As we ease into the new normal, it’s exhilarating to be outdoors finally. Switching the beach for the mall is not a bad idea – it’s an even better one!
If you’re itching to feel the salty beach air while you safely social distance, it can be worth the trip to check out Florida’s current beach scene. Remember to keep health safety protocols and just have fun.
Top 3 Kid-Friendly Beaches in Florida Now
We’ve scoured the latest family-friendly attractions to help you pick out the best places for the whole family to enjoy:
1. The Fort Lauderdale beachfront area, including Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
- Location: Found at the end of Las Olas Boulevard, spanning 25 miles of the *“Blue Wave” beach area *Certified to be safe, clean and environment-friendly.
- Famous for: the popular Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard promenade
- Things to do: paddle boarding and banana boats
The beach community welcomes visitors with opportunities for jogging, rollerblading, and cycling, aside from the usual fun beach activities. Cruise along the Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard to enjoy local amenities and establishments, including quaint T-shirts, swimwear, and sunscreen shops.
If you want to enjoy a scenic commute, your family can choose between taking Amtrak trains from Hollywood, buses from Clewiston, or a tri-trail route. A water taxi is also available (from any recreation area) to ferry you to any dockable area in Fort Lauderdale.
2. Bowman’s Beach and Bonita Beach, in Sanibel Island
- Location: Near the Fort Myers coast and Captiva Island
- Famous for: seashells and bird watching activities, rated as the “No. 1 Beach in the Southeast US” by Family Fun magazine
- Things to do: fishing, sailboarding, shelling, island-hopping
To avail of free public parking in some accesses, you can buy Sanibel Beach Island stickers from the Police department at City Hall. Walk-ins and cyclists can take advantage of free access along the Gulf Drives. Check out Bowman’s beach and Bonita Beach to discover a treasure trove of shells and start your collection. It would also be worthwhile to check out the Sanibel Lighthouse, southeast of Periwinkle Way.
3. Palm Island
- Location: along Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast, north of Fort Myers
- Famous for: shark’s teeth, bike trails and sand dollars buried in the pristine sand
- Things to do: cycling, collecting shark teeth, starfish and sand dollars, tennis, fishing, snorkeling and kayaking
Part of the island’s unique charm is that it’s only accessible by car ferry or boat. Once you arrive on the island, your family will enjoy getting around in scooters, golf carts, or bicycles. Despite this, the beaches are not crowded.
If you opt to stay at the Palm Island Resort, you can also enjoy heated swimming pools and spas. Kids will get a kick out of meeting the local celebrity, Red Beard, and his trusty parrot. He teaches kids crafts aboard a “shipwrecked” boat.
Taking a fun trip or vacation to the beach is still possible, as many of these Florida beaches have easy to follow safety regulations. You can check Pensacola beach Florida too.
