5 Unique Weekend Getaways in Florida

1. Anna Maria Island

Can’t miss: Spotting dolphins on a local boat tour, and eating grouper sandwiches at a waterfront café.

Old-Florida vibes, no high-rises, and sugar-soft sand define Anna Maria Island. Stroll along Pine Avenue for boutique shopping, dine on the pier at Rod & Reel Pier, or rent bikes and explore the seven miles of coastline. Sunset at Bean Point Beach is a must.

Featured home: Tropical Gulf View Estate

2. Cape San Blas

Can’t miss: Climbing the historic Cape San Blas Lighthouse and roasting marshmallows over a beach bonfire.

Cape San Blas is the Panhandle at its most peaceful—think wide beaches and laid-back vibes. Explore St. Joseph Peninsula State Park for hiking and birding, or go scalloping in St. Joseph Bay (seasonal, but unforgettable).

Featured home: Dome Home

3. Navarre

Can’t miss: Watching sea turtles hatch (summer months) and sampling fresh Gulf shrimp at a dockside eatery.

Known as “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place,” Navarre is a hidden gem with some of the Gulf’s whitest sand. Walk the Navarre Beach Pier (the longest in the Gulf of Mexico), snorkel the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, or kayak along the scenic waterways.

Featured home: Peace of Paradise

4. Melbourne Beach

Can’t miss: Taking a day trip to Kennedy Space Center, then coming back for a quiet starlit walk on the beach.

Tucked away south of Cape Canaveral, Melbourne Beach blends relaxation with adventure. Explore the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a prime nesting site for sea turtles, or hit the waves at local surf breaks. History buffs can check out the Melbourne Beach Pier, one of the oldest in Florida.

Featured home: Casa De Playa

5. Lower Keys

Can’t miss: Catching a sunset at Bahia Honda State Park, one of Florida’s most stunning beaches.

Beyond the busy streets of Key West, the Lower Keys offer tranquility, solitude, and natural beauty. Kayak through the mangroves in Big Pine Key, snorkel at Looe Key Reef, or look for tiny Key deer at the National Key Deer Refuge. For fresh seafood and live music, try a dockside tiki bar on Cudjoe or Sugarloaf Key.

Featured home: Tradewinds Treat

Nature & adventure

Devil’s Den (Williston): Underground spring cave for snorkeling and diving.
Three Sisters Springs (Crystal River): Clear waters and winter manatees.
Falling Waters State Park (Chipley): Florida’s tallest waterfall.
Dry Tortugas National Park (off Key West): Remote island fort with world-class snorkeling.

Coastal towns

Anna Maria Island: Relaxed Gulf Coast beaches, no high-rises.
Cedar Key: Small, artsy fishing village with great sunsets.
Apalachicola: Historic oyster town with Old Florida charm.
Pass-a-Grille: Classic beach town near St. Pete.

Culture & quirky spots

Tarpon Springs: Greek heritage and sponge docks.
Mount Dora: Artsy lakeside town with antique shops.
Wakulla Springs: Deep freshwater spring with glass-bottom boat tours.
Weeki Wachee Springs: Famous mermaid shows plus kayaking.

Panhandle / Gulf Coast

Cape San Blas – Quiet stretches of white sand with few crowds, especially outside Port St. Joe.
St. George Island – Miles of undeveloped beach, perfect for shelling and long walks.
Grayton Beach State Park – Scenic dunes and coastal dune lakes, less busy than nearby Destin.
Navarre Beach – Known as “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place,” with peaceful shores and soft sand.

Central Florida / Space Coast

Melbourne Beach – Low-key, uncrowded, and family-friendly, with plenty of natural space.
Cocoa Beach North End – Away from the pier and main tourist strip, it’s calmer for a quiet day.

West Coast / Gulf Coast

Fort De Soto Park (North Beach) – Popular with locals but large enough that it rarely feels packed.
Cayo Costa State Park – Accessible only by boat or ferry, offering pristine sand and privacy.

South Florida / Keys

Bahia Honda State Park – Stunning views with fewer visitors than Key West beaches.
Long Key State Park – Less commercialized than the southern Keys, with quiet snorkeling spots.

The “bluest water” in Florida tends to be found along the Gulf Coast and certain spring-fed areas rather than the Atlantic side, which can be more greenish or murky due to currents and sediment. Here’s a breakdown:

Gulf Coast / Panhandle

Destin / Emerald Coast: The water here is famously turquoise and clear, earning it the nickname “Emerald Coast.”
Cape San Blas & St. Joseph Peninsula: Soft white sand and shallow waters make the Gulf a stunning blue-green.
Navarre & Pensacola Beach: Calm, clear water perfect for swimming and paddleboarding.

Southwest Florida

Sanibel & Captiva Islands: Shallow, calm waters with vibrant turquoise shades.
Marco Island / Ten Thousand Islands: Clear, calm waters weaving through mangroves and estuaries.

Florida Keys

Lower Keys & Key Largo: Coral reefs, shallow flats, and white sand bottoms create bright aquamarine water.
Bahia Honda State Park: Often considered the clearest and bluest of all Keys beaches.

Freshwater Springs

Ginnie Springs, Devil’s Den, and Ichetucknee Springs: These inland springs have incredibly clear, almost neon-blue freshwater thanks to their limestone filtration.

💡 Tip: The bluest water is usually found in shallow areas over white sand or limestone bottoms, and on calm, sunny days when the sun is high.

A car is recommended for Cape San Blas, Navarre, and the Lower Keys since public transportation is limited. On Anna Maria Island, you can get around easily by bike, golf cart, or trolley.

Snorkeling at Looe Key Reef, scalloping in St. Joseph Bay, kayaking with dolphins near Navarre, or catching a rocket launch on the Space Coast all make for unforgettable Florida weekends.