21 Best Beaches in Florida with Clear Water [2024]

If you’re looking at heading to the beach in Florida, you are on the right track. There are so many beautiful beaches in Florida with clear water and amazing white sand. We’ve spent many winter months enjoying all of the beautiful beaches and clear blue water in Florida.

We hope this helps you narrow down where you want to visit in Florida. There are so many great places to choose from, making it hard to narrow down. Here are some of our favorite clear water beaches in Florida!

Best Beaches in Florida with Clear Water – The Keys

If you’re looking for stunning clear and blue water, the Keys in Southern Florida is a great place to go. However, the beaches in the Keys aren’t the best. If you don’t care about feeling the sand between your toes but prefer a lively environment and blue water in Florida, the Keys are a great place to visit.

1. Biscayne National Park

One of our favorite stops in Florida during our last visit was Biscayne National Park. It is a very unique national park in that it is made of 95% water, making it a great place to enjoy the crystal-clear water in Florida.

The best way to get out and explore the park is by boat. If you don’t have your own boat, the Biscayne National Park Institute offers some great tours. You can go snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding.

If you don’t want to get in the water, they offer a great Heritage of Biscayne Tour that takes you around the park, and you get to stop in at one of the keys. We went on this tour and had a great time with our kids.

Read More: Things to Do in Biscayne National Park

If you find yourself in this part of Southern Florida, you will be next to Everglades National Park. Be sure to take some time to explore this unique national park and go on an Everglades boat tour.

2. Key West

Key West is unique in that it is built on coral which helps keep the darker sediment away. However, due to the coral base of the keys, it isn’t the best place to enjoy sandy beaches.

If you are in the Keys, Smathers Beach is the best sandy beach near Key West. The sand is imported into this beach, so it has more of a sandy than coral base. This is a great place to spend the day and has a lot of great amenities.

If you are coming down to Key West through all the Keys, keep an eye out for the amazing water throughout the drive. In my opinion, the Keys have some of the prettiest water in Florida. It is especially scenic as you are driving over the large bridges connecting the different keys.

3. Dry Tortugas

Another one of the beautiful beaches in Florida with clear water is Dry Tortugas National Park. It is about 70 miles west of Key West. This one is kind of tricky to get to because you have to either fly or take a boat. The effort is well worth it though.

Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of seven small islands and is a great place to spend the day or if you’re up for it, you can camp there. The surrounding water is some of the clearest water in Florida and is home to the only tropical reef in the United States. Be sure to get some snorkeling in during your visit.

It is also home to a large 19th-century fort. The Spanish explorers used this area for their shipping routes and the fort was built to protect this area. It is a marvel to see today, and the brickwork and arches really stand out against the blue water and white sand beaches.

The water will be the clearest at Dry Tortugas from November to April due to fewer winds.

4. Miami

If you’re wanting a taste of the blue water of the Keys but not wanting to make the road trip down, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are great places to get a taste of the blue water. The tides here will clean the sand out as do the marine life in the area.

South Beach is a great place to see the clear water near Miami. It is a wide and clean beach with water so clear you can easily see the nearby fish. There are other amenities at the beach like showers, volleyball courts, beach gear available to rent, and lots of fun water activities nearby.

Miami’s own Bark Beach at North Shore Open Space Park is one of the best dog friendly beaches in Florida. So, if you’re traveling with your pet, be sure to check out this clear water beach as well!

5. Bahia Honda State Park

If you’re road-tripping down the Keys or staying in a more central location, Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key is a great beach to spend the day. It has it all – palm trees, white sandy beaches, and amazing water.

Because the water is so clear, this is a great place for snorkeling. You can either snorkel right off the shore or take a boat out to the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, one of the best reefs in the Florida Keys. If you’re snorkeling off the shore, you can rent gear from a kiosk at the park.

Even if you aren’t snorkeling, a stop at Bahia Honda State Park is well worth a visit. We had so much fun playing on the beach here and enjoying the beautiful scenery. This was one of our favorite stops in the Florida Keys.

We visited during low tide and had a great time looking at all the different sea life in the tide pools. We saw a lobster, a conch shell, and all other sorts of marine life. If you are able to, visiting at low tide is a lot of fun, especially for younger kids who may not be able to snorkel here.

The park rents kayaks and beach chairs. If you are driving you can save some money by bringing your own camping chairs. (Check out our recommendations for camping chairs for kids here!) They also sell snacks and lunches. 

Best Beaches in Florida with Clear Water – Gulf Coast

In my opinion, the Gulf Coast has the best beaches in Florida. This area is home to some of the clearest blue water in Florida, it has the cutest little coastal towns, and the water is great to play in. Here are some of our favorite beaches in Florida with clear water along the Gulf Coast.

6. Siesta Key

Siesta Key is an 8-mile-long island just off the coast of Sarasota. This small island has such a local vibe with beautiful beaches, a vibrant social scene, and a fun downtown area. Siesta Key is known for its dazzling quartz sand and turquoise waters. The Siesta Key Beach is beautiful.

Siesta Key has a nearby filtering bay which helps keep the water so clear with deep shades of blue. There are all sorts of Siesta beach activities like morning yoga, jet skiing, parasailing, and kayaking. There is also a really fun drum circle that performs on the beach every Sunday evening.

Read More: 31 Amazing Things to Do in Siesta Key

7. Honeymoon Island State Park

A small island off the coast of Tampa with serious Caribbean vibes is Honeymoon Island. It is one of the most popular state parks in Florida because of the beautiful white sand and turquoise water. Along with enjoying the beach, it is a popular place to see wild birds like pelicans, eagles, and osprey.

We really enjoyed our time at Honeymoon Island. We visited in the month of February and the water was still warm enough to swim and the sand was perfect for my kids to build sandcastles and look for shells. They could have played there all day.

8. Caladesi Island

Another one of the best beaches in Florida with blue water is Caladesi Island. It is just off the coast of Tampa and Honeymoon Island. It is like Honeymoon Island but with way fewer people.

You have to take a ferry out to Caladesi Island which limits the number of people you’ll be sharing the beach with.

We took the ferry over during our visit to Clearwater and Tampa and loved it. You will get on the ferry in Honeymoon Island and have a quick ride over to Caladesi Island.

There are great walking paths on the island, as well as beautiful beaches. If you’re looking for a beautiful beach without crowds, you should consider visiting Caladesi Island. We loved playing in the shallow water, enjoying the warm Clearwater ocean temperatures, and collecting shells on the beach.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Caladesi Island Near Clearwater

9. Sanibel Island

If you’re looking for clear blue water beaches in Florida as well as shells, Sanibel Island is a great island to visit. It is just off the coast of Fort Myers and is known as the shelling capital of the world. This island in the Gulf of Mexico is home to about 245 different varieties of shells.

There are also about 15 miles of beautiful beaches on the island. There are also great opportunities to spend time outside on the 25 miles of bike paths and numerous outdoor preserves to spot wildlife like alligators, birds, and manatees.

If you’re looking to do some kayaking through the mangroves or spend more time at the beach, nearby Lovers Key State Park is another fun thing to do in the area. We loved finding the starfish and collecting shells at Lovers Key. We went during the week and almost had the place to ourselves.

10. North Captiva Island

North Captiva Island is a very small island with an artsy vibe perfect for a laid-back atmosphere at the beach. The northern half of the island is a more residential neighborhood, and the southern half is a nature preserve.

You can expect minimal crowds here because the only way to get to the island is by private boat, plane, or ferry. The ferry runs about seven times a day. If you’re looking for an undisturbed time at a beautiful Caribbean type of beach, this is the place for you.

11. Fort De Soto State Park

A beautiful and historic beach to visit just off the shores of St. Petersburg, Florida is Fort De Soto Park. This beach does get busy on the weekends but during the week and off-season, you can expect much smaller crowds and beautiful beaches.

We had a great time here playing on the beach, swimming, and exploring the cool fort here. We also saw lots of dolphins in the area and found some cool shells on the beach.

You can also camp here which would be a great time if you have the right gear. There are 236 sites in the campground with great amenities like utilities, picnic areas, laundry, and grills.

12. Marco Island

The beaches on Marco Island are consistently named as some of the top beaches in the world. The popular beaches are wide and amazingly soft sand to enjoy. The water is a beautiful shade of blue and the area has fantastic amenities making it a great spot for a family vacation.

We visited Tigertail Beach and had a great time. It was a busy part of the Florida coast but there was plenty of room for everyone. However, if you’re wanting a quiet beach to yourself, this isn’t the place for you.

If you’re looking for a quieter beach in the Marco Island area, you should visit Keewaydin Island. It is a nearby barrier island that is still a hidden gem. The only way to get to it is by boat, making the crowds much smaller.

It is a quiet island with beautiful beaches, great seashells, and lots of opportunities to see wildlife. It is home to lots of loggerhead sea turtles and other sea life. You can also tour the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on the island. 

Read More: A Complete Guide to the Marco Island Beaches

13. Anna Maria Island

If you’re looking for something like Siesta Key but with smaller crowds, Anna Maria Island is an excellent place. It is just south of Sarasota and the island has some of the best beaches in Florida with emerald green and clear water.

This is a quieter area of the Gulf Coast making it perfect for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly vacation. The sugar-white coastline is so pretty and makes for a great day at the beach.

Best Beaches in Florida with Clear Water – Emerald Coast

14. Destin

Destin is one of the beaches people commonly rank as one of the best blue water beaches in Florida. Nearby Choctawhatchee Bay helps to filter out the darker residue, leaving emerald and clear waters and beautiful sand.

Destin and nearby Fort Walton Beach has about 24 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Henderson Beach State Park is a great place for swimming and playing at the beach. This is one of the best Florida beaches. We love Crab Island around this area too!

In addition to the beaches, Destin is also known for fishing and its golf courses. There are also fun family attractions like Big Kahuna’s Water Park and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk is a fun downtown area for entertainment and boat rentals.

15. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach is another great beach with blue water in Florida. It is east of the Choctawhatchee Bay so it isn’t quite as clear as Destin, but it still has beautiful waters. Panama City Beach has about 27 miles of sandy beaches and is home to two beautiful state parks.

Panama City Beach is also a great place to go fishing and enjoy the wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico.

16. Rosemary Beach

If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach with beautiful clear water, Rosemary Beach is a great option. This beach isn’t quite as popular as some of the other Emerald Coast beaches, but it is becoming more popular.

This beach, along with the nearby 30A beaches, is beautiful. Rosemary does not have public beaches. If you’re staying in the area, beach access is included. This helps keep the crowds down at the beach so you can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches and clear, blue water.

Best Beaches in Florida with Clear Water – Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic beaches in Florida do have some differences from the Keys and Gulf Coast beaches. The water isn’t quite as warm, and the waves are bigger. However, the beaches there are really pretty and there are some great coastal towns along the Atlantic coast, especially the Space Coast. This is a beautiful part of Florida.

17. St Augustine

St Augustine is a beautiful and charming town in northern Florida. It was founded in 1565 by the Spanish explorers who left a large European influence seen through the Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets. There are also beautiful beaches.

If you’re looking for family-vacation ideas outside of Orlando, St Augustine is a great option. The Alligator Farm Zoological Park as well as the St Augustine Aquarium and St Augustine Wild Reserve are great family-friendly stops that everyone will enjoy.

There is also a beautiful lighthouse that you can climb to the top and a historic fort. This is one of the perfect places to visit in the Sunshine State if you want to combine some history with beautiful beaches.

St Augustine has a number of beautiful and clean beaches. St Augustine Beach is a charming beach area. This is where we stayed in St Augustine, and we loved this area. In the morning we enjoyed donuts during walks on the beach and swam all afternoon. We also enjoyed the beaches in Anastasia State Park.

Read More: The Best Things to Do in St Augustine

18. Jupiter

Jupiter is home to beautiful clear blue water beaches in Florida. It is known particularly for the blue color of the water as well as calm waters. This makes it great for water sports like snorkeling, surfing, and paddleboarding. The gulf stream keeps the water around 78 degrees year-round.

Jupiter is a laid-back town which makes it easy to enjoy the beautiful beaches and surrounding nature. There are also fun activities outside the beach like the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. This is a perfect beach getaway for nature lovers.

19. New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach is unique in that you can drive out onto the beach here making it easy to find a spot to yourself and enjoy the beautiful blue waters in Florida.

New Smyrna Beach has about 17 miles of coastline and is a popular destination for surfers, boasting some of the best waves in Florida. This quirky little town is full of local culture, art boutiques, and more in the charming downtown area.

Crystal Clear Water Springs in Florida

If you’re looking for a unique way to see the clearest blue water in Florida, the natural springs in Florida are a great option. We’ve visited many of the springs in Florida and had a great time swimming and seeing the manatees.

During the winter months, you may not be able to swim, float, or kayak in the springs you’re visiting depending on the manatees. Some springs like the Crystal River are open to swimming, snorkeling, and paddling year-round.

20. Rock Springs

Rock Springs at Kelly Park is about 35 minutes outside Orlando and has some of the clearest blue water in Florida. The springs pours out crystal clear water from an underground river at 26,000 gallons per minute. There are lots of great swimming areas that are fed by this underground spring.

The Rock Springs Run is an 8-mile paddling trail perfect for tubing and kayaking. The trail will take you through a beautiful subtropical forest where you’ll eventually meet up with the Wekiwa Springs Run.

The Kelly Park Day area is a great place for swimming and picnicking near Rock Springs. There are nature trails, a playground, picnic tables, and a nice area for swimming.

21. Crystal River 

The Crystal River is a great place to explore the springs and get up close to see the manatees during the winter months. Hunter Springs Park has a boardwalk surrounding the springs as well as a beach, playground, and kayak launch.

The Crystal River is unique in that you can swim with the manatees during the winter months here. This is a great opportunity to kayak and see manatees up close. The manatees do live here year-round but they are more common in the winter. Seeing the manatees is something the whole family will enjoy.

Read More: The Top 15 Springs Near Orlando You Have to See

Map of the Best Beaches in Florida with clear water

Are there blue water beaches in Florida?

There are lots of beautiful blue water beaches in Florida. The area from Destin, Florida to Panama City, Florida is known to have the clearest water in Florida. This area has been awarded the Blue Wave Beach Award for clarity, water quality, and beauty.

The Florida Keys also have beautiful blue and emerald green waters as do many of the beaches along the Gulf Coast between Clearwater and Fort Myers.

Where is the best blue water in Florida?

Destin is commonly awarded as having the best blue water in Florida however the entire Emerald Coast has similar coloring. Destin has the clearest water due to its proximity to Choctawhatchee Bay.

Where is the water crystal clear in Florida?

Florida’s gulf coast is the most well-known place for crystal clear water in Florida. The Emerald Coast down through Fort Myers has beautiful water.

However, you shouldn’t completely ignore the Atlantic Coast. There are lots of beaches over there with beautiful crystal-clear water like Jupiter, Delray Beach, Palm Beach, and Singer Island.

Why is the water so clear in Florida?

Along the Emerald Coast, the Northwest Florida panhandle, there is a high number of microscopic plankton. This plankton produces chlorophyll which produces the green color often visible in the water. The Choctawhatchee Bay also helps to keep sediment out of the water and more clear.

The ocean in Florida also has lighter winds and smooth water. This along with ocean currents helps to keep the water clear. The Gulf of Mexico helps to keep the water clear. 

Conclusion: Beaches in Florida with Clear Water

We hope you have found this guide helpful in planning a vacation to Florida. There are so many beautiful beaches in Florida. It is hard to go wrong with picking one because there are so many great options.

If you have any questions about any of the beaches we have recommended, please let us know in the comments below. You can also always find us on Instagram.