Beach (on Key Biscayne), both of which offer clear waters best for swimming and are great places for boating.
South Beach is a particularly popular spot among tourists (and for a girl’s weekend), known for its vibrant nightlife, Art Deco buildings and more.
Crandon Park Beach is a hidden paradise that is both a beach but also a nature lover’s dream. This 800 acre paradise has about 2 miles of sand dunes and sea oats to explore. Take a dip in the crystal clear waters and then go explore the nature center and bike paths nearby. This is a much less crowded beach for those visiting Miami who want a bit more of a relaxing vibe.
For a little more excitement, Miami is only a stones throw away. The 305 is famous for its exceptional nightlife, restaurants, hotels and art galleries.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Fontainebleau Miami Beach
✈️ Nearest Airport: Miami International Airport
13. Vero Beach
It’s quite rare for the Atlantic side of central Florida to offer crystal clear waters, but we’ve got an exception to note. Vero Beach is located on the east coast of Florida, about an hour and 40 minutes southeast of Orlando. This quaint seaside town is part of the area known as The Treasure Coast and it offers some of the best beaches on the Atlantic side of the state, with clear blue-like water.
South Beach Park and Vero Beach are two of the best spots for swimming and sunbathing. The best part? You can spot sea turtles in their natural habitat, as a large percent of the world’s sea turtle population nests in Vero Beach.
And for an even more up close and personal experience with local wildlife, you can go kayaking in the nearby Indian River Lagoon and see manatees in their natural habitat!
Beaches here are mostly uncrowded and well-kept. The parking is free and easy enough to come by and there’s plenty to do. For a look into the area’s culture, visit the nearby McKee Botanical Garden, featuring 18 acres of lush gardens and trails.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa
✈️ Nearest Airport: Melbourne Orlando International Airport
14. Delray Beach
Delray Beach is a picturesque beach town located on Florida’s southeast coast, roughly one and a half hours north of Miami. It’s best known for its two miles of white sand and crystal clear blue turquoise waters, making it a perfect spot to relax by the beach.
The best beaches to visit in the area include Atlantic Dunes Park and Delray Public Beach. Both offer unforgettable views and clear waters. If you’re wanting a beach day filled with sunbathing or swimming, you’re in luck. Atlantic Dunes Park also offers the bonus of a wooded pathway that winds around the beach to explore. These are great beaches for those looking for beaches without high rises or less crowded than the alternatives near the Miami scene.
But there’s also more that you can do here if you’re interested in more of an adventure to change it up. Delray Beach is a great spot for paddleboarding, surfing, sailing and more.
Delray Beach is home to a thriving arts scene as well as plenty of unique boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries to explore. Check out the Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden or the Cornell Art Museum, both of which offer a rich culture and history scene for those interested.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort
✈️ Nearest Airport: Palm Beach International
The Best Florida Beaches with Clear Water – Key West
Key West is known for its stunningly clear and beautiful beaches. Visitors are treated to glistening waters and incredible views. Get ready for plenty of relaxation, swimming, and sunset watching opportunities.
15. Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is a unique and beautiful destination located in the Gulf of Mexico, 70 miles west of Key West and at the tip of the Florida Keys. It’s a beautiful National Park that makes up 100 square miles of mostly open water with seven small islands. It is only accessible by boat or seaplane, making it a somewhat exclusive destination for those looking to explore.
From history buffs who want to explore exciting Fort Jefferson, to those looking for the best beaches with clear water and excellent snorkeling and camping, Dry Tortugas National Park is a truly one of a kind location.
Garden Key and Loggerhead Key are the best places to swim in the gorgeous clear water. Garden Key is home to beautiful beaches and the above mentioned Fort. Loggerhead Key has beaches as well as coral reef formations that are perfect for avid snorkelers.
There is an incredibly vibrant sea life found here, including turtles and fish that you just can’t find in most other locations. Wildlife, natural beauty and the best beaches with clear water make this a truly unique destination for those looking to explore Florida’s best kept secrets or hidden gems.
🏖 Recommended Stay: The Capitana, Key West
✈️ Nearest Airport: Key West International Airport
16. Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is the largest public beach in Key West, located on the southern shore of the island. It’s best known for its crystal clear blue waters and white sand, making it a perfect spot for swimming and relaxing. It’s about half a mile long and is full of activities such as volleyball nets, jet ski rentals and more.
Smathers Beach is a popular spot for destination weddings and spring breakers alike, for obvious reasons. Step into a tropical sanctuary surrounded by swaying coconut palms and breathtaking views of cruise ships as they come and go.
The shallow waters also make this destination a prime spot for outdoor fun like kayaking or paddleboarding. Another popular thing to do nearby is to go parasailing! It’s a little nerve-wracking for some but is a great way to see the full view of the island. Oh, and snorkeling is a great option as well to take advantage of the crystal-clear waters!
Quick Tip: There’s often food trucks nearby for snacks or food, so be sure to take a break and indulge in some local favorites.
🏖 Recommended Stay: Margaritaville Beach House Key West
✈️ Nearest Airport: Key West International Airport
FAQ: Florida Clear Water Beaches
Have questions we didn’t cover for the best Florida beaches with clear water? Well hopefully we have the answers!
Where does the clear water start in Florida?
Generally, the clearest water is found on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico or west coast side, whether in the Panhandle region or the central/southwest area of Florida. The Atlantic side starts to become clear as you move further down the state.
What Part of Florida has the bluest water?
Destin is generally known for having the bluest water in the state of Florida, but many of the Panhandle beaches also share this quality.
What beach in Florida has clear water and white sand?
While pretty much most of the beaches or areas on our list can fit this requirement, we personally think Siesta Key is a clear water and white quartz sand paradise. Highly recommend!
Where in Florida is the water like the Caribbean?
While the Caribbean is unique and you won’t find anywhere quite like it, we recommend checking out Dry Tortugas National Park for the closest you can feel to the Caribbean without leaving Florida.
Final Thoughts: Best Florida Beaches with Clear Water
The best Florida beaches with clear water are truly a sight to behold. Whether you’re looking for the bluest waters or white quartz sand, there is something here that will make your vacation one of a kind and unforgettable.
From the Emerald Coast all the way down to Dry Tortugas National Park, these stunning beaches offer a little bit of everything including relaxation, swimming, and prime sunset-watching.
So what are you waiting for? Experience first-hand why people flock to Florida for its incredible beaches!
