Best 20 beaches in Florida for weddings and elopements, that we carefully selected. West Coast is the ideal location for beautiful sunset beach weddings. With more than 1,000 miles of unspoiled beauty and pristine coastline, it is no surprise that Florida has some of the best beaches in the world. White powdery sand, turquoise waters, and charming beach towns.
20 Best Beaches in Florida for weddings
1. Honeymoon Island state park
2. Sanibel – Captiva Island
3. Fort Myers – Lovers Key State Park
4. Anna Maria Island
5. Naples
6. Marco Island
7. Siesta Key – Sarasota
8. Boca Grande
9. Indian Shores Beach
10. Treasure Island – Sunset Beach
11. Fort De Soto
12. Key largo
13. Destin
14. St Pete Beach (St Petersburg)
15. Clearwater
16. Amelia Island
17. Redington Beach
18. Miami – Key Biscayne
19. St Augustine
20. Cocoa Beach
The Sunshine State has become the perfect place for destination weddings. Couples can enjoy the tropical beauty and romantic sunsets overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
At Easy Elope we offer affordable elopement packages for small weddings and elopements. We make it easy for our couples to enjoy their dream wedding. All you need to do is show up at the beach with your rings and marriage license.
Beach Wedding packages!
Keep in mind the all Florida beaches are public and the sunset can be seen best on the West Coast.
Beach wedding tip: If you have a small wedding party 10 or less people, you can rent a Beach House or a Bungalow for your wedding. Many rentals offer 3-4 day packages that can help cut the cost of a wedding.
Here is our top 20 list for beach weddings.
CLEARWATER BEACH WEDDINGS
Clearwater beach with 2.5 miles of fine sand beaches, boardwalks, popular with Spring breakers. Party zone with numerous hotels, restaurant and shops all along the beach. Clearwater Beach is located on a narrow barrier island just across the water from Clearwater. Close to 1 hour drive from Tampa airport. Walk along the bustling, lively Pier 60 or Clearwater Marina, take the Pirate Cruise, or visit dolphins and other animals at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. If you like a busy beach with plenty of activities, then this is for you.Beach: busy and crowded most of the year.
HONEYMOON ISLAND WEDDINGS
If you’re looking for a secluded state park with stunning natural beauty, Honeymoon Island State Park is where to go. Nature lovers will appreciate the nature trails and gorgeous landscapes, and the beach is pristine, with soft white powdered sand and idyllic crystal blue waters. Perfect for an itinerary filled with sunbathing, nature watching, and shell collecting, Honeymoon Island offers 4 miles of untouched paradise. You may even spot osprey, bald eagle, and great horned owls. Enjoy a stunning sunset, only 25 minute drive from downtown Clearwater.Beach: Perfect for those seeking privacy and tranquility.
INDIAN SHORES WEDDINGS
Indian Shores is what we imagine a beach town in Florida to look like: 5 miles of fine sand beaches. Small town feel, combined with hotels and restaurants. Hidden gem, located south of Clearwater beach and north of St Pete beach. Easy 50 minute drive from Tampa airport.Beach: This is a quieter and less crowded beach with fine sand.
REDINGTON BEACH WEDDINGS
Just south of Indian Shores is another quieter beach town, approximately 1 square mile in size. Primarily residential community with mix of beachfront condos and single family homes located on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. With many restaurants and beach bears to enjoy and relax.Beach: Slightly more crowded than Indian Shores with fine sand and a pier.
TREASURE ISLAND WEDDINGS
Treasure Island and Sunset Beach offer wonderful wide beaches with soft sand. These two beaches are quieter and less crowded than neighboring St Pete beach. Located in the residential district with no high rises. Ideal for couples with less than 10 guests, option to rent a beach house or bungalow for 3-4 days. Host a reception there or go to a nearby restaurant to celebrate after your elopement.Beach: wide beach with soft sand.
ST PETE BEACH WEDDINGS
The City of St. Pete Beach is a barrier island community located just off the mainland of Saint Petersburg. This central Florida Beach is surrounded by the Intracoastal Waterway on the east & the Gulf of Mexico waters on the west. Beach front high rise condos and hotels with abundance of recreational opportunities, restaurants, and shopping. St. Pete Beach is one of the most popular vacation locations in central Florida. At the southern tip of St Pete Beach is the quiet beachside community called Pass a Grille. Tiny beach town with boutiques, restaurants, antique shops and beach shacks.Beach: Miles of fine sandy beaches, choose from several beaches. Beaches are more crowded.
FORT DE SOTO WEDDINGS
Soak in the stunning natural beauty of Florida without tourist crowds at Fort De Soto Park, where shelling, swimming and strolling the white powdered sandy beaches are a top priority. The park consists of five keys (islands), which total more than 1,100 acres, home to not only white-sand beaches but also a myriad of vital ecological zones, including delicate mangrove swamps.You can find colorful seashell treasures found along its wide stretch of sand. Including sand dollar shells and shells that have washed up ashore. Short 20 minute drive from downtown St Petersburg.Beach: Quiet and peaceful, privacy with miles of soft, white sand.
SIESTA KEY- SARASOTA WEDDINGS
Siesta Key is a picturesque barrier island off the southwestern coast of Florida across the bay from mainland Sarasota with eight miles of the fine beaches.Popular Siesta Beach is in Siesta Key – an eight-mile barrier island 1.5 hour drive from Tampa and also has it’s own smaller Sarasota airport. Consistently ranking as one of the top white sand beaches in Florida and USA. One of the most popular places to dine and shop is the St Armands Square, near the beach.
Beach: powdery, soft, white sand and can get crowded, less privacy.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND WEDDINGS
Anna Maria Island is a seven mile long barrier island just north of Siesta beach. Known for its spectacular sunsets and its small town feel laid-back lifestyle. With uncrowded magnificent beaches, and nature trails that will take you all around the island. Excellent golf courses are there for passionate golfers.Beach: peaceful and quiet, with white powdery sand and less crowded that Siesta beach.
BOCA GRANDE WEDDINGS
Step back in time, If you’re looking for a taste of “old Florida,” look no further than Boca Grande. The stunningly traditional island with historical homes, such as the Gasparilla Inn. That’ll take you centuries away from the real world.If you’re looking for life at a slower, more refined pace – where golf carts are the main mode of transit, mint juleps are still all the rage, and you won’t look out of place in a giant floppy hat, then Boca Grande is absolutely the right Florida for you. Located 1.5 hours north from Ft Myers.
Beach: Quiet and peaceful with soft white sandy beaches.
FORT MYERS WEDDINGS
Located on sunny Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Fort Myers beach is a popular tourist destination for its long golden beaches, fabulous fishing, shopping, and as much action as you can stand. Dine and drink in many of the beach front restaurants and bars. Beach: popular and touristy, can get loud and busy during Spring Break. Closest airport is the Southwest International 40 minutes away.
Lovers Key State ParkLovers Key is a popular romantic nature park and frequently hosts picturesque weddings overlooking the Gulf. Perfect for nature lovers and those seeking quiet, relaxing soft pristine sandy beaches to escape the city.
SANIBEL, CAPTIVA WEDDINGS
Sanibel is a unique barrier island with an east-west orientation that earn its reputation as one of the Shell Islands — prime spots along Florida’s coastline for gathering perfectly intact shells. Bowman’s Beach is the quietest and most remote stretch of sand in Sanibel, while a historic lighthouse beckons visitors to take a stroll on the rustic boardwalk at Lighthouse Beach. Wonderful restaurants to catch fresh seafood or cold cocktail. Mostly residential with smaller resorts and hotels with small town feel.Beach: beautiful soft sandy beaches, parking can be a problem.
Captiva Island is a hidden gem, peaceful and quieter than Sanibel. Has a wonderful small town feel and one of the loveliest beach towns in Florida. At sunset, head to Captiva Beach at the end of Captiva Drive to take in a spectacular sunset.
NAPLES WEDDINGS
Naples offers the best beaches in southern Florida. Naples Pier is one of the most popular destinations, where you might spot sea turtle nesting or dolphins splashing about in the water with unique wildlife. The small downtown is perfect for strolling and enjoying a meal at one of their world class restaurants, bars and visiting art galleries. A combination of stunning beaches, beach mansions, known as the Millionaires’ Row.Naples is known for its luxury shopping and golf courses and sits on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida. Closest airport is the Southwest International, 30 minutes away. Or take a two hour drive from Miami.
Beach: 10 miles of tranquil, warm waters with white “sugary” sand. Peaceful and quiet.
MARCO ISLAND WEDDINGS
One of Florida’s Thousand Islands, and the only developed one, Marco Island is located just a short ride from Naples. It is a combination of high rises, luxury resorts, spectacular beaches, and parks. Enjoy lovely sand beaches and collecting shells, or visit Briggs Nature Center with a half-mile long boardwalk where you can watch wild creatures in their real, natural habitats.
Beach: Beautiful white, powdery sand, ideal for shell collecting. Summer quiet, winter moderately busy and parking can be a problem.
KEY LARGO WEDDINGS
The largest and longest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo. John Pennecamp – Florida’s best bet for diving and snorkeling. The key is principally composed of ancient coral rock, called Key Largo limestone, so the beaches are man-made, some of them in state parks that are preserves for the abundant marine life of the reefs. Others are private beaches, usually part of the area’s resorts. Located in the mid Florida Keys, Key Largo is best known for its popular snorkeling and dive sites. John Pennecamp – Florida’s best bet for diving and snorkeling. Inside John PenneKamp Coral Reef State Park, two sandy beaches are open to the public for a fee. The Far Beach and Canon beach, a palm-lined, man-made sandy beach. The water is calm, warm and shallow, making it a good swimming spot, especially for children. For elopements, consider staying at a resort with a private beach. Bahia Honda State Park is located near Marathon. This park offers one of Florida’s most spectacular beaches and, since it is in a state park, it is left in a natural state.
KEY BISCAYNE BEACH WEDDINGS
Drive across the scenic Rickenbacker Causeway, and you’ve entered the subtropical paradise of Key Biscayne. Perfectly positioned off the coast of mainland Miami with idyllic views of the Downtown skyline just 15 minute drive. Key Biscayne is an oasis of opulent neighborhoods, golden beaches and nature preserves with a chic, yet low-key vibe. Once a coconut plantation owned by the Matheson family, who donated 800 acres of land to what is now Crandon Park. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is at Key Biscayne’s southern tip. The mile-long strand is noted for its natural beauty and varied flora.Beach: the water is clean, the sand soft and lovely, the wind light.
COCOA BEACH WEDDINGS
About an hour from Orlando lies Cocoa Beach, a charming seaside town where strange things come together: spaceships, sea turtles, great surfing, fine sandy beaches. It is the home of Port Canaveral Cruises, BCC Planetarium, and the Kennedy Space Center. It is also a warm, laid-back coastal town with miles of lovely beaches where endangered turtles lay eggs, where surfers flock to from all over the world, and where kids enjoy splashing around the water.Beach: fine sandy beaches, can get busy.
ST AUGUSTINE BEACH WEDDINGS
St. Augustine Beach, located on the southern end of 18-mile Anastasia Island, features wide, beautiful beaches. The pier features a four-acre beachfront park. You can choose to spend a day at gorgeous, unspoiled Anastasia State Park, where no cars are allowed on the beach, or drive a bit farther south to St. Augustine Beach where cars are allowed in designated areas. Augustine and Ponte Vedra offer more than 42 miles of beaches to explore. Find beaches with dining and shopping options or spot birds and wildlife in more remote beach settings. Located 40 minutes north of Jacksonville and 3 hour drive from Orlando.
AMELIA ISLAND WEDDINGS
If you’re in search of a relaxing beach destination with old-world charm, consider vacationing on Amelia Island. Situated about 30 miles northeast of Jacksonville,Amelia Island is 13 miles of lush landscape, untouched beach, and laid back vibes. A family-friendly destination favorite in Florida, you’ll find plenty of fun water activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and surfing. Perfect for a leisurely day, take a walk through the 50 blocks of cobbled streets of historic downtown Fernandina Beach to soak up the charming ambiance, then go see a 19th-century fort at Fort Clinch State Park.
Beach: peaceful and quiet, fine sandy beaches.
DESTIN BEACH WEDDINGS
Popular tourist destination, Destin is located on the Emerald Coast in northwest Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. Home to some of the best white sand beaches in Florida, bright green waters, and fabulous fishing. Waters are so rich in fish that the town is named the “world’s luckiest fishing village.” Take a snorkeling trip, or a dolphin cruise and enjoy some of the fresh seafood at a water front restaurant.Beach: powder, soft white sand several beautiful beaches to choose from.
