Best Family Beaches On Florida's East Coast – Family beach holidays can really offer so many activities and free up precious time for parents. From surfing beaches to watersports resorts, lively city beaches to tranquil island retreats, there are plenty of family-friendly beaches for beachgoers.
Oceanfront resorts and beach villas can be great options for families traveling with young children. Often just steps from the sea, they provide quick and easy access to the base for sleeping or forgotten items. For those with older children and teenagers, it’s worth checking what local beach facilities are available, including equipment hire, water sports and dining options, as well as local walks and coastal paths which allow you to explore without a car.
Best Family Beaches On Florida's East Coast
Whether you’re looking for luxury family vacations or a more rustic island adventure on a budget, we’ve rounded up our favorites to help you choose the best family beach destinations for your crew.
The Best Beaches In Florida
Oahu is Hawaii’s third largest island and offers safe, sandy beaches with water sports, dining options, and spacious oceanfront villas. It includes Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, whose thriving capital, nicknamed “The Gathering Place,” attracts those seeking the hustle and bustle of the city on a family beach vacation. Waikiki remains one of the island’s most popular family beaches, a short drive from the city but with plenty of kid-friendly beaches and Diamondhead hiking trails right across the street.
Most of the island’s beaches are protected from large waves by offshore coral reefs, providing ideal conditions for small paddlers. Lanakai is one of our favorites: it tops the list of the best family beaches in Hawaii; It has calm, clear waters and soft, very fine sand. It’s a short walk or bike ride to Kailua, where older kids can enjoy a menu of water sports including paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
The South Carolina coast is a true family paradise, with beautiful beaches and lively towns full of restaurants, museums and charming living spaces. Historic Charlestown attracts families with its Victorian homes, walkable downtown, and vibrant cultural and dining scene. There are many spacious beaches within easy reach, including the Isle of Palms, home to the Barrier Islands, with playgrounds, water sports and numerous pizzerias.
A little further south, Hilton Head is full of fun family vibes and has topped polls in recent years as one of the best family beaches in the United States. Parents can focus on relaxing with great amenities including clear waters, white sand, a working lighthouse and lifeguards.
Santa Rosa Beach Vacation Rentals & Homes
With a beautiful beach spanning nearly every square mile, it’s no surprise that Anguilla has some of the best family beaches. Ideal for those looking to escape the crowds without sacrificing luxury, this hotel features a number of stunning beach villas, an exciting dining scene and a beach to suit every member of the family.
Kids will love the sandy coves around Island Harbor with their relaxed atmosphere and pizzerias; Sandy Ground has calm, shallow waters and a beach play area for young children. Crocus Beach, on the north side of the island, is a favorite with kids of all ages; The waters between the two rocks are generally calm; Ideal for both young sailors and older children who want to snorkel, kayak or paddle.
Easily accessible from New York and Boston, Cape Cod has long been popular with city escapees seeking coastal tranquility. Quaint oceanfront towns like Chatham and Barnstaple offer unique, well-appointed homes for family beach vacations just steps from the local beach. The Cape’s eclectic food scene offers everything from clam ice cream parlors to upscale fine dining restaurants to satisfy all the family’s tastes. Many of the city’s marinas offer boat rentals and whale-watching day trips for wildlife lovers.
With more than 300 miles of beautiful coastline, fresh seafood, and one of the top 20 surfing cities in the world, North Carolina is quickly gaining credibility as a top family beach destination. Home to the world-famous Outer Banks (OBX), whose warm turquoise waters and powder-white sand have been compared to the Caribbean, this region has many quaint villages offering ocean-view beach homes, local restaurants, and the chance to see wild horses. sands.
Safest Beaches In Florida To Visit This Summer
To the south, Wilmington and the surrounding area are a great base for families, with spacious beach houses, bike paths, water parks and the Carolina Boardwalk with classic rides and waterfront restaurants. It is also well connected for those who want to further explore this beautiful state.
Newport Beach lives up to its Golden State status with its warm sandy beaches, sparkling ocean, and plenty of ample loungers. A popular movie location, it has appeared in everything from Hollywood classics to teen dramas, as well as appearing on lists of the best family beaches on the West Coast. With bike and boat rentals, kayaks, waterfront parks, shopping centers, piers, and Balboa Island’s famous entertainment district, the fun and peaceful setting offers plenty of opportunities to entertain all ages. Accommodations come in all shapes and sizes, from luxurious beach villas with private boat docks to trendy, modern condos just steps from the beach.
Located on the magnificent Pacific Ocean, San Diego’s wild and beautiful playground is undoubtedly one of our favorite family beach spots. Offering a fantastic mix of world-class theme parks, museums, boardwalks and wild beaches, as well as some truly modern holiday homes, family beach holidays can be as relaxed or action-packed as the family wants them to be. The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Legoland California, Balboa Park museums and Scripps Birch Aquarium provide daily entertainment, while the beautiful, dramatic coastline is perfect for outdoor adventurers. La Jolla is a popular family destination with its picturesque countryside, coves and architect-designed homes, famous for its famous wading pool and sea lions.
Jamaica offers a great mix of relaxation and adventure, with beautiful beaches, waterfalls, underground caves and numerous hiking and biking trails in the Blue Mountains. There are many great family beach holiday bases with a homely atmosphere and warm welcome across the island. The beaches of Montego Bay have good conditions and calm, clear waters, ideal for those who are learning to swim; The restaurants and playgrounds on the beach are an added bonus. In addition to classic white sand beaches, Ocho Rios is popular for river tubing, horseback riding, golf, and catamaran cruises. For those seeking peace and privacy, there are beautiful private villas throughout the island offering large spaces, ocean views and private pools.
Best Florida Beach Towns: Quaint, Cozy & Classic
Florida may be known for its theme parks, but its spectacular coastline, with its sandy shores and turquoise waters that rival the best family beaches, deserves more attention. For those seeking beach city culture, Miami continues to attract, offering great surfing in South Beach, beachfront parks, beautiful beach trails, and a vibrant food and cultural scene.
A little further north, Pompano and Riviera beaches are well-established for the beach crowd, with quiet neighborhoods filled with cafes and restaurants within walking distance of the beach and beach attractions. Head to Destin, one of the state’s top destinations for pristine white-sand beaches and unspoiled nature.
Combining wildlife-rich rainforests with pristine beaches and beautiful resorts, the Dominican Republic has plenty to offer outdoor-loving families to enjoy a beach vacation. For adventure-filled days, Three Eyes National Park has cave networks and swimmable waterfalls, while the Interactive Children’s Trampoline Museum is also a family favourite.
Those looking for a luxury base should visit Punta Cana on the Coconut Coast, which offers all the comforts of a resort with palm-fringed beaches and turquoise waters. Puerto Plata is another popular family destination with truly stunning beaches and a cultural center full of galleries, colorful buildings and local cuisine. Some resorts offer elegant oceanfront villas for families who want amenities without sacrificing privacy.
Destination Beach Family Session {florida Beach Photographer} — Alison Frank Photography
Children are warmly welcomed in Mexico and Puerto Vallarta is no exception, with many attractions organized especially for them. At the end of the holiday they will have plenty of stories to tell, from the forest canopy to crossing the suspension bridges at Las Animas Aventura Park. The city center is a great family hub, with restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, as well as the lively mile-long waterfront palace, the Malecón.
For wildlife-loving kids, turtles are found on many local beaches and the biodiverse Mariet Islands are easily accessible by boat; Along the way there is the possibility of seeing dolphins, turtles and humpback whales. The village of Sayulita, with big waves for surfers and local craft boutiques, is a 45-minute drive away.
The best family beach destinations come in all shapes and sizes, so when discussing this year’s family beach vacation contenders
