Warm water, soft sand, plenty of sunshine – there's nothing quite like the best family beaches in Florida when it comes to family Beach vacations. Whether you prefer playing in the surf on the Atlantic side or floating in the peaceful waters of the Gulf of Mexico, there's a Florida beach just right for your next family vacation.

As a Florida-based mom and frequent traveler around the Sunshine State, I've been up, down, and all around Florida's beaches over the years, often with my daughter in tow. From secluded state parks to action-packed stretches of sand, there's a beach for every age, interest, mood, and style. Here are my picks for the most family-friendly beaches in Florida.

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St. Augustine, Florida

You'll find four miles of white quartz sand beach at Anastasia State Park in historic St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States. A raised boardwalk travels over the dunes between the parking lot and beach, and animal lovers should keep an eye out for gopher tortoises, dolphins, and all kinds of birds. (The park is located on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail). 

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Lifeguards monitor a designated swimming area from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and other amenities that rank this among the best beaches for families in Florida include covered picnic pavilions, restrooms, The Island Beach Shop and Grill, and free beach wheelchairs upon request. When you're done swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, you can rent a bike, paddle board, or kayak to explore more of the park.

Boca Raton, Florida

In Boca Raton, the 40-acre oceanfront Red Reef Park has all of the most important amenities to make it one of the best family beaches in Florida, including year-round lifeguards, picnic and barbecue areas, public restrooms, and even a playground. It's also home to a recreational snorkeling reef that was completed in 2021, a waterfront nine-hole golf course, and walking trails. 

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The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is located inside the park as well, and the whole family can add to a day at the beach with a visit to its Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility and outdoor aquariums representing different Southeast Florida marine habitats.

Deerfield Beach, Florida

This portion of coastline on Florida's East Coast has been certified a "Blue Wave" beach by the Clean Beaches Coalition, which means it has met certain criteria for excellence in areas like water quality and beach conditions. And Deerfield Beach isn't just a nice place to swim, it's also a safe Florida beach destination for families as well with lifeguards manning nine towers along a one-mile stretch every day throughout the year. 

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Deerfield Beach's International Fishing Pier also extends almost 1,000 feet out into the Atlantic. You can rent fishing rods and buy other necessities. Sand volleyball courts can be found on the north side of the pier, and surfing is allowed between the north side and south of tower number seven. If you've never ridden the waves before, Island Water Sports holds free Saturday morning surf lessons on the beach and also offers private and group standup paddleboarding and skimboarding lessons.

Clearwater, Florida

A perennial favorite for family beach vacations in Florida, Clearwater Beach draws legions of visitors each year to its sugary white sand and clear shallow waters. Lifeguards watch over this stretch of the Gulf of Mexico, and family-friendly amenities include a playground, volleyball nets, and restrooms. 

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The 1,080-foot Pier 60 rents and sells fishing gear, and there are lots of restaurants and shops within easy walking distance. Given its immense popularity, it's smart to plan your parking strategy in advance and secure your spot on the early side. 

Hollywood, Florida

Want a lot of options for your day at the beach? Head to Hollywood Beach, which sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Yes, there's a very pretty swath of sand leading to the Atlantic Ocean, where lifeguards keep watch every day of the year. But there's so much that makes this one of the best beaches in Florida for families, and you can access it all by heading out on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.

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This 2.5-mile paved brick pathway travels along the shore past an array of beachfront shops and restaurants, the Hollywood Beach Theatre, and Charnow Park, where you'll find playgrounds and a splash fountain for the kids. You can rent bikes for pedaling the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk or visit one of the self-service PADL kiosks to rent paddle boards for some family time out on the water. 

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Tweens and teens will love the beach scene at legendary surf spot Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach, the closest Florida beach town to all the best Orlando theme parks. Grab a spot on the sand to watch experienced shredders ride the waves at what's considered the "East Coast Surfing Capital," or book a private or semi-private surf lesson to try hanging ten yourself. 

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This isn't necessarily a relax-on-the-sand kind of beach, but families with older kids will find lots of activity and good people watching. Like most of the best family beaches in Florida, Cocoa Beach has year-round lifeguards, showers, and beach volleyball courts. Its namesake pier is lined with shops and restaurants extending 800 feet out into the Atlantic. 

Key Biscayne, Florida

A two-mile stretch of soft white sand in Key Biscayne, family-friendly Crandon Beach consistently earns praise for its beauty and calm waters thanks to an offshore sandbar. (Lifeguards are on hand just in case, of course.) The beach offers plenty of parking and a wide range of amenities that put it among the best family beaches in Florida, including concession stands, picnic areas with grills, cabana rentals, beach wheelchairs, and kiteboard equipment rentals and lessons. 

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There's a whole lot to explore here beyond the beach, too, like the Crandon Park Amusement Center with its restored carousel and outdoor roller rink and the self-guided nature trails by the Crandon Park Visitor and Nature Center.

Naples, Florida

A three-quarter-mile boardwalk travels through a mangrove forest down to the beach at the popular Clam Pass Park on Florida's Gulf coast. Like other family-friendly beaches in Florida, visitor amenities include public restrooms, a snack bar, and a beach concession that rents chairs, cabanas, canoes, and kayaks. There are no lifeguards here, but the City of Naples's Beach Patrol monitors area beaches every day of the year and assists with any medical emergencies that arise. Loaner life jackets and a beach wheelchair are also available. 

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Clam Pass Park's 35 acres of coastal habitat is a great place to spot birds, butterflies, and a variety of marine life, and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida offers guided nature walks Monday through Saturday from December to April.

Siesta Key, Florida

Twice named "best beach in America" by Stephen "Dr. Beach" Leatherman, Siesta Beach is also one of the best beaches in Florida for families. Located on Siesta Key near downtown Sarasota, this kid-friendly beach has a wide expanse of soft, powdery white, quartz-crystal sand that somehow doesn't get hot in the Florida sun. It's situated on a stretch of the Gulf of Mexico that is usually pretty calm, and its colorful lifeguard stands look good in vacation photos (and help you remember where you spread your beach towel). 

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Siesta Beach also has pretty much everything your family might need right on site, from newish restrooms and places to rent beach gear to a playground and options for buying food and drinks. Visit on Sundays to catch the legendary Siesta Key Drum Circle rhythmically usher in the sunset. 

Anna Maria Island, Florida

Start your Manatee Public Beach day at Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe with an order of all-you-can-eat pancakes. This is also the spot on Anna Maria Island where you can rent chairs and umbrellas; find beach restrooms, showers, and changing areas; and pick up T-shirts, towels, and other necessities at the gift shop.

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Lifeguards are on duty watching over the Gulf coast shoreline, and a playground and volleyball courts offer alternatives to swimming. End the day back at the cafe area with an ice cream cone or drink at the Bamboo Beach Bar.

Tierra Verde, Florida

The three miles of beach at the 1,136-acre Fort De Soto Park on the west central coast of Florida has earned "best beach" honors from both Tripadvisor and "Dr. Beach" in years past, and it's not hard to see why. Start with the scenic setting among five interconnected islands, where from certain spots you can take in sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Add in all the amenities here, from a playground and picnic shelters to fishing piers and canoe and kayak rentals, and you easily get one of the best family beaches in Florida.

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You can also explore the park's namesake Spanish-American War-era fort, try to spot some of the more than 300 species of birds that have been seen here, and wander the seven miles of paved trail through the park. There's even a special dog-friendly area where the family pup can go for a swim. The only drawback? There are no lifeguards on duty at the park.

Stuart, Florida

The entire family can enjoy Stuart Beach, where there are lifeguards are on duty all day long. And when kids need a break from the beautiful beach, there's volleyball and basketball courts to keep them entertained.

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Bring a cooler backpack and pack a lunch to enjoy at a covered picnic table or grab something to eat or drink at the Seaside Café. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and other beach essentials are also available for rent to make your day on the sand more comfortable. After lunch, head just across the street to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center to learn more about stingrays, sea turtles, and other creatures you might have seen swimming by.

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

The 2,000-acre Grayton Beach State Park on the Florida Panhandle includes a mile of beach with sugar white sand and emerald-hued water ideal for swimming and surf fishing. There are no lifeguards here, but the park does offer family-friendly amenities like picnic pavilions, restrooms, and a beach wheelchair that can be reserved. 

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You can also explore a one-mile nature trail near the beach or paddle the park's 100-acre coastal dune lake, a geographical feature found only in a few other places in the world. (Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the park.) 

Panama City Beach, Florida

Everyone in your family will find something to love about Russell-Fields City Pier and Beach in the Florida Panhandle beach. That includes your four-legged critters, who can enjoy the Dog Beach on the west side of the Russell-Fields City Pier (dogs must be leashed). 

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The whole area is known for its white sand and emerald Gulf of Mexico waters, and there's also beach volleyball courts, restrooms and showers, and lifeguards on duty from April through Labor Day weekend. Head out onto the 1,500-foot Russell-Fields City Pier for some fishing or wildlife spotting, or walk across the street to Pier Park for lunch or a little shopping to get out of the sun. 

The article 14 best family beaches in Florida originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.

FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. FamilyVacationist covers family vacation ideas; family vacation spots; all-inclusive family resorts; and must-have travel accessories for families. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.