Best Beaches in South Florida

December 18, 2022

Find stretches of warm golden sand, blue Atlantic Ocean waters, and gently swaying palm trees. In The Palm Beaches, you'll find the top beaches in Florida.

The Palm Beaches are home to top beach towns, top beach resorts, and top rated beaches in Florida. With 47 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline and stretches of golden sand to pick from, naming the best Florida beach in The Palm Beaches is impossible. Instead, here's a list of some of our favorite white sand beaches for sun and fun so you can decide which strand of oceanfront gets your top spot.

Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park – Boynton Beach

Canopy-covered walkways, a hardwood boardwalk and a café welcome families to Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park. Umbrella and lounge chair rentals, a playground and a concession stand are available for the ultimate in relaxation and fun. Oceanfront Park Beach is open 365 days a year from sunrise to 9 pm. Lifeguards are on duty every day from 9 am to 5 pm. Designated surfing and skim board areas are located at the north and south end of the beach.
Places to stay nearby: Hampton Inn & Suites Boynton Beach.

Address: 6415 N Ocean Blvd, Ocean Ridge, FL 33435

Coral Cove Park – Tequesta

One of our more northern beaches in the county and one that cannot be missed. Known as a beach with a quiet personality, Coral Cove Park offers unparalleled snorkeling conditions. Just a few feet offshore and in just a few inches of water are water-carved rock formations, shaped by countless seasons of wave action. A waterproof camera will come in handy when capturing the beauty of sea turtles, eels, fish, and sharks swimming between the reefs and rocks of the cove. The park is conveniently located close to the Intracoastal Waterway, offering additional areas to explore in and out of the water. Families will be delighted to discover picnic benches, grills, and a small playscape.
Places to stay nearby: Jupiter Waterfront Inn.

Address: 1600 S Beach Rd, Tequesta, FL 33469.

Delray Beach Municipal Beach – Delray Beach

The two-mile-long stretch of Delray Beach sits comfortably between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. It offers easy accessibility and a tranquil experience, thanks to the beach’s calm waves and warm waters. Its boundaries are marked by sand dunes, which act as natural barriers. After your beach trip, explore one of the many Atlantic Avenue restaurants just a short walk from the sand.
Places to stay nearby: Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa.

Address: 400 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483

Juno Beach Park – Juno Beach

Take in panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean from the Juno Beach pier while enjoying 990 feet of excellent saltwater fishing. Enjoy a variety of fishing tackle for sale at the bait shop, as well as poles for rent. After a day of swimming, grab a snack at the concession stand or prepare dinner on the park’s barbecue grills. Additional amenities include free parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and showers.
Places to stay nearby: Hampton Inn Jupiter/Juno Beach.

Address: 14775 US-1, Juno Beach, FL 33408.

Jupiter Beach Park – Jupiter

Take a dip in the family-friendly small lagoon, or drop a line from the jetty. Make a big catch or buy seafood from Pinders Seafood & Marketplace–either is good for a bit of afternoon grilling. Surf with the locals or play some volleyball. Best of all, bring a furry friend to cool off, as a portion of Jupiter Beach (Ocean Cay Park) allows dogs to be off their leash. Additional amenities include pavilion access, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Places to stay nearby: Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa.

Address: 1375 Jupiter Beach Rd, Jupiter, FL 33477.

Lake Worth Municipal Beach – Lake Worth

This beach is ideal for soaking up the sun and taking in scenic views. Lake Worth Beach is noted for its cleanliness and relaxed atmosphere. Take a stroll along its golden sand, or find your way up and along its pier. There, you’ll find Benny’s On The Beach, an oceanfront restaurant with diverse cuisine from breakfast to dinner.
Places to stay nearby: Sabal Palm House Bed & Breakfast Inn.

Address: 10 S Ocean Blvd, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460.

Ocean Reef Park – Riviera Beach / Singer Island

Perfect for a sunrise walk or run, the boardwalk at Ocean Reef Park stretches along the dune ecosystem. There's plenty of sand on the wide beach to relax and take in this quintessential South Florida experience. Rock piles just off the shoreline provide plenty of sea life to entertain adventurous snorkelers. Up in the park area, there's a picnic pavilion, as well as grills and single picnic tables. Additional amenities include a playground and showers.
Places to stay nearby: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa.

Address: 3860 N Ocean Dr, Riviera Beach, FL 33404.

Peanut Island Park – Riviera Beach

Peanut island is a family sanctuary which features snorkeling, overnight camping, and swimming. This 79-acre beauty in the heart of the Lake Worth inlet was actually a dredging project dating back to 1918 and is a fan favorite of many! With a rich history, nooks, and crannies to snorkel, sunbathe and even camp, the island vibes are here and loaded with activities. Peanut Island is only accessible by boat, paddleboard, or canoe. Best ways to visit are to take a water taxi from nearby Sailfish Marina or Riviera Beach Marina–or anchor your boat right along the shoreline.
Places to stay nearby: Peanut Island Park & Tent Campground.

Address: 6500 Peanut Island Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33404.

Phil Foster Park – Riviera Beach / Singer Island

This 14.7-acre beach park is a gateway to discover the islands of The Palm Beaches: Singer Island, Peanut Island, and Munyon Island. The park is a great fishing spot and has a nice playground. But what Phil Foster is best known for is a man-made snorkeling trail that winds around the south end of the island and near the pilings of the Blue Heron Bridge. While the full trail is intended for stronger swimmers, the beach access is great for kids wanting to wade around closer to shore. Families can play on the sandy beach, while enjoying the fully protected water of the lagoon (also known as the Intracoastal Waterway).
Places to stay nearby: Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront/Palm Beaches Resort.

Address: 900 Blue Heron Blvd, Riviera Beach, FL 33404.

Red Reef Park – Boca Raton

Red Reef Park is a secluded, heavily foliated area that’s a favorite haunt for a variety of small birds. Bring your camera and see if you can capture images of larger and more spectacular birds on the ocean side of the park. Snorkeling at the park’s south end and surf fishing are popular leisure activities, and access to the beach is available with many parking options. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is part of the 67-acre park. Gumbo Limbo will delight nature lovers of every age, with educational programs about sea turtles, nature, conservation, and the area’s ecology. Programs are tailored for children as well as adults, so children can enjoy learning about endangered sea turtles. Additional amenities include showering stations, walking paths, and a picnic area equipped with grills, tables, and restrooms. There’s even a 9 hole golf course with views of the ocean!
Places to stay nearby: The Boca Raton.

Address: 1400 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

Dubois Park - Jupiter

Lined with palm trees and protected waters, Dubois Park is located on the southern edge of Jupiter Inlet. Pull into the ample parking lot and you’ll notice the park doesn’t face the ocean, but rather the beautiful and historic Jupiter Inlet. Look west and you’ll see the Jupiter Lighthouse. Look east and you’ll see the mouth of the inlet leading into the shimmering ocean. A man-made barrier of natural rock and concrete shelters a pool of water, perfect for bathers of all ages. The water is replenished and cleaned by the natural currents of the inlet, and access to the swimming area is easy and well-marked. There are public bathrooms available, as well as small grills for cooking. Best of all, the calm swimming area is great for kids, and parents will appreciate how easy it is to keep track of little ones.
Places to stay nearby: Wyndham Grand Jupiter At Harbourside Place.

Address: 19075 Dubois Rd, Jupiter, FL 33477.

John D. MacArthur State Park – North Palm Beach

Located in North Palm Beach and nestled on a barrier island, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is the only state park in Palm Beach County, as well as one of the most family friendly parks among Florida's State Parks. This nearly-two-mile picturesque beach allows you to explore with a number of water activities. Swim, snorkel, and refresh yourself in the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The flip side of the park sits in the urban estuary of the Intracoastal Waterway. Kayak, canoe, hike short trails, and visit the Nature Center. Top amenities include picnic tables, barbecue grills, children’s playground, and gift shop.
Places to stay nearby: Hilton Garden Inn Palm Beach Gardens.

Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 3340.

This was our selection of top rated beaches in Florida. Check out our beachfront and waterfront hotels, book your stay in one of our beach towns, and enjoy our pristine beaches!

Header picture courtesy of Carri Lager @carrilagerphotopgraphy