There are plenty of places in Florida that are hot spots for tourists and snowbirds to congregate and cash in on that warm southern weather. But for the locals, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially when there are fewer and fewer places to stretch out a blanket and enjoy the simplicity of the surroundings. For those sunshine seekers who are looking for a little bit of reprieve from the popular, well-known beaches, we have the perfect solution: The Hidden Beaches Road Trip which takes you to some of the best hidden beaches in Florida. Is this map of beach towns in Florida complete? Not at all – but it’s a great start!

Google Maps

Clocking in at just under 12 hours, this spectacular road trip will take guests to 7 different hidden, or lesser-known, beaches within the state. Spend an entire weekend cruising each coast, and ending up on the northern or southern part of the state, depending on where you begin and end your journey. Visit the link to access the entire Florida Hidden Beaches road trip itinerary.

On your marks…get set…GO!

1. Little Talbot Island
Little Talbot Island, Jacksonville, FL 32226, USA
TripAdvisor MargyS.
Talbot Island State Park in Northeast Florida is where many can begin this road trip. Made up of seven barrier islands, this state park is one of the most beautiful areas within the state. Little Talbot Island, however, is one of the underdeveloped areas that is a true paradise, showcasing over five miles of sandy beach access. With untouched natural wilderness at your fingertips, this is the perfect way to kick off the adventure. It's one of our favorite hidden beaches in Florida that's such a gorgeous spot to check out.

Experience Little Talbot State Park from the air in this relaxing video:
2. Vilano Beach
Vilano Beach, FL 32084, USA
Flickr Allen Forrest
The next stop on this hidden beaches in Florida road trip is one of St. Augustine’s best kept secrets. Located just north of the downtown historic district and Matanzas Inlet is the stunning Vilano Beach. For adventure enthusiasts, this beach is a real gem due to the heavier surf, making surfing, skim boarding and kiteboarding a popular pastime. And while you're there, consider a delicious meal at this wonderful waterfront restaurant in Florida.
3. Pass-a-Grille Beach
Pass-a-Grille Beach, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, USA
Flickr psyberartist
While this stop along the hidden beaches in Florida road trip might be the most popular, you can still enjoy peace and quiet, with minimal overcrowding. Pass-a-Grille is a lesser developed, well-maintained beach with limited hotels dotting the shoreline. Catch a sunset during your stopover, because we guarantee it’ll be a memory that will last a lifetime.

Learn all the reasons Pass-a-Grille Beach is simply the best in this short example video:

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4. Shell Key Preserve
Shell Key Preserve, 2187 Oceanview Dr, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USA
TripAdvisor dbcjr
Let’s throw a little bit of a wrench into your road trip, shall we? Because this sensational hidden beach is only accessible by boat. As an underdeveloped barrier island near Tampa Bay, this gem has been deemed one of the most crucial areas for shorebird nesting. But have no fear, road trippers, you can take the Shell Key Shuttle from St. Pete in order to make your way to this preserve.
5. Keewaydin Island
Keewaydin Island, Florida, USA
TripAdvisor Jessica761
Before you take this road trip back to the east coast, there is one more place near Naples that deserves some exploration. One of the primary barrier reefs off the coast of Naples is named Keewaydin Island and remains a hidden gem for many Florida visitors. Since you probably aren’t towing a boat with you along this road trip, you can always rent one or hop on one of the charters heading that way to spend some time enjoying the sun and surf. Besides, with a beer boat and taco boat docked there all day, what more could you ask for? The address for Keewaydin Island is...
6. Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach, Sombrero Beach Rd, Marathon, FL 33050, USA
TripAdvisor Joel
As you adventure on down through The Florida Keys, you’ll come across the gem of a beach known as Sombrero Beach. Right near Mile Marker 50 on the island of Marathon, you’ll be able to enjoy some serenity and peace right on the Atlantic side. But what’s more, is that this hidden beach is wildly popular for Loggerhead turtle nesting, so make sure to be careful where you explore!

Take a relaxing, scenic walking tour of Sombrero Beach:
7. Calusa Beach
Big Pine Key, FL 33043, USA
TripAdvisor mengel1130
Just adjacent to the Bahia Honda Bridge you’ll find a fabulous, award-winning beach known as Calusa Beach. While Bahia Honda Beach remained closed for the better part of 2018 due to hurricane damage, the very tip of the beach known as Calusa Beach remained open. Enjoy a little slice of paradise, tucked away in the Florida Keys to make for the perfect ending to this entire road trip.

What do you think? Can you tackle the entire road trip to hidden beaches in Florida in one weekend?

Also, if you have any other hidden beaches that you’d like to share, make sure to add them to the comments section!

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More to Explore

Map Of Florida Beach Towns

Marisa Roman | May 31, 2019

What are the prettiest beaches in Florida?

When you’re considering what some of the best beaches in Florida are, it might all come down to your personal preference. While some visitors may think that Miami Beach in Florida is one of the best, others may think that the beach with the least amount of people reigns supreme. Florida beaches are different depending on where you are in the state. For instance, the best sandy beach in Florida could be in Sarasota for those who prefer the pure white sand, or perhaps it would be the one with the most seashells, like Tigertail Beach. Any beach you find in Florida will be a beautiful adventure no matter where you are in the state.

What are the best beach towns in Florida?

Sometimes there is nothing better than visiting a true beach town in Florida. Siesta Key in Florida is one of the top beach towns, where you can kick back and relax enjoying the drum circles and stellar sunsets. St. Petersburg in Florida is another enjoyable beach town on the west coast, with an eclectic blend of mom-and-pop shops and unique restaurants. Other beach towns in Florida worth visiting include Captiva Island, Apalachicola, Key West, Cocoa Beach, Sanibel Island, and Fernandina Island.

What beaches have the clearest water in Florida? 

The beach with the clearest water in Florida is always up for debate between residents and visitors. There are quite a few places throughout the Sunshine State which offer crystal-clear water. Clear water beaches also might depend on what the weather is like within the area. For instance, Sarasota often experiences Red Tide, which means the water is less likely to be clear. A few of the beaches in Florida with the clearest water on any given day include Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, Key West, Anna Maria Island, Miami Beach, and Longboat Key.

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