Best Florida Panhandle Beaches
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The Florida Panhandle is a really interesting portion of Florida; from one beach town to the next. I know there are some things I look for when I’m planning out my beach vacation, staycation, or just a quick beach day trip. I want beach, I want sun, I want tropical fruity frozen drinks, and I want a decent radius of the beach to myself (aka I know sharing is caring, but I’d really prefer not to be sharing a towel with my neighbor’s sticky, chatty three year old, okay?). If we have the same goals in mind, alas you have come to the right place. This is a small list of some of (my opinion) the best Florida Panhandle beaches to visit lest you ever come to the sunshine state.
Best Florida Panhandle Beaches
Johnson Beach covers most of my grounds for a good beach trip. It’s got beach, it’s got sun (plan accordingly), and it’s got privacy. Coming here on a weekend in early August you would expect to walk forever to find a spot to lay out, but there is no shortage of places here. The downside? There are no fruity frozen drinks, so you’ll just have to bring your own.
Side note: Johnson Beach lies within the Gulf Islands National Seashore aka it’s in a national park. So you will have to pay national park fees. You’ve got two options: $20 for a 7 day pass, or $40 for the entire year. Either way, it’s totally worth the privacy. You saved money bringing your own beverages, so why not splurge on the 20. Now this pass gets you into any of the other beaches located in this park (i.e. Fort Pickens which has also made it onto my list) so just keep that in mind.
Best Florida Panhandle Beaches
Fort Pickens, must like Johnson Beach is once again located in the national seashore, very private and quiet, and no fruity frozen drinks. This beach has access to ocean side, as well as bay side, so I come here to do paddleboarding and kayaking, as the bay side has calmer waters to do so in the area. It’s beautiful out on Fort Pickens, there are sand dunes for days, and you can also visit the military fort here as well!
Best Florida Panhandle Beaches
I’ve mentioned Pensacola Beach in previous posts, so if you want the detailed run down, you can check out my post here. This beach is a tad more crowded, but you can still bring your own drank which makes it more tolerable. I love this beach because of the pier. I mean the picture says it all. It’s just so pretty, and the pretty blue water only adds to the beauty.
Best Florida Panhandle Beaches
Fort McRee is a really unique island in Perdido Key, Florida. We accessed the beach via boat, which was really beautiful. Pro tip: head out early afternoon, spend your entire day there, pack a lunch, bring some beer and some cornhole, and head back inland at sunset to see the dolphins come to life all around you!
Best Florida Panhandle Beaches
Okay so I kind of cheated on FWB. I didn’t really go to the beach, but I wanted a pool bar, so I freaking found one. Ultimately, we all know what a beach looks like. Sand, water, people in bathing suits that don’t really fit them, etc. So yes, PLEASE visit the area. It is such an awesome area, but if you need a break from the beach for a day, or you need to know where to stay during your visit, I’ve got you covered. Fort Walton Beach is in my opinion a better place to stay, because it’s a bit less crowded than Destin, and only minutes away.
The Island Fort Walton Destin is an incredibly lovely hotel. The building itself is just exquisitely beautiful and their pool, oh my GOD. There are restaurants inside and outside (at the pool) of the building. The pool has a five story waterfall smack dab in the center, and underneath the waterfall? Swim-up bar! I felt like I was at an all inclusive resort in Mexico somewhere. This place was so much fun. They have a DJ at the pool during the day, and live bands at night. The hotel is moderately priced, but with all that it has to offer, I think it might just be worth it. You tell me!
Need to re-up on your beach gear? Check out some of my favorite things to take to the beach!
I hope you all are ready for your transition from summer to fall! I know I am! Ps. I’m officially CPR Certified y’all! Here’s to the next step.
Until next time
-C
25 Comments
Heena
Florida beaches are beautiful. Seems you guys had an awesome time there. I would love to visit Johnson beach and Fort McRee with my family . Thanks for sharing
Michael
Nice shot on DESTIN. Hopefully to visit our family there soon and see these beaches in person!
Cindy
Each beach looked better than the one before! $20 or even $40 is well worth it!
Arun Dahiya
These beaches look so beautiful. I would love to spend weekend at Destin. So beautiful and peaceful.
Lisa
$40 for the whole year to visit National Parks is the way to go! Well worth it if you can visit beaches like this one, I prefer a quieter beaches as well. The hotel sounds dreamy with a bar pool and the waterfall right in the middle!
Deependra singh
Hi,
This is a nice list of beaches, hope i get to visit them soon.
Nice one!
Krysten Quiles
I looooooove Pensacola Beach! My folks moved to Pensacola a few years ago and it’s such a beautiful area. Thanks for sharing!
Kuntala Banerjee
The beaches are lovely. Clean serene waters. Amazing post.
Steph Social
Florida really does have some beautiful beaches! Some of these I’ve never heard of! Destin Looks so amazing!
Samar
Heard a lot about the panhandle beaches,and after reading this blog I am highly tempted.
Melanie Frost
I was looking at your Destin beach photo and was like, wait – they have a filter at the beach? LOL! All of those places look amazing. I would go to any one of those spots.
Bryan
My most recent visit to the Florida panhandle was to Destin and Fort Walton. The water has a really cool color in this area and there is much to do- a lot more than people realize!
Bella
Florida has so many great places! I am actually going to the keys soon!
tweenselmom
You look perfect on your swimwear. The beach complements you and not the other way around. Ciao!
maysz
Lovely this beaches perfect for summer so relaxing!! Awesome photos!
Dominique Brooks
Great list! You found some beaches that I am not as familiar with — I haven’t been to the panhandle for 16 years. I grew up in Alabama.
I need to visit again!
Mona Bednarska
Hahah, I hope your dogs are doing well 😉 And of course congrats because of the CPR!!
Great photos, I love all of them, especially the one with the drinks! You could make a postcard with these pics, hahah!
It’s nice to look for such private places because nowadays there are more and more tourists.
Kisses! and have a nice day!
Mona Bednarska
Dana Brillante-Peller
These are beautiful beaches throughout the Florida Panhandle. I haven’t seen them all, but there are a couple I’ve visited throughout the years.
Genny Gall
what a beautiful paradise, I really love beaches and have a relaxing time under the sun on a nice a soft sand and these ones are going to be my next destination
Bindu Thomas
Congrats on your CPR certification. Florida does have some beautiful beaches
Ntensibe Edgar Michael
Nnniiicceeeee…I love Fort McRee the most!
Geeky Daddy
Just started discussing a winter trip to Florida for this year. We used to go to Cancun every winter (prior to kids) and now are planning on staying domestic. Florida: We will be seeing you soon!
Bree
All of these beaches are incredible! I have only been to florida once but I loved it so much and cant wait to return!
Laura
This looks like great places to visit and the beaches look so beautiful x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
Kiwi
Great guide for the best FL panhandle beaches. I would love to visit a few of these!