9 Best White Sand Beaches in Florida

Enjoy the pure, soft sand of Siesta Key Beach

Also known simply as Siesta Beach, this is the perfect example of a white sand Florida beach. Siesta Key Beach has actually won awards for its sand, which has been rated as being among the whitest anywhere in the world. Scientists have analyzed the sand and found that it is made up of 99% quartz, meaning it's exceptionally pure and feels really soft and smooth as you walk along.

The quartz that makes up Siesta Key Beach Map can be traced all the way back to the Appalachian Mountains, meaning it eroded over the years and was washed all the way down into the Gulf of Mexico and onto the key. The waters here are also very beautiful and clear, with gentle waves providing perfect conditions for swimming on your trip. Lifeguards are always on duty too, and Siesta Beach is ranked as one of the safest beaches in Florida, so it's a nice spot for families to go. Siesta Key Beach Map

Where to stay near Siesta Key Beach:
- Siesta Key Beachside Villas
- Siesta Key Palms Resort

Relax on 2 miles of white sand of Clearwater Beach

Down in Pinellas County, Clearwater Beach is named after the gorgeous turquoise waters that lap against its shores, but the sands here are also particularly white and beautiful. The beach stretches out for over 2 miles in length, offering a lot of space for everyone to enjoy, and Clearwater, like Siesta Key Beach, has won awards for its beauty and picturesque nature.

Many beach-goers at Clearwater Beach tend to gather around Pier 60, which features a nice play area and fishing pier, as well as live entertainment. Many restaurants and hotels can also be found nearby and there's a beautiful Beach Walk area for evening strolls.

Sunbathe on white sands of Destin Beach

If you have an angler in your family or want to enjoy some fishing while also appreciating one of the prettiest white sand beaches in the Sunshine State, Destin is the place to be. Nicknamed the 'World's Luckiest Fishing Village', Destin Beach is a hugely popular spot for sport fishing, but is also wonderful for folks who just want to lie back and let the soft, smooth sands envelop them as they sunbathe and relax.

The warm waters here are just right for swimming and paddling, and there are various fun activities to be found nearby at places like Henderson State Park.

There are many great Destin resorts to choose from. Destin Beach Map

Escape to Perdido Key on the Florida Panhandle

One of the most northwesterly coastal points in all of Florida, Perdido Key is a top white sand beach on the Florida Panhandle. This long, slim key has a lot of sand to enjoy, so there's always plenty of room for everyone, even on the busiest of days. Fortunately, the key never really gets too busy anyway, even in the middle of summer, with many tourists preferring to locate themselves further east along the coast or down on the peninsula.

The sands at Perdido Key are really smooth and welcoming, and there are various dunes to explore too. Visitors to this beach will also have a great chance of spotting some wildlife, with dolphins often being spotted out in the water.

Savor the views from Pensacola Beach

Right by the city of Pensacola on the Gulf Coast barrier island of Santa Rosa, Penscaola Beach is another of Florida's breathtaking white sand beaches. With crystal clear waters and sand that looks just like sugar, you'll be blown away by the simple sight of this beach and feel right at home as you take your first steps onto some of the softest sand in the world. The Pensacola Beach pier stretches out into the water, offering a great place to sit, relax, and watch the waves or observe the sunset in the evenings. Swimming and snorkeling are very popular here too. Pensacola Beach Map

Combine local attractions with relaxing on Fort Myers Beach

Undeniably one of the prettiest beaches in Florida, Fort Myers Beach is located on a small barrier island called Estero Island, where it offers visitors a great day by the sea and many unique attractions. This 7-mile stretch of sugar-white sand along the Gulf of Mexico is popular with just about every beach enthusiasts, whether you are just looking for a good beach to soak up some sun or want to enjoy swimming and water sports.

The beach is particularly good for families with young children since the beach slopes gently into the water and there are no unexpected drop-off and no big waves. There are several outfitters where you can arrange fishing charters or rent equipment for water sports. Fort Myers Beach Map

Don't miss sugar-white sands of Navarre Beach

Navarre Beach nestles at the northwestern tip of Florida, just east of Pensacola, where it offers visitors an extraordinary 12 miles of sugar-white beach to play on. The beach is bookended by the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Navarre Beach Marine Park and is large enough to offer everyone some solitude and serenity.

People come to Navarre Beach to relax and unwind and to get back to nature. When you are not sun-tanning or swimming, you can take a ride along the scenic bike path or just enjoy a simple picnic on the beach. You could also take long romantic beach walks, fish from the pier or enjoy some fun family water sports. Navarre Beach Map

Go fishing and kayaking in Fort Walton Beach

Perfectly nestled along northern Florida’s Gulf Coast, between Pensacola and Panama City, Fort Walton Beach is a place of soft powdery sands, calm emerald seas and so much more. The long strip of sand beach stretches for miles along the shores of Okaloosa Island where it attracts thousands of beach lovers each year. While the emphasis is firmly on beach fun, you can also enjoy other activities like fishing and pontoon boat charters, jet-skiing, kayaking, wake-surfing and more. There are also 2 excellent golf courses to keep the golfers happy. You also have a great chance of getting up close to a dolphin in its natural habitat. Fort Walton Beach Map

Have a picnic on Caladesi Island

Caladesi Island is one of just a handful of undeveloped Florida barrier islands. It offers visitors a wild and pristine stretch of beach where you can totally escape from city life and embrace a Robinson Crusoe-like experience. Within the Caladesi Island State Park you can find meandering paths through the palm trees and dunes, snow-white sandy beaches and a wide array of shore birds to observe and photograph.

While this beautiful beach is remote enough to feel like a paradise island, you will not have to do without your creature comforts; the park offers a concession stand, fishing, picnicking, nature studies and a marked kayak trails through the mangrove swamps.