14 Best Small Beach Towns In Florida – Cute & Quaint Florida Coastal Towns

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In this article, read about small and cute beach towns in Florida. They have a unique charm, are attractive, and are full of activities, making them the perfect cute beach towns in Florida for a memorable vacation.

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Best Small Beach Towns In Florida – Florida Beach Towns

Florida boasts an array of stunning beach towns, each offering its unique charm, attractions, and activities. These quaint beach towns in Florida offer a slower pace of life, natural beauty, and a welcoming atmosphere, making them perfect destinations for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.

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Read this list of some of Florida’s top beach towns, their nearest big city, transportation options, things to do, mid-budget accommodations, activities/tours, and why they’re worth visiting.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach is famous for its lively atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and diverse cultural scene.

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  • Nearest Big City: Miami
  • How to Reach: Miami International Airport is the closest major airport. You can take a taxi, Uber, or public transportation to Miami Beach from there.

Things to Do:

  • Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of South Beach.
  • Stroll along the iconic Ocean Drive.
  • Relax on the sandy shores of South Beach.
  • Visit the Art Deco Historic District.
  • Explore Lincoln Road Mall for shopping and dining.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Freehand Miami or Circa 39 Hotel offers comfortable accommodations at reasonable rates.

Activities/Tours:

Miami Beach stands out as one of the best beach towns in Florida due to its vibrant nightlife, iconic Art Deco architecture, world-renowned beaches, and diverse cultural scene, offering a unique blend of relaxation, excitement, and sophistication.

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Key West

Key West offers a laid-back atmosphere, beautiful sunsets, and a rich history blended with quirky charm.

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  • Nearest Big City: Key West is quite remote, but Miami’s closest major city.
  • How to Reach: Key West can be reached by driving from mainland Florida or flying into Key West International Airport.

Things to Do:

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Lighthouse Court Hotel or Almond Tree Inn – Adults Only offers cozy accommodations with Key West charm.

Activities/Tours:

Key West is renowned as one of Florida’s best cute beach towns. Its laid-back island vibe, vibrant sunsets, rich history, and eclectic charm perfectly blend relaxation and adventure in a tropical paradise.

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, along with plenty of family-friendly attractions and water sports activities.

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  • Nearest Big City: Tampa
  • How to Reach: Tampa International Airport is the closest major airport. You can rent a car or take a shuttle to Clearwater Beach.

Things to Do:

  • Relax on the pristine white sands.
  • Visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
  • Take a dolphin-watching cruise.
  • Explore Pier 60 for sunset festivities and local artisans.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Pelican Pointe Hotel or Pier House 60 Clearwater Beach Marina Hotel offers comfortable accommodations at reasonable rates.

Activities/Tours:

  • Try parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Rent a jet ski for some water adventure.
  • Join a fishing charter for a day of angling.

Clearwater Beach is one of Florida’s cutest beach towns. Its pristine white sands, family-friendly attractions, lively atmosphere along Pier 60, and many water activities make it a picturesque seaside escape with plenty of charm and character.

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Naples – Cities In Florida By The Beach

Naples is known for its upscale atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and abundant outdoor recreational activities.

  • Nearest Big City: Fort Myers
  • How to Reach: Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is the nearest major airport. You can rent a car or take a shuttle to Naples from there.

Things to Do:

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  • Visit the Naples Pier for fishing and sunset views.
  • Explore the upscale shops and restaurants on Fifth Avenue South.
  • Take a stroll through the Naples Botanical Garden.
  • Relax on the beaches of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Lemon Tree Inn or Bayfront Inn 5th Ave offer comfortable accommodations with a touch of Old Florida charm.

Activities/Tours:

  • Embark on a sightseeing cruise around Naples Bay.
  • Go paddleboarding or kayaking through the mangrove estuaries.
  • Take a guided tour of the historic neighborhoods.

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Naples shines as one of the cutest beach towns in Florida. With its upscale ambiance, elegant boutiques and dining on Fifth Avenue South, serene beaches framed by swaying palms, and rich cultural offerings, it presents a charming coastal retreat with sophistication.

Anna Maria Island – Florida Coastal Towns

Anna Maria Island exudes old Florida charm with its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and charming small-town atmosphere.

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  • Nearest Big City: Bradenton
  • How to Reach: Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is the closest major airport. You can rent a car or take a shuttle to Anna Maria Island.

Things to Do:

  • Explore the quaint shops and restaurants of Pine Avenue.
  • Relax on the pristine beaches.
  • Rent a bicycle and tour the island.
  • Visit the historic Anna Maria City Pier.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Anna Maria Island Inn or Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages offer cozy accommodations with a laid-back island vibe.

Activities/Tours:

  • Take a dolphin-watching cruise.
  • Go fishing off the Rod & Reel Pier.
  • Rent a kayak and explore the mangrove tunnels.

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Anna Maria Island is one of the most charming beach towns in Florida for its quaint atmosphere, picturesque streets lined with pastel-colored cottages, pristine beaches, and laid-back island vibe. It offers a serene and idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Seaside

Seaside is known for its charming New Urbanism design, beautiful beaches, and laid-back vibe, making it a perfect retreat for those seeking relaxation and tranquility.

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  • Nearest Big City: Destin
  • How to Reach: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Seaside.

Things to Do:

  • Explore the pastel-colored cottages and quaint streets.
  • Relax on the picturesque beaches.
  • Browse the boutiques and art galleries.
  • Watch a movie under the stars at the Seaside Amphitheater.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Seaside Inn or WaterColor Inn offers cozy accommodations with a coastal cottage feel.

Activities/Tours:

  • Rent a stand-up paddleboard and explore the coastal dune lakes.
  • Take a bike ride along the Timpoochee Trail.
  • Join a guided eco-tour of Grayton Beach State Park.

Seaside captivates as one of the most adorable beach towns in Florida with its charming New Urbanism design, pastel-hued cottages, bustling town center filled with boutiques and cafes, and pristine beaches, creating a picture-perfect coastal community straight out of a storybook.

Cedar Key

Cedar Key offers a peaceful retreat away from the crowds with its small-town charm, scenic beauty, and abundant outdoor activities.

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  • Nearest Big City: Gainesville
  • How to Reach: Gainesville Regional Airport is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Cedar Key.

Things to Do: 

  • Explore the historic downtown area with its art galleries and shops, 
  • You can take a boat tour to visit nearby islands and wildlife refuges, 
  • Go birdwatching at Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
  • Enjoy fresh local food at local restaurants.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast or Beach Front Motel offers comfortable accommodations with a rustic coastal charm.

Activities/Tours: 

  • Go kayaking or paddleboarding along the shoreline,
  • Take a fishing charter to catch your dinner, or
  • Join a sunset cruise for breathtaking views of the Gulf.

Cedar Key is one of Florida’s most quaint and beautiful beach towns. Its rustic coastal allure, historic downtown adorned with colorful cottages, tranquil island atmosphere, and breathtaking sunsets over the Gulf offers a delightful blend of old-world charm and natural beauty.

Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach is known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, and quaint downtown area, making it a charming destination for a relaxing getaway.

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  • Nearest Big City: Jacksonville
  • How to Reach: Jacksonville International Airport is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Fernandina Beach.

Things to Do:

  • Explore the historic downtown area with its Victorian architecture and boutique shops.
  • Stroll along the Amelia Island Trail.
  • Visit Fort Clinch State Park for hiking and birdwatching.
  • Relax on the pristine beaches.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Addison on Amelia or Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island offers comfortable accommodations with a touch of Southern hospitality.

Activities/Tours:

  • Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic district.
  • Go horseback riding on the beach.
  • Join a guided kayak tour of the Amelia River.

Fernandina Beach delights as one of the most enchanting beach towns in Florida. Its Victorian architecture, quaint downtown area brimming with boutique shops and eateries, pristine beaches, and rich history create a captivating coastal retreat with timeless charm and character.

Vero Beach

Vero Beach offers a peaceful escape with its unspoiled beaches, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreational opportunities, making it a hidden gem on Florida’s east coast.

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  • Nearest Big City: Port St. Lucie
  • How to Reach: Orlando Melbourne International Airport is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Vero Beach.

Things to Do:

  • Visit the McKee Botanical Garden.
  • Explore the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
  • Relax on the uncrowded beaches.
  • Go surfing or paddleboarding.
  • Take a scenic drive along the Indian River Lagoon.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Caribbean Court Boutique Hotel or Costa d’Este Beach Resort offers cozy accommodations with a laid-back beach vibe.

Activities/Tours:

  • Join a guided eco-tour of the Indian River Lagoon.
  • Go snorkeling at Pepper Park Beach.
  • Take a fishing charter to catch snook or tarpon.

Vero Beach captivates as one of the most charming beach towns in Florida with its laid-back coastal vibe, unspoiled beaches, cultural attractions like the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and abundance of outdoor activities, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure in a picturesque setting.

St. George Island

St. George Island is a secluded paradise with its untouched natural beauty, tranquil beaches, and small-town charm, making it an ideal destination for a peaceful getaway.

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  • Nearest Big City: Tallahassee
  • How to Reach: Tallahassee International Airport is the closest major airport. You can rent a car from there and drive to St. George Island.

Things to Do:

  • Explore St. George Island State Park for hiking, birdwatching, and beachcombing.
  • Visit the Cape St. George Lighthouse Museum.
  • Go fishing or crabbing.
  • Take a sunset stroll along the pristine beaches.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The St. George Inn or Buccaneer Inn offers comfortable accommodations with a laid-back island vibe.

Activities/Tours:

  • Rent a bike and explore the island’s scenic trails.
  • Go kayaking or paddleboarding in the calm waters of Apalachicola Bay.
  • Join a guided fishing excursion.

St. George Island enchants as one of the most adorable beach towns in Florida with its pristine, uncrowded beaches, quaint seaside cottages, abundant wildlife, and serene, laid-back atmosphere, offering a peaceful escape to paradise.

 St. Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and beautiful beaches, making it a charming destination for a getaway.

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  • Nearest Big City: Jacksonville
  • How to Reach: Jacksonville International Airport is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to St. Augustine.

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Things to Do:

  • Explore the historic district with its cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture.
  • Visit Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
  • Stroll along St. Augustine Beach.
  • Take a guided ghost tour of the city’s haunted sites.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Bayfront Marin House or St. George Inn offers cozy accommodations with a historic charm.

Activities/Tours:

  • Climb to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
  • Take a scenic cruise along Matanzas Bay.
  • Explore the shops and restaurants of St. George Street.

St. Augustine captivates as one of the most charming beach towns in Florida with its historic cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial architecture, picturesque beaches, and rich cultural heritage, creating a captivating blend of history, romance, and seaside beauty along the Atlantic coast.

Islamorada

Islamorada is known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” and offers a laid-back island atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and plenty of outdoor activities.

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  • Nearest Big City: Miami
  • How to Reach: Miami International Airport is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Islamorada.

Things to Do:

  • Go snorkeling or diving at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
  • Visit the Theater of the Sea for marine animal encounters.
  • Enjoy fresh food at local restaurants.
  • Relax on the sandy beaches.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Islander Resort or La Jolla Resort offers comfortable accommodations with a tropical island vibe.

Activities/Tours: Take a fishing charter to catch mahi-mahi or sailfish, go paddleboarding or kayaking through the mangroves, or join a sunset cruise for breathtaking views of the Florida Keys.

Islamorada is one of the most enchanting beach towns in Florida. With its tranquil island charm, vibrant marine life, world-class fishing, and breathtaking sunsets, it offers a quintessential tropical escape along the scenic Florida Keys.

Key Biscayne – Florida Coastal Towns

Key Biscayne offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Miami, with its pristine beaches, outdoor recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty.

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  • Nearest Big City: Miami
  • How to Reach: Miami International Airport is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Key Biscayne.

Things to Do:

  • Visit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park for beachcombing and hiking.
  • Explore the Miami Seaquarium for marine life exhibits.
  • Relax on Crandon Park Beach.
  • Ride along the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The Silver Sands Beach Resort or Coral Reef at Key Biscayne offers comfortable accommodations with easy access to the beach.

Activities/Tours:

  • Go snorkeling or paddleboarding in the crystal-clear waters.
  • Take a guided eco-tour of the mangrove forests.
  • Enjoy a picnic in one of the island’s scenic parks.

Key Biscayne shines as one of the most charming beach towns in Florida. With its pristine beaches, lush parks, scenic trails, and relaxed island atmosphere, it provides a serene and idyllic retreat just minutes from the bustling city of Miami.

Captiva Island

Captiva Island is a tranquil paradise with its pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and relaxed vibe, making it an ideal destination for a peaceful getaway.

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  • Nearest Big City: Fort Myers
  • How to Reach: Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is the closest major airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Captiva Island.

Things to Do:

  • Relax on the secluded beaches.
  • Go shelling along the shoreline.
  • Visit the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge for birdwatching.
  • Take a cruise to nearby islands for dolphin sightings.

Mid-Budget Overnight Stay: The South Seas Island Resort or Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa offers comfortable accommodations with a laid-back island atmosphere.

Activities/Tours:

  • Rent a kayak and explore the mangrove estuaries.
  • Go fishing off the pier or on a charter boat.
  • Take a guided nature walk to learn about the island’s flora and fauna.

Captiva Island captivates as one of the most adorable beach towns in Florida with its secluded beaches, charming cottages, abundant wildlife, and laid-back island vibe, offering a tranquil and picturesque escape amidst the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast.

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All these beach towns in Florida offer their distinct flavor of the state’s coastal lifestyle, making them all worth visiting for a memorable beach getaway. Whether you’re seeking vibrant nightlife, natural beauty, or cultural attractions, you’ll find them along Florida’s picturesque coastline.

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These cute beach towns in Florida provide the perfect blend of relaxation, natural beauty, and coastal charm, making them ideal destinations for a romantic getaway or a family vacation.

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