Cheap Beach Vacations Florida

Panama City Beach

The plane landed. Panama City Beach It’s been 17 years since I first moved here and I always consider myself lucky. It is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and some are even affordable. Thanks to more than 100 beach access points you can easily spend the day building sandcastles or paddleboarding on gentle waves.

Shell Island, the seven-mile barrier island just off St. Andrews State Park on the east end of PCB, provides a private oasis where you can collect moon snails, periwinkles, and olive shells—all native to the area. My family scuba dives and we spend our time underwater exploring the coral-encrusted shipwrecks, Goliath grouper, large sea turtles, and schools of angelfish. You can also play mini-golf on the beach. Locals know to head straight for the food truck. Finns Island Style GrubEnjoy delicious fish tacos at.

St. Augustine Beach

Once you’ve had your fill of affordable attractions like taking the free ferry to Rattlesnake Island–home to Fort Matanzas, a fortified watchtower built by the Spanish in 1740—head to the 42 miles of Atlantic Ocean-facing beaches.

St. Johns County Ocean Pier There is a beachfront playground with bocce courts, as well as a splash zone for children. St. Augustine Beach has a wonderful beachfront park with bocce ball courts, a playground and sprinkling zones for children. Boat Drinks bar for arguably the best piña colada in the state. And that’s saying a lot—last summer, I traveled the state top to bottom, trying cocktails and meeting bartenders while writing a book called, “Florida Cocktails.”

St. George Island

On the Forgotten Coast of FloridaThe pace of life is a little more relaxed. You can go shelling, explore lighthouses and enjoy some of the best stargazing on the beach. Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park. In early summer, you can often see nesting sea turtles on the 22-mile long beach.

It’s been relatively untouched over the last 30 years, and it ranks as one of the best beaches in America.

When you feel hungry, Paddy’s Raw Bar There are a lot of delicious oyster dishes and a shrimp salad sandwich that has just the right amount mayo and Dill. Visit us today Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream Since my children were infants, I take them to the beach after a long day in the sand.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville There are 22 miles of pet-friendly public beaches, dotted with surf shops and boutiques. Restaurants serving Mayport Shrimp, as well as magical spots such Boneyard Beach. The East Coast is a surfer’s paradise. Both visitors and locals can take surfing lessons. Saltwater CowgirlsA crew of female instructors.

Just don’t leave without tasting some Mayport shrimp—Jacksonville’s beaches have several stops on the Mayport Shrimp TrailYou can also visit one of the many fish camps Fresh local seafood. Travel writer Carrie McLaren. Born and raised here. Loves TacoLu Beach Boulevard. She says: “After a day on the beach, my family stops for street corn, tacos and margaritas.”

New Smyrna Beach

Only a little more than an hour away from Orlando’s famous theme parks, and only 30 minutes to Daytona Beach’s high-octane attractions. New Smyrna Beach The small town vibe is accentuated by the long stretches of coastline and the Florida shorebirds that swoop down to feed. There are also history museums and families pedaling beach cruisers on the sand. The Indian River Lagoon is North America’s largest estuary and has 17 miles worth of sandy beaches. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities on a budget.

A two-hour pontoon tour of the Indian River Lagoon is available for a low cost. The tour is led by a professional conservationist. Marine Discovery CenterThe pink-hued Roseate Spoonbill and the elusive Manatee are amongst the many species you can see. You can go fishing and drop your catch off at JB’s Fish CampThe restaurant will cook it on demand for $15, and serve with fries and coleslaw.

Stuart

North of Palm Beach County Stuart South Florida can be enjoyed on a tight budget. The county has a four-story height restriction, so no towering buildings can ruin the uncrowded beaches that stretch for 22 miles. Beaches are all free, and there’s parking for those with mobility problems.

More than 115,000 acres in sprawling parks, conservation land and other open spaces offer a variety of opportunities for exploration, including some that are free. guided eco toursYou can go on sea turtle beach walks or birding tours, as well as kayak trips.

Key Largo

Many people find that a Florida Keys vacation Key West is the end of the island chain, but it’s not the cheapest option. Key Largo has the most beaches and is located just a few hours north.

The first underwater park in the country is also located here. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State ParkAdmission starts at $4.50. Cannon Beach offers a variety of activities, including sunbathing on Far Beach or swimming to the remnants 100 feet offshore of an old Spanish shipwreck.

For travelers looking for affordable dining, Mrs. Mac’s KitchenMany of my personal diving trips have been fueled by, the longest running restaurant in Key Largo.

Hollywood Beach

Hollywood is located in between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Miami. It offers budget-friendly beach vacations that are a bit more relaxed than those to the north or south. The entire area is walkable, and I always stop by Le Tub for one of their toasted coconut piña coladas.

A boardwalk or Broadwalk as it is called here, makes a beach look particularly appealing. Broadwalk, the 2.5-mile pedestrian route, is made of bricks, not wood.

You can enjoy the stunning ocean views while you walk or roller skate (my preferred form of transportation). Two parks offer a little respite from the summer heat—paddleball is popular at the historic Garfield Street courts, and the children’s water playground at Charnow Park has a whimsical dolphin fountain for kids of all ages (like me) to play in.

Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach has one of the longest federally protected seashores in the U.S. Gulf Islands National Seashore. A perfect afternoon might include swimming, sandcastle-building, and snorkeling on 40 miles of white sand beaches. On Tuesdays between April and Oktober, local musicians will provide the soundtrack for your beach vacation.

Pensacola also hosts the first stop of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, So don’t leave home without your binoculars.

Pensacola is also home to Perdido Key. Flora-Bama Yacht Club—one of my favorite places to spend a lazy afternoon at the beach. The lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and other musicians are painted on the walls. There is also memorabilia from musicians who have passed through. And the unobstructed views of the beach and the ocean make it a must-see for anyone visiting Florida. Get one of the legendary Bushwackers to experience island life.

Manasota Key

The barrier island between Fort Myers and Tampa is a little-known paradise. Stay for the beautiful beaches that are dotted with shark teeth. Hermitage Artist Retreat, A multidisciplinary collective that offers free and low cost public events.

There are also nature reserves on the island, including Lemon Bay Aquatic PreserveParasailing, tarpon fishing, dolphin tours, and other activities are available. You can enjoy parasailing and tarpon fishing as well as dolphin tours. And if you find a green sea grape leaf while exploring, add a stamp and mail it as if it were a postcard for the destination—it’s a little-known, time-honored tradition on Manasota Key.