Best Beaches on Emerald Coast
Whether you are a tourist or a local, find out the best beach spots of the Emerald Coast here! The Beaches Are What Make the Emerald Coast The sheer number of visitors to the Emerald Coast tells us that more than likely you’re at least familiar with the sugar-white beaches that define these amazingly beautiful coastal towns. Included in the places that make up the Emerald Coast are places like Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Perdido Key, Panama City Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Destin. This area is packed with beautiful white sand beaches that rival those in Mexico and the Caribbean. Here are some of the best beaches you’ll find in the area.
The Five Best Beaches of the Emerald Coast
1. Beasley Park in Destin, FL– Beasley Park is a somewhat secluded beach spot on Okaloosa Island. It features a covered picnic area, clean bathrooms, and vending. Depending on the time of year, there is a small shop with snacks and beach activities like kites and boogie boards available. This beach is ideal for families, couples, or anyone looking for a little less populated beach. This beach doesn’t draw the party types typically, so we like it for the quiet scenic beauty and relaxing atmosphere.
2. Casino Beach in Pensacola, FL– This beach has an entirely different atmosphere from our first pick. Casino Beach gives a great view of local surfers, along with vendors, and a fishing pier. During peak season, many local radio stations do live remotes here, giving a fun party feel. The Portofino Boardwalk offers great food options. While this is one of the busier spots in the Emerald Coast, if you want the traditional Florida beach fun, this is the spot.
3. Grayton Beach in Santa Rosa Beach, FL- This is one of the best beaches in the area for pretty much any activity you can imagine. It’s a 2,000 acre park equipped with a boat ramp, canoes, kayaks, swimming, and surf fishing. Four miles of trails also offer something sand-free for hikers and bicyclists. You can even stay the night in cabins or at the full-facility campground.
4. Gulf Islands National Seashore in Navarre, FL– This is a National Park that is packed with fun for families. If you want to snorkel, bird watch, fish, swim, boat, or camp, you’ll want to add Gulf Islands National Seashore to your list of places to visit along the Emerald Coast. There are a number of ranger-led tours featuring historic forts, barrier island walks, and tours where you can learn about local wildlife and more. This beach isn’t the “lay in a beach chair” experience and a great place to take in all that the Emerald Coast has to offer.
5. Johnson Beach in Perdido Key, FL– We hate to tell you about this one, because it’s sort of a secret beach, but is a must on the “best beaches” list. Johnson Beach offers the characteristic beautiful white sand, emerald blue waters, and gorgeous seashells, and it’s hardly ever crowded. You have access to the Gulf side and the bay, making it a unique area to explore. It’s best to bring what you want or need here, as there usually are no vendors. Keep an eye on the water, you may see dolphins!
What are your favorite Emerald Coast Beaches? If you’ve visited the area before, or if you’re local, what do you think are the best Emerald Coast beaches? We would love to hear which places you love to visit. After all, while we do work hard selling businesses in the area, we like to get out and explore in our down time. This area of Florida is beautiful and full of gorgeous beaches. Leave a comment and tell us what you’re favorite beach in the area is.