Florida Beaches Stun the World with Jaw-Dropping Views

Why These Beaches Are Worth a Visit, Even If They’re Not as Popular

Florida is known for its beaches and attracts throngs of visitors from spring break, through the summer every year. Most Floridians know that tourists and visitors tend to gravitate toward some beaches more than others, packing out some strips of sand around the state and leaving others nearly untouched by anyone but locals.

Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort recently analyzed more than 500 beaches around Florida’s ample coastline and counted the number of Instagram posts attached to the top three hashtags for each beach to find the most and least Instagrammed beaches in the state.

The Benefits of Avoiding the Crowds and Finding Your Own Piece of Paradise

Visiting a quieter beach can be a refreshing change of pace from the hustle and bustle of more popular destinations. With fewer people, you’re more likely to find a spot to yourself, and the atmosphere can be more relaxed and peaceful.

Additionally, quieter beaches often have fewer amenities and services, which can be a blessing in disguise. Without the distractions of restaurants and shops, you’re more likely to focus on the natural beauty of the beach and the surrounding area.

How to Make the Most of a Quieter Beach Experience

To make the most of a quieter beach experience, consider arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun is not as intense. This can be a great time to take a leisurely walk along the beach, go for a swim, or try your hand at water sports like surfing or paddleboarding.

You may also want to consider packing a picnic lunch or snacks to enjoy on the beach. This can be a great way to save money and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Planning Your Trip to Florida’s Quietest Beaches

So, how do you find these lesser-known beaches and make the most of your trip? Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Start by researching online. Look for articles and reviews about the best beaches in Florida and filter your search to focus on quieter destinations.
• Use a mapping app or website to find beaches in your area. You can also use these tools to get directions and plan your route.
• Consider visiting during the off-season. This can be a great way to avoid the crowds and enjoy more peaceful conditions.
• Pack accordingly. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable clothing to ensure you’re prepared for a day at the beach.

Spring Break in Florida

While we’ve focused on the quieter beaches in Florida, spring break is a popular time to visit the state’s beaches. Here’s what you need to know:

When is Spring Break in Florida?

Spring break for most counties in Florida will land in the third week of March, some counties will have spring break later in March or in early April. See the spring break dates for all of Florida’s 67 counties here.

The Best Beaches for Spring Break

Some of the best beaches for spring break are:

• Clearwater Beach: Located on the Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach is a popular destination for spring breakers.
• Miami Beach: Miami Beach is a vibrant destination that offers a range of activities and attractions for spring breakers.
• Palm Beach: Located in Palm Beach County, Palm Beach is a quieter destination that’s still within reach of the action.

Beyond the Beaches: Other Spring Break Activities in Florida

While the beaches are a major draw during spring break, there are plenty of other activities and attractions to explore in Florida. Here are a few ideas:

• Visit the Kennedy Space Center: Located near Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center is a must-visit for space enthusiasts.
• Explore the Everglades: The Everglades is a unique and fascinating ecosystem that’s home to a wide range of wildlife.
• Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: Located in Key West, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is a must-visit for literature lovers.

Just Revealed: Top 9 Florida Beaches with Millions of Instagram Posts

According to Westgate’s list, the least Instagrammed (and possibly quietest) beach in Florida is Gulf Lakes Public Beach, near Rosemary Beach in the Florida panhandle, with just three Instagram posts tied to the beach. Here’s Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort’s list of the top 10 least Instagrammed beaches in Florida and how many posts each beach has:

• Gulf Lakes Public Beach, Bay County, 3
• Groot’s Beach, Duval County, 6
• South Swim Beach, Monroe County, 13
• Charmed Beach, Walton County, 21
• Dickerson City Beach, Santa Rosa County, 22
• Green Street Beach, Broward County, 23
• Big Grass Island, Taylor County, 25
• Walton Dunes, Walton County, 26
• Klondike Beach, Brevard County, 29
• Virginia Forrest Beach, Martin County, 31

Here’s Westgate’s list of the top 10 most Instagrammed beaches in Florida and how many posts each beach has:

• South Beach, Miami Beach, 9,087,000
• Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, 6,213,000
• Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County, 1,792,000
• Daytona Beach, Volusia County, 1,638,000
• Panama City Beach, Bay County, 1,131,400
• Pompano Beach, Broward County, 1,120,900
• Sunny Isles Beach, Miami-Dade County, 1,097,000
• Vero Beach, Indian River County, 1,033,800
• Deerfield Beach, Broward County, 1,020,800
• Cocoa Beach, Brevard County, 975,800

My Personal Story: How I Honored My Great-Grandfather’s Promise

I was 8 when my great-grandfather was in his 80s, and I visited him every Sunday. He always said that when I turned 18, we would travel the world together. As a kid, I held onto his promise and wanted to see the world by his side.

My great-grandfather and I didn’t have much in common growing up. He was in his 80s, and I was just 8. Most of the time, he wanted to discuss things that didn’t make sense to me, like politics or how the family of someone I had never heard of was doing.

However, there was one thing that kept me very close to him. Every Sunday when we visited, without fail, we would sit together, and he’d say the same thing: “When you turn 18, you and I will travel the world together. Do you have your passport ready?” He would then continue to talk about some places worldwide, like Venice or The Netherlands.

I didn’t fully understand what “traveling the world” meant then, but I believed him. He had a way of making places he had never visited sound familiar. He’d describe the canals of Venice as if he had walked along them, weaving in comparisons and tales from things he probably read elsewhere.

Everything sounded so authentic and appealing that sometimes it felt like he would be the perfect guide for each of those places he mentioned. But he died before we could travel together.

As a kid, I believed in his promise so much that I looked forward to traveling with him. I would ask my mom to buy magazines so I could see what was happening in those countries or cities. I was obsessed with anything related to travel to the point that whenever I saw a plane, I would exclaim, “That’s where I’m going to go with Grandpa.”

It never occurred to me that it wouldn’t happen. But then, eight months after my 15th birthday, on July 1st, he died. Losing him was painful; I understood he was old, but for the first time, I realized I would never have the chance again to experience the world through my grandpa’s eyes.

The promise of traveling the world had been something I had looked forward to for years, and suddenly, it was gone. For a while, I avoided thinking about it. I had to finish school, go to university, and focus on what I wanted my adult life to be.

But as I got older, something shifted. I realized I didn’t want to let go of the dream. If we couldn’t see the world together, I decided to see it for both of us.

I still keep our promise alive. When I turned 19, I began traveling as soon as I could, and my first destination was Madrid. It wasn’t precisely the destination we discussed the most, but I knew I was getting closer to our stories of Italy and Holland.

It became my way of honoring him. Over the years, I’ve visited places I know he would have loved. I walked through the canals of Amsterdam, sat in the green grass near the Eiffel Tower, and ate while crossing the cozy streets with pretty gondolas in Venice.

Each trip is an opportunity to reconnect with those childhood memories, and whenever I visit a place he once told me about, I try to imagine what he would have said if he were standing next to me. Would he be amazed, or would he find the reality different from what he had imagined?